Student Loan Planner

The “Pay Down Debt vs. Invest” Math Has Shifted

September 8, 2026·10 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Should you prioritize paying off your student loans or is it smarter to focus on investing? With interest rates changing dramatically since the days of ultra-low 3% loans, we break down how the math (and the mindset) has shifted.You’ll learn how rising interest rates affect that balance, how your tax bracket factors in, and why it might be smarter to shift extra money toward debt rather than your brokerage account, at least for now.Key moments:(03:53) How loan interest rates relate to your tax bracket and what that really costs(07:02) Deciding when to prioritize debt paydown over investing in brokerage accounts(08:13) When liquidity makes sense if you’re considering life changes or starting a businessLike the show? There are several ways you can help!Follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Amazon MusicLeave an honest review on Apple PodcastsSubscribe to the newsletterJoin SLP Insiders for student loan loopholes, SLP app and member communityFeeling helpless when it comes to your student loans?Try our free student loan calculatorCheck out our refinancing bonuses we negotiatedBook your custom student loan planGet profession-specific financial planningDo you have a question about student loans? Leave us a voicemail here or email us at help@studentloanplanner.com and we might feature it in an upcoming show!Mentioned in this episode:Free Student Loan newsletterIf you are not already getting our weekly newsletter every Thursday, you are missing out. We break down studio loan news, updates, money tips, all in one helpful newsletter. Sign up for free at https://studentloanplanner.com/newsletterThe SLP YouTube ChannelIf you're more of a visual learner or you like seeing charts, breakdowns, and exploring other topics, check out https://youtube.com/studentloanplanner

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