10 Reasons Why I Don't Regret My Debt (2024)

Paying off my debt was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But did it make me regret taking out loans? Nope! Find out why I don’t regret getting into student loan debt.

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10 Reasons Why I Don't Regret My Debt (1)

Student loan debt sucks. Any debt sucks really.

Debt can cause you to feel so much stress, anger, fear, and regret. All of these feeling are very understandable.

However, when I graduated with student loan debt, I tried to be positive about it. I tried to avoid wallowing in my financial situation…a situation that I had brought on myself.

Instead, I thought about all the amazing things I was able to experience and achieve thanks to my loans.

I don’t regret my $125,181 of student loan debt. Not a dollar of it. Here’s why:

1. It allowed me to go to the college of my dreams

I wanted to go to the University of Michigan ever since I was 10 years old. And while I fulfilled my childhood dream, it also happened to be the perfect college for me. The school was large and the opportunities endless. I’m so grateful for my time at college because those experiences shaped my life.

2. It helped me get internships

My debt helped me attend U of M which helped me get incredible internships each summer. Those internships helped me pick my college major.

3. It helped me get a really awesome job

Without college, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to intern, and I wouldn’t have a job (yup, I got a job where I did my very first internship). Without a job, I’d have no money (and probably be pretty bored).

4. In a weird way, it helped me meet my husband

I met my husband in college. So, thanks debt.

5. My parents didn’t have to pay tons of money for me to get an education

It’s kind of nice knowing that my parents didn’t have to pay that much towards my education. I’d rather they spend their hard earned money on themselves rather than me.

6. I know SO.MUCH.MORE. about money

My immense debt taught me to be responsible with money. The process of paying off my loans taught me how to better manage my money.

I really don’t know what my relationship with money would be if I didn’t have these loans. I had to learn how to budget, plan, sacrifice, and work hard because of these loans. Honestly, those are just some life skills that my debt forced me to learn.

7. It renewed my love of money and personal finance

I wanted to work at McDonalds as a kid. My 5-year old self was so envious of the cashiers who got to touch and count money all day long (I was pretty jealous of all fries they got to eat too). I’ve loved money every since I can remember.

When I was in debt and trying to figure out how to pay it off, I read countless money blogs, listened to many financial podcasts, and had great money conversations because of these loans. My journey out of debt made me passionate about money again.

8. It helped me learn compassion for others in bad financial situations

I know I had six figures of debt, but I genuinely would consider myself extremely lucky. I grew up never wanting anything. It’s hard to be compassionate for others when you’ve never walked in their shoes. However, with this debt, I know how hard it is to be broke. I know what it’s like to have pennies in your bank account. I know what it’s like to feel utterly hopeless. I know that my experience with debt has made me a more compassionate, caring, and better person.

Related Content:

  • What NOT to Say to Someone in Debt
  • My Debt Story: How I paid off $125,181 of student loan debt

9. It led me to starting this blog

Starting this blog has been such a fun experiment. It’s turned into a hobby that I hope one day will turn into a money making side hustle.

10. It made me confident

If I can pay off six figures of student loan debt, I can do anything. I didn’t have mommy or daddy bail me out. I did this myself. And dam, I’m proud. I’m confident.

But would I do it all over again?

Oh yes, without a doubt.

I would pay $125k all over again for the opportunities I’ve had. My life would be so different if I hadn’t been able to take out loans to pay for a college education.

I’m grateful, not regretful.

Do you regret your debt? Did anything good come out of it?

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10 Reasons Why I Don't Regret My Debt (2024)

FAQs

10 Reasons Why I Don't Regret My Debt? ›

1. Lack of sufficient income to do so. A lot of people are making less money than they were just a few years ago. They were making more money when they incurred their debt, but now the lower income level has them in a trap where they have barely enough money to pay living expenses, let alone pay off debt.

What is the number one reason people don't get out of debt? ›

1. Lack of sufficient income to do so. A lot of people are making less money than they were just a few years ago. They were making more money when they incurred their debt, but now the lower income level has them in a trap where they have barely enough money to pay living expenses, let alone pay off debt.

Why is debt not always bad? ›

Debt can be considered “good” if it has the potential to increase your net worth or significantly enhance your life. A student loan may be considered good debt if it helps you on your career track. Bad debt is money borrowed to purchase rapidly depreciating assets or assets for consumption.

Why should you stay away from debt? ›

Mishandling debt can lead to a bad credit history.

This can have a negative impact if you are applying for a job or attempting to obtain a home loan. Managing your debt wisely can put you in a good financial position when it comes to making major purchases.

Why don't people pay their debts? ›

Many people take on too much debt only to find they don't earn enough money to put a dent in their credit card balances. Once borrowers have accumulated a significant amount of debt, the interest expenses and other fees they pay each month often offset any progress they make in attempts to pay it down.

Who has the worst debt? ›

Profiles of Select Countries by National Debt
  • Japan. Japan has the highest percentage of national debt in the world at 259.43% of its annual GDP. ...
  • United States. ...
  • China. ...
  • Russia.

Why do people go broke? ›

Common reasons that people file for bankruptcy include loss of income, high medical expenses, an unaffordable mortgage, spending beyond their means, or lending money to loved ones. Often, bankruptcy is a result of several of these factors combined.

How debt can ruin your life? ›

Bad debt can lead to stress by limiting your ability to enjoy life. Without a system to manage your loans and pay off credit card debt your stress can increase and take years off your life. Not to mention the constant stress debt collectors can place on you to pay off your debts.

What does the Bible say about debt? ›

Matthew 18:27, 30, 32, 34 - Forgive because your debts have been forgiven. Luke 7:42-43 - He who is forgiven much (debt) loves much; he who is forgiven little (debt) loves little. Romans 4:4 - Wages, like a debt owed, must be paid. Colossians 2:14 Jesus canceled the record of debt we owed by nailing it to the cross.

How much debt is healthy? ›

Key takeaways

Debt-to-income ratio is your monthly debt obligations compared to your gross monthly income (before taxes), expressed as a percentage. A good debt-to-income ratio is less than or equal to 36%. Any debt-to-income ratio above 43% is considered to be too much debt.

Is it bad to have a credit card and not use it? ›

The bottom line. Credit card inactivity will eventually result in your account being closed. A closed account can have a negative impact on your credit score, so consider keeping your cards open and active whenever possible.

Is being debt-free worth it? ›

Being debt-free is a financial milestone we often hear about people striving for. Without debt, you can focus on building more savings, investing those extra funds and just simply having more peace of mind about your finances.

How to turn debt into money? ›

Here are the steps to use debt to your advantage to build wealth.
  1. Build your credit. ...
  2. Aim for low interest rates. ...
  3. Invest in your education. ...
  4. Take on a home mortgage. ...
  5. Invest in high-yield assets. ...
  6. Start or grow a business. ...
  7. Take advantage of tax deductions.
Aug 22, 2023

Are people struggling financially in 2024? ›

As living expenses in the U.S. continue to rise and wages struggle to keep up, it's unsurprising that Americans of all generations are having a hard time financially. For many, this means living paycheck to paycheck.

What do you call someone who never pays their debts? ›

By. Julia Kagan.

How many Americans are debt free? ›

What percentage of America is debt-free? According to that same Experian study, less than 25% of American households are debt-free. This figure may be small for a variety of reasons, particularly because of the high number of home mortgages and auto loans many Americans have.

How many people never get out of debt? ›

40% of Americans Have Been in Credit Card Debt for More Than 5 Years. The survey found that 47% of Americans have not been debt-free since 2018 to 2022, 14% have not been debt-free since 2013 to 2017, 11% have not been debt-free since 2008 to 2012 and 15% haven't been debt-free since before 2008.

What is the number one way to get out of debt? ›

Make a Budget

This one is at the top of the list because it's that important. If you don't intentionally tell your money where to go, you'll have a real hard time paying off your debt. A budget is simply a plan for your money that you make before the month begins.

Why are some people always in debt? ›

A variety of issues can cause debt. Some causes may be the result of expensive life events, such as having children or moving to a new house, while others may stem from poor money management or failure to meet payments on time.

What is the number one cause of debt in the United States? ›

The largest percentages of the average consumer debt balance are mortgages.

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