u/No-Manufacturer6164

Hello!

(Disclaimer: I put myself through college because my parents couldn't help me. They refused to fill out the FAFSA and they make too much for me to be considered "need based," but did not help me at all. I am 22F, just got my first salaried job, and need helpful and constructive advice for how to get myself out of this private loan hole).

I just graduated in May. I have $52,334.11 in loans from SallieMae. There are five loans, all with different co-signers, with up to 19% interest rates (my parents were never financially stable and their credit wasn't good enough, so I had to find a different co-signer every semester. I was 17 and stupid, I know). My monthly payments with SM begin on August 3rd, $743/month.

I do have a full time job ($57,325 10 month salary without taxes), but I do not get my first paycheck until September 1st. I will also be paying $725/month in rent + $60/month in utilities.

I tried calling SallieMae to get into their "graduate forgiveness" program that lasts one year after you graduate and has interest-only payments (around $200/month from what I hear), but they told me to call back in August (?). I've seen a TikTok about a person that argued SallieMae down to 2% interest but I don't think that is possible with my case.

So, what to do now?

I want to refinance to a place that is able to combine all of my loans into one payment and has lower interest rates/frees me from the burden of letting down all of my co-signers. From the research I've done, SoFi and Earnest are the best, but I might not qualify right out of college. I think my credit score is like 680? (I've had to pay for everything myself, please have grace!)

I don't know what to do or where to go from here. Please give me advice.

Hello, all!

I am looking to start a bi-weekly creative writing workshop in August. I only need 5-10 people to show interest... if the following sounds appealing to you please comment and I will reach out!

1.) All members submit a new piece every meeting (poetry, creative non-fiction, an excerpt from a novel you're working on, short story, memoir, etc) that is less than 10 pages

2.) All members print, read, annotate, and reflect on the other members' works before meeting

3.) We meet every other week in a coffee shop or at my apartment (once we get comfortable)

4.) Open the meeting with current reading discussions and light writing prompt

5.) Discuss each others' works, writers ask questions, receive feedback

6.) Chat about life and build community

Looking for preferred members that

- Have an English / CW focus

- Will be active in submitting and responding

- Truly want to build a community of writers and better their craft

If you're down, comment! I'll reach out and we can whip something up soon.

Hey everyone!

I’m from Marion VA in Appalachia and my girlfriend lives in Richmond. I love Richmond and want to move in with her soon, but it’s been impossible to get hired due to the current job market and my lack of networking resources.

I am 25, I have my Bachelor of Arts in Marketing and Communication, + 2 years of community development work. I am savvy with social media, communication, marketing, community building, and anything in those realms! More than that, I have a year of experience working with animals and administering medicine/feeding/cleaning animal areas at my local animal shelter. I am also an artist and I ride horses!

I am passionate about horses, farm work, women, queerness, equal rights, animals, books, art, marketing, and community. I have professional experience + a degree and a willingness to learn.

I’ve applied to TONS of jobs (SPCA, marketing, etc) but the current job market gives applicants a 0.4% chance of getting hired. There’s currently 250 applicants to the average application and while I’ve applied to hundreds, no one is looking to hire a girl from Appalachia in comparison to Richmond natives with Masters Degrees.

With this, does ANYONE have any ideas, openings, or referrals? It’s hard to get anything without knowing anyone in the current climate — I’ve been applying on Indeed, but no cigar.

I’m genuinely willing to work any job and do anything if they’re hiring and ready to start in the summer. I promise I’m a hard worker and so passionate! I’d love to help your business :)