<prompt> Human: Article from CNN-Money. People put off major life plans in the prime of their lives because of student loans. Before anyone starts college, take some major time and consider paying as much as you possibly can while in school. Debt is a life burden, take it serious people.  <response>: I can speak to this a little. I grew up lower middle class here in Iowa. my parents together made about 60K-70K a year, supporting me and my two brothers. I screwed around through high school and used my above average intelligence Its only a little above average. Ill be the first to tell you Im far from being a genius to get through it with minimal studying. I barely did homework and only got through school because I did really well on tests. As I got closer to graduation, they encouraged me to go to college, but told me I would be on my own for paying for it. I was accepted to a private college and after financial aid, I averaged about 20K a year for tuitionfood and housing. I made it through college with a butt ton of loans, graduating about 75K in debt. Now Im 3 years out, making 35K a year. Some rough estimates for you of my monthly bills areStudent loan payments: 900 Rent: 225 Cell phone: 65 Insurance: 60 And then my other things bring me up to close to 1500of my 1800 a month outgoing. I dont have much of an opportunity for saving money, but I do try to get at least 50 a month put away for emergency fund. I grew up on the lower side of the income scale, always needing to save up some for any purchases I wanted and got used to not asking for things. Im in a constant state of self-denial of wants, which makes it easier to go through my day. For recreation, I choose things that are cheapfree. Im hoping to have my loans paid off in the next 5 years, which would be a blessing to me. Having considerable debt is tough, but I have faith that Ill get through it all! 