I had a graduate degree and could barely make rent for more than a year before I finally got a job as a programmer. At my lowest point, I used to pick up a lar

I had a graduate degree and could barely make rent for more than a year before I finally got a job as a programmer. At my lowest point, I used to pick up a large $5 dollar cheese pizza to go, a tomato and onion from a street vendor (for toppings on my pizza), and stretch 4 meals out of it. You should be grateful you have the opportunities you have, and that you're able to work a job that would allow you to pay off your student loans so quickly. As a programmer, you have one of the best jobs that exists. You have a low stress job and you make a lot of money. (The median programmer makes more than twice the median wage - 37 versus 17/hr - http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm ) - your financial freedom will come much more quickly to you than it will for most others. You ought to do your best to learn to find meaning in your work and be grateful you have so much self-direction in your work when so many others don't.