Turn your life around at any age: How a 63-year-old paid off her debt
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We all feel like starting over once in a while, but with age comes a certain kind of hesitation. After all, life can be busy and feel largely set in stone, so what’s the use of making a drastic change? It’s the doubt that plagues many people.
There's no denying that it can be difficult to gain control of your finances and stave off debt – Suzy Morrison, now 74, is an inspiring example of how, even in our golden years, we can find a solution to money woes and come out on top. Let's take a look at her story.
As a young girl growing up with her adoptive parents in Milton, New Zealand, Suzy Morrison was very interested in the plump manila envelopes her father handed over to her mother each week. She was too young to understand the power of money or its consequences, yet her silent observations planted the seeds of financial fear and insecurity within her.
Since as far back as Suzy can remember, she has felt an unquenchable need to do something meaningful with her life, a sentiment which saw her chase after a 'handsome prince charming', a movie-maker, and a career in acting, only to be met with disappointment.
Morrison married a musician who managed their finances when she was 17 years old. However, when the pair broke up two years later, Suzy began to struggle with drinking.
Her financial anxieties were further exacerbated by her addiction problems and years of substance abuse.
She eventually developed addictions to opiates and cannabis, while managing to raise her two girls, keep up with her profession, and fund her addiction through selling drugs.
When she enrolled in a 12-step recovery programme in her late 30s, her life shifted – she stopped taking drugs and overcame her alcohol addiction.
But money was still tight. She took up several jobs, went back to school, and pursued a career in social and counselling services, yet could never quite achieve the higher income levels needed to break away from debt.
She also recalls thinking that once she earned more money, everything would be alright. But she says that although she used to earn a 'pretty decent' salary, she didn’t know how to manage her finances.
'I thought: "When I earn more, I’ll be OK." But it didn’t work like that,' she said.
'But no matter what I earned, I always spent a bit more.'
At this point, she realised that she had to 'learn to be in a relationship with money' or else her efforts from abstaining from alcohol and drugs and turning her life around would go to waste.
During this time, Suzy bought the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron as a way of improving her creative writing skills, she also learned about the author’s other book, Money Drunk, Money Sober, which set her on a path to financial freedom.
But she didn’t try to do it on her own. Looking back at the long journey to becoming debt-free, Suzy explains that cultivating relationships has been of great importance.
She was encouraged to attend Debtors Anonymous, a 12-step program like the one which had allowed her to overcome her addiction, and with the help of fellow peers and friends, was able to make and stick to a strict spending plan.
By the time she was 63, Suzy had gotten rid of her credit card, thereby paying off all her debts.
Life changed drastically for Suzy afterwards, who was now working as a counsellor, supervisor, and lecturer.
Most importantly, a kind and stable relationship with money meant freedom and growth emotionally. Having put the shame and embarrassment of debt behind her, Suzy could look back at her life and see no regret, but instead, trust in ‘the timing’, or as she prefers to call it, ‘the teacher’.
Members, this story illustrates how, no matter your age, the power of understanding and self-acceptance can transform your life.
If you’re struggling with debt or would like help with setting a budget, remember you can get advice from support groups such as the National Debt Helpline to assist you with your issues.
We hope this story helps you to explore how your relationship with money can also help to increase your sense of self-possession and respect. Keep believing in yourself and stay curious - you’re always worth it!
There's no denying that it can be difficult to gain control of your finances and stave off debt – Suzy Morrison, now 74, is an inspiring example of how, even in our golden years, we can find a solution to money woes and come out on top. Let's take a look at her story.
As a young girl growing up with her adoptive parents in Milton, New Zealand, Suzy Morrison was very interested in the plump manila envelopes her father handed over to her mother each week. She was too young to understand the power of money or its consequences, yet her silent observations planted the seeds of financial fear and insecurity within her.
Since as far back as Suzy can remember, she has felt an unquenchable need to do something meaningful with her life, a sentiment which saw her chase after a 'handsome prince charming', a movie-maker, and a career in acting, only to be met with disappointment.
Suzy Morrison managed to turn her life around and be debt-free at the age of 63. Photo for illustration. Credit: Pexels/Ron Lach.
Morrison married a musician who managed their finances when she was 17 years old. However, when the pair broke up two years later, Suzy began to struggle with drinking.
Her financial anxieties were further exacerbated by her addiction problems and years of substance abuse.
She eventually developed addictions to opiates and cannabis, while managing to raise her two girls, keep up with her profession, and fund her addiction through selling drugs.
When she enrolled in a 12-step recovery programme in her late 30s, her life shifted – she stopped taking drugs and overcame her alcohol addiction.
But money was still tight. She took up several jobs, went back to school, and pursued a career in social and counselling services, yet could never quite achieve the higher income levels needed to break away from debt.
She also recalls thinking that once she earned more money, everything would be alright. But she says that although she used to earn a 'pretty decent' salary, she didn’t know how to manage her finances.
'I thought: "When I earn more, I’ll be OK." But it didn’t work like that,' she said.
'But no matter what I earned, I always spent a bit more.'
At this point, she realised that she had to 'learn to be in a relationship with money' or else her efforts from abstaining from alcohol and drugs and turning her life around would go to waste.
During this time, Suzy bought the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron as a way of improving her creative writing skills, she also learned about the author’s other book, Money Drunk, Money Sober, which set her on a path to financial freedom.
But she didn’t try to do it on her own. Looking back at the long journey to becoming debt-free, Suzy explains that cultivating relationships has been of great importance.
She was encouraged to attend Debtors Anonymous, a 12-step program like the one which had allowed her to overcome her addiction, and with the help of fellow peers and friends, was able to make and stick to a strict spending plan.
By the time she was 63, Suzy had gotten rid of her credit card, thereby paying off all her debts.
Life changed drastically for Suzy afterwards, who was now working as a counsellor, supervisor, and lecturer.
Most importantly, a kind and stable relationship with money meant freedom and growth emotionally. Having put the shame and embarrassment of debt behind her, Suzy could look back at her life and see no regret, but instead, trust in ‘the timing’, or as she prefers to call it, ‘the teacher’.
Members, this story illustrates how, no matter your age, the power of understanding and self-acceptance can transform your life.
If you’re struggling with debt or would like help with setting a budget, remember you can get advice from support groups such as the National Debt Helpline to assist you with your issues.
We hope this story helps you to explore how your relationship with money can also help to increase your sense of self-possession and respect. Keep believing in yourself and stay curious - you’re always worth it!
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