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
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
MMI client Patricia
“When we finished I felt lighter. I was so happy, ecstatic."
Patricia
Military Service Member
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
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
Hispanic Center for Financial Excellence
"I felt like I was in quicksand."
Diana
Chef
A couple enjoying a countryside walk with their dog
"I never want to go back to being afraid."
Denise B.
Consultant
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
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

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's Story

An MMI counselor uses the debt management plan to break free from overwhelming credit card debt.

Denise's Story

A couple shed their debt and save themselves after years of financial mismanagement.

John and Sue's Story

John and Sue were set for retirement when a pair of unexpected setbacks nearly cost them their house.

Linda's Story

A wildfire survivor rebuilds and forges ahead.

Patricia's Story

A military mom changes her family's financial future.

Diana's Story

A hardworking Columbian immigrant reaches her goals with the help of the Hispanic Center for Financial Excellence.

Kathy's Story

The story of a teacher who defeated personal darkness and $40,000 in debt.

Jeff's Story

A father and entrepreneur racks up $90,000 in credit card debt, then finds his way back to debt-free.

Joe's Story

A retiree escapes 50 years of debt.

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.

How to Avoid a Utility Shutoff

If you’re suffering from a financial setback, what can you do to avoid defaulting on utility payments and literally being in the dark? Here are some tips:

How to Talk to Your Partner about Their Spending

Everything from spending habits to financial goals can cause conflict for couples if you’re not on the same page. Here's how to create healthy and productive conversations around money.

Hurricane Recovery Resources and Assistance Programs

Hurricanes are becoming more frequent and more devastating. If you're in a hurricane zone, make sure you have these resources on hand in case you need help recovering.

Why Having No Credit is the Same as Having Bad Credit

Avoiding credit may seem like a smart way to save yourself from future hardships like debt and overspending, but it's much more likely to cause a different sort of hardship when you discover that having no credit is the same as having bad credit.

Best Debt Repayment Strategies

Trying to pay off your debts? Let's break down the most popular and effective strategies for managing debt so you can pick the option that works best for you.

Which Debt Should You Pay Off First?

When you feel buried under a mountain of bills, it can be hard to decide what debt you should pay off first. Here are a few handy tips to help you chart your own path to success.

Are Fast Cash Loans Legitimate?

When you hit a financial snag and need some quick cash for expenses until your paycheck arrives, it may be tempting to consider a fast cash loan. Also known as “payday loans,” they’re meant to be a short-term loan fix that you pay back as soon as your paycheck arrives. That sounds enticing, but is it too good to be true?

How a Debt Advisor Can Help You Eliminate Debt

Learn what a financial advisor for debt does and how they can help you manage payments while creating a plan to become debt-free.

How To Create a Personal Balance Sheet and Determine Net Worth

A personal balance sheet calculates your net worth by comparing your financial assets (what you own) with your financial liabilities (what you owe). The difference between the two is your personal net worth. Here's how you can create your own personal balance sheet.
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
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    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.