Figuring It Out: Building Confidence with Money Through Life’s Changes

Everyone's financial journey is different.

For some, it's the dream of owning a home. For others, it's improving their credit, paying down debt, building savings, or simply gaining confidence in their ability to manage their money. No matter the goal, the path forward often begins with a single decision: to invest in yourself and your future.

The Financial Literacy And Matched Earnings (FLAME) program was created to help people take that next step. Through 10 months of matched savings and one-on-one financial coaching, participants work toward their goals while building the knowledge, habits, and confidence needed for long-term financial success. Along the way, participants save $60 each month and receive a 3-to-1 match on their savings, earning up to $2,400 to help support their next financial milestone.

But FLAME is about more than dollars and cents. It's about perseverance. It's about overcoming obstacles, celebrating progress, and discovering what's possible when determination is met with support and opportunity.

The story you're about to read is one example of that journey.

Meet Maya.

When Maya joined the FLAME program, she was looking for a better understanding of her finances.

At 23, she was balancing school, work, and everyday spending, and wanted to feel more confident managing her money on her own. Her credit score started at 600, and while she had begun saving, she struggled with consistency — especially when it came to staying within her credit limits and making payments on time. “I didn’t realize how much those small things could impact my credit.”

Through FLAME, Maya began working with her coach to build a clearer picture of how her money was working day to day. One of the biggest shifts was awareness. She started tracking her spending more closely, using a calendar to stay on top of payment dates, and paying more attention to her credit usage. Instead of guessing, she began making decisions with intention.

Then, partway through the program, Maya made a major life change — she moved into her own apartment. Like many young adults stepping into independence, it came with a new level of responsibility and a new understanding of what things actually cost. “Adulting is hard.” Having a coach alongside her during that transition made a difference.

Together, they adjusted her budget in real time — factoring in rent, everyday expenses, and the lifestyle she values, including travel and time with friends. Instead of reacting to expenses, Maya began planning for them. “Now I actually think about what things cost and plan ahead for them.”

Tools like SavvyMoney also helped her see how her actions impacted her credit score — from making on-time payments to keeping balances lower. Over time, these changes added up.

Her credit score increased from 600 to 659, and more importantly, she built habits that support long-term financial stability.

Today, Maya feels more confident managing her money. She understands how to stay on track, even as life changes, and has created a system that works for her. Her next step is using her FLAME funds to continue paying down debt — including her credit card and car loan — while maintaining the habits she’s built.

What started as a desire to “figure things out” has turned into something much more powerful: confidence, independence, and a strong foundation for whatever comes next.