15 Signs You’re Doing Well Financially Even if You Have Student Loans

No matter what stage you’re at in life, student debt can make it feel impossible to get ahead financially. 

Having such a significant amount of debt on your shoulders may make it feel like you’re not moving forward, but that isn’t always the case.

While being debt-free is one of the hallmarks of financial stability, it is far from the only one. Odds are, you’re doing better than you think despite your student loans.

One major benchmark of financial stability is being able to support yourself in the face of emergencies, like losing your job or missing a paycheck.

Given that as many as 61% of Americans are trying to move beyond living paycheck to paycheck, you shouldn’t let your student debt weigh you down if you know you could survive at least a month without income.

Student debt is almost inevitable, with over 43.6 million Americans owing something, so cut yourself some slack. However, you should give yourself even more grace if that’s your only debt. 

Credit card, car, and medical debts all rank higher than student loans when it comes to sources of personal debt in America, so if you’ve already crushed those debts, you’re doing better than most.

Budgeting is one of the simplest and most basic ways to get yourself on a successful financial route, yet very few actually take the time to plan one out; 73% of Americans don’t follow a regular budget plan.

Even if your budget is tight or doesn’t feel like it’s working, at the very least, you’re aware of your cash flow, income, expenses, and so on. That's something a lot of people, with or without student debt, can’t say.

Credit cards are a much more common source of debt than student loans — 28% compared to 5%. It also has a much slippier snowball effect and can grow out of hand if not managed properly.

An average of 29% of credit card users only pay their minimal monthly statement, which can lead to out-of-control debt. If you can pay off your balance in full each month, consider yourself a step ahead financially.

Even something seemingly simple, such as paying your bills on time, is a sign of financial success and stability despite significant student loan debts.

As many as 32% of Americans paid a bill late in 2022, with 61% of those late payers stating they simply couldn’t afford it. 

If your rent, mortgage, car payment, or other routine bills are consistently paid on time, know you’re in a better position than many.

Being financially stable doesn’t just have to do with saving money, but also spending what you have wisely.

Insurance may seem like an unnecessary cost, especially with excessive loan debt, but it can prevent other costs down the road. 

Consider yourself financially sound if you have common forms of insurance, like car, health, renters or homeowners, and so on.

Credit card debt is unfortunately all too common but avoidable if you know how to use it responsibly and not as a crutch.

While it’s fine to have a credit card for last-minute emergencies or unexpected expenses, ideally, you’re using it to build your credit score, potentially earn flight points or cash back, and pay it off in full each month.

Even with insurance, having an emergency fund for life’s surprises and difficulties is wise. Not only will this help keep you from accumulating more debt, but it also lets you rest easier at night and not worry about financial stresses.

While the ideal amount for an emergency fund is around six months of your average total expenses, anything is better than nothing. Even with loan debt, consider yourself financially stable if you pay attention to details like this.

Even with student loans making a dent in your paycheck, you should carve out a little bit of money toward your savings.

Nearly 30% of Americans have $100 or less in their savings account. You're doing better than many if you’re dedicating just a little of your paycheck toward savings.

Thinking ahead and preparing for the future is one of the key aspects of financial literacy and stability.

While your paycheck is likely getting hit with hefty loan bills, savings and emergency funds, insurance, and more, if you’re still making the effort to pad your retirement fund, you are certainly on a positive financial path.

Even if you’re struggling to make ends meet, having a goal and a path forward is always better than floundering aimlessly.

While budgeting is great, you also want to think ahead. If you have clear short- and long-term goals and actionable plans to get there — including paying off your student loans — you take your finances seriously and are setting yourself up for success.

The most minor actions can make the biggest impact on financial stability. While having a budget and financial plan are great, your day-to-day actions matter just as much.

If you deliberately cut out frivolous and impulse spending, you can save as much as $314 per month. Considering the average student loan payment is $284 per month, you may be on track to cut your repayment time in half compared to your peers.

Managing your finances is incredibly stressful, so be sure to celebrate even the smallest wins.

For example, if your checking account is never overdrawn, enjoy knowing that you are on a positive financial path, compared to the reported average of 18% of consumers who have overdrawn their accounts.

Student loans are not always bad, especially if your credit is still high despite the heavy debt load.

With a high credit score, you may still be able to secure mortgage and car loans and have more financial flexibility, even with a hefty amount of debt.

At the end of the day, no matter how much debt you’re in or how difficult your financial struggles are, if you can say you’re financially independent, you can consider yourself better off than many.

As many as 47% of millennials are reportedly financially dependent on their parents. Even if you are still fully or partially reliant on someone else, there's power in knowledge. 

Being aware of your income-to-debt ratio can do wonders for your financial empowerment and success.

You are far from alone in your struggle with student debt. While the loan payments may seem endless, they are not a sign of financial failure. You may actually be doing better financially considering other factors.

Several aspects make up financial stability and success, and loan debt management is just a drop in the bucket compared to other issues.

Awareness, knowledge, and transparency will always be paramount when it comes to fiscal freedom.