Welcome to the Better Off Bonus Call of the Week.

We're sponsored by Betterment, the largest independent online financial advisor.

Now don't forget, two chances every week to get on the air.

Tuesdays we do this bonus call and then of course after our longer interview on

Thursdays we have the listener question. Just get in touch with us. It's very easy. Send us an email. Ask Jill at better off podcast.com.

Ask Jill at better off podcast.com. That's what our old friend Jeff did. Jeff, explain to everybody why we're old friends.

When I had some financial questions about retirement about five years ago, you were kind enough to help me out and now I'm in

another point in my life where I thought I could maybe use a little more of your

advice. I love it. It feels like I've been with you now for many years so that's kind of fabulous and I'm

wondering since that time how did you find kind of navigating your financial life.

You haven't been in touch for a few years.

So what was going on at that time

and what has changed now and why do you need our help?

It's been mostly good.

And when I called you, it was because my wife and I were both moving to start new jobs and we had to make some decisions about retirement savings, enrolling in new plans.

Since then I haven't needed advice exactly because it's been pretty clear

that we needed to use any extra income to pay off the debt we accrued from

moving around for school, for jobs, stuff like that

uh... so actually it's in the five years but i talk to you we're able to pay off

uh... the fifty six thousand or so

get we had in credit cards

uh... and take my wife's student loan money from law school down from about

...