Student Loan Default Collections Resume. What Does This Mean?

In this episode of the Marriage Kids and Money Podcast, Andy Hill is joined by Robert Farrington and Jordan Biesinger to explore two powerful financial topics: tackling student loan debt and achieving Coast FIRE. First, Robert Farrington, founder of The College Investor, shares urgent updates on the resumption of student loan default collections, what borrowers need to know right now, and smart strategies for managing debt amid confusing government changes. Then, we switch gears with Jordan Biesinger, a Coast FIRE success story. Jordan and his wife hit Coast FIRE in their 20s and chose to move to China for a simpler, more financially free life. He shares exactly how they did it—and how you can too. EPISODE RESOURCES Robert Farrington (Website): https://thecollegeinvestor.com Jordan Biesinger (YouTube): https://youtube.com/@BiesingerFIREJourney CHAPTERS 00:00 - Intro01:30 - The Return of Student Loan Collections02:50 - What Happens If You Default on Student Loans04:20 - Forbearance vs. Default: Key Differences05:45 - Don’t Count on Future Forgiveness07:00 - The Trillion-Dollar Student Loan Problem08:00 - The SAVE Plan: Dead or Alive?09:40 - Using the Forbearance Window Wisely10:40 - Alternatives to the SAVE Plan12:00 - How to Find Out Who You Owe13:40 - Increasing Income and Cutting Big Expenses15:45 - Is College Still a Smart Investment?18:00 - The ROI Reality of a College Degree19:30 - Where to Find More Help from The College Investor21:00 - Coast Fire Family: Jordan’s Journey Begins21:45 - The Coast Fire 5 with Jordan23:00 - How Real Estate and Frugality Fueled Their FIRE25:30 - From Student Loans to Coast FIRE27:00 - Index Funds and Simple Investing28:30 - Income Growth Through Career and Side Hustles30:00 - Life and Work Abroad After Coast FIRE31:30 - Investing Beyond Retirement32:30 - Teaching Financial Literacy to the Next Generation33:45 - Why They Chose to Move to China35:30 - Coast FIRE as a Path to Flexibility and Healing36:30 - Life in China and Living Simply37:30 - Final Advice for Achieving Coast FIRE MKM RESOURCES: MKM Coaching: Want 1-on-1 support with your family finance journey? Book a time with me today. Coast FIRE Calculator: A free calculator to help you find out when you can slow down or stop investing for retirement. Mortgage Payoff Calculator: A free calculator to help you see how fast you can become mortgage free. YouTube: Subscribe for free to watch videos of these episodes and interviews. RECOMMENDED RESOURCES (SPONSORS AND AFFILIATES): Monarch Money - Best Budget App for Families & Couples Empower - Free Portfolio Tracker Crew - HYSA Banking Built for Families - Get an Extra 0.5% APY with my partner link Ethos - Affordable Term Life Insurance Trust & Will - Convenient Estate Planning HOW WE MAKE MONEY + DISCLAIMER: This show may contain affiliate links or links from our advertisers where we earn a commission, direct payment or products. Opinions are the creators alone. Information shared on this podcast is for entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. Marriage Kids and Money (www.marriagekidsandmoney.com) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. CREDITS: Podcast Artwork: Liz Theresa Editor: Johnny Sohl Podcast Support: Nev Maraj Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices