A member lost her husband last year, and without his additional income, her monthly budget became tighter than ever. While she was managing to get by, she was burdened with credit card debt from funeral expenses and prior purchases, along with high month‑to‑month interest. She was able to cover her bills each month, but there was no room for unexpected expenses. Even though she paid more than the minimum on her credit cards each month, she felt she would never get them paid off.
When her home’s furnace failed unexpectedly, she knew she did not have the cash on hand to repair or replace it. She initially inquired about a loan to cover the furnace repairs, but after further discussion, we decided to start a debt consolidation application to also address her credit card debt.
After advocating for approval of the full amount requested rather than a lesser counteroffer, we were able to pay off more than $28,000 in credit card debt and provide the cash needed to repair her furnace just in time for the coldest months of the year. By consolidating into one monthly payment, we reduced her monthly obligations by $100, allowing more flexibility in her budget for future expenses or savings, while also eliminating high credit card interest.
She was extremely grateful that we were able to provide a complete solution tailored to her situation, addressing multiple needs rather than just the initial concern. Additionally, her furnace was repaired before the first significant temperature drop of the winter season, preventing the potential risk of frozen pipes in her home.
