Afford Anything | Make Smart Money Choices Q&A: The Case for NOT Paying Off Your Student Loans
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Apr 14, 2026 A trio of real money dilemmas: whether to hold an inheritance or pay down $90,000 in student loans amid repayment uncertainty. A near-retiree weighing part-time work to soften sequence-of-returns risk. A retiree navigating taxes and setup for a part-time rental that is also a personal home.
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Keep Cash Ready Until Loan Rules Clear
- Prioritize cashflow over interest-rate optimization when future payments could be unaffordable.
- Hold inherited $20–25K as dry powder until student-loan policy clarity arrives and avoid creating a cash shortfall if payments spike.
Use The 90 Day Transition Window Strategically
- Policy rollouts create decision windows you can use to plan rather than panic.
- SAVE plan borrowers get 90 days from their servicer notice (likely starting July 1) to pick a new repayment plan.
Cut Fixed Costs To Create Payment Buffer
- While waiting for government clarity, actively shrink fixed costs to create budget room for higher future payments.
- Target high-friction, high-impact cuts like housing or car choices, not just streaming or dining.