{"id":6501,"date":"2024-10-24T07:08:40","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T07:08:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/should-i-use-165k-in-child-support-to-pay-my-kids-loans\/"},"modified":"2024-10-24T07:08:40","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T07:08:40","slug":"should-i-use-165k-in-child-support-to-pay-my-kids-loans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/?p=6501","title":{"rendered":"Should I Use $165K in Child Support to Pay My Kids&#8217; Loans?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload clicker_number\" style=\"position: absolute; height: 1px; width: 100%\" alt=\"ScoreCard Research\" data-count=\"216.98.0.236,216.98.0.236, 172.68.174.196\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"dear-SS Reader\"><span class=\"dear-SS Reader-dropcap \">Dear Penny,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I will be getting nearly $165,000 in child support arrears from my former husband. I have two kids in college. (Dad doesn\u2019t contribute.)\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We\u2019ve taken out private student loans to pay for their college tuition. Should I pay toward the loans, or should I invest in something yielding a higher interest rate than their loan interest? I am currently paying all the interest, so as not to compound their loan amounts. I do intend to use part of a yearly bonus to pay off some of the loans as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">-K.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>Dear K.,<\/p>\n<p>Sure, it\u2019s possible to get returns that are higher than the interest you\u2019re paying. In an average year, an S&amp;P 500 index fund produces returns of about 10%, which is probably a lot more than the interest rates on your loans. Of course, you could also lose money, as we\u2019re all painfully aware of in the abysmal stock market year of 2022.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, paying down your kids\u2019 student loans presents a guaranteed return in terms of the money you\u2019ll save on interest. But the biggest rewards aren\u2019t quantifiable.<\/p>\n<div class=\"dear-SS Reader-form\">\n<div class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-container\">\n<div class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-image\">\n           <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyload \" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/12092321\/cropped-dana-headshot2-2018.jpg\" alt=\"Dear Penny\" srcset=\"\" data-attribute-no-pin=\"true\">\n         <\/div>\n<p class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-title\">Ask Dear Penny!<\/p>\n<p class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-copy\">Get practical money advice from Dana Miranda, the voice of Dear Penny and a Certified Educator in Personal Finance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-disclaimer\">DISCLAIMER: Questions will appear in The SS\u2019s \u201cDear Penny\u201d column. We are unable to answer every letter. We reserve the right to edit and publish your questions. But don\u2019t worry \u2014 your identity will remain anonymous.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-container-success hidden\">\n<div class=\"dear-SS Reader-success-image\">\n           <img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"lazyload \" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.thepennyhoarder.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/12092321\/cropped-dana-headshot2-2018.jpg\" alt=\"Dear Penny\" srcset=\"\" data-attribute-no-pin=\"true\">\n         <\/div>\n<p class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-success-title\">Thank you for your question!<\/p>\n<div class=\"dear-SS Reader-form-success-copy\">\n<p> Your willingness to share your story might help others facing similar challenges. <\/p>\n<p> While we can\u2019t publish every question we receive, we appreciate you sharing your question with us. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>         <button class=\"ask-question\" id=\"ask-question\">Ask Another Question<\/button>\n       <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Think about the enormous burden you\u2019ll be lifting off your kids\u2019 shoulders if they can start their careers owing a combined $165,000 less. Think of how much less stressful living on an entry-level paycheck will be. Think of the dreams they won\u2019t have to delay because you\u2019ve made their debt more manageable.<\/p>\n<p>But this isn\u2019t just about your children. Since it sounds like your name is on these loans \u2014 which is typical, since most private student loans require a parent co-signer \u2014 you\u2019re every bit as responsible for repaying them as your kids are.<\/p>\n<p>By wiping out a substantial portion of this debt, you\u2019ll be in a better position to pursue your own goals. When you\u2019re on the hook for a substantial balance, student loans pose a real risk to your retirement. Reducing the balance will also help if you need financing for a major purchase. As long as your name is on these loans, it will increase your debt-to-income ratio, which makes it harder to get a loan.<\/p>\n<div class=\"thepe-top-of-post\" id=\"thepe-1134306205\">\n<div class=\"adBorder\" id=\"thepe-421129420\">\n<h3>50 Effortless Methods to Boost Your Income This Week<\/h3>\n<p>If you needed extra money, like, yesterday, you\u2019ve come to the right spot.<\/p>\n<p>Our team has compiled a <a href=\"https:\/\/partners.thepennyhoarder.com\/50-ways-sdyn-prt\/?aff_id=384\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">list of creative ways<\/a> you can fatten your bank account this week.<\/p>\n<p>This is a long list, so don\u2019t get overwhelmed. Go ahead and start now, but be sure to bookmark this post so you can easily return later. We\u2019ll keep it updated as offers changes or expire.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/partners.thepennyhoarder.com\/50-ways-sdyn-prt\/?aff_id=384\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check it out!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The fact that these are private loans makes me even more adamant that paying them off is the right decision. With federal student loans, borrowers have options like forbearance and income-driven repayment programs if they encounter tough times. But with private student loans, borrowers are forever at the mercy of the lender.<\/p>\n<p>My other big piece of advice is to be cautious about accruing additional student loan debt, since your children are still in school. Make sure you\u2019ve exhausted all your options for federal loans, including Parent PLUS loans, before you take out more private loans. Because of the flexible repayment options federal borrowers get, borrowing from the government is typically a safer bet, even if a private lender offers a slightly lower interest rate. If your kids can work part time so they can borrow less, that should be on the table.<\/p>\n<p>Reducing this debt is hands-down the best way to use this $165,000. Consider it a guaranteed investment not only in your children\u2019s future, but your own.<\/p>\n<p><i>Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The SS. Send your tricky money questions to <\/i><i><span class=\"__cf_email__\" data-cfemail=\"3170425a61545f5f487145595441545f5f48595e50435554431f525e5c\">[email\u00a0protected]<\/span><\/i><i>.<\/i><\/p>\n<div class=\"thepe-bottom-of-post\" id=\"thepe-1346491716\">\n<div class=\"adBorder\" id=\"thepe-1584413860\">\n<h3>The 8 Best Ways to Earn a Passive Income in 2024<\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019ve probably heard the term passive income. It sounds appealing right?<\/p>\n<p>According to the definition of passive, it would mean you\u2019re earning income without participating or having to do anything at all. Free money? Sign me up!<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re interested in establishing a flow of passive income, here\u2019s a guide to understanding the term and getting started.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/partners.thepennyhoarder.com\/passive-income-desktop-prt\/?aff_id=384\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Check it out here!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>        <!-- ACF Financial Disclaimer --><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- End ACF Financial Disclaimer --><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- \n\n<div class=\"single-social-share-bottom text-center\"> --><br \/>\n                    <!-- <\/div>\n\n --><\/p>\n<p>        <!-- Newsletter Signup Form --><\/p>\n<div class=\"newsletter-signup-wrapper-for-digioh\">\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 newsletter-wrap flex-row\">\n<div class=\"container flex-container\">\n<div class=\"col-xs-12 new-newsletter-form\">\n<p class=\"text-subheading\">Ready to stop worrying about money?<\/p>\n<p class=\"text-get-daily\">Get the SS Daily<\/p>\n<p class=\"email-privacy-policy-blurb-white\">\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>        <!-- End Newsletter Signup Form --><\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"text\/javascript\" id=\"wp-fcapi-js-before\">\n\/* <![CDATA[ *\/\n!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\nn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\nif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\nn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\nt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\ns.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\nfbq('init', '263664193816679');\n\/* ]]> *\/\n<\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thepennyhoarder.com\/debt\/use-child-support-student-loans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dear Penny, I will be getting nearly $165,000 in child support arrears from my former husband. I have two kids in college. (Dad doesn\u2019t contribute.)\u00a0 We\u2019ve taken out private student loans to pay for their college tuition. Should I pay toward the loans, or should I invest in something yielding a higher interest rate than<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_lock_modified_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[185],"tags":[1239,482,1240,469,41,561],"class_list":{"0":"post-6501","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-investing","8":"tag-165k","9":"tag-child","10":"tag-kids","11":"tag-loans","12":"tag-pay","13":"tag-support"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6501","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6501"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6501\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6502"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6501"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6501"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/finderica.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6501"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}