Meet our Clients: Chris A.
- UpdatedDec 18, 2024
- Chris A. shared his journey in a Q&A session with FDR.
- Maxed-out credit credits lead to unaffordable payments and unresponsive creditors.
- Chris felt like FDR helped him on the path where he put money aside, and they helped him with the rest.
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Freedom Debt Relief is passionate about helping everyday Americans move towards a better financial future. Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people have turned to our debt relief program to resolve their debt and get on a better path. As part of our Voice of Our Client series, our client, Chris A. shared his journey in a Q&A session with us. Keep reading to find out how debt relief has made a positive difference in his life and his future.
He maxed out four credit cards
Chris: I remember as soon as I turned 18, a friend of mine told me, “Hey, do you know that if you’re going to college, and you’re 18, you can get a credit card.” And that’s when I got myself into a lot of trouble.
FDR: So, when you heard you could get a credit card, I take it that excited you?
Chris: It did, yes. Eventually, I think I had four credit cards. They were all topped out, and before I knew it, I was almost $10,000 in debt, and I was scared. I was like, “Wait. This is no longer fun”…before I knew it, I couldn’t even make payments.
FDR: So, you reached out to your credit card issuers to have your APR reduced?
Chris: I said, “Is there a way we can work this out?” Most of them said, “No. This is the bed you got into yourself, and that’s it.” So, yeah, it’s scary because then you look at the whole APR, and you try to calculate when you’re going to pay this out, and before you know it, it’s impossible to pay it.
His debt limited his future
FDR: How many years passed from that moment when you felt empowered and confident to a little bit like you were getting into a bad spot?
Chris: It was around five years, and that’s when I got into a serious relationship with my wife. When you start to get serious with someone, you want to start saving. You want to maybe prepare yourself to buy a house. That’s when you start seeing the reality of everything. It was a reality check for me when we were planning our wedding, and it was really hard to get an apartment because my credit score was really bad because of the late payments. Thankfully, we were able to find a place and thanks to this program, actually, that’s how I got an apartment now. Now, I want to stay away from credit cards and not get myself into the issue again.
He discovered Freedom Debt Relief
FDR: So, you talked to us. Do you remember anything about understanding how the program worked? What made it click in your head, “Okay. This makes sense. I should do this.”
Chris: I think the way I saw the program was that it was almost like a savings account where I was going to deposit money, and you guys were going to take care of the rest. What I really liked about the program is that you guys were able to take care of everything.
FDR: At the end of this all, now that you’re on the other side, we didn’t do it for you. You did the hard work…it was a big commitment on your part, and it sounds like you were ready for that commitment.
Chris: Yeah. I think it did spark something in me. It’s kind of like going to college, and you graduate, and you’re ready for life. The way the program works, it makes you feel like you’re going through a course. You finish it, you graduate, and you’re ready for life…
You can take the journey out of debt, 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 Chris did. Our Certified Debt Consultants are here to help you understand your options for dealing with your debt, including our debt relief program. We can work with you to help you find a solution that will put you on the path to a better financial future. Find out if you qualify right now.
Learn More:
What’s Your Financial Next Normal? (Freedom Debt Relief)
Is Your Financial Stress at an All Time High? (Freedom Debt Relief)
Unemployed? Here’s How to Keep Managing Your Credit Card Debt (Freedom Debt Relief)
How Depression Might Affect Spending and Debt (Freedom Debt Relief)
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking debt relief during November 2024. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Credit utilization and debt relief
How are people using their credit before seeking help? Credit utilization measures how much of a credit line is being used. For example, if you have a credit line of $10,000 and your balance is $3,000, that is a credit utilization of 30%. High credit utilization often signals financial stress. We have looked at people who are seeking debt relief and their credit utilization. (Low credit utilization is 30% or less, medium is between 31% and 50%, high is between 51% and 75%, very high is between 76% to 100%, and over-utilized over 100%). In November 2024, people seeking debt relief had an average of 79% credit utilization.
Here are some interesting numbers:
| Credit utilization bucket | Percent of debt relief seekers |
|---|---|
| Over utilized | 30% |
| Very high | 32% |
| High | 19% |
| Medium | 10% |
| Low | 9% |
The statistics refer to people who had a credit card balance greater than $0.
You don't have to have high credit utilization to look for a debt relief solution. There are a number of solutions for people, whether they have maxed out their credit cards or still have a significant part available.
Credit card debt - average debt by selected states.
According to the 2023 Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) the average credit card debt for those with a balance was $6,021. The percentage of families with credit card debt was 45%. (Note: It used 2022 data).
Unsurprisingly, the level of credit card debt among those seeking debt relief was much higher. According to November 2024 data, 88% of the debt relief seekers had a credit card balance. The average credit card balance was $15,618.
Here's a quick look at the top five states based on average credit card balance.
| State | Average credit card balance | Average # of open credit card tradelines | Average credit limit | Average Credit Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $16,967 | 7 | $24,102 | 121% |
| Arkansas | $12,989 | 9 | $28,791 | 83% |
| Tennessee | $13,822 | 9 | $27,261 | 82% |
| New Mexico | $11,860 | 8 | $25,731 | 82% |
| Kentucky | $12,834 | 8 | $26,156 | 81% |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a credit card balance over $0.
Are you starting to navigate your finances? Or planning for your retirement? These insights can help you make informed choices. They can help you work toward financial stability and security.
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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