Client Exclusive: How We Helped Joy Rebound from Debt After a Pay Cut and Move Derailed Her Budget
When a large pay cut coincided with a big move, Joy B. took on credit card debt to make up the difference. Thinking the debt would be temporary, Joy quickly realized she’d gotten in over her head.
Debt Amount: $20,029
Started: January 2024
Monthly Savings: $447 (⏷ 62%)
Meet Joy: An Occupational Therapist Who Struggled With Debt After a Big Move
Joy is an occupational therapist in Richmond, Kentucky who absolutely loves what she does. But the road to this fulfilling role wasn’t easy.
Just a year earlier, Joy had relocated from Virginia for a different position that came with a $20,000 pay cut. She took the job hoping for a meaningful fresh start — but instead, it led to financial strain and emotional burnout.
“We teach kids how to be kids and learn the skills they need for life,” she said, describing the hands-on work she does every day to help children grow and succeed.
How Joy Got Into Debt
She quickly found herself overwhelmed, not just by the financial strain, but by the stress of starting over in a new town. Between the costs of moving, setting up a new home, and trying to maintain some normalcy, Joy racked up around $20,000 in credit card and private loan debt in just six months.
Joy’s ‘Aha’ Moment – Realizing She Needed Help
Joy’s breakthrough moment came late one night when she realized didn’t have enough money to afford the copay for a recent therapy session.
That same night, she filled out a form online looking for help.
“Counseling is important, and I couldn’t afford the copays because I was paying so much on credit card debt. [At that point] I was borrowing money just to buy groceries or gas. I was like, ‘I need help. I can’t keep doing this. I can’t keep living like this.’”
Turning Things Around With Beyond Finance
Ultimately, a Google search led Joy to Beyond Finance. She explored a few companies in the process but was drawn to our strong reviews and heartfelt testimonials. Still, making that first phone call wasn’t easy for her.
“Admitting out loud that I was in debt over my head was scary. But I was really reassured that it was going to be okay. I felt very positive about myself—as if I was making a good choice for me.”
What Stood Out Most: Support, Simplicity and Stability
Joy felt cared for from the beginning. She loves that when she calls us, she gets clear answers. She also appreciates the app’s transparency and how it keeps her in the loop wherever she is.
“Every time I’ve called, I’ve gotten really good feedback and advice. I felt heard. And because of the app, I know what’s going on without having to call every day.”
Advice for Others: “Somebody’s Here to Help You”
Joy knows how hard it is to take that first step, but she urges others not to wait and shared that for her, enrolling was simple and everything was processed quickly without any hiccups.
“Make the phone call. Fill out the form. It’s going to be okay because somebody’s here to help you and hold your hand through the process.“
Looking Ahead: A Debt-Free Future and a New Car
Thanks to the program, Joy was able to get a more reliable car and afford the payment — something she said she wasn’t able to do before. “It’s not a new car, but it gets me to work so I can keep earning and paying off my debt.”
And once she completes the program? She already has her eyes on the next goal: “I’m planning to use the money I’m putting into the program now to start paying off my house.”
A quick note about Joy’s story: She’s a real client who was compensated for taking the time to share her experience with us. Joy saved 62% on her eligible monthly payments and her savings were calculated by subtracting her program payment from her self-reported payments or tradeline minimums on eligible accounts.