Personal Debt Stories (Page3)
Stories of people overcoming challenges with credit card debt.
Americans have record-levels of credit card debt. We owe $482 billion to credit card companies.[1] Although every financial situation is unique, common themes run through the financial challenges that people face. These personal debt stories come from real clients of Consolidated Credit. They’ve shared their experiences with credit card debt in the hopes that it can inspire others facing similar situations.
If you’re struggling to eliminate credit card debt, it’s time to turn the page on your debt story today. Call 1-800-774-0313. A certified credit counselor will review your options for relief and help you find the best way to get out of debt in your situation. Turn the page on your debt story today.
Consolidated Credit is Proud to Help Maria Recover from Financial Abuse
Coerced debt happens when a partner runs up debt in your name without your consent. It ruins your credit and keeps you stuck. But there are solutions to help people recover from this financial abuse....
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How to Pay Off $30,000 in Credit Card Debt
A series of emergency expenses ran up Walter's credit card balances to the tune of $35,000. With the help of Consolidated Credit, he was able to get out of debt in five years....
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Too Much Credit Too Early, Too Fast
Early access to credit can be a blessing or a curse. When Sonya received her first credit card offer at 18, it was like free money. She used credit to live a lavish lifestyle without considering the consequences until she was deep into debt....
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Ronnie Finds Better Results with Credit Counseling
Ronnie tried to negotiate and pay off debt on his own, but not all his creditors were willing to play ball. See how Ronnie got better results with credit counseling and learned live without credit cards....
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Finding a Cure for Debt Stress
Debt problems don’t just affect your physical health; your mental health is under constant stress and pressure. As a mental health counselor, Paula understands the tolls this can take and can empathize after her own problems with debt. ...
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Wanda Pays Off Despite Being in Early Retirement
Wanda did the right thing, met with a financial advisor and had a plan to pay off her debt before she retired. But when illness forced her into early retirement and the medical bills piled up, Consolidated Credit was here to help her regain control....
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Linda Start Living without Credit Cards
If you’re like Linda, the thought of giving up your credit cards might be terrifying. But after helps to balance your budget to get you on the right financial path with lower debt payments, you may find it’s easier than you think to live without credit....
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A Special Needs Family Needs Specialized Debt Help
Caring for a special needs child can be one of the biggest challenges to financial stability that a family can face. See how Consolidated Credit helped Kelly and her husband overcome debt and a loss of income after Kelly quit her job to care for their son....
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What to Do When a Giving Heart Gives You Debt Problems
Helping friends and family made Margaret feel good, but it also made her credit card balances increase to the point she couldn’t pay off the debt using traditional means. Here’s how we helped Margaret regain stability....
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Deotha Goes from Reluctance to Relief
People are often reluctant to try credit counseling because they’re not sure it’s the right solution to actually help them get out of debt. We talk to Deotha, who overcame her hesitancy to find the debt relief she needed....
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Getting Through Grad School on Credit Cards
Paola wanted to focus on her studies during grad school, but without even a part-time job she wound up facing serious challenges with credit card debt accrued to buy books and cover daily expenses....
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When Retail Therapy Turns into Financial Distress
Miriam’s challenges with debt started in college with credit cards she never quite paid off. A series of life events and a bad shopping habit kept Miriam in debt throughout her life until we helped her take control....
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From Holding Hands to a Helping Hand
Cheryl quit work to keep a promise to care for her mother after her father passed, but while focusing on family helped them heal, it brought new challenges with Cheryl’s finances as her credit card balances rose....
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Going into Debt for a Better Autism Treatment
Ongoing medical challenges can leave you in a bind no matter how much education you have. When Cynthia’s family moved to Florida for therapy it did wonders to help their daughter’s autism, but it also put them into financial distress....
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First Divorce, Then Debt
A costly divorce put Rebecca $10,000 in debt, but it was the loss of a second income and budget problems that led her into a payday loan trap. With $8,000 in payday loans to eliminate she called Consolidated Credit for help....
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When Life Happens and Creditors Sue
When Socorro lost her job, relying on credit card debt became a slippery slope that landed her in civil court with a few collectors. Luckily, Socorro found relief with a debt management program to avoid wage garnishment and liens....
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Distraction over Debt Almost Ends in Disaster
Susie’s thoughts were consumed by her debt problems. That distraction almost led to a fatal accident, and still Susie’s only concern was how they would afford the bills. See how we helped get her peace of mind back. ...
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Debt Management Program Déjà Vu
After 20 years of financial freedom Janis found herself facing financial distress caused by credit card debt for a second time. She took a path that she knew would work to help her regain financial stability. She called us....
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When Physical Pain Leads to Financial Pain
Chronic back pain eventually forced Ilma to leave the workforce, leading to $10,000 in credit card debt. With the help of Consolidated, she’s regained stability and wants to share her story to inspire others to take action, too....
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When “Material Foolishness” Leads to Credit Card Debt
When Althea decided to renovate her home, most of the purchases for it went on plastic. Creating the perfect space to get away from the world also created a perfect storm of high-interest credit card debt....
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Client Profile: Tanya
Putting in overtime as a Florida law enforcement officer helped Tanya stay afloat, but cut overtime hours helped her realize just how far in the hole she was with credit card debt. Her credit counselor helped her make a plan to regain control....
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Client Profile: Danny F.
When a workplace accident put Danny in a wheelchair, he had to give up his career as an auto mechanic and couldn’t afford to pay off his credit card debt on just his disability benefits, but we helped him fix his debt problems....
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Sandra Has Some Sage Financial Advice for New Grandparents
Spoiling grandkids is a joy, but as they age it can get expensive, especially if you're living on a fixed retirement income. Sandra's desire to keep up with the kids' tastes plus a never ending cycle of pre-approved credit card offers led to $13,000 in credit card debt....
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Client Profile: Liz A.
When Liz and her husband were both laid off from their positions at a nonprofit at the start of the recession, they struggled to stay ahead of their bills. Learn how a debt management program helped them achieve freedom in just 4½ years....
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