WS Chronicle

Busta Brown’s Person of the Week

By BUSTA BROWN 

For The Chronicle 

Millions of Americans are trapped in debt, not because they’re reckless, but because they were never taught how money really works. The lack of financial literacy has left too many people vulnerable to the tactics of creditors, who often design repayment systems that look helpful on the surface but ultimately dig us deeper into a financial hole. Before we realize it, the interest piles up, the minimum payments barely make a dent, and bankruptcy starts to feel like the only way out. 

Here in the Triad and surrounding areas, you would be shocked at how many of us found ourselves in these financial traps. Credit cards are one of the biggest and most dangerous traps. I recently sat down with Debt Solutions Ambassador Gabriela Humailo Parker to discuss this issue facing individuals and families today.  

Gabriela didn’t just speak in numbers; she spoke about the emotional toll debt takes on everyday people. “Have you ever really stopped and asked yourself: How much is this credit card really costing me? Not just the minimum payment each month. Not just what shows up on your statement. I’m talking about the real cost over time. Most people don’t. And that’s the trap. We swipe, pay the minimum, and keep moving, unaware that what feels manageable today could be robbing us of thousands tomorrow. That’s what shocked me, and that shock became the spark behind everything we’re doing.” Gabriela Humailo Parker is the founder and president of I CHOOSE – I AM NOT A VICTIM CORP. 

Gabriela was born in Romania but lived in many countries across Europe. She had to train herself to become her own personal translator. “In my head, it’s like I have a personal AI that’s always searching for the right words, the simplest phrases, or the most common expressions.”  

Her journey across borders taught her more than languages; it prepared her for a purpose. Stick with me through this article, as she breaks down some numbers and statistics that most people never really see or fully understand when it comes to credit cards and other types of debt.  

Gabriela says once we truly see the numbers we’re paying in high-interest credit card debt, we can’t unsee them, and that is what sets us on a more responsible and empowered financial path. “Stop being victims of debt and start taking back control,” said the debt solutions ambassador. I asked her to give us a real-life scenario most Americans are facing.  

“So, here’s the truth. If you have a $10,000 credit card balance and only make the minimum payments, it will take 29 years and 2 months to pay it off. The total amount you’ll end up paying is $27,693.  

“Now let’s go even further. The average credit card balance in the U.S. is around $35,000 to $45,000, depending on the source and time frame. But let’s say someone has a $30,000 balance. If they only pay the minimum, about $850 a month, it will take 460 months. That’s 38 years and 4 months,” she shared.  

This blew my mind! As she continued, I was thinking of every unnecessary credit card and bill I must get rid of. The numbers were staggering!  

She continued, “In that time, they’ll pay $54,360 in interest alone. Yes, you read that right. Just the interest: $54,360. The total amount paid. $84,360. Let that sink in. That’s like paying a mortgage but never owning a home. You’re paying for nothing you can pass down. Nothing that grows in value. Just decades of payments. That’s not just debt. That’s a lifetime sentence.” 

Gabriela was invited to co-author the book “Think Big” alongside renowned motivational speaker Brian Tracy. The plan was to attend the book launch and author events in February 2020. But instead of celebrating and networking, the world was hit hard by the pandemic. Meetings were canceled. Cities locked down, and the book’s release date had been pushed back. In May 2020 “Think Big” was released and went on to become a best seller.  

Her testimony of tenacity and hard work, along with a passion for helping others, is why she stood out to me as someone who I felt could help us become financially free. I asked Gabriela to share some statistics of families right here in the Triad area who are struggling to keep their homes and cars or just survive. And the numbers will blow your mind!  

Gabriela says, “It’s obvious that these current times are placing a heavy burden on our community. This debt crisis is taking a severe toll not just financially, but also on our educational systems, emotional well-being, physical health, and overall economic stability.”  

She continued, “Let me share just a few key numbers. These are focused strictly on unsecured debt, no mortgages included: 35.1% of residents have debt in collections, 19.7% have medical debt in collections, 10.7% are in default on student loans, 5% are delinquent on credit cards, 31% of households are cost-burdened by housing (50% of renters and 19% of homeowners). There were 16,342 eviction filings in one recent year; 14% of renters were affected by eviction filings. About 20.1% of adults carry student loan debt, with many of them aged 55 and older. 

These are not just numbers. They represent real lives. The financial impact on households is devastating. Many families are living paycheck to paycheck, with debt crowding out their ability to save, access quality healthcare, or invest in education.” 

The Mindset Catalyst also shared that many residents report cutting back on essentials just to manage debt, including skipping meals or delaying bill payments. Gabriela shared that the educational impact is significant. “Existing debt discourages many from pursuing higher education. In fact, 48.5% of local workers say their current student loan debt prevents them from going back to school. This crisis also affects high school graduates, many of whom delay or skip college altogether due to fear of taking on more debt, ultimately limiting their social mobility and future opportunities”. 

As you can see, Gabriela is excellent with research, so I asked her to share some statistics on how debt affects us mentally and physically. “Sixty-one percent of employees report experiencing constant financial stress. Many face depression, anxiety, and toxic stress due to unmanageable debt. This emotional burden often leads to social isolation and decreased community engagement, making recovery even harder.  

“Physically strained individuals often delay medical care, skip medications, and avoid doctor visits. This neglect can worsen chronic conditions, contribute to medical-related deaths, and increase reliance on emergency care systems. Stress-related illnesses and unmanaged conditions only add to the burden.”  

She added, “Financial stress doesn’t stay at home, it follows employees to work. Forty-four percent of financially stressed workers are distracted on the job. They miss an average of 3.5 more days per year due to stress-related absences. Companies face reduced productivity, higher turnover, and increased burnout. Some employees leave for as little as $0.10 to $0.20 more per hour at another job. Nationally, employee financial stress costs employers an estimated $250 billion annually,” shared the brilliant author.  

So now let’s get to the solutions. How can you help people who are experiencing financial hardships, without them paying a ton of money or any money upfront?  

“We don’t ask for any money upfront because we’re focused on building long-term relationships. That’s our commitment to walk alongside each client from day one until their debt is fully resolved, whether they take on additional debt along the way or begin paying some off. We deliver real solutions and real results. And we guarantee 100% client confidentiality, your information is never shared, not even with your employer.  

In fact, we offer a free program specifically for employers to help their employees access our debt solutions discreetly. Employers will never know anything about an employee’s financial situation. Ultimately, our goal is to provide peace of mind. On average, we reduce monthly payments by 40% to 60%, helping individuals, families and even companies escape the constant stress of debt,” shared the life and business coach.  

Here’s more good news! Gabriela says local response and relief efforts are gaining momentum. North Carolina’s new medical debt relief program will forgive billions in hospital debt by July 2025, benefiting thousands. Nonprofits are stepping up with free financial counseling, while faith-led campaigns have already abolished millions in local debt. Employers are also introducing financial wellness programs and emergency loan options to support stressed workers. These coordinated efforts between government, nonprofits, employers, and residents are proving essential in reversing harmful debt trends and rebuilding long-term economic resilience. 

I asked Gabriela to share one of her company’s success stories. “A young family sought help with their mounting debt, which included two loans and large credit card bills totaling over $78,000. Their monthly payments were nearly $2,000. Had they continued making only the minimum payments, it would have taken them 544 months, over 45 years, to pay off the debt, with nearly $110,000 paid in interest alone. 

After enrolling in our legal debt option, they now have a structured plan to be completely debt-free in just three years, while saving $600 a month out of pocket. They were beyond excited to finally see a light at the end of the tunnel and to regain control of their financial future.”  

What’s the magic to her success and her unmovable faith and self-confidence? “I discovered the power of choosing my own answers, and the labels I want to wear, instead of accepting what others called me or how they chose to define me. I chose to say, “I CHOOSE – I AM NOT A VICTIM.” And in that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. It was as if a heavy burden had been lifted from my shoulders. I was finally free – free to take care of myself, to embrace my differences, and to live beyond the limitations others had placed on me.”  

My Phenomenal Person of the Week is Gabriela Humailo Parker. For ,ore info or to contact Gabriela, call or text 407-994-3860 or visit ichooseiamnotavictim.com.