A working mom of two goes from a six-figure peak to a pay cut, falls into ~$30k of debt, and finds her way out — faster than she imagined. Enrolled Debt: $31,772
Graduated: August 2025
Program Length: 1 year, 11 months
Meet Jaime P.
Jaime has been married for over 10 years and is a mom to a 9-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son. She works in an order department, helping connect distributors and manufacturers. She enjoys the balance of doing her work, going home, and focusing on her family.
Outside of work, Jaime loves to crochet—making blankets and little stuffed animals for her kids. Her family spends most of the summer in the pool, biking around their neighborhood, or cheering at softball, basketball, and soccer games.
What was going on before you decided to work with Five Lakes?
I’ve never overspent or let my credit cards get over even $500. But when I was in my old job, I was making bank from bonuses. We moved into a bigger house and kind of got used to living that lifestyle.
Then the economy turned. My bonuses disappeared overnight. I went from making over $100,000 one year to not even $45,000 the next. It was insane.
When did you realize you needed help?
At first, I was trying to keep up — putting a little on this card, a little on that one, and suddenly I couldn’t make my minimum payments. When I added it all together, it was around $30,000, and I was like, “Oh my God. I am never going to get out of debt.”
When I paid off the very last account, it was the best day of my life. It felt like climbing the highest mountain.
I was frozen—paralyzed with fear and anger and embarrassment too. I never told my parents because I was like, “this is horrendous.”
How did you find Five Lakes and what made you decide to enroll?
I just went to Google and typed in, “What are my options?” and came across Five Lakes. It sounded legit, and the reviews were really good. I remember going into a storage room at work and calling. The person I spoke to explained everything in such detail — no lies, just laid it all out. They said, ‘We’ll take care of everything,’ and they did.
I just handed things over to Five Lakes and could finally pay my normal bills. It was like a breath of fresh air.
What was your experience like once you started the program?
Every person I talked to after that had the same confidence the first one did.
And the app is incredible — it shows every account and all the progress, so you know exactly where things stand. It really gives you peace of mind.
If I ever needed to reach out, responses were super quick. But honestly, I didn’t need to do that much because everything was communicated so clearly through the app and emails.
My monthly payment was a little under $500.
Without the program, my minimums would’ve been well over $1,000 — probably close to $2,000 across multiple cards that were close to maxed out. That was a huge difference.
How did your day-to-day change?
It made a tremendous difference. Before, I was putting everything on credit — it was getting to the point where we couldn’t do anything. Even swim classes for the kids were going on credit. Once the program started, I could pay for things in cash and still keep up with my bills. It totally changed my mindset.
When I paid off the first account, it felt almost as good as the last one because it was proof that it was working. Seeing those ‘account closed’ emails—it was amazing.
How did it feel to graduate?
When I paid off the very last account, it was the best day of my life. It felt like climbing the highest mountain. At my lowest, I thought I would never, ever get out of debt. But once I started seeing those balances drop, it felt real.
I actually graduated early because I was able to put a little extra money in toward the end!
What changed for you financially after graduating?
Well midway through the program, even before graduation, I was actually able to start saving. I paid off my car, finished my Christmas shopping early, and started saving instead of spending.
I’ve learned to always err on the side of caution because income goes up and down. Now I just plan ahead.
What are you looking forward to now?
We’re saving to replace the siding on our house — we even had a raccoon move in through damaged wood, so that’s our big project for next year!
We also want to take a little trip to the Dells this winter. We’re not big travelers, but it’ll be nice to go somewhere fun and actually be able to afford it.
I feel like a new person. I’m saving money, I’m confident, and I’m finally in control of my finances.
Success Post-Grad
With attorney support through Five Lakes, Jaime moved to a simple, transparent plan that cut her monthly outflow to just under $500 and helped her finish early.
Today, she describes herself as financially stable, saving ahead, and confident.
I feel like I got a clean slate — but not by running away from anything. I learned how I got here, cleaned it up, and changed how I handle money going forward.
Real client compensated for sharing their authentic experience — results and savings reflect their individual circumstances.