<prompt> Human: So I am currently in college and as we all know that comes with some substantial costs and loans. To keep the debt down I am going to pay out of pocket next year the last one. As of right now I am 30,000 in debt and if all goes as planned that will be it. The reason I am posting is that I would like to travel when I am done school, do some backpacking see a little bit of the world and take advantage of my youth while I still have it. I am saving for a trip but other people tell me I should take that money and curb my debt right now and pay interest. I would like to take the 6 months grace period after graduation to travel and use the money I saved. The logic being once the grace period is over the grind begins and your life becomes the 9-5 deal accounting major so maybe 9-9, I mean whats wrong with wanting to see something other than where I am before my life ends and the bills come and I have to have an income. Basically trying to get thoughts on what would be the smart thing to do. If I dont travel in the 6 months I feel like I am never going to do it.TL;DR Should I pay my loans as soon as I am done school, or take advantage of the grace period  <response>: A few thoughts: I think some traveling is a worthy goal. How much money do you have saved? Where are you trying to go? Do you have a job lined up already? Entry-level positions still are not easy to get from my perspective and not having something arranged prior to graduation will make finding a position more challenging. Many large firms hire the recent batch of college graduates shortly after graduation and start dates are not terribly flexible. 