Tanya Hayden – Deciding not to live with debt any longer

Her debt problem started when school ended

“Debt became a problem when I had graduated from university. I moved across the country and started working at a temp agency but I could only count on earning money a couple days a week. Then I started working in social services but due to budget cuts I found myself working part time. Before long, I had to start paying back my student loans without a steady income. I often had to use my credit cards to make the monthly payments.”

It took her a while before she reached out for help

“I lived with debt off and on for about 6 years before calling Consolidated Credit. It was an extremely stressful time in my life. I had to choose which bill to pay and which to ignore. And I could only afford to make the minimum payments so the interest started building up higher and higher. The worst part was that I felt like there was no escape. I didn’t know what I had to do to get back on track. Finally, I decided enough was enough and I needed to get help.”

She found Consolidated Credit and it fit what she was looking for

“I found Consolidated Credit through a Google search. It was exactly what I wanted – an organization that was non-profit and had a good reputation.”

Consolidated Credit was the last stop before bankruptcy

“I had tried to get a line of credit through my bank and was rejected. If Consolidated Credit hadn’t accepted me, I probably would have filed for bankruptcy. I thought I had no other choice. I was almost $12,000 in debt and things didn’t look good.”

Her debt management plan put her on the road to financial freedom

“After calling Consolidated Credit, everything moved very quickly. I spoke to a credit counsellor started the program right away. The payment schedule I was put on was manageable and my monthly payment was significantly less than what I was paying to my creditors when I was doing it on my own. I was actually paying down my debt and not just dealing with the interest.”

Life is much better now that the debt is gone

“This was definitely a lesson learned. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me. Before I eliminated my debt I just buried my head in the sand and ignored collection calls and letters. I didn’t have a budget or know where I was spending my money. I was constantly borrowing from friends or family.

“When I started with Consolidated Credit, the collection phone calls and letters stopped. That was a big stress relief. I was forced to face my debt problem and make changes. After eliminating my debt, I make a conscious effort to see where my money is going. I put money away each month even if it means I need to cut back on something else that month like a dinner out. I have a budget and I stick to it.

“It took a while to break my spending habits but it gets easier each day. I’m happy that I don’t feel stressed and embarrassed like I did before calling Consolidated Credit.”

Tanya learned a lot and is focused on remaining debt free

“I am confident that I will avoid debt in the future as I have learned to spend within my needs. I don’t use my credit cards and I don’t miss them!”