I check in on my student loan balance every two weeks after a payment posts. I plot out the money I’ll throw at it during extra paycheck months, or when my tax refund hits. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be debt-free this time next year.

That was the goal I set for myself last spring when I refinanced $28,000 worth of federal loans. They’re the last (expensive) reminder of graduate school. And — most importantly — they’re the last thing I need to take care of before the rest of my financial life begins.

Read more at The Billfold.