WGBA -Getting Out of Debt: A Wisconsin Family's Story
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In these tough economic times many people are finding themselves a little deeper in debt. A family in Western Wisconsin owed more than 100-thousand dollars in credit card and personal debt. But now, they are debt free.
For the Hildebrandt family in New Richmond Wisconsin things are finally normal. With a rambunctious toddler and twin sisters being home-schooled. But fours ago things were anything but normal. "I knew we were in debt, I didn t know how much." says Kandy Hildebrandt.
Their finances were out- of-control. With her husband, Russell, working a full-time job and trying to make a side-business successful, he was in charge of the money. Kandy took care of the kids. But with Russell battling diabetes and Kandy having a couple miscarriages the debt started to pile up. Add in every day purchases over fifteen-years, This family was 106-thousand- dollars in the hole and creditors kept raising interest rates. "It had to be the debt load we were carrying, that put us at risk bracket, that s why they raised interest rates, made it difficult." Kandy recalled.
The Hildebrandt's Teamed with counseling service. They consolidated all their payments into one while changing their lifestyle. "I've become a really good thrift store shopper. Garage sales, auctions."
Four years and four months later their debt is finally paid off. The Hildebrandt family saved enough money to buy a house in New Richmond. Russell is back to working one job again.
