Ali Condon
A woman's story about working four jobs while struggling to pay off over $250,000 in student loan debt still 'terrifies' one finance expert to this day.
Caleb Hammer, a YouTuber and self proclaimed 'personal finance nerd' uses his show Financial Audit to help people deal with the debt they're struggling with.
At the time of writing, Caleb has done over 90 episodes of his show, helping people of all financial backgrounds get back on their feet - but one of his guest's stories still keeps him up at night.
Advert
The guest was Teryca Brooks-Long, who spoke to Caleb back in 2022 about her stifling financial situation.
Teryca, who's primary job is modelling and acting, also worked as an enrolment advisor for an online university, a virtual assistant for a realtor, and had a role at an ad agency.
All in all, she estimates that she spends at least 50 percent of her week working, and takes home approximately $3,500 per month.
However, things start to get a little intense for viewers when Caleb starts looking into the 13 overdraft fees that Teryca had spent in just one month.
And on top of that, her student loans debt is absolutely devastating.
Teryca explains that she had taken out three student loans worth $176,000 for her undergrad degree, but when you account for interest and fees, that shoots up to an eye-watering $250,000.
As a result, she's losing $1,694 in monthly loan payments.
"So, where you're heading, just with the statements that you've provided me, is bankruptcy." he said.
"But you can't clear this out with bankruptcy. You can't clear out student loans."
Holding his head in his hands after listening to Teryca explain how a family problem took a huge toll on her financial situation, Caleb tells her: "This is going to absolutely balloon, isn't it? This is going to be half a million before you know it, and then a million."
Teryca, who seems well aware of that fact, simply replies: "Probably, within the next two years."
Caleb warned her that if she doesn't get some higher-paying jobs and pay off her debts soon, she's 'not going to be able to do anything for the rest of [her] life'.
As well as that, he also urged her to sell her 2018 Nissan Sentra and buy something far cheaper - a suggestion that Teryca did not take very well - and stop eating out so often.
Looking back on the jaw-dropping interview he had with Teryca, Caleb told Insider: "That really sticks with me. That was a scary one."
He added: "It's going to be a million dollars before she knows it.
"She's not making progress on it.
"She got into credit-card debt and car debt as well. So I mean, that is just dire. That's where it gets to the point where it feels like it's impossible to get out of."