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Money Can Be A Transformation Tool Amanda Clayman is a financial therapist – in other words, a clinician specializing in money issues. She believes money can be a tool for transformation: something she learned firsthand. In her own words, several years ago, “she blew up her financial life so spectacularly that it propelled her in a whole new career direction.” We’ll start with Amanda’s financial blow up and learn how she put things back together. After her story, stay tuned for part two of our interview where we pick her brain to learn some great practical money tips! More from Amanda If you’d like to learn more about Amanda, check out her website. You can hear her on WNYC’s Death, Sex & Money podcast. She also leads personal finance courses on LinkedIn Learning, such as this course. Subscribe to Real Stories Podcast hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "4952702", formId: "eb155380-d814-4732-bc02-47baea924539" }); Visit Real Stories Podcast page for more stories Check out GreenPath’s new Learning Lab, featuring online courses and tools. It’s free and easy to use. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Key Moments 2:53 Amanda’s childhood involves living in a variety of socio-economic circumstances. 4:47 A free koosh ball eventually (indirectly) leads her down a challenging financial path. 7:48 Amanda moves to NYC and her lifestyle causes her debt to accumulate. 10:05 She creates a “strategy” to keep spinning her wheels. Read More 14:25 Amanda gets a $19,000 haircut (ie a new approach to her finances) from her mom. 19:17 She describes the freedom of living under the constraints of her new budget. 21:07 Amanda opens up about her debt to her friends and realizes they’re all in the same boat. 24:04 She speaks to the role that luck played in her becoming debt free. 26:43 Her personal journey inspires her to create financial wellness opportunities for others. 32:42 Amanda leaves her dream job to start a new chapter on the other side of the country. 40:38 She speaks to the differences and similarities with her spouse and children when it comes to their money personalities. Practical Tips 51:10 Amanda explains the “good enough” budget. 53:34 She talks about the benefit of using “benign curiosity” to examine our own money behavior. 54:53 Amanda shares how to “treat yourself” in a healthy way. 58:55 She cautions us when it comes to automated spending. 1:01:49 Is it a good idea to chase the perfect credit score? 1:03:40 Why we’re all financially unique We Hope This Story Inspires You to Start Your Financial Wellness Journey GreenPath Financial Wellness is a trusted national nonprofit with more than 60 years’ experience empowering financial health. Start a conversation with an expert. Contact UsRequest A Call Intro music by Hir-o

18-year-old Lavell received an envelope right before Christmas: a credit card he didn’t apply for. That Christmas was very merry as he used the credit card to give generously to his loved ones. But what started as a gesture of kindness snowballed into a mountain of debt: $30,000 owed on one card alone. Eventually, Lavell found GreenPath through a co-worker. What did he do next? Sign Up to Receive New Money Stories Episodes Enter your email to get notifications of new Real $tories podcasts, and updates from GreenPath Financial Wellness. hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "4952702", formId: "eb155380-d814-4732-bc02-47baea924539" }); Visit Money Stories Podcast page for more stories Check out GreenPath’s new Learning Lab, featuring online courses and tools. It’s free and easy to use. Are you a GreenPath client? Consider sharing your story with us! We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Key Moments 2:22 Lavell receives good financial advice from his mother that he doesn’t initially follow. 3:15 He “swipes like a ninja” after receiving a new credit card as an 18-year-old near Christmas time. The debt on the card eventually grows to nearly $30,000. 8:42 Lavell recalls how most of his debt stemmed from helping others with money he didn’t have. Read More 11:34 He finds out about GreenPath but is initially convinced he can handle his debt on his own. 13:10 He decides to reach out to GreenPath and after a long session, decides to move forward on a Debt Management Program. 16:52 The interest rate on Lavell’s credit card drops from 24% to 2%! 20:01 He has doubts about continuing on the Debt Management Plan when he learns that he won’t be able to make any more purchases on his cards. 24:30 Lavell meets his future wife, who is impressed about his focus on becoming debt free. 28:47 He takes a step back after signing up for a new card with a tempting offer. 36:44 Lavell shares what inspired him to share his story. 38:58 He gives advice to others to “receive the help.” Practical Tips 44:59 Recognizing the value of having conversations about money 46:20 Hurting yourself by helping others (college savings vs. retirement) 48:37 Making fixed debt payments (and savings contributions) 50:30 Using a credit card like a debit card to ensure you can always pay it off 52:47 Becoming financially healthy to open up unexpected doors We Hope This Story Inspires You to Start Your Financial Wellness Journey GreenPath Financial Wellness is a trusted national nonprofit with more than 60 years’ experience empowering financial health. Start a conversation with an expert. Contact UsRequest A Call Intro music by Hir-o

After struggling with credit card debt in college, Jessie was all set to file bankruptcy. But after she told her family about her plans, they encouraged her to search for an alternative – a Debt Management Program with GreenPath. Not only did this option enable her to become debt free – she ended up in a career in banking that likely would not have been possible with a bankruptcy on her record. Jessie eventually landed a role as a financial counselor at GreenPath, where she was able to help people who were in a similar situation to the one she was in. Sign Up to Receive New Money Stories Episodes Enter your email to get notifications of new Real $tories podcasts, and updates from GreenPath Financial Wellness. hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "4952702", formId: "eb155380-d814-4732-bc02-47baea924539" }); Visit Money Stories Podcast page for more stories. Check out GreenPath’s new Learning Lab, featuring online courses and tools. It’s free and easy to use. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Key Moments 2:46 Jessie describes how she used student loans and credit cards to cover her expenses during college and how her debt eventually became harder to handle. 6:01 She offers advice for her younger self around how many credit cards are ideal to have. 8:35 Jessie considers bankruptcy. Read More 10:14 Her study abroad program leads to a difficult conversation with her parents about her finances. 12:15 Her father recommends she reach out to GreenPath to explore a Debt Management Plan. 19:42 After fluctuating income post-college, she lands a job working at a bank after a chance encounter. 22:48 Jessie shares what it was like to become debt free. 24:28 She explains her new philosophy using credit cards. 26:43 Jessie talks about her new approach when it comes to savings goals. 32:19 She starts a career as a financial counselor at GreenPath. 34:32 Jessie shifts to a role working with GreenPath’s credit union and bank partners. Practical Tips 37:47 Exploring alternatives to bankruptcy. 40:57 Using a Debt Management Program to organize bill payments. 44:00 Using a credit card like a debit card. 48:19 Paying yourself back after dipping into savings. We Hope This Story Inspires You to Start Your Financial Wellness Journey GreenPath Financial Wellness is a trusted national nonprofit with more than 60 years’ experience empowering financial health. Start a conversation with an expert. Contact UsRequest A Call Intro music by Hir-o

Nina has been on quite a journey the last few years. For her, stress around her finances was only the tip of the iceberg. Nina also faced many challenges when it came to addiction and her mental health. Her story almost had a tragic outcome. In her darkest moment, Nina summoned the strength to turn her life around. She found support from her family, her new partner and her new employer. This led to her GreenPath, who helped her turn around her financial life, too. Nina’s story provides such a visceral reminder that we’re not alone. PLEASE NOTE: This Episode Discusses Suicide If you would like someone to talk to, consider joining the more than 20 million people who have called the National Suicide Lifeline at 800-273-8255 to start a conversation. This hotline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. Another resource to consider is the Crisis Text Line. To connect with a Crisis Counselor, text HOME to 741741. You are not alone. Sign Up to Receive New Money Stories Episodes Enter your email to get notifications of new Real $tories podcasts, and updates from GreenPath Financial Wellness. hbspt.forms.create({ portalId: "4952702", formId: "eb155380-d814-4732-bc02-47baea924539" }); Visit Money Stories Podcast page for more stories Check out GreenPath’s new Learning Lab, featuring online courses and tools. It’s free and easy to use. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Key Moments 5:17 Nina describes how her depression impacted her finances and contributed to her credit card debt. 7:15 She details how she started to self-medicate with alcohol. 8:49 Nina shares her darkest moment and the changes she started to make after her suicide attempt. READ MORE 16:15 She describes how her new job at Service Credit Union led to an introduction to GreenPath. 20:33 Nina talks about how paying down her debt put her in a position to afford Christmas presents. 26:13 She explains how she was able to save over $5000 in interest by refinancing her high-rate auto loan. 29:28 Nina discusses her experience with GreenPath’s Super User program and how this better enabled her to help others with their finances. 34:43 She talks about the current state of her mental health and the support system she’s put in place. 38:15 Nina talks about her financial goals. 43:08 She gives advice to help others when feeling overwhelmed. Practical Tips 48:01 Considerations when talking to debt collectors 51:28 Pros and cons of opening up a joint savings account 54:15 Using money apps 56:45 Refinancing auto loans 59:06 Self-love and financial health We Hope This Story Inspires You to Start Your Financial Wellness Journey GreenPath Financial Wellness is a trusted national nonprofit with more than 60-years. Start a conversation with an expert. Contact UsRequest A Call Intro Music by Hir-o

Russell and Whitney were newly married with a newborn in their early 20s. While this presented them with a significant financial challenge, they were unprepared for what life had in store for them. At the age of 24, Russell developed a medical condition that left him paralyzed for a time. Russell and Whitney had to learn how to navigate their new reality, including physical hurdles and financial obstacles like $700,000 in medical debt. Their story is about resilience in the face of these obstacles… certainly financial resilience… and as you’ll hear, so much more. Russell and Whitney eventually started working with GreenPath in our financial coaching program to help achieve their financial goals. Hear their inspiring story in their own words. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o Whitney’s Story Read more about Whitney and Russell’s story, written by Whitney > Key Moments 2:44 Russell and Whitney speak about their money influences growing up. 7:04 They describe the challenges and joys of their early money journey together. 9:29 They explain how they handled their money obstacles after the birth of their son. 12:36 Their lives are changed forever when Russell has a medical scare that leaves him paralyzed. 21:07 In the aftermath of the start of Russell’s disability, they figure out how to stay afloat financially. 26:46: Russell explains how he ended up owing $700,000 in medical debt. 36:07 Whitney describes their experience (and regrets) taking out a title loan. 37:46 She talks about how and why their credit union referred them to GreenPath. 40:21 Whitney talks about starting a financial coaching program right as the pandemic began. 50:54 Russell talks about the long journey from being paralyzed to playing hockey. 53:05 Russell decides to return to work and explore transitioning from long-term disability. 1:05:03 They share goals like buying a home and starting a college fund. 1:16:11 They share advice for others who have (or have a loved one with) a medical condition. 1:21:36 Our cohosts, Chris and Omari share personal stories that they were inspired to share after hearing Russell and Whitney’s journey. We Want to Hear From You! We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Take the Survey  

Kenia grew up in El Salvador. Due in part to the violence in her native country, her family decided to immigrate to the United States when she was 11. Kenia’s family did not have a legal status and this reality shaped much of her experience growing up. She eventually became a DACA recipient and this created opportunities when it came to her education. These same opportunities also impacted her finances, at times negatively. Through it all, Kenia has remained very tight with her family—be inspired as you listen to the sacrifice that each of them has made to support one another. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Original artwork by Kenia depicting her and her family. To learn more about Kenia, please visit www.coffeewithkenia.com. Special thanks to Andy Manthei and Nick Bechard Music by Hir-o Key Moments 2:55 Kenia talks about her experience with money when she first grew up in El Salvador. 5:35 She becomes very involved in her family’s finances when her family moves to the U.S. due to her parents’ language barriers. 8:29 Kenia shares a meaningful memory from her childhood when the power got cut off. 15:35 She explains what prevented her from being an undocumented “statistic” and how this inspired her to share her story. 17:52 Kenia tells the story of why getting a Sam’s Club membership reminded her father of the sacrifices he made. 23:12 She talks about how paying for college was only possible because of the collective efforts of her family. 25:00 She speaks to the pressure that came along with a full-time job including having to figure out how to get out of credit card debt. 31:33 Kenia talks about how she and her younger sister approach money differently when it comes to saving for the future and helping family in the present. 37:00 She talks about her future plans to move out and her regrets when it comes to not saving up for this earlier. 40:42 Kenia talks about her work as an advocate for latinx immigrant communities. 48:38 She talks about her family’s experience making the leap from renting to owning. 50:47 Kenia talks about her passion for inclusion efforts in the credit union industry. 57:55 Our co-hosts reflect on the lessons learned from Kenia’s story. We Want to Hear From You! We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Take the Survey  

After getting into debt, Tanisha had feelings of shame and isolation. She turned to options that ended up increasing her stress, like payday loans. But she found her way to GreenPath and discovered that she wasn’t alone. Inspired to build a better foundation for her son, she soon became debt-free. Now, she’s an open book when it comes to discussing her money journey. And she’s taught her son well. In fact, the student has become the teacher as her son has started sharing money lessons with her. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o Key Moments 2:09 Tanisha shares the money lessons learned from her parents. 4:34 Hear how she is intentional with her son when it comes to discussing finances. 8:01 Tanisha discusses how she first got into debt and how the birth of her son influenced her wanting to address this debt. 10:40 She finds GreenPath and feels supported by her financial counselor. 12:01 Tanisha discusses her feelings of anxiety and shame around her finances. 13:49 She shares why she is now an open book when it comes to discussing money and how she encourages others to do the same. 16:11 Tanisha discusses her experience with payday loans. 21:14 She talks about what it was like to be on a Debt Management Plan and how it affected her spending habits. 26:03 Tanisha thinks back to her feelings of liberation once she became debt-free. 28:00 She compares the difference between “buying” a house and “affording” a house. 29:24 Tanisha talks about her future goals, like retiring comfortably and affording college tuition for her son. 32:24 She gives advice to tackle debt head-on. 35:28 Tanisha’s son Noah joins us to discuss what he’s learned from her and what excites him about the stock market. 43:40 Our co-hosts reflect on the money lessons from Tanisha’s story. We Want to Hear From You! We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Take the Survey

Victoria was enjoying life in her early 20s. Jeff had a budding career in the restaurant industry. Then things got real very quickly. Would having a child while she was in college mean that Victoria would have to change her spending habits? Was Jeff ready to make a major career shift while Victoria was also starting her own business? Jeff and Victoria faced a lot of pain on their journey to financial wellness. Pain from nearly losing their home in foreclosure. Pain from getting into $45,000 in credit card debt. But it was precisely this pain that ended up motivating them to change their life. And even as they became debt-free, they continue to act with the same sense of urgency to reach their financial goals. Join us for Jeff and Victoria’s Real Story and be inspired by the money lessons that they learned along the way. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o   Watch the video series of Jeff & Victoria’s debt free journey. Take our free course on Redesigning Your Financial Habits. Key Moments 3:46 Victoria and Jeff discuss how their families influenced their approach to money. 7:32 They adjust as the birth of their child in their early 20s has a profound impact on their finances and lifestyle. 11:36 The couple describes how an investment in their careers also led to credit card debt. 19:44 Victoria considers how despite the pain of accumulating debt, she appreciates the growth opportunities it provided. 23:23 Jeff talks about how despite being debt free, it’s important to keep the urgency that got them out of debt. 25:50 They discuss how they fell behind on their mortgage. 31:05 Victoria takes action to get their mortgage and credit card debt under control. 33:23 She discusses her experience meeting with their GreenPath Expert and how she was relieved that she was not being judged. 40:24 Victoria and Jeff describe their experience making adjustments to their spending. 43:39 They describe how COVID impacted their income and depleted their savings. 48:17 Jeff talks about how his improved credit allowed them to refinance and pay off their remaining credit card debt. 57:32 They talk about their financial goals, such as having a wedding and investing in a retirement account. 1:02:40 Victoria discusses what inspired her to share her story. 1:07:52 They share some advice for our listeners. 1:10:40 Our co-hosts discuss money lessons from Jeff & Victoria’s story. Tell Us About You and Win $50! GreenPath Financial Wellness is committed to creating equitable learning experiences that meet the needs of all communities. As such, we created a survey to learn more about our audience. As a thank you for your time, the first 200 people who respond to the survey will be entered into a raffle… two lucky winners will win a $50 gift card. Actual odds of winning will be 1 in 100 (or better if fewer than 200 people enter the raffle). Take the Survey

Hearing real stories about how people form their “money mindset” can be helpful. Today’s story features Monte. Monte’s childhood had a profound impact on how he approaches money. While he regrets some of his decisions and habits around money, he also makes it a point to learn from his past—like the time he borrowed money to buy a Walkman and was sued after he couldn’t pay the bill. Monte’s money mindset has had some ups and downs. The money spent on his recent wedding set him back financially, but he has no regrets there. For Monte, he finds joy in living life to the fullest and that means spending with intention when it comes to experiences. Monte openly talks about what it’s like to live with a mental illness and how his condition often leads to compulsive spending. Our interview took place several days before he closed on his first home, so we’ll hear the mixture of anxiety and excitement he’s feeling. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage   Music by Hir-o. Time markers 1:57 Monte discusses the influence his family had on his approach to money. 4:26 He shares how he thought he was destined for stardom. 6:59 Monte chooses between paying rent to his dad and attending college. 9:36 He applies for his first credit card… and eventually gets sued when he does not pay it back. 21:59 Monte explains what led him back to college in his late 20s. 27:48 He starts making more money than he ever thought possible. 33:25 Monte shares what’s like to live with Bipolar 1 and how this affects his relationship with money. 38:22 He explains his experience receiving financial counseling from GreenPath. 39:40 He has an “extravagant” wedding and incurs new debt but has zero regrets. 46:31 Monte discusses the different life experiences that have informed his outlook on money compared to his spouse. 51:08 He shares his feelings buying his first home in three days. 1:01:48 Monte talks about his future financial goals. Tell Us About You and Win $50! GreenPath Financial Wellness is committed to creating equitable learning experiences that meet the needs of all communities. As such, we created a survey to learn more about our audience. As a thank you for your time, the first 200 people who respond to the survey will be entered into a raffle… two lucky winners will win a $50 gift card. Take the Survey  

Mia has overcome many obstacles in her life. As a new immigrant to the U.S., she overcame a language barrier and the challenge of building a career as well as learning a new financial system. After finding a job at a major insurance provider, she faced the battle of her life after getting run over by a light rail train. Learning how to walk again not only proved to be a physical challenge but an immense mental challenge. Once recovered, she was the recipient of a home through Habitat for Humanity. Mia’s Financial Challenges Several years later, saddled with credit card debt, she was referred to GreenPath by her mortgage lender and found another “family” who was willing to listen to her financial concerns. With GreenPath’s support and debt counseling, she become debt free and now looks forward to building her business which spreads the life lessons she has learned. Join Mia on her journey as she explains in her own words what true wealth means to her. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o. Time markers 1:44 Mia shares what it is was like to immigrate to the U.S. from the Philippines, including how this affected her finances. 3:46 She shares expectations vs. reality when it comes to the American Dream. 7:21 A near death experience changes her life forever. 12:40 Mia is the recipient of a Habitat for Humanity home. 17:10 She reaches out to GreenPath to help her with her debt and finds another “family.” 21:38 Mia explains her challenges adjusting to a debt repayment plan. 22:55 She ponders how she might have handled life events without GreenPath’s support. 24:00 Mia compares her light rail accident with her debt mountain and how each affected her mental health. 27:16 She explains how she brought in extra income in a way that met her needs. 29:05 Mia pays it forward by helping retail customers with financial concerns find resources like GreenPath. 30:40 She describes her business venture, including the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur. 33:15 Mia explains story behind her business, Borrowed Life—and why this name has a lot of meaning to her. 35:06 She explains the inspiring story of how she reunited with her husband. 38:15 Mia describes how her true wealth is her family. 39:19 She describes how it felt to finally become debt free and how thankful she was for GreenPath’s support. 40:57 Mia offers advice for someone who might be experiencing financial stress. Tell Us About You and Win $50! GreenPath Financial Wellness is committed to creating equitable learning experiences that meet the needs of all communities. As such, we created a survey to learn more about our audience. As a thank you for your time, the first 200 people who respond to the survey will be entered into a raffle… two lucky winners will win a $50 gift card. Take the Survey

Meet Andre. He has spent a decade bringing financial education into his community on Long Island, NY. Andre and his organization are longtime partners of GreenPath and we often work together to serve those who are pursuing their financial goals. Andre often infuses his personal stories when he teaches financial concepts, so we decided to learn more about the road he traveled (quite literally) that shaped him into the person he is. Andre’s Story After making good money as a construction foreman, Andre made the leap to study abroad in an exclusive program that studies indigenous communities in Costa Rica and surrounding countries. Falling in love with his second home, he spent a number of years splitting time between the U.S. and Central America. His financial discipline was key to making his dream of spending half the year abroad a reality. After the birth of his son, Andre’s career goals evolved and he landed a job as a financial educator—with zero financial experience. He leverages his life and teaching experience to empower others. He also applies his money lessons to his own life. This has allowed him to adjust to an unexpected turn of events with his son’s schooling. While he has sights set on eventually starting an agro business, Andre has already invested a ton of time and energy into another project—he started a nonprofit with his mother that supports local communities in Ethiopia. Join us to learn about Andre’s unique financial and life journey and how he is paying it forward. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o. 2:25 Andre talks about his relationship with money as a teenager. 3:55 He discusses his motivation for pursuing a global education and how this affected his relationship with money. 8:35 Andre talks about how he juggled life and work abroad and in the U.S. 10:50 Andre shares his experiences living among indigenous communities. 13:10 Andre shares his new perspectives of home after his travels and how the birth of his son motivated him to change his career goals. 17:50 He talks about his favorite parts of providing financial education in his community. 19:30 Andre helped a family purchase their first home and eventually connected him with GreenPath to tackle a debt problem. 23:10 Andre describes how his clients significantly reduced his credit card payments after enrolling on a Debt Management Plan with GreenPath and how this ultimately helped them save their home. 25:53 Andre talks about his success tracking his expenses. 27:55 He discusses his simple approach to avoiding financial emergencies. 28:47 Andre shares his favorite cost-cutting tip. 29:53 He discusses a significant challenge his family recently faced. 33:20 Andre discusses his long term goal of becoming an entrepreneur. 34:44 He talks about how starting a nonprofit with his mother to support communities in Ethiopia and Burundi. 40:39 Andre discusses how his son provided helpful advice when he was faced with a financial decision. 43:50 He shares how he turned his car purchase into an opportunity for a money lesson for his son. 46:44 Our co-hosts share lessons learned and possible action steps for our listeners. Let Us Know What You Think. We’re glad you can listen to these real stories people face on their financial wellness journey. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Take the Survey

In this episode, our guest Angela discusses her journey through homeownership and the financial decisions she and her husband had to make along the way. Angela spent a number of years at GreenPath in several roles. Her first role was as one of our Advocates— helping people who call GreenPath for the first time. Angela empowered people to take steps to improve their financial health. She eventually took on a role bringing innovation to the technology that supports the services we offer. Angela not only grew professionally during her time at GreenPath—but as you’ll hear, she was able to apply the financial expertise she learned to her personal life. She entered her GreenPath career saddled with credit card debt. It’s interesting to hear how her credit card debt slowly snowballed over time. Several years later, she and her husband were able to purchase their dream home… but there were lots of twists and turns along the way. As you listen, consider what parts of her story you might connect with. What might you do differently? What might you draw inspiration from? Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o Key  Moments 2:09 Angela discovers the world of credit at the age of 18. 3:50 Her credit card debt starts to get unmanageable. 6:45 Angela applies what she learns to help GreenPath clients to help herself budget and get out of debt. 9:27 She aggressively pays off debt and saves up for a down payment for a condo. 14:17 As a new homeowner, her credit card debt creeps back up by spending on furniture and home improvement. 16:25 Angela describes the mindset that led to impulsive homeowner spending. 18:02 She discusses the pros and cons of being a landlord. 20:03 Angela offers homeowner advice to her past self. 29:47 Angela and her husband discover their dream home—but will it be a dream or a nightmare? 35:27 She describes what was keeping her up at night financially. 39:04 After getting denied for a refinance, her credit union works with her to find a new option to get her debt under control. 43:19 Our hosts share lessons learned from Angela’s story and home buying in general. We Want To Hear From You! We're glad you can listen to these real stories people face on their financial wellness journey. We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Take the Survey

Each year, Dawn and her family faced an income reduction when her husband got laid off during the winter months. An opportunity came to save a significant amount in their monthly budget, but it would mean downsizing to a much smaller home. What was the right choice for their family, including their son? As many of us face challenges from the financial fallout of the COVID-19 crisis, learn how one family made a difficult decision and how their lives changed. Listen and learn how a difficult decision turned into the right path forward. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o Key Moments 1:02 Dawn discusses how her husband faced a longer lay off than their family anticipated. 3:09 Dawn’s husband proposes a major change: downsizing to a smaller home. 8:13 Dawn discusses how her son reacted to the news that they’ll soon be moving. 10:40  When they put their current home on the market, an interesting possible buyer emerges. 12:20 Dawn discusses how her husband is processing the major the change that is about to occur. 14:50 We are rejoined by Dawn 7 months later to discuss how things played out. 17:48 Dawn discusses how her husband has adjusted to the changes in their housing situation. 21:10 Dawn shares how her new budget has opened up new goals. 23:58  We learn who bought their old home and how they saved on realty fees. 26:53 Dawn gives advice to others based on what she learned from her own experience. 32:08  Each of our co-hosts shares a key-takeaway and a call to action. We Want To Hear From You! We would like to hear what our listeners think about the podcast. Take this quick survey and let us know. Take the Survey    

Meet Michele: Michele faced hardships from many different angles.  Her mortgage payment became unaffordable after her initial payment skyrocketed.  Her husband lost his job.  She subsequently got a divorce, lost the home and filed bankruptcy.  She continued to struggle to keep up with her household expenses after a consolidation loan only provided a temporary fix.  She finally opened up to a friend about how it felt to be unable to afford Christmas gifts for her children. Her friend recommended GreenPath, but Michele was skeptical.  But Michele finally reached her breaking point when she was unable to cover the cost of her daughter’s sport and an emergency car repair.  With nothing to lose, she reached out to GreenPath and was amazed that within 10 minutes, she was filled with optimism with the knowledge that she wasn’t alone.  By the end of the day, she was enrolled on a Debt Management Plan, and 11 months in, her outlook is much brighter. Michele is even paying it forward by sharing her story with friends in the hopes that they will reach out to GreenPath for support as well. After listening to the first episode of the GreenPath Real Stories podcast series, Michele was inspired to share her own story. Hear her message of hope and her reminder that we are not alone. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o Key Moments: 0:36 Michele provides an update on how she is coping with income loss and a totaled car in the midst of the pandemic. 12:54 Michele discusses how her mortgage became unaffordable and how she ultimately lost her home. 23:54 Michele shares about how it felt to file bankruptcy after her divorce. 29:46 Michele takes out a consolidation loan, but quickly realizes it’s not a long term solution. 32:22 Michele confides to a friend how it felt to not be able to afford Christmas gifts for her children. 36:14 A call from her daughter’s coach causes Michele to reach her breaking point. 37:52 Michele describes her initial call to GreenPath as “hitting the lottery.” 47:50 She’s now encouraging others to reach out to GreenPath for support. 56:59 Michele explains how her entire mindset around finances has changed. 1:03:34 Our co-hosts reflect on Michele’s story and what all of us can learn from it.

GreenPath's Kristen Holt shares advice on how to navigate these times the financial impact of COVID-19.

Matt and Kendal each had a unique story that included financial hardships and bankruptcy. They met, fell in love and decided to “merge corporations.”

Meet Tammy. Tammy's husband is handling the family’s finances and becomes concerned that their debt is spiraling out of control. He approaches her with a plan to work with GreenPath Financial Wellness to become debt-free. What starts out as a challenge becomes a turning point in their marriage and growing family. Tammy finds out that one of her superpowers is managing their budget and together, they pay down their debt. In her own words, Tammy shares what it was like before, during and after their Debt Management Plan. Click Here to Visit the Podcast Homepage Music by Hir-o Key Moments 1:40 What prompts Tammy and her husband to reach out for financial counseling? 3:40 How does addressing their financial concerns become a turning point in their marriage? 7:25 What is their experience like starting a Debt Management Plan? 10:35 What is it like to connect with other people going through a similar experience? 11:25 How is it possible to move across the country while continuing to pay down their debt? 13:11 Why is GreenPath happy to “cancel” their program? 16:23 How do they maintain their momentum after becoming debt-free? 17:18 Would they have done anything differently with their finances when they were younger? 18:18 What advice do they have for people in similar circumstances? 21:21 Our hosts reflect on the lessons learned from Tammy’s story.

Meet Katie.  Retail credit cards became her best friend shortly after college.  Home alone with her 4-month-old in a place where she didn’t know anyone, she turned to shoes and designer handbags.  Being a military family resulted in multiple moves and income instability.  Eventually, her grandma came to the rescue and helped get her debt under control.  But that was only short-lived.  She eventually found herself divorced with two small kids, without a job and in $26,000 of credit card debt. Katie turned to a nonprofit credit counselor to get back on track.  She had found someone who supported her and did not judge her—even when her payments became unaffordable.  After many ups and downs, she eventually completed her debt plan five years later.  And when she was looking for a job, she found an organization that helped others in the same way she had been helped.  Now, she’s able to take her passion and skills to pay it forward. Learn more at www.greenpath.com/realstories Music by Hir-o Key Moments: 1:40 Katie gets a new “best friend”… retail credit cards. 6:45 Katie discusses how loneliness and depression led to a shopping addiction. 9:00 How spreadsheets helped feed her shopping addiction 10:21 Why her joint debt with her then-husband ended up in her name 13:00 The Bank of Grandma comes to the rescue! 15:29 Katie buys a house… but is she ready to do so? 20:14 Katie is saddled with $26,000 in debt while jobless and divorced with two kids. 22:26 Katie can finally get a good night’s sleep after receiving a helping hand 26:00 Five years after enrolling in a Debt Management Plan, she makes her final payment! 27:40 Katie lands a job where she can help people who are in the same boat as she was. 29:40 Alex, Brad and Chris (our co-hosts) reflect on Katie’s story and how her emotions played into her money situation

We are excited to announce our first podcast, GreenPath Real $tories — Financial Wellness. The podcast shows that our financial lives are more than a number. Our guests will share their money journeys in their own words. Expect authenticity, vulnerability, and a little bit of inspiration. In this special preview episode, you'll meet our first six guests. Katie, who faces a shopping addiction. Tammy, who finds success after she and her husband let go and decide to be their authentic selves. Matt and Kendall, who face the prospect of filing bankruptcy a second time. Angela, who finds a dream home that almost turns into a financial nightmare. Dawn, who openly talks about her own difficult financial decisions when she helps others. And Annie, who despite a difficult financial journey to returning to college, is enjoying the intention behind her progress. Music by Hir-o