Graduate Exclusive! Harlie A. Breaks the Debt Cycle, Stops Using Credit Cards, and Starts Living Again
We interviewed Harlie to find out about her journey and how life’s been since graduating from Beyond Finance in July of 2024.
- Debt Amount: $18,571
- Started: March 2023
- Graduated: May 2024
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m Harlie, and I currently live in New York with my partner. I work as an order processor for a window and door installation company.
How did you find yourself in debt?
Honestly, it started right when I turned 18. I got my first credit card and knew I probably shouldn’t have — but I did, and it spiraled. I kept getting more cards, then ran into a rough patch after surgery. My mom helped me get a consolidation loan, but then more emergencies came up and before I knew it, I was relying on credit just to make ends meet.
I couldn’t save money, I couldn’t get a car, and it was even keeping me from getting certain jobs. I felt trapped.

… the payments were finally affordable. That alone felt life-changing. For the first time, I could actually live — not just pay off debt.
What was your experience like with Beyond Finance?
I was ready for someone to pitch me something insane — but what the representative said made sense, and it felt genuine. And the payments were finally affordable. That alone felt life-changing. For the first time, I could actually live — not just pay off debt.
I was surprised by how fast I saw results! I didn’t expect that. I was so relieved. It made me realize this was actually working.

How has your life changed since graduating?
The biggest thing? I don’t use credit anymore. I don’t rely on it. I don’t need it. Emergencies don’t send me spiraling into “What card do I use?” I actually have options now.
I don’t spend every day thinking about my debt. I don’t wake up and go to bed worrying about it. That constant pressure — that mental load — is gone. I’m living again.
If my car breaks down, I can fix it. If it’s beyond repair, I can buy a new one. I can go on vacation. I can walk into a grocery store and just buy groceries without clipping coupons or counting every dollar. It’s hard to overstate what that feels like — just to live.