<prompt> Human: Hi reddit!Spouse and I are both physicians just starting out. We both have considerable debt from 9 years of schooling each, so combined were in the hole about 500,000. Ugh, all those zeros make us feel so hopeless but at the same time we both came from mid-income families and had to borrow full tuition for all 18 years of combined education. But, its a point of pride for us to have achieved what we have so far without help. But man that debt is a rude awakening after all that hard work in our 20s. But anyway...I follow the posts here and I consider us pretty frugal though obviously we could do better. No other debt but student loans well, and technically furniture loan with no interest. Currently renting. We take home about 9,000 after taxes a month but 5,000 goes straight to student loans minimum payment. With remainder, we pay rent, cargas, utilities, food, gifts, health insurance, disability insurance, retirement contribution, and a little for my family that needs financial help.Now spouse has the opportunity to buy a private practice, giving us roots in the place we would love to call home. However, that means were in the hole again for another 400,000!Now two ways to look at the purchase of the practice. It gives us financial stability and the possibility to invest in a business, establish patients, have control over medical and business decisions. Also, we have better chance of an increase in earning potential. Now as free agents we combined make about 200K, with possible increase to income but not a lot. But with a practice theres the possibility that spouse could make 200Kyear alone in the next 3 years. Any redditors out there in similar situations where taking on this debt makes sense? We know the average medical loan payoff is 10-20 years. But all the math is an estimate, so does it make sense to continue at 200K a year income with 500K debt and pay things off first or will we be better off with 300K income with 900K debt?Or, do we just quit now because were just too screwed? 3232;_3232; Note to young redittors - Dont become a doctor! Not worth the stress, hard work or debt. And society likes to treat you like youre pain-inducing scam artists. I only wish I was kind of kidding. 3232;_3232;  <response>: Based on what you have written, the new practice is worth an additional 100k per year. That is an additional 8333 per month forever I am assuming no growth in the practice just to simplify the calculation. As long as the new 400,000 loan costs less than 8333 per month, then buying the practice is worth it because you will have a net gain of money. A 400,000 loan right now should not cost more than 2000-4000 per month in repayment. Therefore assuming the highest repay rate of 4000, you will still be netting a gain of 4333 per monthOf note, I did not include the tax shield you get from paying the interest on the loan which should lead to additional savings. Lastly, garthstropicaldrink brought up the IBR repayment. It caps your repayment at 15 of income, so at 200k, you guys would be paying back 30k max per year so 2.5k per month vs 5k. If you do not finish repaying your loans after 25 years, then your debt will be forgiven. If you work for a public good organization like a hospital or school, then the loans can be forgiven after 10 years. 