Meet Our Clients: Patti B.
ByAnna Baluch
UpdatedSep 29, 2025
- Patti B shared her story with FDR as part of our Voice of Our Clients series.
- After a costly divorce, credit cards drove her into a cycle of debt.
- Patti noted that "once you get set up and follow each step, there's nothing else you have to worry about, it was so easy for me."
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At Freedom Debt Relief, our goal is to help consumers get out of debt and move toward a better financial future—and we’d like to introduce you to a few folks who have taken that journey.
As part of our Voice of Our Clients series, we’re sharing Patti B.’s story. Find out how our program a difference in Patti’s finances and life.
Credit cards drove her into a cycle of debt
FDR: How did you get into debt?
Patti: I went through a costly divorce after 27 years of marriage. When that finalized, I bought a house and even though I was making good money as a nurse, the interest rates on my credit cards were making it impossible for me to pay my bills; the debts were getting higher and higher. I was paying just the minimum on all these credit cards, and it was like I was in a hole, and I just couldn’t get out of it.
She tried to get out of it on her own
FDR: What was it like contacting the credit card companies to negotiate your debt?
Patti: I tried calling the credit card companies to negotiate lower interest rates, but they wouldn’t budge; I wasn’t getting anywhere with them. I really wanted to pay off my debts but I just felt like they wanted nothing to do with me.
FDR: When did you realize you needed help?
Patti: It was a scary, scary moment when I realized I owed $20,000. I thought, ‘what am I going to do?’ I was just so depressed about it. I didn’t want to file for bankruptcy like I did years ago. I wanted to pay these people, but I couldn’t amass enough money to pay the debt off. You spin your wheels, end up paying hundreds of dollars on interest, and you can’t get ahead. You just never get ahead. But then I found Freedom.
Patti found her solution with Freedom Debt Relief
FDR: What was it like in the early days of the program?
Patti: At first, the process seemed complicated, but the agent at Freedom Debt Relief patiently explained the whole process until I really got it and felt so much better. Once you get set up and follow each step, there’s nothing else you have to worry about, it was so easy for me. Best of all, I didn’t have to worry about the credit card debt hanging over me, I could finally go on with my life. Amazing.
FDR: How quickly did you see progress with your debts?
Patti: My first credit card debt was paid off within a year, then the next one, the next one, and I was like, ‘This is really going to happen’. After only a couple years, my debts were all paid off. I really thought it was going to take much longer.
She is more confident with money now
FDR: Has the program taught you new financial skills?
Patti: I’ve never been really good with money, but the Freedom program taught me how to be a little better about managing my expenses. Now that I’m done, I’ve been taking the money I was putting into the program and building up my savings, it’s been great.
FDR: Would you recommend FDR?
Patti: I just think the program is amazing and I’m so grateful to Freedom Debt Relief for removing the heavy debt burden off my shoulder, I can’t ever thank them enough.
You could be free of your debt burden, too
If you’re struggling with credit card debt or are just worried about falling behind on payments, it might be time to talk to Freedom Debt Relief, like Patti did. Our Certified Debt Consultants are here to help you understand your options for dealing with your debt, including our debt settlement program. We could help you find a solution that will put you on the path to a better financial future. Find out if you qualify right now.
Watch a video of Patti’s full interview as well as the interviews of other successful FDR graduates on our YouTube channel.
Learn More
How Does a Debt Relief Program Work? (Freedom Debt Relief)
Financial Advice to Ignore During a Recession (Freedom Debt Relief)
How to Protect Your Credit Score During the Covid-19 Recession (Freedom Debt Relief)
Budgeting 101: The Basics on How to Budget (Freedom Debt Relief)
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking a debt relief program during August 2025. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Debt relief seekers: A quick look at credit cards and FICO scores
Credit card usage varies significantly across different age groups, reflecting diverse financial needs and habits.
In August 2025, the average FICO score for people seeking debt relief programs was 600.
Here's a snapshot by age group among debt relief seekers:
| Age group | Average FICO 9 credit score | Average Credit Utilization |
|---|---|---|
| 18-25 | 582 | 80% |
| 26-35 | 590 | 76% |
| 35-50 | 594 | 75% |
| 51-65 | 601 | 72% |
| Over 65 | 615 | 67% |
| All | 600 | 73% |
Use this data to evaluate your own credit habits, set financial goals, and ensure a balanced approach to managing credit throughout your life.
Collection accounts balances – average debt by selected states.
Collection debt is one example of consumers struggling to pay their bills. According to 2023, data from the Urban Institute, 26% of people had a debt in collection.
In August 2025, 30% of debt relief seekers had a collection balance. The average amount of open collection account debt was $3,203.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average collection debt balance.
| State | % with collection balance | Avg. collection balance |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 23 | $4,899 |
| Montana | 24 | $4,481 |
| Kansas | 32 | $4,468 |
| Nevada | 32 | $4,328 |
| Idaho | 27 | $4,305 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a collection account balance over $0.
If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Seeking help is a good first step to managing your debt.
Tackle Financial Challenges
Don’t let debt overwhelm you. Learn more about debt relief options. They can help you tackle your financial challenges. This is true whether you have high credit card balances or many tradelines. Start your path to recovery with the first step.
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Author Information
Written by
Anna Baluch
Anna Baluch is a freelance writer who enjoys writing about all personal finance topics. She’s particularly interested in mortgages, retirement, insurance, and investing.
Credit Card Debt
Credit Card Debt
