Stacey and Gene never expected to find themselves drowning in debt. Like many couples, it snuck up on them.
“It happened sooo fast,” Stacey recalled. Between college, buying a home, and trying to keep up with friends, using credit cards became second nature. “Then all of a sudden—wham—it hits you. We are literally broke.”
What started as manageable spending quickly turned into more than $36,000 in credit card debt, and the weight of it began to affect everything. Arguments over money became constant, and the stress felt inescapable.
“We were one paycheck away from being homeless,” Stacey said. “We may have had a Mini Cooper—but we were going to be living in it.”
That was the moment they realized something had to change.
How It Happened: When Lifestyle and Life Events Collide
For Stacey and Gene, debt was the result of a lifestyle that slowly outpaced their income, combined with a series of life changes that hit all at once.
“Basically, just trying to keep up a lifestyle that was beyond our means,” Gene explained.
They enjoyed traveling, spending, and making the most of life. Without children, it was easy to justify the extras.
“Keeping up with the Joneses,” Stacey said. “I like to travel and I like material things—and he always wants to give me what I want.”
At first, credit cards made it all feel manageable. Minimum payments kept things afloat. But behind the scenes, balances were growing. Then everything compounded.
Stacey left her steady job to start her own dog breeding business, reducing their income. Around the same time, she faced a serious health issue that required surgery. The combination of financial pressure, career change, and emotional strain created the perfect storm.
“It’s like a lot of things kind of hit all at once,” she said. “I lost my regular job, started a new business, I was going through depression—it was a lot.”
Despite the warning signs, they continued using credit to stay afloat—until it became clear they couldn’t sustain it.
“He said, ‘We’ve got a pinhole in our life raft,’” Stacey remembered. “And he said, ‘No, honey—it’s flat. We’re going down.’”
The Breaking Point: Realizing They Needed Help
As the debt grew, so did the stress.
“It was stressful, and we didn’t see a way out,” Gene said. “We didn’t think that we could change anything and make it better.”
Even when they tried to cut back, the interest kept them stuck.
“You can’t get ahead with all these interest payments,” he explained.
At the same time, the strain was affecting their relationship. Money had become a constant source of tension. They knew they needed help, but like many people, they were skeptical.
Stacey had heard about National Debt Relief through ads but wasn’t sure if it was trustworthy. What changed everything was a recommendation from someone they trusted: her employer.
“If he said it was okay, we felt like it was okay,” Gene said. “We didn’t check anymore—we just called and ran with it.”
Making that call changed everything.
Starting the Program: A Shift from Chaos to Control
The beginning wasn’t easy.
“Initially it was hard,” Stacey said. “The monthly payment felt like sooo much.”
After years of juggling minimum payments, committing to one structured payment felt overwhelming. But over time, something clicked.
“You’re already paying it,” Stacey said. “Just at different times to different places.”
Now, their money was finally working toward progress. One of the biggest immediate reliefs? The collection calls stopped.
“That was the most amazing part,” Stacey said.
Then came the first settlement.
“That was pretty cool,” Gene said.
“It was like a little celebration—one down,” Stacey added.
Then another. And another.
“When we got to that last one… we could see the finish line,” Gene said.
For the first time, they believed they could get out of debt.
Life During the Program: Building New Habits
As they continued through the program, their habits began to change.
“You learn to scrape by and tighten that belt,” Stacey said.
They cooked more at home, cut back on unnecessary spending, and became more intentional with their money. But more importantly, their mindset shifted.
Before, money had been a source of tension. Gene often felt like the “bad guy” for saying no.
“He never wanted to say we can’t afford it,” Stacey said. “But we both had to learn—if it’s not there, it’s not there.”
“It took the burden off of me,” Gene added. “I wasn’t the bad guy anymore.”
They became a team. And throughout the process, they felt supported.
“They held your hand through the whole thing,” Stacey said.
“It just took so much of a burden off of us,” Gene added. “The weight of feeling like we’re not going to get ahead—that was taken away.”
Graduation: A New Chapter
After about two to three years, Stacey and Gene reached the finish line.
“Oh, that was incredible,” Gene said.
“You’re proud of yourself,” Stacey added. “We did it—and we did it together.”
“When you’re not fighting about money, so many other things are a lot easier,” Gene said.
Their financial life today looks completely different:
- One credit card with a $1,000 limit, paid off monthly
- Savings for home projects, like paying for a new roof in cash
- Short-term savings through CDs
- Intentional, cash-based spending
Even their credit rebounded—now in the 700s. And instead of being stuck in debt for over a decade, they resolved it in just a few years.
“To go from 10 or 12 years… to about two years—that’s amazing,” Gene said.
Life After Debt: A Different Future
Today, Stacey and Gene approach money with intention, communication, and patience. If they want something, they save for it. They’ve even created a rule: wait before making big purchases.
“We’ve learned to discuss any big purchases and wait at least a week,” Stacey said.
That pause has helped them avoid impulse decisions and stay aligned. Looking ahead, they feel more prepared than ever, especially with retirement on the horizon.
“If we hadn’t gotten rid of that debt, we would be way behind on retirement,” Gene said.
Now, they’re moving forward with confidence.
Their Advice: Don’t Wait
For anyone struggling with debt, their advice is simple:
“Don’t wait,” Gene said.
Looking back, they’re grateful.
“They never make you feel little,” Stacey said. “They just educate you and literally hold your hand through the whole thing.”
And for Stacey and Gene, that support made all the difference.
