Me too. I ran up some credit cards when I was in school too, so my priority was those. Then the loans.
It’s such an old school notion not to want to be a debtor to anyone.
More generally, it's an old school notion to abide by contracts. Student loans, mortgages, marriage, oath of office, US Constitution...
“It’s such an old school notion not to want to be a debtor to anyone.”
At one time, if you didn’t pay your bills people would whisper things about you. Now if you pay your bills you are a chump.
"God Bless The Child That's Got His Own" - Billie Holliday and Arthur Herzog. The recording of the song was released in 1941. That was 80 years ago, and should be the mantra still today. Not, "what can I get for free?"