LSS Helped Minnesotans Pay off $17.8 Million in Debt Last Year
Credit card debt reached an all-time high in 2019. Last year, Americans amassed a staggering $930 billion on their credit cards, according to the Federal Reserve.
During a time of unprecedented household debt, Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota’s Financial Counseling is working with individuals and families to eliminate their debt and gain control of their finances through debt management plans.
Through these plans, Minnesotans paid back nearly $17.8 million in debt last year. Nearly 90 percent of people served said they improved their financial circumstances and moved closer to their financial goals. A remarkable 76% on a debt repayment plan paid off their debt entirely.
“People we serve often feel overwhelmed by debt and are just trying to stay afloat when their lifeboat has a serious leak,” said Becky Pakarinen, senior director of LSS Financial Counseling. “We can provide immediate relief by breaking it all down into manageable steps and creating a payment plan that includes negotiating lower interest rates so they can pay off debt faster.”