Graduate Exclusive! Janette R. Buys Her Dream Home, Pays Cash for a Convertible, and Finds Peace in Retirement
We interviewed Janette — gardener, swimmer, and horseback rider — to hear how she went from drowning in credit card debt to living a calm, debt-free retirement, complete with a palm tree-lined garden, weekend trips to Vegas, and her dream Mustang convertible.
- Debt Amount: $41,099
- Started: August 2021
- Graduated: September 2024
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m retired now and living in Arizona with my brother, who has some health issues. We moved out here from Colorado in early 2024 because housing prices there had just gotten ridiculous, and the air here is better for his health.
Before retiring, I worked as a store director for Safeway. I loved my job, but sometimes I was doing 12-hour shifts plus over an hour commute each way. It was exhausting.
What led you into debt?
Family. I was helping my niece, who has a mental illness and couldn’t work, and my brother, who had major medical issues. His job didn’t have strong short-term or long-term disability policies, so I stepped in.
I went from working 70+ hours a week and panicking over which bill to pay, to enjoying retirement and being able to do what I want, when I want.
At the time, I was living alone, paying all my own bills — mortgage, car note, utilities — and then helping them too. I started putting things on credit cards, just trying to keep everyone afloat.
The balances weren’t going down. The interest was eating me alive. If anything unexpected came up — even just something small for myself — I had no way to cover it. I felt like I was drowning.
I didn’t want to file for bankruptcy, so when I got something in the mail from Beyond Finance, I decided to call.
How was your experience with us?
The first phone call was so reassuring. The person I spoke with was calm, matter-of-fact, and not judgmental at all. They walked me through everything step by step.
I went from paying over $1,500 each month across multiple credit cards to just $700* a month with Beyond. That freed up more than half of my income. That changed everything. I was no longer choosing between paying for food or gas or electricity.
I could help my family when needed. I even started paying some cards off faster than expected because of the extra funds in my account.
There was finally breathing room — and I didn’t feel guilty or panicked every time an unexpected expense came up.
And you bought a house right as you were finishing the program?
Yes, my brother and I were able to buy a beautiful 2,400 square foot ranch-style home with a finished patio, fans, landscaping — even pavers — during the tail end of the program.
The lender knew I was in the program and was fine with it — I sent in all my records. They could see I was making consistent payments, sometimes even early or extra.
It actually helped, because it showed that I was serious about getting my finances back on track.
Some clients are worried that they won’t get approved for a mortgage if they go through the program. Was the mortgage based on your credit or your brother’s?
It was mainly mine — then my brother’s on there too. But he didn’t have the greatest credit history because of all of his medical bills. But I still have a good credit rating to get a mortgage, so people are incorrect if they think they can’t — this really does help.
OK, then graduation! What was that like and what’s happened since?
It felt amazing. I remember printing the graduation record and putting it in my desk folder — just seeing the proof of all the paid-off accounts in black and white felt like a huge accomplishment.
I didn’t just get out of debt. I changed my entire approach to money. I’m way more cautious now with credit and always plan ahead. It gave me back control.
I wouldn’t have been able to retire when I did if I hadn’t gone through the program. I probably would’ve had to keep working several more years.
I love having time to enjoy things like gardening, swimming, and horseback riding. I’m outside in the yard every day. I’ve got palm trees, ferns, lemon trees — you name it. And in Arizona, things grow all year long!
I also bought myself a 2010 Mustang convertible — in “glass blue” — that I’ve always wanted. Paid for it in cash!
I go to Vegas a couple of times a year, or to the local Indian casinos when I feel like it. I garden, I relax. I don’t worry anymore about whether I can pay the electric bill or push off a car repair.
Beyond Finance took me from a chaotic life to a normal one. I went from working 70+ hours a week and panicking over which bill to pay, to enjoying retirement and being able to do what I want, when I want.
Real client compensated for a real story. Clients typically save around $480 per month on their debt payments.*