In 2017, joy filled our lives with the arrival of our newborn daughter. My wife happily said, "Ghar pe Laxmi ji ayi hai" (Laxmi, the goddess of wealth, has come home). However, the initial happiness faded as expenses grew, leading to financial challenges. Working in a college administration team, I lived from one paycheck to the next. When it was time to enroll our daughter in school, I turned to a credit card for a quick solution. It felt good initially, enjoying the convenience without considering the consequences.As EMI payments piled up, I resorted to personal loans. Reality hit hard after a few months - drowning in debt, missing payments, and a falling credit score. Collection agents' calls became a daily reminder of the financial mess that I was in. Worried about this situation, my wife suggested moving back to her mother's house. While scrolling through Facebook that day, I discovered an ad that led me to FREED's website. Taking a leap of faith, I connected with their counselor, and after 23 months, I emerged debt-free, a weight lifted off my shoulders.