A mix of approachesStudent loans$101,000
How Shonnita Used PSLF, DoorDash and a Zero-Sum Budget on $101K in Loans
Shonnita Leslie graduated into the Great Recession owing about $101,000 in student loans. Public Service Loan Forgiveness cleared her federal loans in 2022, and DoorDash income paid off her car loan and chipped away at her private loans.
Video by CNBC Make ItPublished April 18, 2024Breakdown updated September 15, 2026
Key moments
“Living On $65K A Year Working Three Jobs In Houston, TX” by CNBC Make It. We didn't make this video; it loads from YouTube when you press play.
Where Shonnita started
Shonnita Leslie finished her bachelor's and master's degrees in 2009 with about $101,000 in student loans, just as the Great Recession hit. She worked as a public school counselor in Connecticut, but for years her payments mostly covered interest. She later moved to Houston, where she earns about $65,000 across a university job, DoorDash deliveries and freelance writing.
What Shonnita did
- 1
She took a public school counseling job in Connecticut and kept up payments that mostly went to interest, so her principal stayed near $101,000.
- 2
Her years in public education put her on track for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and in 2022 about $60,000 in federal loans was forgiven.
- 3
Her private student loans didn't qualify, leaving about $40,000, so she started delivering for DoorDash after work, at times close to 30 hours a week.
- 4
She used her early DoorDash earnings to pay off the loan on a car she had bought for deliveries, then sent the rest to her private loans.
- 5
When the car developed mechanical problems in 2023, she sold it and switched to an electric bike and the metro rail.
- 6
She uses zero-sum budgeting, avoids credit cards, and had brought her remaining balance down to about $18,000 as of 2024.
What you can learn from it
PSLF depends on the employer
Studentaid.gov says qualifying employment for PSLF isn't about the specific job, it's about who you work for. Shonnita's years in public schools counted.
Private loans can't be forgiven through PSLF
Studentaid.gov lists student loans from private lenders as not eligible for PSLF. That's why Shonnita still had about $40,000 to repay after her federal loans were forgiven.
Qualifying payments add up over time
As of September 2026, studentaid.gov says PSLF takes the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan, and those payments don't need to be consecutive.
Clearing the car loan freed up cash
She paid off her car loan first, then later sold the car. She told CNBC Make It that going without one also saves her parking and car insurance costs.
Side income counts as taxable income
The IRS says gig economy income must be reported on a tax return, even when it's from side work or isn't reported on a form like a 1099 or W-2.
In their words
“My version of the American dream is just to be debt free and live life on my own terms”
“my federal student loans had been forgiven due to my years of service I was completely relieved”
Before you copy this path
Shonnita's federal loans were forgiven in 2022, and PSLF rules have changed since, with some changes held up in court, so check studentaid.gov for the current rules. Going without a car works for her partly because she lives near transit in Houston.
See which options fit youCommon questions
Do private student loans qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?
No. Studentaid.gov lists student loans from private lenders as not eligible for PSLF; the program covers federal Direct Loans.
Source: studentaid.govHow many payments does PSLF require?
As of September 2026, studentaid.gov says PSLF forgives the remaining balance after the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan while working for a qualifying employer. The payments don't need to be consecutive.
Source: studentaid.govIs DoorDash or other side hustle income taxable?
Yes. The IRS says gig economy income must be reported on a tax return, even when it comes from part-time or side work or isn't reported on a form like a 1099 or W-2.
Source: irs.govSources
By DebtCheckUSAEditorial Team. This is our summary of a video we didn't make, and nobody paid us to include it. It's one person's experience, not financial, tax or legal advice. Advertiser disclosure
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