Client Exclusive: How We Helped Kim K. Make a Big Change to Her Relationship With Money
For years, Kim K. made decisions about her finances without a clear plan because she grew up without a strong financial education. Not having mentors to teach her the right way to manage money led her to take on debt without a solid understanding of the long-term consequences.
Now that she’s retired, Kim is finally making a change and tackling her debt with help from Beyond Finance. Her journey shows it’s never too late to make a change for the better.
Debt Amount: $13,675
Started: July 2023
Monthly Savings: $274 (⏷ 54%)
Meet Kim: A Former Flight Attendant Who Overcame Debt So She Can Enjoy Her Retirement
Kim is recently retired and lives in Southern Indiana where she volunteers as a caregiver and enjoys spoiling her grandson and fur baby, Chewy.
How Kim Got Into Debt
Kim’s journey into debt didn’t happen suddenly. Instead, it gradually accumulated over the years while she was raising her family. Kim believes that not having a strong financial education when she was younger, left her without the knowledge she needed to manage credit responsibly.
Even though she has always had a job and been a hard worker, she relied on credit to make ends meet and didn’t realize it wasn’t normal to always struggle with bills or use credit that way.
“Finances, money – I’ve never known anything about it. I didn’t get any education on it in school and had no mentors in my life who could guide me. So I’ve been out here floundering for 40 years trying to figure out money.”
Realizing She Needed Help To Break The Debt Cycle
Despite having gone through bankruptcy three times in the past, Kim’s reliance on credit meant she always ended up back in debt and started the cycle over again.
Recognizing her mistakes and tired of the endless payments, Kim decided she was ready for a real change. That’s when a friend suggested she look into debt consolidation, and she started researching her options.
Shortly after, she found Beyond Finance and was impressed with what she read. The consultation call with a Consolidation Specialist left a great impression and transformed her initial skepticism into a deep appreciation for the program.
“It was scary at first, but I took a lot of notes and asked a lot of questions. The agent took time that day to explain everything. So, I felt [Beyond Finance] was a good answer, it could work and was a way out.”
Kim’s Advice for Others: “Just Do It!”
Kim hopes others will not be afraid to take action and reach out to Beyond Finance for help. She recommends taking lots of notes and asking questions so you can be informed but also trusting in the process because being able to rely on Beyond Finance to handle things has allowed her to relax and focus on the future.
“If you want financial freedom, just do it! Because there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Stop stressing and let Beyond [handle it] for you.”
What’s Next for Kim?
Now that Kim’s debt is under control, she is living within her means for the first time in her life! She loves not having to worry about bills all the time and is looking forward to enjoying her retirement which includes having the funds to responsibly spoil her grandson, her dog Chewy and herself from time to time. The best part is, she can spend money and not have to feel guilty about it!
A quick note about Kim’s story: She’s a real client who was compensated for taking the time to share her experience with us. Kim saved 54% 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.