<prompt> Human: In my second to last semester of college I received an offer from my employer part time at the time to open a new restaurant in another city as the general manager. I accepted the position and have been working for 2 months now. I need some counseling on how to go about paying off my loan debt and the best way to live my life. I plan to move from where I live asap so I am not really trying to build a life in the city Im in now and just work and sleep essentially. So heres a snapshot of my financial life:IncomeAssets: 45k base salary Semi-annual bonus structure that I can expect to receive around 4k a year total from 2000 Camaro with 75k miles that is fairly reliable and free to me 1500 in savings Parents pay for my phone and health insurance currently, that may have to change soon Monthly Expenses: 400 for apartment I live with roommates, total rent is 1200 150 utilities 150 gasupkeep on car 250 food 300 marijuana I know this seems superfluous, but Im opening a restaurant and dedicating 70-100 hours a week to work and coming home to a doobie is the only thing that keeps me sane I need to save up for a ring for my girlfriend, I want to spend around 3k... Student Loans: Direct Subsidized-16250 total, average 4 interest, 100 accrued Direct Unsub-6250 total, 6.8 interest, 1000 accrued FFEL Subsidized-3500 total, 5.6, 0 accrued FFEL Unsub-2000 total, 6.8, 599 accrued Sallie Mae-14796 principal, 9, 3172 accrued Discover-13910 principal, 8.25, 1640 accrued Wells Fargo-6708 principal, 9.24, 2124 accrued B-On-Time loan-12483 principal, 0, 0 accrued What should my plan be? Also, I expect to be promoted to the next level of GM in my company which is called a Restaurateur, basically an elite GM, in the next year or so which will mean a raise to 53k salary, closer to 6k in SA bonuses, 10-20k in people development bonuses, and a company Prius and cell phone. I plan to put all those increases into my student loans and maintain a 45k standard of living because I hate them they make me sick and I want them paid off before 30. Is that smart? This promotion isnt guaranteed but I have helped two other GMs achieve it and I am fairly sure I can get there. Please give me advice...  <response>: I need some counseling on how to go about paying off my loan debt and the best way to live my life.Take as much income as possible to pay off your high interest rate debt.250 foodThat is how much me and my wife collectively spend on groceries and household consumables per month. So, it is fine if you want to be eating on the lavish end, but not at all rice and beans.300 marijuana I know this seems superfluous, but Im opening a restaurant and dedicating 70-100 hours a week to work and coming home to a doobie is the only thing that keeps me saneThis is a really serious issue. I smoked much marijuana when I was younger. You are using the language of an addict: keeps me sane. You are also making excuses for why it has become a necessity to you. The 300 a month, to someone with a student loan burden greater than your yearly income, is also a really big deal.Even if you do not have withdrawal since marijuana is not very addictive, you need to accept you have a problem here if you need to use a drug to enjoy your days or stay sane, especially if you also are making financial sacrifices to maintain your addiction. I need to save up for a ring for my girlfriend, I want to spend around 3k... That is way too much in your position if you want to be frugal or focus on financial success. You do not need to be frugal, but know that is about 2500 more than you probably should be spending.I plan to put all those increases into my student loans and maintain a 45k standard of living because I hate them they make me sick and I want them paid off before 30. Is that smart? This promotion isnt guaranteed but I have helped two other GMs achieve it and I am fairly sure I can get there.Yes. I would also be living off of as little as possible and putting all extra income you can to pay off these loans. You decided to borrow globs of money to fund an undergrad degree. 