<prompt> Human: Long time lurker, wanted to post my information and get feedback on my situation, it would be much appreciated! :Details:-3700 in my checkings account -125 in my savings account -5000 in a wealthfront account -Took out a 18,400 Direct Unsubsidized student loan last year with a 5.84 interest rate, currently in grace but will need to begin making payments in August and I have accrued 800 in interest since then making the total debt to about 19,200. Should I go extreme and make large payments each month towards this loan like pay 1000 a month? My current monthly expenses are as follows:Rent: 550 Auto Insurance: 110 Phone and Internet: 60 Food: 140 Gas: 100 Misc: 70 Total: 1000 I currently bring home around 4000 a month after taxes. My question is how much emphasis should I place on paying off my student loan? I can see myself living frugal for a year and paying the loan off in a year but I wont have much left to enjoy in life, buy a new car, or start making other investments such as in Vanguard. Or should I make the minimum payment possible each month? Furthermore, are there any programs that I should take advantage of? I also recall reading about an Obama Student Forgiveness Program, does anyone know if this program can provide alternative options in my case. Thank you so much in advance, English is not my first language but I have read this subreddit for some time and wanted the opportunity to get help from this amazing community.  <response>: If you go scorched earth, you can knock that loan out in what, six, seven months? Sounds like the right plan. Attack that first and everything else, including your Vanguard accounts and retirement ideas, will come into line. 