TL;DR: I’m 28 with $125k in private student loans through Earnest and a $1,100/month payment. I make \~$130k total working two jobs seven days a week, have been promoted multiple times, and still have no savings, almost nothing in retirement, and recently ended up hospitalized from burnout. I live far from work to save on rent, rarely spend money on myself, and feel completely trapped by the debt. No co-signers or assets. Is strategically defaulting/negotiating these loans a realistic option, or am I being unreasonable and just need to cut back even more?

FULL STORY:
Hi all, have been following this sub for a while now but this would be my first time posting.

I currently have $125k in student loan debt with Earnest. No co-signers. My monthly payment is $1,100.

I went to school in NYC and graduated in 2020. I’ve worked two jobs seven days a week since then trying to make ends meet. I have a full-time job in the field in which I got my degree, and have gotten three promotions in six years. Plus I waitress part-time. My total income is $130k.

Recently, I was hospitalized for burnout and had to take a leave of absence from work. Fortunately, fully paid due to short-term disability. But I’ve since returned and still find myself to be crippled by my debt.

I live over an hour from my jobs to save money on rent. I’ve never been able to travel or leave the country. I make my coffee at home and only go out with friends once or twice per month. And most of all, I have NO savings and next to nothing in my 401k.

I’m 28 years old and already feel like I’m at my wit’s end. I do not have any property or assets. I recently went through hell finding a new apartment with a 650 credit score as-is but I did.

Is it worth taking the leap to default on the loans? Or am I simply being unreasonable with myself and need to find a way to make my budget even tighter?