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Again, this is the most common advice because it works. However, I understand this might not be feasible for you especially if you're reading this article in the first place.

3. Make Some Sacrifices

Take a look at your lifestyle. What extra stuff have you been living with that you can do without? Can you get rid of your cable package? Eliminate a subscription box or magazine subscription. Maybe cut your housing cost in half by finding a roommate or start eating out at restaurants less to save money on food. Turn a guest room that’s not getting much use into a room you rent. Take a good look at how you spend your money and get creative with ways you can cut back and save. Take those savings and apply them to pay off your loans.

4. The Debt Snowball

The debt snowball method is my favorite method to pay off credit card debt. It also can be used with student loans. List all your loan debts (that include private loans, secured loans, unsecured loans, etc.) from the smallest balance to largest. Start paying on the smallest student loan balance first. Any extra money you have should be used for paying off that first debt while still paying the minimums on everything else.

Once you’ve paid off the first debt, move to the second-smallest balance. Take everything you were putting toward the first one and add it to the minimum of the second balance. Once that debt is paid, move on to the next one and repeat the process until you’re finally out of debt.

This might seem like it will take forever, and I admit it will not happen overnight. But as you work the debt snowball method, you’ll feel the progress you’re making as each student loan disappears. Knocking those smaller loans out first will give you a couple of quick wins and help you stay motivated to start taking down the bigger student loans.

5. Apply Every Raise and Windfall Toward Paying Off Your Student Loans

What do most people do when they get a raise or come into a windfall of money? They blow through it like it’s nothing. Their living expenses get voluntarily increase and then it feels like they didn’t get a raise.

Forget the new TV or shoes you want. Take the extra income and apply it to your loan. If you know you can already afford to pay the bills, any extra cash will get you out of debt faster if you apply it directly to the loan instead of living a little more lavishly. you can do that once the loan is paid off!

6. Get a Side Hustle

Is your income the biggest hurdle for paying off your loans? Pick up a part-time job on the nights or weekends that can help you stack cash quickly. Use that extra cash directly on your student loan debt There’s a ton of side hustle options out there such as driving an Uber, walking dogs, babysitting, or having a yard sale and using the proceeds to pay off an extra month's worth. Every bit helps.