What to learn from this surgeon’s $450K student loan payoff, even if you don’t earn a big salary

	Bly’s answers	Questions for you
Consider your career	He chose his subspecialty (surgery), in part because it offered a higher-paying career to fend off his debt.	Even if you’re already committed to a job or industry, would upskilling or seeking a promotion super-charge your repayment? How about switching to a company that pays off student loans?
Pick a lane	He settled on an aggressive approach to repayment, mainly through student loan refinancing.	Would you benefit from a similarly aggressive approach, making biweekly payments, or a slower-but-strategic route, such as enrolling in income-driven repayment or PSLF?
See the big picture	He temporarily sacrificed saving for retirement and experiences like family vacations to dedicate more of his income to his education debt.	Have you thought about where a student loan payoff fits into the broader scope of your personal finances?
Don’t go it alone	He highlighted the support of his wife, plus a financial advisor.	Have you consulted or expanded your support system, perhaps to include a certified student loan counselor, lawyer or other professional?
Stay engaged	He closely monitored interest rates and refinanced three times because each saved him serious cash.	Unfortunately, student loan repayment isn’t set-it-and-forget-it — what can you do to stay apprised of your best options?

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