Beyond Finance Graduate Roy A. smiles atop a horse next to confetti graphics

Graduate Exclusive! Roy A. Travels the World, Keeps the Life He Built, and Finds Empowerment in Money Management

We interviewed Roy — dog dad, travel enthusiast, and retail therapy lover — to hear about his journey and how life’s changed since graduating from Beyond Finance in July of 2024.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I live in Maryland — we call it the DMV because it’s the DC-Maryland-Virginia area. I’m a federal employee; I do human resources. I’ve been married to my husband for 6 years now and we have two dogs.

I love to travel with my friends (which is one of the reasons I was in debt). I also enjoy acting! I have been in a few commercials, tv shows, and short films.

Was there anything else that led to your debt? 

It was a combination of things. I love to shop. And my husband and I were working to buy a new house in order to rent out our current house — doing renovations and redecorating.

We had used a credit card to remodel the bathrooms and it was $25,000. In two years we still owed $16,000. I was like, “Something is not right.” I realized it was all the interest.

Now managing my money is getting kind of fun! … Before it kind of felt like it was in control of me. Now I feel like I’m more in control now …

My husband and I, we both make really good money. And so I just assumed, “Oh, it’s okay. We’re going to be able to handle it,” but I don’t think I took into account everything else that could come later on. 

We needed a new water heater, everything in the grocery store started getting more expensive, then the car insurance started getting higher. And it was like, wait a minute—where’s all this money that I had?

Roy, his husband, and their friends enjoy a lux meal in London.

What was your experience like with Beyond Finance?

I sat down and started going through it. I consolidated my debt through a loan months before I reached out to Beyond. I tried the consolidation loan, and in the midst of it, I realized it was still too much to handle. 

I ended up talking to one of the guys at Beyond Finance and he really put things in perspective for me. After talking to this representative, I realized there were other options.

I was spending $3,700 a month on debt payments. With Beyond, my monthly payment went down to $1,600 a month.* I could breathe again. At that point, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

During the process, I remember the Client Success team being very accommodating. You could feel the tone: “I’m here for you. We’ve got your back.” They didn’t try to just shut me up or push me off. They were amazing.

And when I paid off my first account? That’s when I knew I had done the right thing. That’s when I was like, “Okay, Beyond Finance is not a scam. This is great. This is going to work.” 

Roy and his husband on their trip to El Salvador in April.

What about graduation? What’s happened since?

When I graduated, I felt like the valedictorian. (laughs) I was about to be in tears. It just felt so good. I didn’t give up. I didn’t just wallow. I did what I had to do.

Roy expressed his gratitude that Beyond Finance was able to help him keep the life he’d built, including the ability to keep and care for his two pups.

My husband and I both turned 40 the year I graduated. We were able to book a double trip with our friends — to London and Paris. We had the most amazing time. I wouldn’t have been able to do this if I was still paying $3,700 a month. And we just got back from El Salvador in April! 

When I was in debt, we slowed down on going out, traveling … we slowed down on everything — even inviting people over because that costs money, to host.

Once I got with Beyond Finance, it was already better. It allowed me to keep living my life. I didn’t have to really skip a beat. I didn’t have to downgrade my vehicle. I didn’t have to get rid of my dogs. We were still able to go see the nieces and nephews for birthdays.

B​eing able to keep my marriage, and not have it fall apart (because I told my husband I’d handle the finances) — you know, it probably saved my life.

I’m never gonna forget this journey. This is the hardest financial journey that I’ve been through, but also the most rewarding, not only because, I finished and I graduated, but also because it just taught me so much, not only about money and how to manage it, but about me and how I use money and how I need to use it better as a tool and find other things that make me happy in between.

Now managing my money is getting kind of fun! Especially now that I’m in charge. Before it kind of felt like it was in control of me. Now I feel like I’m more in control now, you know? 

Real client compensated for a real story. Clients typically save around $480 per month on their debt payments.*