I had my dream job, but never felt financially secure. I went from $500,000 in debt to debt-free in under 2 years.

Christos Garkinos went into debt in his late 50s.

Courtesy of Christos Garkinos Christos Garkinos was terrified of being like his dad, who died young with no money.

He's always had a relatively high salary, but didn't feel financially secure.

He went about $500,000 into debt in his late 50s and is rebuilding his finances in his 60s.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Christos Garkinos, founder of Covet by Christos .

It has been edited for length and clarity .

I learned from a very young age what success meant: it was money in the till after the lunch rush.

My Greek immigrant parents owned a diner in Detroit.

Each day, 150 people would flood in for lunch, and my family would fall apart.

My mom would be screaming, throwing things at my dad; as a kid, I wondered every day if we would make it through.

But two hours later, with the money in the till, we'd all be having fun.

My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer when I was in my 20s.

The business failed, and so did his health.

I was making good money working for major global companies like Disney and Virgin, but I never felt financially secure.