Success Stories

Mary Clark (May 2009)

Mary Clark is a nurse's assistant for the Foundation for Senior Living at the Adult Day Health Services Center in Phoenix. She attended the free financial education classes (provided by Arizona Saves in cooperation with the City of Phoenix) at the John F. Long Family Services Center in February of 2009. When asked what she learned, Mary replies, "I have definitely improved in managing my money since I enrolled in Arizona Saves' financial workshops." She says that taking control of her credit has been liberating. "I can now answer my phone without fearing a collector [is on the other end]."
 
Mary is the proud mother of three boys, Trivual (19), Kris (14), and Fred (8). She says her two youngest, "Kris and Fred [were] always wanting money for this or money for that." Feeling financially extended, she decided to educate her family about the benefits of good money management. "I saw the flier at work: 'A money saving class,' for not only me, but I could bring the boys to learn about saving as well."
 
The workshops have taught her the importance of having a good credit rating. She has since made it a priority to reduce her debt, attributing her effort to Arizona Saves' Taking Charge of Your Credit class. She admits she struggles to create a budget to fit her income, yet finds a way to pay her creditors on time regardless. "I'm not making any new debts, just getting a grip on the old [debt] with what [income] I have."
 
Mary's two sons, Kris and Fred, also benefited from money management lessons. They attended the Arizona Kids Saves classes while Mary was in the adult sessions. She says they learned the value of saving and continue to save their allowances today.
 
Mary recommends that everyone "take time with their family to attend all the workshops that Arizona Saves [has] to offer. They will not be disappointed. The information is worth it and it's free." - By Chad Andersen-Broker, AmeriCorps* VISTA

Arizona Kids Save Volunteers Make an Impact with Foster Kids! (May 2009)

Arizona Saves would like to congratulate Bank of America volunteers for their outstanding service. They have provided 16 workshops to 98 teenagers at six different foster homes in the Phoenix area so far in 2009. Charles Stayton of Arizonans for Children applauds their service, stating, “the program is nothing short of an essential step in the road toward financial responsibility.”

Stayton commends the volunteers for their efforts, training, and capacity to reach the children. He asserts that, “unlike many other programs that attempt to foster interaction and buy-in from the kids, our program succeeds and actually accomplishes this goal. It is a credit to Arizona Saves and [Bank of America volunteers] that this program is teaching kids how to think about money, rather than what to think about money.” - By Chad Andersen-Broker, AmeriCorps* VISTA

Click Here to read Charles Stayton’s thank you letter to the Bank of America volunteers for their service.

Eva Beavers (December 2008)

Before Phoenix native, Eva Beavers, attended Arizona Saves' financial education workshops she knew she needed to get better control of her debt and work on some of her spending habits. As a single mother with two grown daughters, she saw living by herself as an opportunity to improve her financial situation.

Beavers said that she learned about Arizona Saves through a church member. "I was intrigued because [the workshops] came at the right place at the right time," she said. "It was something in my heart I was focused on doing." 

In July 2008, Beavers and a fellow church member registered for the four part series at South Mountain Community Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The series covered the topic of Banking Basics, Building a Better Budget, Choosing & Using Credit Wisely, and Taking Charge of Your Credit.

Beavers said that she learned a great deal of information from the workshops, but that the main thing that she gained by attending was the realization that obtaining financial stability was an obtainable goal. "Budgeting, saving and controlling debt is a reality, but you have to apply yourself," Beavers said.

Her new found motivation caused her to change some of her spending habits. "I really took a good look at my wants and needs. I itemized," Beavers said. "If there is something I want, I change my attitude of just having to have it."

Beavers, a woman who had never saved before, also began to set savings goals. "I committed to putting money out of each pay check into my savings account," she said. "I found that I could save $125 a month. I had never paid attention to that before."

Utilizing the skills and resources she learned at Arizona Saves' financial education workshops has helped Beavers in her journey to control her debt. "One of the things is being able to actually use my money to get myself out of debt," Beavers said. "Instead of spending money, I can take extra money to pay things off." Beavers said that she plans to continue to lower her debts by paying attention to how and why she spends money. - By Veronica Loper, AmeriCorps* VISTA

Charlinda Begay (June 2008)

Before attending the financial education workshops in January 2008 Arizona resident, Charlinda Begay, was dissatisfied with her level of knowledge about personal finance. "It was bad. I didn't know how to save money," Begay said. 

Begay, who is Native American, said she learned about Arizona Saves' financial education workshops as a participant in the City of Phoenix's Family Self-Sufficiency Program. As a young mother of two, student, and full-time hospital employee she realized that taking control of her financial situation would drastically increase her quality of life.  Begay said that she decided to attend the workshops because they were highly recommended by the city of Phoenix and seemed like a great learning opportunity.  

The classes she attended were held at Hope VI Community Center and included Banking Basics, Building a Better Budget, Choosing and Using Credit Wisely and Preparing to Purchase a Home. The courses proved worthwhile and gave Begay helpful information on how to save money, understand credit, and decipher between wants and needs while shopping. "I learned how to clear up my credit, which I am working on now." Begay said "I learned how to look up my credit score and manage my debt." She credits Arizona Saves for her new found financial awareness. 

After attending the workshops she feels more in control of her financial situation. She is changing habits that have kept her from achieving her financial goals. "Arizona Saves helped me to get a formal education on spending and saving. It motivated me to use my money more wisely and have a long-term savings plan," Begay said. She continues to practice the financial skills she learned at Arizona Saves' workshops in her daily lifestyle.  Currently, she is working towards her savings goal of buying a home. She said she now budgets for necessities as well as leisurely activities. Begay said that in the future, "I want to take my kids to Disney World and I am going to start saving on that now." - By Veronica Loper, AmeriCorps* Vista