Client Exclusive: Michele B., Finding Stability And Peace After Loss
Michele B. lives in Michigan and works from home in customer service for a specialty pharmacy. She spends her days helping people navigate complex systems — work she finds important and rewarding. Outside of work, Michele devotes her time to caring for her granddaughter and supporting her family. She loves traveling with her sister, going to concerts and spoiling her grandkids.
After experiencing a devastating personal loss, she leaned on debt for emotional and practical reasons until it spiraled out of control. After a negative experience with a different company, she is grateful that she found Beyond Finance and the customer service she needed and deserved.
When I called Beyond Finance, I was in tears. The person on the phone with me listened and explained everything so much. It’s just amazing.
Debt Amount: $$33,331
Started: February 2025
Monthly Savings: $787 a month!*
When Michele B. found Beyond Finance, she was exhausted, overwhelmed, and reeling from a negative experience with another debt help company.
From the first call with Beyond Finance, everything felt different. What followed wasn’t just progress on her debt, but relief, confidence, and space to breathe again.
Before Beyond Finance: When Grief Took Over Everything
After her daughter was murdered, Michele entered a period of deep grief. She described feeling disconnected from consequences and focused only on surviving day to day. At the same time, she was inundated with aggressive marketing for credit cards and loans promising fast, easy money.
Borrowing felt like a way to keep moving forward — paying one bill with another, staying busy, and keeping her mind occupied — until the cycle became overwhelming.
How did you get into debt?
I experienced a tragedy. My daughter was murdered and after something like that happens, you just don’t care about stuff anymore. So, when I got lots of phone calls, emails, things in the mail, popup ads offering me “easy money” with no credit checks, I disregarded the consequences and took the credit cards and loans. At the time, working and buying things we wanted and needed kept my brain busy. It sounds silly but that’s how a lot of us get into debt.
A lot of it was credit cards and loans. I needed to take care of things. and it ended up being too much. At the time I was thinking ” I’m using this (loan) to pay this (credit card), but now I have to borrow to pay this back, and then now I have to pay this back.”
Living With Constant Financial Stress
As balances grew, financial stress became part of Michele’s everyday life. Even small purchases triggered anxiety and regret.
How did the debt affect your day to day life?
Everything started piling up. I was borrowing from here to pay here and it was just insane. I would buy something and then go back and look and I’m like, that was 20 bucks there that I could have paid a bill with. I was just in tears every day. I don’t know how I’m going to pay this. I don’t know how I’m going to do this.
Realizing Something Had To Change
Years of juggling payments, borrowing from one account to cover another, and trying to do everything alone eventually became unbearable.
What made you realize it was time for help?
I realized, I borrowed $500 and I’m paying back $1,200. What the heck did I do? But it was too late. I was in tears every day. Thinking, “I don’t know how I’m going to pay this. I don’t know how I’m going to do this. I just can’t.” Eventually I thought “Wait a minute. What am I doing? I have other children. I have grandchildren. I have to get my life in order.”
Finding Support Without Judgment
After a negative experience with another debt relief company, Michele was hesitant to try again. But her first conversation with Beyond Finance felt different.
How did your first conversation about debt make you feel?
I spoke with Jessica, I remember because that was my daughter’s name. So that was kind of a sign for me. She was amazing. She listened and she explained everything so well. She answered everything. I was on the phone for a good hour.
Relief Through Trust And Support
One of the biggest changes for Michele has been the peace of mind that comes with knowing she’s not handling creditors and legal notices on her own.
What has been the biggest relief since starting the program?
I’m not in the negative. I can actually do stuff that means something. Like little trips with my sister. Now I can look at stuff and go, ” I can get them that.” For my granddaughter’s birthday in August my daughter and I saved from January to October and took her to Disney.
Michele’s Advice For Others: “You Didn’t Get Here Overnight”
Michele knows how easy it is to feel ashamed or isolated by debt, especially after life-changing events.
What advice would you give to someone considering debt help?
You didn’t get here overnight and you’re not going to get out overnight. Patience.
Looking Ahead: A Future Built On Stability And Family
With her payments now manageable and real progress underway, Michele can focus on what matters most: her family and the future.
What are you most looking forward to moving forward?
I want to help my daughter buy her own house.
Also, my sister and I recently got our passports and we’ve been trying to do one big trip out of the country each year.
*About this testimonial: Michele is a real Beyond Finance client who was compensated for sharing her experience. Her savings were calculated by subtracting her program payment from her self-reported payments or tradeline minimums. Clients typically save $480 per month on their debt payments.