I'm completing my PhD this semester and everyone I know tells me, "You've accomplished so much. We wish we could be in your shoes!" However, I would secretly think, "Would you really want my student loan debt, though? At least you have a home to show for all your hard work!" This thinking always destroyed my self-worth and confidence, and left me feeling as though I had made a mistake by staying in school so long. I'll be honest; I still feel behind financially--because I am, but as a new student to the financial coaching program, I can say I no longer worry about how I will accomplish my debt repayment goals. Before I started the coaching program, I didn't even know the total amount of all my debts, which was $160,429.06. Frightening, but just knowing provided me with the motivation to stop accumulating more debt. I also discovered a great deal about the emotions related to my spending behaviors. I now operate solely on my income of a teaching assistant salary and more importantly, I did not take out any additional student loans this semester. I also paid off $3,316.49 of my debt in the last three months without feeling deprived and I was still able to give my 10% tithe each month at church. In fact, controlling my spending on a student salary has given me more confidence, self-worth and joy than achieving my PhD this semester. The coaching program has been the best part of my education hands down. I now have a plan for paying off all of my debt within 5 years and am also planning (not hoping and wishing) to purchase my first home next year as well as pay it off within 10 years. Now when I think about what my friends say of me, I feel truly proud of what I've accomplished with my career because of what I'm doing with my financial life. - M.M., Texas