+- Hack Forums (https://hackforums.net)
+-- Forum: General Topics (https://hackforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=7)
+--- Forum: World (https://hackforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=445)
+---- Forum: The Lounge (https://hackforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=25)
+---- Thread: Need some guidance with student loans :( (/showthread.php?tid=6300215)
Pages: Pages
1
2
Need some guidance with student loans :( - junooo - Jun 12, 2025
Heya guys!
I’m 21. I live alone. I study full-time, and whenever I’m not in class, I’m delivering packages to try and stay above water.
I’m €17,000 in debt from student loans, and it goes up every single month.
I take the highest possible loan amount just to survive: rent, groceries, cats (they’re non-negotiable, they’re the only thing that makes this apartment feel alive), and at the end of the month I'm lucky if I manage to put 2 euro in my savings account.
I have thought about lowering the loan amount, so the interest doesn't get worse, but then how do I eat? How do I keep the lights on and most importantly, how do I feed the cats?
I’m doing everything I can. I stretch what I have, I don’t shop, I don’t go out, I treat my laptop and phone like glass, I ration shampoo, I know all the discount days, I use the free public transport and most of all: I don’t waste anything.
It’s not like I’m doing nothing. I’m doing everything I can. And I’ve worked hard to get here.
-
A few years ago, things were really different. I was escorting, because I needed money, because I was deep in drugs from personal problems. It's honestly a long story, and it took me a while to get out. But I promised myself I would get out before it killed me.
And I did. I stopped using and I got clean. I enrolled in university, I got my own place and therapy. I made new routines with no men, no drugs and no scenes. Just me and my cats, my books and my pc. It's not glamorous, but it's peaceful, and I'm proud of that.
-
But sometimes I wonder if I just set myself a new trap. Because even though everything that I'm doing right now is going good, the debt and the fear about that still sits on my chest from the moment I wake up to the moment I close my eyes again.
I'm scared that I'll work like this for years and have nothing to show for it but receipts. I'm scared that when I'm forty I will wake up and say "time for another day of work just to pay off whatever I did when I was younger".
I want to learn something that can actually change my future. I NEED to. I want to make a move. Something that will help me start paying this loan off as soon as I possibly can.
I’ve tried getting into coding. I'm not the best, but if I had more time I think I could make something out of it. But even then there are always people ahead of me, I don't think I could ever catch up and get some money out of that. I can write, but I don't know how to sell any of my skills, I don't know where to look. I generally just don't know where or how I can sell myself or something I made, knowing that there are always people out there that do it better and for a better price. I just feel so stuck!
I don’t want to go back to how things were. I don’t want that life. I’m not even tempted by it, really. But I’d be lying if I said the thought doesn’t creep in sometimes. Not because I miss it, but because I remember what that kind of money looked like, and it’s so hard not to compare it to this: this version of me that works five times harder for five times less.
I’m open to anything. If anyone’s been in a similar place, or just has advice, or perspective: I would really, really appreciate it.
Thanks for reading all that guys
-xo juno <3
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - SpiritualDose - Jun 12, 2025
Sounds like you have the concept of frugal living down pretty well.
Make sure you have a fully written out budget, account for every single penny that leaves your bank account. Clear out any non-essential recurring costs that you currently have and divert those into payments towards your loan.
Student loans are super shitty, Im assuming you have a job currently?
You need another stream or two of income. Use what you currently have to make some money. Here are some examples:
If you're a female there are a few things you could do that I dont ever necessarily recommend women do but online you can make some money for sure.
You could learn about those methods ^ in the Hacking section of the site.
You could try to offer some physical services such as: cleaning, car detailing, dog walking, etc.
If you have a computer and internet you could try getting into streaming especially if you're a female. I have a great idea and its signing up on Kick, creating some girly graphics, getting a webcam, and then using online crypto casinos "FUN PLAY" mode (Which sets you with a fake $ amount balance to gamble with).
This is a HUGE niche right now, gambling is taking over like another crack pandemic. I would turn to that if you want a quick way to start earning some income. Then you could also use some EH tactics that you may or may not learn in the hacking section to drive some of your kick traffic towards a snapchat, etc.
Oh sorry, you study full time and deliver packages when you're not in class. I read too fast..
Look at earning income digitally AND doing some sort of physical services as well to really earn in any of your free time. PM Me or add my discord: r.esurrected I'm always interested in talking about tons of ways to make money.
Also, I noticed you used the euro sign... IF you are US based I would be willing to let you in on a method to see if I can help you make a quick few thousand dollars just to be kind.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - Nostre - Jun 12, 2025
Optimism:
Quote:I’ve tried getting into coding. I'm not the best, but if I had more time I think I could make something out of it.
Excuse:
Quote:But even then there are always people ahead of me, I don't think I could ever catch up and get some money out of that.
Optimism:
Quote:I can write,
Excuse:
Quote:but I don't know how to sell any of my skills, I don't know where to look.
Use AI to your advantage. Use it as a buddy who has unlimited amounts of knowledge at the click of a button.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - junooo - Jun 12, 2025
(Jun 12, 2025 02:29 PM)Nostre Wrote: Optimism:
Excuse:
Optimism:
Excuse:
Use AI to your advantage. Use it as a buddy who has unlimited amounts of knowledge at the click of a button.
I did ask chat. I have a list of things I can try, but I won't be able to pay off the loans unless my side gig pays super well. I'm just feeling stuck, I'm sorry, I need more than an AI telling me what I could possibly do.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - Punisher - Jun 12, 2025
In the US there's programs out there where you can take out a lower-interest loan to pay off high-interest debt, I've never used these types of services before, but it might be worth looking into whether these services exist where you live and if you qualify for them.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - Tyr - Jun 12, 2025
Ah man, I'd give you some advice but I do not know the system over there like here. I wish you luck though and know you'll get through this. You're not alone, trust.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - junooo - Jun 12, 2025
(Jun 12, 2025 10:03 PM)Punisher Wrote: In the US there's programs out there where you can take out a lower-interest loan to pay off high-interest debt, I've never used these types of services before, but it might be worth looking into whether these services exist where you live and if you qualify for them.
Hey, thank you! I looked into them, but I can only get these after I finish my bachelors, which is in 2 years. I wrote it down, though, and I will probably try to see if I can get in for a head start. Thanks <3
(Jun 12, 2025 10:08 PM)Tyr Wrote: Ah man, I'd give you some advice but I do not know the system over there like here. I wish you luck though and know you'll get through this. You're not alone, trust.
Thank you. <3
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - Chrome - Jun 12, 2025
Do you drive? Could you try start something like a car washing business or mowing business?
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - junooo - Jun 12, 2025
(Jun 12, 2025 11:06 PM)Chrome Wrote: Do you drive? Could you try start something like a car washing business or mowing business?
I have a license, but I don't have a car. I'll look into stuff like taskrabbit that I can maybe do on a Sunday. It just won't pay my bills I think but it's a good start! Thanks <3
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - Phantom_NiNja - Jun 13, 2025
(Jun 12, 2025 09:51 PM)junooo Wrote: I did ask chat. I have a list of things I can try, but I won't be able to pay off the loans unless my side gig pays super well. I'm just feeling stuck, I'm sorry, I need more than an AI telling me what I could possibly do.
You need to use AI and if you can try and buy access to the pro tools when you're comfortable with it.
My advice is do something cheap. I assume you have a cellphone. If this is true just make video's and post it online.
You can start out doing vlogs. Figure out if something is going on in your city or near you that's exciting.
Then post on it. It's easier said than done. however, if you can post a video a week where you can make interesting videos.
Some can be urban exploring where you just look at google maps and just find some interesting things in your area that
are cool to look at or abandon buildings.. just research the buildings history and talk about it.
The first year you might not get anything going. It will most likely be the next year. You would have to hit some metrics in order to get AdSense going.
If you can write try blog or write articles and use adsense with it.
in this day and age there's a lot out there to do to make extra money. Do you have yard? You can grow food like fruits and vegies..etc
then sell them and capture the seeds and replant them.
You can always grow weed or cook meth. On youtube there's videos about them.
Also for student loans why not declarer bankruptcy? Find an attorney and ask them what it would take to win a bankruptcy case.
They will guide on what you need to do. Look if there's laws in your country where you can declare bankruptcy and if you do make sure you there's no special provision for student loan where they can't be relinquished. In the U.S.A our laws do protect from student loans.
That is why if people are smart here they would just take out a regular loan and use it or the school expenses and you can declare bankruptcy.
Just don't tell them why you're taking the loan out.
(Jun 12, 2025 10:40 PM)junooo Wrote: Hey, thank you! I looked into them, but I can only get these after I finish my bachelors, which is in 2 years. I wrote it down, though, and I will probably try to see if I can get in for a head start. Thanks <3
Thank you. <3
How is it that you have to pay back your loan when you have 2 more years of college? I don't know what country you're in but in the U.S.A
my understanding you don't have to pay back your student loans until the day you graduate. Yet, people here are going broke from their loans.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - junooo - Jun 13, 2025
(Jun 13, 2025 12:10 AM)Phantom_NiNja Wrote: You can always grow weed or cook meth. On youtube there's videos about them.
xD
I am not going to do that
(Jun 13, 2025 12:10 AM)Phantom_NiNja Wrote: Also for student loans why not declarer bankruptcy? Find an attorney and ask them what it would take to win a bankruptcy case.
They will guide on what you need to do. Look if there's laws in your country where you can declare bankruptcy and if you do make sure you there's no special provision for student loan where they can't be relinquished. In the U.S.A our laws do protect from student loans.
That is why if people are smart here they would just take out a regular loan and use it or the school expenses and you can declare bankruptcy.
Just don't tell them why you're taking the loan out.
I appreciate you thinking with me, but I live in The Netherlands. Declaring bankruptcy is not that easy.
Student loans (which are issues by the government) can't just be wiped out by bankruptcy. Even if you enter a "legal debt", these student loans usually stay intact (I could immigrate or delete myself, but I don't think either is a good idea for my long- and short term future).
It also means 3 years of living under strict financial control, I would probably both be better off and happier not doing that.
Also, isn't lying about your loan just fraud?
(Jun 13, 2025 12:10 AM)Phantom_NiNja Wrote: How is it that you have to pay back your loan when you have 2 more years of college? I don't know what country you're in but in the U.S.A
my understanding you don't have to pay back your student loans until the day you graduate. Yet, people here are going broke from their loans.
That is not what I said. I was talking about the loan that would cover my student loans without any interest.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - Rsynced - Jun 13, 2025
Just coming out and communicating is a good start, You should just hang out and relax, get to know people here. Life sucks at times, most of us are poor. I owed a $20,000 loan debt just for IT cert courses and all my cert are invalid now accept my CompTia A+ GFL, WAS IT WORTH $20,000, IDK, they dont have a comptia A+ GFL anymore so I am lucky in some way. I am MCP aswell...
You said you where an escort? Male/Female? That life can be ruff and drugs will always play a part in it. Just get away from that lifestyle, it's as toxic as it gets. Better off working at walmart.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - junooo - Jun 13, 2025
(Jun 13, 2025 02:21 AM)Rsynced Wrote: Just coming out and communicating is a good start, You should just hang out and relax, get to know people here. Life sucks at times, most of us are poor. I owed a $20,000 loan debt just for IT cert courses and all my cert are invalid now accept my CompTia A+ GFL, WAS IT WORTH $20,000, IDK, they dont have a comptia A+ GFL anymore so I am lucky in some way. I am MCP aswell...
You said you where an escort? Male/Female? That life can be ruff and drugs will always play a part in it. Just get away from that lifestyle, it's as toxic as it gets. Better off working at walmart.
Yeah I’m female, I’m luckily really out of that life now. I appreciate hearing that I'm not alone with debt, how sad that may be :(
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - Dennis - Jun 13, 2025
I didn't know our neighbours have tuition fees..
Anyway, if you made the choice to study full time, then focus on that. You will have enough time to pay off your debt.
Once you are done studying, 17k will be cake if you don't immediately upgrade your lifestyle.
If you cannot withstand the pressure, then switch to part time and get an actual sidejob that fits whatever you study.
RE: Need some guidance with student loans :( - jcole - Jun 13, 2025
How much longer are you in university before you graduate with a degree?
You're going to have to accept the fact that you will be in debt until you graduate, live frugally, and budget continously.
You could look for a part time job like waiting tables that is more focused on tips rather than wages? Delivering packages doesn't seem like the best option, are you driving your own vehicle? If it is a company vehicle and a company fuel card then I understand, but something more tip driven could be better for you based off of your current situation.
When you get out of school and land a good job, you will still have to live very conservatively. You have to chip away at that debt little by little and pay it off as fast as you can.