Get To Know Gary H.
Gary lives in Missouri with his wife and is a proud U.S. Army veteran, where he served 20 years as a military police officer. After retiring from the military, he helped develop training at the military police school before he and his wife opened their own massage therapy business.
Now a grandfather of three, Gary spends his time enjoying the outdoors, relaxing by his backyard pool, and volunteering with the Salvation Army—work he says truly “fills his soul.”
Our financial habits have definitely changed. This really enabled us to enjoy our retirement. That kind of time and freedom? It doesn’t exist when you’re buried in debt.
Debt Amount: $57,139
Graduated: November 2024
Savings: $929 a month!*
How did the debt begin?
It was just bad financial decisions. We’ve done this a couple times. We’d refinance to consolidate, and then we’d go back out and spend. Wash, rinse, repeat.
Things look affordable when you look at them as individual payments. But then all those payments pile up. The bright shiny object won out too many times.
How did the debt affect your life and well-being?
It felt daunting. We were living paycheck to paycheck. No savings. If there was an emergency, our emergency fund was a credit card.
When did you realize it was time to get help?
We were close to retirement, and we knew the debt was what was keeping us from it. We had equity in our home — that was the one thing we had going for us — but the rest was holding us back.
What was your first call with Accredited like?
Everyone that I spoke to or contacted just seemed trustworthy. You just have that feeling and I thought “let’s let these guys do what they do best.”
What did you like best about working with Accredited?
I really liked the app and the website as well. The Dashboard had this circle with all your debt, and you could see where you sat. It definitely was motivating. Everything was open and available to see.
What did it feel like to pay off the first account?
It became fun. You see it in the app and it’s like, “there’s one that’s down and the next one’s not that far away.” That was cool. That was really nice.
There was light at the end of the tunnel…and there wasn’t a locomotive attached.
What did graduation feel like?
I had the funds to make a big payment so I called up and said, “Okay, I want to pay everything off and complete this thing.” That was just such a victory lap! It’s over, it’s done. That was quite a relief.
What changed after graduating from your program?
Our financial habits have definitely changed. If we don’t have the money, we don’t buy it. We each have one credit card and we pay it off every month. They’re paying us in points now. I haven’t paid a cent of interest in over a year.
This really enabled us to enjoy our retirement. My credit score is back up to 750 now. We paid off our debts and paid cash for a pool.
We also paid cash for a new car. We take big family vacations every year — Colorado, Montana, next up is the Smokies for my wife’s 60th!
We’re giving to our church. We’re helping our kids when they need it. We’re paying ourselves in savings. No more going in the red — we’re building the other way now.
Now I have the time to volunteer. I can jump on a plane whenever the Salvation Army needs me. I can help during hurricane season, drive trucks, unload warehouses, whatever’s needed. That kind of time and freedom? It doesn’t exist when you’re buried in debt.
About this testimonial
*Gary is a real graduate who was compensated for taking the time to share her experience with us. Clients typically save $480 on their monthly payments. Savings were calculated by subtracting her program payment from her self-reported payments or tradeline minimums on eligible accounts.