Study: Freedom Debt Relief Helps Clients Reduce Stress
ByJohn Russo
UpdatedOct 22, 2026
- Researchers at Arizona State University found that Freedom Debt Relief program graduates had less financial stress than consumers who qualified to enroll but chose not to.
- Graduates were more likely to report better sleep, healthier relationships and improved quality of life.
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Free up cash each month with Freedom Debt Relief
Ozzy S., Freedom client²
“Right away, I had more money each month because of program costs so much less than what I was paying on my minimums.”
The Freedom Debt Relief program may reduce stress
When you’re dealing with debt, you may feel stressed and out of control—both financially and emotionally. But what if there was a way to curb that stress and start feeling better about your situation? A recent study from the L. William Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University suggests that Freedom Debt Relief may have the answer for your debt stress.
Wish you could feel less stressed?
As you may know, Freedom Debt Relief negotiates with creditors to get you out of debt faster and for less than you . But it turns out that folks who sign up and complete our debt settlement program feel less stressed than people who are struggling with debt and could have signed up, but didn’t.
In fact, the study found that compared to those who never enrolled in Freedom Debt Relief, clients who graduated from the program:
Believe they are more in control of important things in their lives
Think things are going their way
Feel less overall stress than people who never signed up
Using an assessment called Perceived Stress Scale, the research institute concluded that Freedom Debt Relief graduates reported feeling 21% less stressed than those who never enrolled.
Looking for a sense of empowerment and well-being?
If you have ever shouldered the weight of overwhelming debt, you know that debt stress carries over into other aspects of your life. It affects your personal relationships, worsens your emotional state, and makes it harder to sleep at night.
However, Freedom Debt Relief graduates say that once this weight is lifted off of them, they see an improvement to their overall emotional and physical well-being. In fact, compared to folks who didn’t sign up:
6% more Freedom Debt Relief graduates feel more empowered to make changes to their lives
7% more Freedom Debt Relief graduates said they had strong and healthy personal relationships
11% more Freedom Debt Relief graduates feel they can take steps to improve their quality of life
6% more Freedom Debt Relief graduates stated that they sleep well at night
Being in debt can feel like a hopeless situation, like you’re trapped and there’s no way out. But our program could help guide you out of debt and back on the path to a brighter financial future. Not only could it help reduce your stress, it could lead to a better outlook on life in general.
Looking for debt relief in Tucson, AZ or across the country? The first step is the most important one—learn more.
Take the first steps toward reducing your debt stress
If your debts are adding to your stress or you’re worried about falling behind on payments, it might be time to take action. Freedom Debt Relief is here to help you understand your options for dealing with your debt, including our debt settlement program. Our Certified Debt Consultants can help you find a solution that will lead you to less stress and a better financial future. Find out if you qualify right now.
Debt relief by the numbers
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking credit card debt relief during September 2026. This data reveals the diversity of individuals seeking help and provides insights into some of their key characteristics.
Debt relief seekers: A quick look at credit cards and FICO scores
Credit card usage varies significantly across different age groups, reflecting diverse financial needs and habits.
In September 2026, the average FICO score for people seeking debt relief programs was 587.
Here's a snapshot by age group among debt relief seekers:
| Age group | Average FICO 9 credit score | Average Credit Utilization |
|---|---|---|
| 18-25 | 572 | 83% |
| 26-35 | 579 | 79% |
| 35-50 | 583 | 78% |
| 51-65 | 586 | 77% |
| Over 65 | 598 | 72% |
| All | 587 | 76% |
Use this data to evaluate your own credit habits, set financial goals, and ensure a balanced approach to managing credit throughout your life.
Personal loan balances – average debt by selected states
Personal loans are one type of installment loans. Generally you borrow at a fixed rate with a fixed monthly payment.
In September 2026, 44% of the debt relief seekers had a personal loan. The average personal loan was $10,718, and the average monthly payment was $362.
Here's a quick look at the top five states by average personal loan balance.
Personal loans - by states
| State | % with personal loan | Avg personal loan balance | Average personal loan original amount | Avg personal loan monthly payment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 42% | $14,653 | $21,431 | $474 |
| Connecticut | 44% | $13,546 | $21,163 | $475 |
| New York | 37% | $13,499 | $20,464 | $447 |
| New Hampshire | 49% | $13,206 | $18,625 | $410 |
| Minnesota | 44% | $12,944 | $18,836 | $470 |
Personal loans are an important financial tool. You can use them for debt consolidation. You can also use them to make large purchases, do home improvements, or for other purposes.
Regain Financial Freedom
Seeking debt relief can be the first step toward financial freedom. Are you struggling with debt? Explore options for debt relief to regain control of your finances. It doesn't matter how old you are or what your FICO score or credit utilization is. Take the first step towards a brighter financial future today.
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Author Information
Written by
John Russo
John Russo is a Creative Manager at Freedom Debt Relief. His goal is to make the world of personal finance more accessible so that everyday people can find the right financial solutions for themselves. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, reading pretty much anything, and spending time with his fiancée and two cats.
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