If you have federal loans this is an hour of must-watch information where I spill the beans and give a step-by-step process when it comes to income driven repayment plans.

For many of my fellow lawyers, student loans are a never ending mountain of stress. There are so many things to consider, especially now with all the changes the government is making.

In this Zoominar we talked about three different strategies because (​spoiler alert!) paying them off as quickly as possible is not always the best way.

Here’s my top reasons why I stayed stuck in Biglaw (and it wasn’t just about the money!)…deeper issues kept me there and I doubt my struggle is unique.

My journey started as a Biglaw attorney with over $200,000 in student loans. With clear goals, a well-thought out plan, and hard work I’ve paid off my debt and escaped my Biglaw title. I’m now living out my dream of working as an Accredited Financial Counselor while traveling the country with my husband in our RV named Fiona. Follow along on our adventures and start planning your own!

I just made my last payment after graduating with over $200,000 of student loans. 🎉 Along the way I raised twin boys as a single mom, saved for retirement and my kids’ college education, married my dream partner, left the law to become an Accredited Financial Counselor, and am currently writing this blog post from my RV.

How did I do it? I took advantage of student loan repayment plans, 401k & 529 contributions, minimum payments, and focused on financial goals to break free of my law school debt. Read the blog for all the gritty details.

Elena Deutsch was my lively, engaging guest and she did not disappoint. As the founder of WILL, Women Interested in Leaving (big)Law, she helps women who feel stuck and unhappy, achieve clarity, relief, and leave their soul-sucking jobs, whether they are in-house, at a small law firm, or already have left the law field.

What you do with your finances now will determine how you get to live later. The FIRE (Financial Independence/Retire Early) Movement is all about hitting your debt hard so you can get to a point in your life where you no longer have to have an active job to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

We talk a lot about student loans around here but we don’t always get to get into the more advanced and complicated topics related to them such as taxes. Well today we do! The fabulous Lauryn Williams joined me for almost an hour clearing up misconceptions and answering questions from real people (and not just lawyers!) struggling with student loans.

Summer, amirite? Man that was a doozy and I feel like I’m still recovering from the multiple life-changing events in both my personal and professional life. If you missed some of the updates, my twins graduated high school, we bought an RV, we sold our suburban house and are enjoying city apartment life, and my business reached a pretty big milestone (more on that later).

But between all these big events I’m so proud to say I’ve been able to continue helping my clients develop better money habits and start walking a path to the financial life they dream about. If you had a whirlwind of a summer like I did, you may have missed some of the posts I actually did get up on LinkedIn. Check them out below and see what folks are talking about in the comments.

If you’ve never heard of Annie Little, you’re missing out. She is a spunky, realist lawyer and career transition expert. She has been coaching other lawyers on career transitions since 2012 and making big moves with her company, JD Nation, LLC.

June 7-13

Taking the first step in change is by far the hardest part., It’s true the possibilities for your future can be endless, but you have to make choices. Whether it’s changing jobs or making a new family purchase (i.e. an RV) the feeling of commitment is daunting. BUT once you define your goals and your vision for your future, financially or otherwise, putting one foot in front of the other becomes a whole lot easier.

Helping people map out their financial future is my passion. Helping lawyers with this is my superpower. The financial industry can be a tricky web, especially for law firm owners, which is why I brought in my friend Hannah to talk about investments, taxes and the power of planning.

May 24-30

Not only is the housing market blowing up right now, but so is the job market for lawyers! Change can be very scary, but also a very exciting crossroads. It’s no secret that happiness and money don’t always see eye to eye. The training we receive as up-and-coming lawyers sometimes leads us to look for the dark side of people first. It is exhausting work!

See what I mean in my LinkedIn posts from this past week. You can find a path to a career you love and still have financial stability...maybe even financial freedom. See what others have to say!

May 17-23

Wearing a mask is exhausting - especially figuratively. As lawyers, mothers and even people we often wear masks to feel like we are fitting the part, but at what cost? Once you are able to remove your mask you won’t believe the freedom you will feel! Freedom to be YOU and to do all the things you want in life….like maybe travel? Or maybe stay home and NEVER travel....

May 10-16

In some parts of the country life is starting to resemble a little bit of normalcy. Makes me think about how things are different and whether or not some of the changes are actually a bad thing. Have you thought about how much money you are saving on monthly expenses you no longer have to pay for? Being lazy can also help you save (also not a bad thing).

May 3-9, 2021

This past week was Well-Being Week In Law (formerly Lawyer Well-Being Week). I found myself doing a lot of reflection on Biglaw and the financing it took to get there. I also noticed a thought-provoking trend among my clients, you may have noticed too.

If you took some time away from LinkedIn this past week, keep reading for the posts you may have missed and some of my favorite comments to go along.

April 26-May 2, 2021

It’s May which means it’s almost officially Spring! Cleaning, gardening and open windows are on the horizon. Just imagining it brings a smile to my face. You know what else makes me smile? Knowing the answer, a surprising brand of pizza and paying your credit cards in FULL.

Check out last week’s LinkedIn posts plus some great comments and you’ll know what I mean.

April 19-25, 2021

In case you were busy enjoying some mid-April sunshine, here are a few posts you may have missed from me on LinkedIn. Let me tell you a surprising hobby that changed my life and how credit cards affected me early on.

April 12-18, 2021

What did you miss on LinkedIn last week? How about the time I mistakenly produced privileged documents or some of the things folks have added during the pandemic?

I am often the first financial professional my clients talk to, but very rarely am I the last. As your assets grow and life evolves, it’s important to link up with the right professionals to set your future (and your families’) up for success. Natalie Elisha Gold is one of those professionals. Her expertise in Estate Planning aka Legacy Planning is unparalleled. Natalie carries a full career of experience, but above that, she is real-life and relatable.

Taxes don’t have to be scary. In this Zoominar, I speak with tax expert Lisa Niser on the key things to look out for when you’re a professional at tax time.