<prompt> Human: It was no extraordinary day yesterday, nothing phenomenal happened, and people like me with situations like mine doing what I did occur all the time. I should know, I work at a bank with a current lowest interest rate of 1.59 on all new, used, or refinanced auto loans. But Ive been struggling for the past 5 years trying to pay off my accumulated student loans, for a degree that failed me. Poor careerdegree choice on my part; I take full responsibility. Up until August 2013, I was living in an economically destitute city, with no promise of a full time job, benefits, progress on my loan payoff, or future for myself. Enough pity partying!I moved back in with my dad and crazy mother to save on rent who is practically normal, but suffers still from Empty Nest syndrome, along with some very controlling tendencies that is unfortunately genetic. I, myself have chosen the child free life, so that disease will thankfully not pass to my future generations, but I digress. I found two solid jobs, became a hermit, ate only at home, busied myself with inexpensive DIY crafts and gardening, focused on myself, essentially lived the most frugal life I could. It totally sucked, for I am a social butterfly by nature, and I moved far away from my long term SO to pursue this goal.I am excited to say that with everyones great advice on rpersonalfinance, and a lot of self discipline, I made my last giant payment on my existing student loan and closed it yesterday. I am beyond excited to go move back in with my SO hes since moved to a different, more profitable city and acquired a stellar job himself, to move on to this new chapter of my life, but most importantly, to see finally that I could do it, a seemingly impossible feat that took dedication, diligence, and determination! I swear, if I can do it, you can too!Thanks again everyone, for all of the great advice!EDIT: Oh dear god, be still my heart and my inbox! I am humbled tremendously by all of your well wishes and kind words! You guys are the best and again, I must thank you all for all of great advice! Also, I love yalls creative analogies! EDIT II: A bit of back story and insight for those wondering. Now, before you all go a bash me about my personal life choices, I must warn you, Im not here to please the world. Im here on this planet to be a good person and to do good things, and I am learning along the way. So please think before you write, eh? Try not to be a dick, its not becoming of you. I began college in 2007 to pursue a BS in Marine Biology. I had learned after graduating that I did not have the patience, funds, nor desire to become a dolphin trainer, a NOAA National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration researcher or a Professor of studies. I honestly, had no idea what I was going to do with that degree. So I moved on with my life and tried to find a decent job in my poor city while paying off my loans. I had found three random jobs there, but they were just getting me by, see: They didnt pay very well; and, with a 6.8 interest rate, I was actually accruing more interest than I was paying off the payments. I simply didnt have the funds to make a dent. I am and IVF egg donor and have donated twice, but those funds paid for medical bills, taxes and rent for a little less than half a year in 2011. I had been living with my SO at the time and we were splitting all the bills. It was still a struggle. When I moved home I found a great job as a personal banker at a bank and worked as a server at a very nice catering company after work sometimes and on the weekends.I was making roughly 2500 to 2700-chunk payments per month on my 27,000 loan, and it took every effort to squeeze out what I could from each paycheck. While doing so, I spent time painting I freelance paint; painting old birdhouses, decorative pieces donated from coworkers, canvases essentially items that had been donated, found or which I had owned during my previous life. I gardened by finding palettes for raised beds, planted seeds from items I ate - it works and now I am harvesting an early summer crop! I did a bootcamp with my neighbor who has a kinesiology degree, read cookbooks my mom had - anybody remember Betty Crockers Cookbook? Anybody!? - and perfected my cooking skills, and read books I had received for Christmas. So I think I stayed pretty busy. And while I look back on my time, it does appear rather boring to some, to me even. But life will go back to being a fun 20-something. Ill save for traveling, Ill invest in sharesstocks, Ill consider wise investments with my Sweetheart, and well have a good time doing it.As far as my SO and I for those of you asking. His parents paid for his college education. This does not lessen his value by any means in my eyes, nor should it in yours, but I cant control the way you think. I was not about to ask him for his aid with something that was fully my responsibility. To me, thats just selfish and not fair; kind, but not fair. We made a 10-month long distance relationship work by talking on the phone nightly, my parents have a Skype account that I used to see his handsome face, and he made plans to visit about once every 2 months. It was really hard at times, and back in August, I never thought wed get through 10 months. But here we are, and Im moving back in with him at the end of June! Then well celebrate 4 years together this August. Remain truthful and open, and the time will fly by before you know it.whew Im so sorry that thats a lot of information, but you asked, and I tried to be ask concise as possible!  <response>: Well done! With that title and the start of your description I was afraid that you were giving a family member money. But it was just the student loan provider. Well, they can go climb in a tree; youve paid them what you owed them! Woohoo!!! 