The Cost of Medical School - 20 ways to make it work

         Jason and I both had the privilege of growing up with parents who taught us how to manage money, the importance of a savings account and to fear the big, D word ("debt"). When we met I was living paycheck to paycheck, but I was debt free. Jason was also living small and unbeknownst to me he had an impressive budget spread sheet in Excel. The kind that makes your eyes blurry trying to figure out what to focus on first (is this just my experience with Excel?). So far, we were following our parents wise advice ... and then Jason signed up for medical school! Even though this debt is an investment, I still felt like we threw our parents' advice to the wind. But Lord willing, it's only for the time being. If you are considering marrying a person pursuing any vocation in the medical world I highly recommend having the money talk soon, as in yesterday. Talk about both long term and short term costs. Our first conversation about medical school expenses was during our dating relationship, I remember the conversation well.....

          It was late on a Sunday night when we pulled 
into a friend's driveway and parked off to the side between two other cars. We had arrived late (as usual) and we were wondering why we had decided to come at all because it was around 9:30 PM, the next day was Monday and it wasn't typical bonfire weather (kinda muggy). Looking back I think we went because it gave us another chance to extend the evening together rather then say good bye and head to our separate homes for the night.  Plus, our friends were expecting us, they were already in the back yard around a blazing fire and we could hear them talking and having a good time; probably sweating too. But instead of wrestling the broken door handle to get out, Jason stared ahead and made a comment about how he wasn't at the same place in life as most men his age. Pushing aside the urge to join the laughter that came from the backyard I questioned him to tell me what he meant. He proceeded to talk about how most men his age already had a good job, an established career with regular hours and a good income. Some of his friends were already married, had a family, a house, a white picket fence, etc...  He asked me if I was expecting that of him because as sure as he didn't own a house, he didn't have the finances to consider it. In fact, it was going to be just the opposite since there was going to be medical school loans. 

 

               I sat beside him and contemplated what he said and then I was quick to assure him I wasn't in the least bit concerned that he was only just now pursing what he wanted to do in life.  Afterall, I sure wasn't one to judge! I thought by 30 I would be blissfully married with kids and established in life as a confident adult. In reality, I was approaching 29, dating with no kids, was working at a green house practically on minimum wage, was living next door to my parents and afraid all the time!

              After I felt confident Jason knew I was okay with where he was in life and what it could mean for our future, I hesitated to continue ... dare I ask about the loans?! I knew I had to, it would be foolish of me not to since I was falling in love with this ambitious man beside me. So, I silently gulped and asked him how much he thought it would cost for medical school. 

He answered,