Improving Lives: Financial Success Stories

Client Success Story - Jade
“I thought, ‘Why can’t I do this on my own?’ But I couldn’t. It was just too much. I needed help.”
Jade
Professor
Read Jade's Story
Linda, Paradise CA
"The sky was pitch black and I could hear explosions. I thought I was saying goodbye and that I was going to die."
Linda
Retired
Read Linda's Story
MMI client Patricia
“When we finished I felt lighter. I was so happy, ecstatic."
Patricia
Military Service Member
Read Patricia's Story
Senior couple in retirement
“We’d worked all our lives to buy a home and realized that now it could just be taken from us.”
John and Sue
Retired
Read John and Sue's Story
A teacher in front of her class
“My ex-husband took anything with cash value and I was stuck with everything that had debt attached to it…"
Kathy D.
Teacher
Read Kathy's Story
Hispanic Center for Financial Excellence
"I felt like I was in quicksand."
Diana
Chef
Read Diana's Story
A couple enjoying a countryside walk with their dog
"I never want to go back to being afraid."
Denise B.
Consultant
Read Denise's Story
Joe Y., an MMI client
“She wanted everything new and beautiful. We upgraded her diamond three times and she expected a destination vacation every year.”
Joe Y.
Retired
Read full story
An entrepreneur at the site of a renovation
“The home was at the very peak of what my wife and I could afford, maybe even beyond...”
Jeff M.
Manager, Graphics Firm
Read Jeff's Story

Real Clients, Real Success

Every client has a story. Setbacks. Hard work. Success. When you hear their stories you may be surprised at how much of yourself you see in their circumstances. No matter the differences, however, the end result is the same across every story - they decided to make a change and reached their goals as a result. You can do the same.
Jason Rabalais in front of his home.

Jason's Story

An MMI counselor uses the debt management plan to break free from overwhelming credit card debt.
Read More
A couple enjoying a countryside walk with their dog

Denise's Story

A couple shed their debt and save themselves after years of financial mismanagement.
Read More
Senior couple on the dock

John and Sue's Story

John and Sue were set for retirement when a pair of unexpected setbacks nearly cost them their house.
Read More
Ruined home following California wildfires

Linda's Story

A wildfire survivor rebuilds and forges ahead.
Read More
female soldier salutes

Patricia's Story

A military mom changes her family's financial future.
Read More
Hispanic Center for Financial Excellence - financial education class

Diana's Story

A hardworking Columbian immigrant reaches her goals with the help of the Hispanic Center for Financial Excellence.
Read More
A teacher in front of her class

Kathy's Story

The story of a teacher who defeated personal darkness and $40,000 in debt.
Read More
An entrepreneur at the site of a renovation

Jeff's Story

A father and entrepreneur racks up $90,000 in credit card debt, then finds his way back to debt-free.
Read More
Joe Y., an MMI client

Joe's Story

A retiree escapes 50 years of debt.
Read More
Learn how a DMP helped

Financial Tips and Advice

We blog about all kinds of financial topics - from the psychology of spending to the simplest ways to cut costs. Browse our extensive backlog of educational articles.

Stunned man reading legal summons.

What to Expect When Sued By a Creditor

While creditors don't always use the courts to collect on debts, they can, and it's important to understand what that process looks like so you can prepare yourself. Here's what you need to know.
Read More
Woman holding credit card and reading bills.

Closing a Credit Card with a Remaining Balance

Your credit card doesn't need to be paid off to be closed, but what happens to the remaining balance? Here's what you need to know.
Read More
Woman in rain jacket looking at flood water.

Disaster Recovery Checklist

If you're dealing with the aftermath of a disaster that's damaged your home or other personal property, consider these steps to recovery.
Read More
Divorce attorney listening to clients.

How is Debt Divided in Divorce?

In a divorce, you know that both parties will usually fight for control of their assets. But what about their debts? How are those settled in a divorce? The answer is a little complicated, but here's what you should about debts and divorce.
Read More
Happy couple on their wedding day.

Wedding Experts Share Their Favorite Money-Saving Wedding Hacks

Weddings are a great way to start your newly married life in debt. Luckily there are a ton of clever ways to save cash and still have the wedding of your dreams. Let these top wedding planners show you how it's done.
Read More
Man standing in flood water.

How Much Does Insurance Cover After a Natural Disaster?

If you still owe a lot of money on a major asset, such as a house or car, and it gets destroyed from a major natural disaster, will your insurance company pay for it? Here's what you need to know.
Read More
Senior couple reviewing finances together.

Coping with an Unexpected Job Loss Just Before Retirement

Losing a job at any stage of your life is difficult. There can be a range of feelings to cope with, in addition to financial concerns. If you’re approaching retirement and have found yourself unexpectedly out of work, consider the following advice.
Read More
Man jogging in front of national mall in Washington, D.C.

What's the One Big Beautiful Bill and How Will It Impact You?

A massive new spending bill is on it's way to becoming law soon. What's in the bill and what does it mean for you? Here's what you need to know.
Read More
Young mother with son making payment at counter.

Major Credit Scoring Changes are Coming to Buy Now, Pay Later Loans

Buy now, pay later (BNPL) loans are hugely popular, but they don't impact your credit, for better or worse. Thanks to a new scoring model from FICO, that's about to change.
Read More
More blog posts Subscribe to our weekly newsletter
Share your Story
The story of your success could be the inspiration that starts someone on their very own journey of financial improvement. Celebrate what you've accomplished and motivate others to do the same!
Tell us about your journey
  • Better Business Bureau A+ rating Better Business Bureau
    MMI is proud to have achieved an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB), a nonprofit organization focused on promoting and improving marketplace trust. The BBB investigates charges of fraud against both consumers and businesses, sets standards for truthfulness in advertising, and evaluates the trustworthiness of businesses and charities, providing a score from A+ (highest) to F (lowest).
  • Financial Counseling Association of America Financial Counseling Association of America
    MMI is a proud member of the Financial Counseling Association of America (FCAA), a national association representing financial counseling companies that provide consumer credit counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling, bankruptcy counseling, debt management, and various financial education services.
  • Trustpilot Trustpilot
    MMI is rated as “Excellent” (4.9/5) by reviewers on Trustpilot, a global, online consumer review platform dedicated to openness and transparency. Since 2007, Trustpilot has received over 116 million customer reviews for nearly 500,000 different websites and businesses. See what others are saying about the work we do.
  • Department of Housing and Urban Development - Equal Housing Opportunity Department of Housing and Urban Development
    MMI is certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide consumer housing counseling. The mission of HUD is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD provides support services directly and through approved, local agencies like MMI.
  • Council on Accreditation Council On Accreditation
    MMI is proudly accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA), an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. COA’s thorough, peer-reviewed accreditation process is designed to ensure that organizations like MMI are providing the highest standard of service and support for clients and employees alike.
  • National Foundation for Credit Counseling National Foundation for Credit Counseling
    MMI is a longstanding member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®), the nation’s largest nonprofit financial counseling organization. Founded in 1951, the NFCC’s mission is to promote financially responsible behavior and help member organizations like MMI deliver the highest-quality financial education and counseling services.