New Orleans Man Wins $100,000 in NerdWallet’s Debt-Free December Sweepstakes

Noland says his win came at the perfect time.

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Edited by other Published Dec 18, 2025 Meet Mike Noland, one of the winners of NerdWallet’s Debt-Free December sweepstakes. We talked to Mike to find out how he feels about the win and what he plans to do with the money. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. A: I live in New Orleans. I do valet downtown — we just had the Super Bowl and we just had Taylor Swift come through. I like doing valet. I work overnight, and I do Uber during the day. It’s cool working downtown and meeting new people. Photo courtesy of Mike Noland.

Q: What was your first thought when you found out you won?

Q: What was your first thought when you found out you won? A: This is surreal. It’s almost like I’m in shock a little bit. It’s literally the perfect timing when I need it the most. It’s unbelievable.

Q: Who will you tell first?

Q: Who will you tell first? A: I’ll tell my dad and my sister first. My whole family has been through a lot these last couple years. To be able to help my dad and family with a lot of stuff they’ve been going through is the most important part. Four years ago, it started with my mom passing, then Hurricane Ida and then my dad had cancer for the third time. My sister and I moved back into our house because we wanted to help him out with his cancer treatment.

Q: What do you plan to do with the money?

Q: What do you plan to do with the money? A: I honestly didn't think this was real until today. I’m going to get back into school and pursue nursing, probably. I really feel like that’s my passion and that’s what I really want to do. I want to go into oncology so I could hopefully help people. That’s what most of the money would go toward. Student loans and a lot toward my education.

Q: Before winning, what were your top financial priorities or concerns?

Q: Before winning, what were your top financial priorities or concerns? A: Student loans for one. And two credit cards that I have a little bit of debt with. My car note. My current living expenses. Rent. But mostly student loans.

Q: What does this win make you appreciate most right now?

Q: What does this win make you appreciate most right now? A: It makes me appreciate the little things. My family doesn’t even know yet. I appreciate them more than anything. With this win, it makes me appreciate that there are people out there like y’all who are doing this for people. I’m blown away.

Q: If you could sum up this experience in one sentence, what would it be?

Q: If you could sum up this experience in one sentence, what would it be? A: Life has a funny way of working itself out.

How to handle a windfall

How to handle a windfall Plenty of us dream about what we would do with a large sum of money. And for some, that daydream becomes a reality. If you find yourself with a windfall, NerdWallet recommends you consider making a solid plan for your newfound money before you spend any of it. Mike says he will “absolutely” consider working with a financial expert. Each person will approach a windfall differently, but planning for the money — and refraining from spending it right away — are solid strategies that will work for everyone. A windfall plan might include researching any tax implications associated with the money, prioritizing any existing debt you have, adding an extra cushion to your emergency fund, investing in your future and setting aside a portion for fun.

How to enter NerdWallet’s Debt-Free December

How to enter NerdWallet’s Debt-Free December For 25 days straight, NerdWallet is giving away $100,000 cash to help you pay down your debt or use however you choose. 25 days. 25 prizes. 25 chances to win $100,000. Learn more. Explore more on About the authors Neidel Courtney Neidel is an assigning editor for the core personal finance team at NerdWallet. She joined NerdWallet in 2014 and spent six years writing about shopping, budgeting and money-saving strategies before being promoted to editor. Courtney has been interviewed as a retail authority by "Good Morning America," Cheddar and CBSN. Her prior experience includes freelance writing for California newspapers. Published in Fuente Pamela de la Fuente is a managing editor of NerdWallet's personal finance content. She leads budgeting, money-making, consumer credit and and debt coverage. Ask her and her talented team about why credit scores matter, how to save money on your grocery bill, finding the right side hustle, how to protect your identity for free and more. Previously, she led taxes and retirement coverage at NerdWallet. Pamela joined NerdWallet after working at companies including Hallmark Cards, Sprint Corp. and The Kansas City Star. She has been a writer and editor for more than 20 years. Pamela is a thought leader in content diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, and finds ways to make every piece of content conversational and accessible to all. She is a graduate of the Maynard Institute's Maynard 200 program, and the National Association of Black Journalists Executive Leadership Academy. She is a two-time winner of the Kansas City Association of Black Journalists' President's Award. She was also founding co-chair of NerdWallet's Nerds of Color employee resource group. How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 Credit Score Ranges: What They Mean and How They Work How to Budget Money in 5 Steps 28 Proven Ways to Save Money Get Your Free Credit Score By NerdWallet How to Pay Off Debt: Top Strategies for 2026 By Lauren Schwahn, Jackie Veling 50/30/20 Budget Calculator By Amanda Barroso, Elizabeth Ayoola