<prompt> Human: I have racked up 200,000 of student loan debt and after years of acting as if its not there, I am ready to confront it head on. Im lost in the sauce and my loans are currently deferred. I know that I have to take drastic action. The problem is that I have absolutely no idea what to do.Heres my life at present:I have a bachelors degree from a state school and a masters degree from a private institution both in communications. I decided to take on this debt because I thought I wanted a phd and that I would work for a college and have my debt forgiven. I decided to change directions after some significant life events. I graduated during the recession and I havent really recovered. My salary reflects that. I make 43,000year working in the communications department at a higher education institution. Considering my education and my work experience I should be making more than that, but I havent been able to get a higher paying position. Also, I kind of hate this job.Currently I have enough money to pay rent and bills not including student loans each month with very little left over. Im not living beyond my means for my income level. My rent is reasonable and so are my other expenses, though I do believe I could curb my spending in some areas. But even with reducing my spending, I wouldnt have a ton of money to contribute to loans. My car is paid for. Its older but pretty reliable. My credit is shot due to my student loans. Things Im considering:I realize that I could be making much more money. My life is flexible and I am not tied to a geographic region or anything like that. So I could relocate and get a job with a consulting firm my friend works at one of the larger ones and says she could help me get in, rent a cheap room and pay off my debt in a few years. Or I could move to Dubai and get a position where they take care of my housing and I could just pay off my debt.Also, I do not have any family that I could live with so that I could cut expenses. My parents house could be an option once my sister moves out. But that means I would have to stay in an area where it is difficult for me to find a higher paying job.However crazy this may sound, I want to pursue my dream of working in television. I have the background and connections to break in thanks to my expensive masters degree. And I have no husband or kids so I could basically dedicate myself to the work. But I cannot take a pay cut without replacing my income in some other way. And I would need to be in a city that could offer me some opportunities in this field.This is why I do not know what to do. I know that I have some options here. But I want to make the best decision to move me closer to my dream and aggressively paying off my debt. In order to pursue the dream, I need to be in the right city and have some flexibility with my schedule. In order to pay off the debt, I need to make more money and cut my expenses. How can I do this?Current ideas: Real estaterental properties- I would have to ask my parents for help to purchase a property because I have poor credit. I would also have to save the money to buy such property. Online store- This is something Im playing around with now but gaining footing here is difficult. Living in Chicago opposed to NYC or LA- Chicago has increased the number of major shows and movies filming in the city year over year. Plus this is where I went to grad school so I have a network here.What can I do? What makes sense? Please help. Please keep in mind that I have no problem blowing up my life. I am willing to move. I am willing to live in a room in an apartment for a few years. As a matter of fact, I welcome a change in my life at this moment. Ill do what I have to do. I just dont know what to do. tldr: I have an enormous amount of debt and I am trying to come up with a plan so that I can aggressively pay off the debt and also pursue my dreams of working in television.  <response>: You need more money full stop. You will never pay off your loans at 43K salary. Youre probably racking up 12K in just interest a year. A rental property isnt the solution here and if I were your parents I wouldnt co-sign for more debt on someone whos already 200K in the hole to loans. I dont think pursuing a career on TV is the solution either. Youve got a Masters degree and work experience and like you said youre not tied down. Apply to every job anywhere in the country but focus on low COL locations. 