Ok…

So, it’s partially my fault that I waited this long to decide whether to consolidate my student loans or not. But still, it’s been SO stressful getting all this crap together! Thankfully, the lender I’m consolidating with has pretty darn good customer service so it hasn’t been as bad as it could be.

Flash back: two months earlier…

I’m checking my school email account and see an email from our financial aid lady with the subject heading “Consolidate Your Loans.”

::thinks to herself:: I am SO sick and tired of getting these stupid consolidation notices! Can’t they take the hint?? I don’t want to consolidate!!! ::ignores email::

Flash back: last week…

Chloe: hey, you consolidating your loans?
lazy Sheryl: naw
Chloe: they’re hiking up interest rates almost 2%
lazy Sheryl: …

Then, I went into a panic trying to find out how and who to consolidate with. For all you guys still thinking about it (you now have about 3 hours to do it), here’s the breakdown.

If you are a student still in school, you need to contact your lenders and ask them to place you in early repayment and then to place you in deferment. By consolidating you are giving up your grace period after you graduate, but you lock in a lower interest rate (which I think is better). There are some lenders who are offering to let you keep your grace period (you’ll have to do your research on this one). At this point, if you don’t consolidate and if you are set to graduate in 2006 (like I am) your interest rate during deferment will be around 4.8%. Once you hit your payment period it will be around 5.3% - those bastards!!! >=[

Good luck to anyone else still trying to consolidate! I put in my request today so I’m set. Phew.

So… an update on Cute Guy at Work (for anyone who is interested)… he’s married! So, it’s a no go =/ poo

Also… I have a very long weekend ahead of me! I have Fridays off… and we have Monday AND Tuesday off! woo hoo!!

Tentative plans
- War of the Worlds tomorrow with Mark and Marvin
- Hanging out with my old pal Jo Nisha =)
- Relaxing by the pool
- A mini bbq - Another movie in the mix?

Three things I’m grateful for today:
1. good customer service
2. my cell phone
3. all things like Stefano’s Pizza