Client Exclusive: How We Helped Marilyn B. Thrive in Her Retirement Years
After a series of life changes led to more than $30,000 in debt, Marilyn (a disabled retiree on a fixed income) needed help managing it so she wouldn’t lose her home.
Debt Amount: $30,529
Started: December 2023
Monthly Savings: $455 (⏷ 50%)
Meet Marilyn: A Disabled Retiree Who Needed Help With Debt To Save Her Home
Marilyn B. is retired and lives in Corfew, New York. Before moving to Corfew she worked for a court reporting agency in Florida. Her life took an unexpected turn when a disability forced her to retire early. Being unable to continue her career was difficult to navigate both emotionally and financially.
How Debt Crept In
After going on disability, Marilyn’s financial situation changed again when she decided to move back to her childhood home in New York to help care for her mother and uncle who were in poor health. After they passed, she was alone in the home and burdened by the costs of some extensive renovations she had made to make it safe and accessible for her family.
Initially Marilyn tried to tackle the debt herself because she believed it was her personal responsibility to handle it, but the monthly payments were simply too high. She was paying over $900 in minimum payments. That amount was more than half of her disability check, and there wasn’t enough leftover to cover her mortgage or other expenses.
“I had over $30,000 in debt. I was waking up scared…thinking, I can’t go through this again.”
Recognizing the Need for Help
Marilyn hit bottom after being denied a home equity line of credit (HELOC). At that point she was out of options and realized needed help or she was going to lose her family home.
“I knew it was time to get help when I realized that I was probably going to end up in court. I was going to lose my house.”
Turning Things Around With Beyond Finance
After seeing a Facebook ad, Marilyn decided to look into Beyond Finance.
Initially, she was skeptical but went through with a consultation call that immediately put her at ease.
Talking to a Consolidation Specialist proved incredibly validating for Marilyn.
“My Consolidation Specialist gave me a very realistic view of the timeline, what to expect and what not to expect. It made me feel very hopeful. It was the first time that I felt like somebody actually cared enough about my story and didn’t think I was a bad person. I am so grateful.”
Advice for Others: “Don’t Wait. Get Help Now.”
Marilyn’s heartfelt advice to anyone struggling with debt is simple yet powerful: “Don’t wait. Get help now.”
She emphasizes that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness, and that you don’t have to face debt alone. “You are not what you earn and you are not what you have in debt.”
“Beyond finance changed my life. I can breathe now. I could sleep. I’m not having bad dreams. I went out to eat on my son’s birthday. I can think of myself as a responsible person again, and I don’t see myself as a failure.”
An Exciting New Future for Marilyn
Taking control of her debt has allowed Marilyn to breathe easier. She is able to think of herself as a responsible person and no longer feels like a failure. When she is done with her program, she hopes to take a vacation with her son and enjoy her retirement.
A quick note about Marilyn’s story: She’s a real client who was compensated for taking the time to share her experience with us. Marilyn saved 50% 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.