Meet Our Clients: Laura A.
UpdatedApr 4, 2025
- Laura sat down with FDR to share her story in a Q&A session.
- Laura suffered a heart attack, and medical bills led to credit card debt.
- The FDR program allowed Laura to make affordable deposits. Within a few months, "I got my first settlement and immediately felt better."
Table of Contents
At Freedom Debt Relief, our mission is to empower everyday Americans to move forward towards a better financial future and to date, we’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people do just that. To help us better tell our story, we’ve asked some of our clients to tell theirs.
Recently, our client Laura A. sat down with us to share her story in a Q&A session, as part of our Voice of Our Client series. Here’s a closer look at how debt relief has affected Laura’s financial situation and life, in her own words.
Medical bills led to credit card debt
FDR: How have your health issues impacted your debt?
Laura: I suffered my first heart attack in 2012, followed by my second one in 2017, and another one last year. My healthcare deductible kept increasing until I was paying thousands of dollars per hospital visit. I had no other choice than to use my credit cards.
Then, Laura found Freedom Debt Relief
FDR: What made you seek help?
Laura: My debt just kept growing year after year and it got so stressful. My health issues are triggered by stress, and this debt just made my condition worse. It had to stop. I Googled “debt relief” and I found Freedom.
FDR: On your initial phone call, did you feel pressured to join the program?
Laura: When I called Freedom, I felt no pressure to sign up. The gentleman on the phone made me feel calm and provided me all the information about the program. I discussed it with my husband and we decided it was the best option for us.
She followed the program and resolved her debts
FDR: How does it feel to be debt free?
Laura: Getting out of debt in just two years has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. And I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish this without Freedom. They laid out the program and I just followed it. Now we are starting fresh and I’m looking forward to our future. I would not be where I am now without Freedom Debt Relief. I’m so thankful, and I wish I’d called them sooner.
FDR: Tell us how relieved you were after taking the first step.
Laura: Even though the program made sense to me, taking that first step was scary. But within a few months I got my first settlement and immediately felt better. That’s when I was like, ‘Okay, we did the right thing’. Plus, the monthly program payment was maybe a third of what I was paying on credit cards, so we were saving money too.
Ready for the next step in your story?
If you’re struggling with debt or are just worried about falling behind on payments, it might be time to take action like Laura did. Freedom Debt Relief is here to help you understand your options for dealing with your debt, including our debt relief program. Our Certified Debt Consultants can help you find a solution that will put you on the path to a better financial future. Find out if you qualify right now.
Check out the video of Laura’s full interview as well as the interviews of other successful FDR graduates.
Learn More
How Does a Debt Relief Program Work? (Freedom Debt Relief)
Study: Freedom Debt Relief Helps Clients Reduce Stress (Freedom Debt Relief)
5 Ways to Get Rid of Debt Stress (Freedom Debt Relief)
Americans Spending Stimulus Check on Bills, Debt (Freedom Debt Relief)
A look into the world of debt relief seekers
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during November 2024. This data highlights the wide range of individuals turning to debt relief.
Credit card balances by age group for those seeking debt relief
How do credit card balances vary across different age groups? In November 2024, people seeking debt relief showed the following trends in their open credit card tradelines and average credit card balances:
Ages 18-25: Average balance of $9,117 with a monthly payment of $282
Ages 26-35: Average balance of $12,438 with a monthly payment of $390
Ages 36-50: Average balance of $15,436 with a monthly payment of $431
Ages 51-65: Average balance of $16,159 with a monthly payment of $529
Ages 65+: Average balance of $16,546 with a monthly payment of $499
These figures show that credit card debt can affect anyone, regardless of age. Managing credit card debt can be challenging, whether you're just starting out or nearing retirement.
Personal loan balances – average debt by selected states
Personal loans are one type of installment loans. Generally you borrow at a fixed rate with a fixed monthly payment.
In November 2024, 44% of the debt relief seekers had a personal loan. The average personal loan was $10,718, and the average monthly payment was $362.
Here's a quick look at the top five states by average personal loan balance.
| State | % with personal loan | Avg personal loan balance | Average personal loan original amount | Avg personal loan monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 42% | $14,653 | $21,431 | $474 |
| Connecticut | 44% | $13,546 | $21,163 | $475 |
| New York | 37% | $13,499 | $20,464 | $447 |
| New Hampshire | 49% | $13,206 | $18,625 | $410 |
| Minnesota | 44% | $12,944 | $18,836 | $470 |
Personal loans are an important financial tool. You can use them for debt consolidation. You can also use them to make large purchases, do home improvements, or for other purposes.
Manage Your Finances Better
Understanding your debt situation is crucial. It could be high credit use, many tradelines, or a low FICO score. The right debt relief can help you manage your money. Begin your journey to financial stability by taking the first step.
Show source