A couple in their late 20s deciding whether to pay off student loans, save for a wedding, or buy a house first
Priya, 28, & Jordan, 29 -- Austin, TX
exampleEngaged, no kids yet, renting a one-bedroom apartment · $166k/yr household income
They're carrying combined student loan debt, planning a wedding in two years, and hoping to buy their first home in Austin within three to four years
Priya & Jordan are carrying combined student loan debt, planning a wedding in two years, and hoping to buy their first home in Austin within three to four years The real question: Should they aggressively pay down student loans before saving for a house and wedding, or tackle all three at once?
There’s a gap to close$4.3M
Projected net worth at retirement (2062)
Retirement year
2062
Safe withdrawal / yr
$171k
Spending need / yr
$109k
First shortfall
2078
Modeled year by year, the plan runs short before the finish line. That doesn’t mean the goal is off the table. It means one or two levers (savings rate, timing, or the size of the purchase) need to move, and seeing exactly where and when is the value.
Your situation is more like this than a rule of thumb
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Get my verdict →An illustrative example household. The numbers are modeled by Rightmont’s engine from these inputs; your real answer depends on your full picture. Educational only, not financial advice.