Agree that probably not a drop off from 2 years ago, but the chatter has been much greater in the last 6 months…
I do think that such talk can provide the rationale for some to stop paying…especially if there’s something else on the horizon that interests them more…like putting those payment dollars towards a new car.
I know someone who stopped paying his student loans because he believed that he was going to go back into the military and get some sort of signing bonus. Neither thing happened and now the credit ding.
Your kids accept their obligation, but we both know that we can’t force our adult kids to think (or not think) a certain way. I agree with avoiding IBR because that’s what ends up causing many of these people to get into bigger debt.
It sounds like your “minimum wage” child must live at home because it would be hard for a new grad earning minimum wage to pay rent, etc, and also make such loan payments. Hopefully she can find a better paying job. Is she good at sales (up selling?). If so, have her apply to become a (real) AT&T salesperson. I’m amazed how much they can earn!