Graduate Exclusive! Matthew T. Takes Alaska Trip, Saves Up, and Starts Thinking About Homeownership
We interviewed Matthew — statistical analyst, Denver native, and Dungeons & Dragons player — to learn how a pandemic layoff left him covering the basics on credit cards, and how his Beyond Finance program helped him start saving again.
- Debt Amount: $31,692
- Started: November 2022
- Graduated: July 2025
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live here in Denver, Colorado near friends and family. Friends and family are around. For fun, I like to play Dungeons and Dragons. For work, I’m a statistical analyst, so I do lots of math and fun stuff like that! I have two master’s degrees.
How did you find yourself in debt?
I moved up to Seattle for my first “big boy” job after I got my second master’s degree. And then COVID hit, and I was laid off. I had to exist somehow, so I put expenses on credit cards.
And I just couldn’t find any other job. Nobody was hiring — it was terrible. It was two or so years just trying until I got hired. But by that time, it’s just like, “Oh, look at this mountain of debt.”
When I did finally get another job, I was paying close to $800 a month, and I’m like, “Oh, geez. I’m basically back to living like I was during COVID again.” I thought, “This is not sustainable at all.”
Y’all basically took up that giant rock that I was trying to push up the hill and were just like, “All right, cool. Let’s just nuke that rock and make it a pebble and then just throw it away.” It was life-changing.
Honestly, it felt like a life sentence in jail or something, because I literally did the math and I’m like, “Oh, in 25 years, I’ll get it all paid off.” And I’m just like, “Well, I don’t know if I can live like this for the next 25 years.”
How did you find Beyond Finance and what was your experience like with us?
I figured, “Hey, there has to be something…” So I did some research, and then you guys came up because you were the best according to the Better Business Bureau. So I thought, “Okay, I’ll go with them then.”
I was nervous, but then once the representatives said, “Hey, this can be your new monthly payment,” I’m like, “Oh, that would actually be fantastic.”
In the back of my mind, it was like, this almost sounds too good to be true. (laughs) When I was on the phone, I’m just like, “Is this actually legit?” And it was.
I read all the articles — what to expect and that sort of stuff. I used all your resources — I’m that kind of nerd. (laughs)
I remember when I got my first offer, I was like, “Yay, the end is in sight!” I thought, “Oh, so they do know what they’re doing. Awesome.”
I was able to start saving during the program too. It’s like, “Oh, look, I actually have a savings account again.” Some months I was able to pay extra toward my program, and I’m like, “Okay, that’s a strange feeling!”
And watching my progress in the app, it’s like, “Okay, okay, almost there. Almost there.” And then when I was there, I’m like, “YES. Finally.”
What’s life like now that you’re debt-free?
I’ve been saving up, and I recently took a trip to Alaska, so that was a good little treat for myself!
Honestly, just saving — just having all of that extra. I’m just like, “Oh, now I can save that and maybe buy a house.”
It’s amazing. It’s so freeing. It’s like I’m not tied down or forced to pick up another job and just work, work, work.
I’ve been budgeting, making spreadsheets, using your guides — I was just really following what you guys suggested.
I’m very thankful for you guys. I did learn a lot, so that’s very valuable.
Y’all basically took up that giant rock that I was trying to push up the hill and were just like, “All right, cool. Let’s just nuke that rock and make it a pebble and then just throw it away.” It was life-changing.
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