The Student Loan I Regret Paying Off (And What I Wish We Did Differently)

When my husband and I got married, we were 24, optimistic, and doing our best to be responsible adults.

With that being said… we had no idea what we were doing.

One night we sat at our kitchen island, opened our laptops, and decided to finally look at our money together. For the first time, we listed out all of our debt.

It felt very official. Very adult… And slightly terrifying.

We quickly realized our biggest debts were our student loans.

His was $17,000 with a $117 monthly payment.
Mine was $30,000 with a $350 monthly payment.

So the first loan we decided to pay off?

The smaller one.

Not because it made the most financial sense or because we had a clear plan but because it felt urgent.

Emotionally urgent.

He wanted it gone. I didn’t feel strongly about mine. And more than anything, we both just wanted to feel like we were doing something right with our money.

So we moved quickly.

We threw extra money at it. We celebrated paying it off. We felt proud.

And then life kept moving.

A few years later, we both had the same realization.

We regret that decision.

Even now at 30, we still do.

Not because paying off debt is a bad thing.

But because we did not understand what that decision meant for our monthly cash flow, our flexibility, or our bigger financial picture.

We removed a $117 payment… while leaving a $350 one sitting there.

And that impacted us more than we expected.

What We Didn’t Know Back Then

At 24, we thought paying off any debt was always the best move.

We didn’t know how to step back and look at our full financial picture.

We didn’t ask questions like:

– What improves our monthly cash flow the most?
– What gives us more breathing room each month?
– What aligns with the life we are trying to build?

We were making decisions from a place of emotion without fully understanding the numbers.

And honestly, that is how most people make money decisions.

Not because they are irresponsible.

But because no one ever taught them how to slow down and evaluate their options.

What I Would Do Differently Now

If I could go back to that kitchen island, here is exactly what I would walk us through.

1. List Everything Clearly

Not just balances.

I would write out:

1. Interest rates
2. Minimum payments
3. Total monthly impact
4. And yes, even the emotional weight tied to each debt

Because clarity starts with seeing the full picture.

This is actually one of the first things we do inside my Financial Audit. Most families have never seen all of their numbers laid out clearly in one place, and it changes everything.

2. Focus on Cash Flow, Not Just Balance

This is the piece we completely missed.

We focused on the smaller balance because it felt easier to eliminate.

But we did not think about what would actually free up the most money in our monthly budget.

That $350 payment was the one putting pressure on our day to day life.

That is the one that would have created more breathing room.

And breathing room matters!

3. Talk Through Real Life Goals

Debt payoff does not exist in isolation.

It impacts your ability to save, invest, take time off, travel, or simply feel less stressed month to month.

At 24, we were not having those conversations yet.

Now I know that your financial decisions should support your life, not compete with it.

4. Choose a Strategy That Fits Your Life

There is no one perfect way to pay off debt.

Some people need quick wins. Some need maximum financial efficiency. Most people need a balance of both.

But the key is choosing intentionally.

Not reacting, rushing, or just doing what feels right in the moment.

5. Give Your Money a Job

This is where most people feel stuck.

Even when you know what you want to do, your money still feels scattered.

This is exactly why I created my Simple Monthly Budget.

It helps you clearly see where your money is going and gives every dollar a purpose. Not in a restrictive way, but in a way that actually feels freeing.

Because when your money has direction, your decisions feel a lot less overwhelming.

If You’ve Made a Money Decision You Regret

I want you to hear this clearly.

You are not behind.
You are not bad with money.
You are not the only one.

You made the best decision you could with the information you had at the time.

That is not failure.

That is learning.

And the truth is, most couples are sitting at their own version of that kitchen island right now, trying to figure out what to do next.

That is why I do what I do.

Inside my Financial Audit, we walk through your full financial picture together. We look at your numbers, your goals, your stress points, and your options.

So you can make decisions that actually support your life, both now and long term.

Not rushed decisions, or pressure based decisions.
But clear, confident ones.

Because your money should feel like a tool you understand, not something you are constantly second guessing.

And if you are just getting started, my FREE Simple Monthly Budget is the best first step.

Simple. Clear. No overwhelm. No fixing.

Just a way to finally see what is happening with your money and start moving forward with intention.