Graduate Exclusive! Vong S. Finances a New Car, Takes Vacations, and Saves For a Home
We interviewed Vong to find out about his journey and how life’s been since he finished paying off his debt with Beyond Finance’s help in April of 2023.
- Debt Amount: $30,871
- Started: May 2019
- Graduated: April 2023
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I work as an engineering technician. I’m from Millbury, Massachusetts and have two kids. My daughter just graduated from college a few years ago, and my son’s doing really well too.
What was going on before you decided to work with Beyond Finance?
I went through a separation, and ended up making some bad financial decisions. I also spent money on the kids just to make sure I was doing stuff with them.
It was a struggle just to make the minimum payments. At a certain point, I was just like, I can’t keep doing this.
When my first debt was paid off, I was like, “Alright. I’m feeling better now. Now I’m getting somewhere.”
How was your experience with us?
When I first reached out, I was worried it wasn’t legit: “Should I go through with this or not?” But the first person I talked to didn’t make me feel bad – she explained my situation and made me feel like a real person.
When my first debt was paid off, I was like, “Alright. I’m feeling better now. Now I’m getting somewhere.”
You graduated two years ago. What’s happened since?
When I got that “congratulations” letter, I was so happy and relieved — “I am finally debt-free and I can set aside money now!”
I was able to finance a brand new Subaru Forester at the end of my graduation year.
Also, I can actually pay for vacations! I just got back from Maine — a week of ice-fishing and snowmobiling with my 7 buddies. Before, they would have to help me pay for the trip. Now I can chip in for food, gas, the cabin, and not worry where the money’s going to come from because I have savings.
I’ve been renting since the divorce, but my savings should also allow me to buy my own home in about 5 years.
When I was in debt, I was a miserable person. I was mad at everyone. I was so mad at myself. But once I graduated from Beyond Finance, I was a brand new person — even my friends can see that I’m happier.