Navigating a Financial Storm
When I started working with Kallista, she was navigating a financial storm that felt impossible to escape. As a divorced single mom and caregiver for her mother, Kallista had turned to emotional spending to cope with the pressures in her life. Like many women, she found herself stuck in a cycle of accumulating debt and feeling the weight of shame and stress that came with it.
“I had a lot of credit cards,” Kallista recalled. “I probably had over 10 credit cards at that time. I wasn’t very disciplined when it came to spending, and I was much more stressed out than I realized. There was probably some shame mixed in there too.”
The Impact of Emotional Spending and Debt
Kallista’s story is all too familiar for many women. Faced with the overwhelming responsibility of managing her household while balancing her own emotional well-being, she used spending as a source of comfort. But without the right tools and understanding of her finances, the debt snowballed.
That’s when Kallista decided to seek financial coaching, and together, we worked through a holistic budgeting approach that aligned her finances with her personal goals. We started by unpacking her money story—the beliefs and habits around money that she had unknowingly carried with her for years.
Unpacking the Money Story
“Understanding my money story was huge for me,” Kallista said. “It was like going to the root of my problems. I started understanding where I picked up my beliefs about money and how my struggles with self-esteem and not feeling ‘enough’ played into how I interacted with money. It was like financial therapy.”
Kallista’s breakthrough came when she started to see her finances from a new perspective. By understanding her money story, she began to shed the shame and build confidence in her financial decision-making. She took active steps toward gaining control of her finances, and it wasn’t long before she started to see results.
Using the Snowball Method for Debt Repayment
One of the key strategies we used was the snowball method for debt repayment, which helped Kallista tackle her smallest debts first and build momentum as she paid them off. “When we were doing the snowball method, it helped me build confidence,” Kallista said. “Even if I didn’t do it perfectly all the time, just having that knowledge made a difference.”
The process gave Kallista a sense of accomplishment, which motivated her to stay consistent with her financial goals. “I can’t say I always did it, but when I did, it made me feel capable. It was like, ‘Okay, I can do this!’ And that helped me keep going.”
Over time, this method not only reduced her debt but gave her the confidence she needed to continue managing her finances with purpose. “The snowball method was simple but powerful. It helped me see progress even when the bigger debts felt overwhelming,” she added. “It’s about those small wins that build up and remind you that you’re capable of changing your financial situation.”
The Moment of Transformation: Paying Off Her House
And then came the moment that changed everything.
“I remember one of our check-ins so vividly,” Kallista said. “I realized I was super close to paying off my house. I had been consistent with making payments, even during months when it felt tough. I didn’t always get it perfectly, but seeing how close I was made me realize just how much progress I had made. I couldn’t believe it—it was within reach.”
That moment was a turning point for Kallista. What started as a feeling of being buried in debt had turned into a realization that her financial freedom was possible. Together, we reviewed her payments, her strategy, and her commitment to consistently paying down her mortgage.
Empowerment Through Financial Coaching
“The excitement I felt when I realized I could pay off my house was unreal. I had sacrificed, stayed consistent, and it was all paying off—literally,” Kallista shared. “For so long, I didn’t think it was something I could achieve, but then it clicked. That moment gave me a sense of empowerment like I’ve never felt.”
For Kallista, paying off her house wasn’t just about becoming debt-free—it was about proving to herself that she could take control of her finances. It symbolized years of hard work, emotional growth, and the strength to keep going, even when it seemed impossible. That victory not only gave her peace of mind but also inspired her to pass down her financial knowledge to her children.
Financial Awareness and Passing Down Knowledge
Kallista’s journey didn’t just end with paying off her house—it transformed how she approached money entirely. She became more aware of her spending, interest rates, and the importance of paying off the principal balance of her debts. This new financial awareness gave her the ability to take control of her financial future, and most importantly, to pass on that knowledge to her children.
“I share what I’ve learned with my sons,” she said proudly. “I want them to be financially aware and not make the same mistakes I did. And now, I have the tools to help them.”
Overcoming Shame and Fear Through Financial Coaching
For Kallista, the impact of financial coaching went far beyond paying off debt—it gave her the confidence to face her financial challenges without shame.
To other women who are hesitant to seek financial coaching due to fear or embarrassment, Kallista offers this advice: “Those are real emotions, but getting help is worth it. Self-care isn’t just getting your nails done—it’s facing the things that are hindering you from living your best life. And finances can be a huge hindrance. The more you understand your money story, the less shame you’ll feel, and the more you’ll be able to heal.”
Take the First Step Toward Financial Freedom
Kallista’s story is a powerful reminder that financial coaching isn’t just about numbers; it’s about transforming your relationship with money and creating a future you’re proud of.
If her journey resonates with you and you’re curious about where to start or what your next steps might be, I invite you to schedule a free discovery call with me. This is a no-pressure, exploratory chat where we can discuss your unique financial situation and determine the best path forward. Whether you’re looking to manage debt, start a savings plan, or simply gain more clarity about your financial future, I’m here to help you find your next best move.