<prompt> Human: Okay so going over my Student Loan debt I have about 84k of debt altogether. I went to a standard 4 year university, a big school that makes you add a meal plan and all those extra costs like staying in a dorm for 2 years which was more costly than an apt. I have major regrets about going through school now as Im paying about 335 a month. My mom pays about 300 for a parent plus loan that she took out for me. I called this company that handles the govt side of the sub and Unsub loans and told them I want an income driven repayment plan and basically I wasnt working at the time so they made my payments 0 a month. So long story short, I should have made an alternative cheaper path to education, but I was brainwashed my whole life through childhood that college was the only answer to be successful and make real money. I was blinded by my own ignorance and the big school with lots of great recognition. Anyway, its too late to change the past so Im stuck in my predicament. So my mom is pushing 60, shes out of work againcontractor. She makes good money when she does, thats how we were able to get the loans. I only pull in about 1750month after taxes and about 400-600 in bonuses as a debt collector for a major bank. From my short experience there, we have hardship programs which offer our credit card holders a drop to 4.9 interest and they dont incur any late fees. I understand it may hurt their credit but thats worth it if it helps in the long run.So I live with my grandma and she could die within the next year or two most likely or any time for that matter, and I am thinking of my bleak future living in a modest apt paying 500 and I dont think I could afford the entire 600 in school loans and thats not counting my govt loans I am supposed to pay back. I havent contacted the company yet to inform them Im working because I couldnt bare paying another bill. And once my mom retires, I dont wanna leave her paying for my mistakes.So rpersonalfinance , Im looking into getting my Series 7 and going into a different field of work for personal reasons and bcuz the job sucks. Im thinking of going into a hardship or just not making any payments once that time comes and Im moved out. How important is my credit and why should I care if I miss payments on one debt? I want to wait a bit and see what politics does about these insanely high school costs. If I make payments on everything else, wont that still keep my credit score fair? What happens if I dont report to the govt loan handling comp that I have a job now? I cant pay upwards of 600-700 a month unless I get a way better job or live a life of penny-pinching.College was supposed to boost my life and give me an advantage and its put me at a huge disadvantage. So Im really just looking for an answer on what to do as its unsecured debt and I dont feel I should owe that much money especially with a lot of people I know as minorities getting these big breaks with education costs. I work at a debt collection for a big corporate bank and I know how they work. Theyll do everything they can just to get a settlement for a percentage of the loan when its late enough in delinquency.Any suggestions would be great. I hope teachers in schools start educating kids not to go to college or telling them to go outside the country for it. America is becoming too much and all these regulated mandatory costs like car insurance and health insurance and taxes are eating away at what little I make.  <response>: You have to change your attitudes about your debt and finances in general. You blame sooo many people and other different factors for your situation and continuously play the victim which is really not how this stuff works. You have to own this. If youre looking for approval or pseudo permission to skimp out on your loans, I dont think youll find it here.The federal loans have income-based plans that would keep you current and in good standing. You might have to live that life of penny pinching for a few years until you get your feet under you. In the meantime, use the degree for all its worth. Network with your class and other alumni and be sure to take advantage of everything you can from it. Budget your finances so youre saving for yourself and meeting your other financial responsibilities. As your income grows, increase your payments accordingly. People with more debt than you have paid thier way out and you can do it too... if you want. 