Should I Pay Off Student Loans Before Investing? episode artwork

EPISODE · Feb 15, 2026 · 25 MIN

Should I Pay Off Student Loans Before Investing?

from Doctors Building Wealth · host Leti and Kenji

What If Paying Off Your Student Loans First Is Actually Costing You?If you're a physician sitting on $200K+ in student loans, you've probably been told the same thing over and over: pay off the debt first, then start building wealth.It sounds responsible. It feels safe. And we get it, because we both did it ourselves.But looking back, we wish someone had challenged that advice. Because what we've learned after reaching financial freedom in just three years of real estate investing is that waiting five to ten years to start can cost you far more than the interest on your loans ever will.In this episode, we break down the real arguments for why you might consider investing in real estate before your student loans are fully paid off. This isn't about being reckless with debt. It's about being strategic with your time, your money, and the opportunity in front of you right now.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL DISCOVER:Why the five to ten years you spend paying off loans could be your most valuable investing years, and what that delay may actually cost youHow real estate returns can significantly outpace your student loan interest rate when you stack all six ways to earnWhy having only one source of income (your W-2) is actually the riskier position, and how cash-flowing properties change thatThe tax strategy that could put six figures back in your pocket each year, giving you the ability to invest and pay down debt simultaneouslyHow to rethink "good debt" vs. "bad debt" so fear doesn't keep you on the sidelinesThe real question you should be asking: not "should I pay off my loans first?" but "how do I start building assets while managing debt responsibly?"Whether you're a fellow, a new attending, or a physician years into practice still chipping away at your loans, this episode will give you a new way to think about what's really possible when you stop waiting for the "right time" and start building now.Don't let conventional wisdom cost you your best investing years. Listen now and start making a plan that works for your life.WANT TO LEARN OUR EXACT STRATEGIES FOR PAYING LESS TAXES? Register for our signature Zero to Freedom program here.READY FOR REAL ESTATE SUCCESS? Book your call HERE for your next move.RESOURCES + LINKSWork w/ SRMD: HEREJoin our FREE Facebook Groups: HEREJoin our Newsletter: HEREFOLLOW + CONNECTConnect with SRMD: Website | Instagram | FacebookLiked this episode? Share it on social and tag me @semiretiredmdLove the show? Leave a 5-star review and let me know!

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What If Paying Off Your Student Loans First Is Actually Costing You? If you're a physician sitting on $200K+ in student loans, you've probably been told the same thing over and over: pay off the debt first, then start building wealth. It sounds responsible. It feels safe. And we get it, because we both did it ourselves. But looking back, we wish someone had challenged that advice. Because what we've learned after reaching financial freedom in just three years of real estate investing is that ...

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Should I Pay Off Student Loans Before Investing?

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This episode was published on February 15, 2026.

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