Graduate Exclusive! Gabe R. Treats Himself, Takes Immersive Language Classes, and Embraces Budgeting

We spoke with Gabe — linguaphile, cat-lover, and book collector — to hear how life changed after he graduated from his Beyond Finance program in late 2023.

Debt Amount: $25,254
Started: January 2019
Graduated: December 2023

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m 66 and I live in San Francisco and I’ve been retired for many years now. I have a cat — P.K., short for Pretty Kitty. She’s 14 and she holds my heart in hers. I also have a very nice, small community of people that I rely on and do things with.

For fun, I learn languages. I’m currently learning five languages — all Semitic: Hebrew, Ancient Hebrew, Ladino, Yiddish, and Aramaic. I also collect fiction books from the ’50s and ’60s.

Not only was I going to be able to pay it off, but I was going to free up all this cash … and I had so many things I wanted to do!

How did you find yourself in debt?

My home burned down. I lost everything. So there were expenses with trying to rebuild, along with medical costs related to disability and treatment. I was making all my payments, but it was taking up my entire income.

I didn’t have expendable cash to go out with friends for a coffee, or go to the movies, or a play, or anything like that.

It was kind of scary. I didn’t have a cushion in case something went wrong. And I was worried about what I was going to live on after I paid off all this debt — if I ever could. The interest was just killing me.

What was your experience with Beyond Finance like?

I did a little research on the internet, the Better Business Bureau, and searched things like “best debt consolidation companies.” I came up with a handful and called them all. The other companies just wanted to land my business. Beyond didn’t make that the main story — the main story was: “How can we get you to a better place?”

Gabe gets ready to hit the books in his study (with new decor!) with his beloved cat, P.K.

My monthly payments ranged between $900 and $1,000. With Beyond Finance, my payments were about $400. When I finally signed on the dotted line, I did a little jig. (laughs) I couldn’t believe it.

Not only was I going to be able to pay it off, but I was going to free up all this cash … and I had so many things I wanted to do!

What’s happened since you graduated?

Graduating — oh, what a sense of relief. I could breathe. And I had another $400 that I could sock away in savings or just treat myself well with! Take $200 extra a month and buy some new clothing, take a day trip, pay for a hotel. Now I was truly debt-free.

Things have changed since the days Gabe had to turn down his friends when they asked to go out for coffee or a movie.

Right now I’m in an immersive language class — three hours a day, Monday through Friday. And I wouldn’t be able to do that if I hadn’t gone through the program and set my finances straight.

I was able to get a no-interest loan to furnish my living room, and I saved up to buy the decor in my study.

My financial behavior has really changed. I forecast and anticipate expenses. I size it up, see what I can afford comfortably — and still achieve my other goals. My budget and my spending are more of an active activity now, rather than something that’s happening to me.

Working with Beyond Finance — it changed my life. It gave me hope.

For a while there, I was starting to think the rest of my life was going to be paying interest. It felt like a punishment — for something I never did.

But now I’m in control. And I can finally live.

Real client compensated for a real story.