JoEllen F. Beyond Finance Graduate smiles in park with graphics of confetti

Graduate Exclusive! JoEllen F. Overcomes a Financial Scam, Gains Confidence, and Finds Community in an Unexpected Place

ByStella Martin

We interviewed JoEllen to find out about her journey and how Beyond Finance has changed her life.

  • Debt Amount: $22,942
  • Started: December 2022
  • Graduated: December 2024

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I live in Fort Collins, Colorado, with my 90-year-old mother. I was a teacher for ten years, teaching French, Spanish, and English.

How did you find yourself in debt?

I had a bad divorce — he somehow managed to take everything. Then, during COVID, I joined a dating service and was “romance scammed” to the tune of $20,000 in debt and $30,000 in cash. That’s where Beyond Finance came in.

The financial wellness sessions are wonderful. They help build self-confidence and forgiveness.

How was your experience working with us?

I had worked with a debt company back in the 90s, so I had something to compare it to, and Beyond Finance is so much better — what a difference! I looked online, and Beyond Finance popped up with such good reviews, so I called them.

I’m so very, very pleased and thankful for Beyond Finance. I wasn’t scrambling to pay those outstanding bills every month.

Did Beyond Finance change your life in any way that was unexpected?

The financial wellness sessions are wonderful. They help build self-confidence and forgiveness.

They create a place where clients can go and build each other up.

JoEllen cites the weekly financial wellness sessions our Financial Therapists host each week as one of the most valuable parts of the Beyond Finance experience.

It’s a really, really important part of Beyond Finance, and to me, it’s everything, because I wasn’t paying that much attention to my debt going down — I’m more emotional than that. I pay attention to how I feel, and I feel really good and confident that I’ve done the right thing.

I can’t say enough about Dr. Erika and Nate. It’s like we have our own celebrities, our own “Dr. Phils,” because we’re on Zoom with them every week. I’m so grateful for all their help, wisdom, and kindness.

I’ve seen the group change from people being angry and complaining to being supportive and loving. They’ve developed it into this beautiful, beautiful situation. It’s really special, and they’ve been a godsend.

Real client compensated for a real story.