Paying Off Student Loans or Focus on REI?

[Andrew Fowler]

Hi everyone,

As a college student who is graduating this upcoming May, I have a lot of student loans. When I say "a lot," I'm talking 100k... Since my loans vary from 4-7% interest I am strongly considering consolidating them since I have great credit for someone my age. However, does anyone have any advice as to whether or not I should just tackle these loans as fast as possible or consider stockpiling money (while making minimum payments on loans) to launch myself right into REI? I plan on doing a FHA loan/duplex type first investment. I'm assuming in the broad spectrum of things these interest rates are nothing compared to the return I could make via REI, I'm just worried about the rather large principal.

What are your thoughts? I would be especially interested if any younger folks here on BP are in a similar situation.

Thanks,

Andrew