Get to Know Karen: A Veteran Advocate and Grandmother
Karen S. is a retired Chief of Blind Rehabilitation for the VA where she led a residential program for legally blind veterans. Her team helped train them in everyday skills — from cooking and laundry to using a white cane and adaptive computer software. She was passionate about her work because she is a natural caregiver.
After retiring, she and her husband bought a motorhome and hit the road but it wasn’t just about adventure — it was about making the most of the time they had together. Her husband had been ill for years, and Karen wanted to travel while he was still well enough to enjoy it.
They spent summers in the mountains and winters near the border. But the medical bills, the cost of maintaining their RV lifestyle, and the realities of living on a fixed income eventually caught up to them.
After her husband passed away, Karen was left with more than just grief — she was also facing nearly $100,000 in credit card debt.
Accredited Debt Relief helped her get back on track with a consolidation plan. Now, she’s working toward a future she feels proud of.
Debt Amount: $103,373
Started: July 2022
Monthly Savings: $1,463 (⏷ 48%)*
The Cost of Caregiving and Travel
Karen’s debt story didn’t start with a single incident, in her case it was a slow buildup over a couple of years of caregiving, RV travel and rising medical costs during her husband’s long illness.
We traveled six months out of the year because I wanted us to enjoy life while we could, but traveling was expensive, and his care was costly. When he passed, I was suddenly alone and $100,000 in debt. I had never been in debt before. I’d never not paid a bill. I was overwhelmed and didn’t know what to do.
Karen sold her motorhome (once a symbol of her freedom) for far less than she owed on it. Even after that, the debt felt impossible to climb out of.
Recognizing the Need for Help
Even while making her minimum payments, Karen could see the writing on the wall: there was no way she’d be able to pay it off in her lifetime. Determined to find a reputable solution, Karen turned to Google where she found Accredited Debt Relief.
I searched for the highest-rated programs. I was terrified of scams, but the reviews and reputation really stood out to me [and] made me feel like I could trust them.
Turning the Corner With Accredited Debt Relief
Karen didn’t take the decision lightly. She knew there were scams out there and was skeptical at first. But after researching top-rated programs online, she kept coming back to Accredited Debt Relief.
That first consultation made all the difference. The team took the time to walk her through everything, answer every question and help her feel safe handing over her accounts.
To me, it’s well worth it. It would be costing me a lot more if I were still trying to do this on my own.
Now about halfway through her program, Karen is seeing real progress. One-third of her accounts are paid off, another third are in progress and the rest are next in line.
Karen’s Advice: “Admitting You Need Help Isn’t Weak — It’s Smart”
For Karen, reaching out for help was a humbling but necessary step. She likened it to AA, where you have to be radically honest with yourself and admit that you need help.
She hopes other people will learn from her story and have the courage to reach out for help like she did.
It’s like going into AA. You have to admit you have a problem and ask for help. I have a master’s degree. I worked in federal programs. I’m not a stupid person — I just made mistakes.
If you’re at your wit’s end and don’t know what to do — just do it. [It] saved my life. It relieved my stress, gave me hope and showed me I’m not alone.
Looking Ahead: More Travel, Legacy and Peace of Mind
As Karen enters the second half of her program, she’s focused on her dreams: traveling again, saving for her great-grandchildren and living without financial fear.
About This Testimonial
*Karen S. is a real client 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.