We’ve made quite a lot of progress on the student loans this year. I refinanced $208k in mid January 2018 and we are already down to $85k in October of 2018. You would think paying over $120k in 9 months would be enough for me.
But darn it, I’m ambitious.
I keep thinking about how easy it would be to pick up a couple of hospitalist or urgent care shifts and really knock these student loans down quickly.
But then, I’m reminded of what my goal was throughout all of this.
The whole point of deflating the lifestyle was to align my money with what is really important to me: my family, my time, and my freedom.
Working more would mean losing the precious weekends I have with my little boys.
My 18 month old little guy surprised us the other night. He speaks mostly in gibberish right now. But he lay down on the bed and looked up at the stuck on glow in the dark stars on the ceiling and declared, clear as day, “staahhhsss.” He had the best smile of pure amazement on his face. What a cool moment. And I could have missed it. I already miss so many moments while working full time.
Let me take a minute to address the recent comments by Dr. Gary Tigges of Texas. Here is what he said:
I grew up watching some doctors in my community miss their kids’ entire childhood because they were working. They would work a normal job and then moonlight on the weekend for extra cash. I already work a full time job as a primary care physician, a full time job as a mom and wife, and another job writing here. Just because I choose not to work the weekends DOES NOT justify paying me less for the full time job that I do work. When I am at work, I am diligent, empathetic, thorough, and efficient. Equal pay for equal work, Dr. Tigges. That’s what is fair.
Ugh. Anyways. So no, I don’t think I will pick up extra shifts. We cut back our spending so we could pay down the loans while still maintaining time with family. My kids are 3 and 1 years old. These years where they still want to run and hug me fly by so fast. I want to be around at least on the weekends. Paying the loans off in 12 versus 18 months is just not worth missing this beautiful time in their lives.
Not to say anyone is wrong for working more. I just choose not to at this moment. For most people, the ideal balance is likely a little bit of both cutting back and working more. To each her own. The essential point is keeping what is important to you at the forefront of your decision.
Please excuse the iPhone photos but look at these beautiful moments we had this last weekend with the boys. I wouldn’t have missed these moments for the world.
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