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Johnika Dreher lives in Upper Marlboro, Maryland, which is about 45 minutes east of Washington DC. While working with the debt relief counselors at MMI, she paid off $70,000 in debt. Johnika was recently awarded the Brighter Financial Future Award from the NFCC, or the National Foundation for Credit Counseling. On this episode, Johnika shares her story of finding guidance, getting on the right tra...

Demetrius Thrasher deployed with the Navy in Spain. While stationed in Europe, he became captivated by the luxury brands available at every corner. Thrasher opened several lines of credit, began accumulating debt, and ultimately faced the potential of losing his security clearance. After connecting with MMI, he paid off $90,000 in debt through years of hard work and dedication. Demetrius shares hi...

Marlon Ibarra started using credit cards as a young college student with a newborn on the way. His relationship with credit has been tenuous, opening new lines of credit to accommodate his growing family and at one point navigating a scammy debt consolidation program. Once Marlon found MMI and began working with the debt relief counselors at Money Management International, he paid off $98,000 in j...

When Jackie Upshaw moved from Philadelphia to Las Vegas to help take care of her mom, she brought some credit card debt with her across the country. When Jackie realized she was just making it with her finances, she knew she needed help. After thorough research, Jackie decided to own her debt and started working with the credit counselors at MMI. Since starting her debt payoff journey, she paid of...

Juan Pinon learned about MMI through his sister, who had her own debt payoff journey. Though Juan is highly educated, has a great job, and is viewed as the stable and successful one in his family, his spending was getting out of control. Through his hard work with the debt counselors at MMI, Juan paid off $47,000 and has increased his credit score by 129 points. He believes in the work that MMI is...

Deborah Wang was living life as she thought most people did. As a mom raising four kids in Anthem, Arizona, many of her family’s expenses went on a credit card. When that credit card bill snowballed into an unmanageable amount, Deborah turned to MMI for help. Since working with the debt counselors at MMI, she paid off a staggering $30,000 in three years and increased her credit score by 144 points...

As the daughter of immigrants from South Korea, Joanne Lee was not taught about personal finance at home and talking about debt was taboo. When Joanne was overloaded with credit card debt, a Google search for help led her to MMI. While working with the debt relief counselors at MMI, she paid off $25,000 in three years and increased her credit score by 111 points. Now she serves as a Peer Advocate...

Melissa Mehaffey is the first to admit that she needs two tries to learn her lesson. She worked with Money Management International twice after she was overwhelmed with credit card payments. Since working with the debt relief counselors at MMI, she has paid off $27,000 in five years, increasing her credit score by 85 points along the way. After her second debt payoff journey, she shares the lesson...

Jim Kline funded a lot of his 20s - both college and his early years as a teacher - through credit cards. When he entered his 30s, the combination of credit card payments and student loans overwhelmed him and he knew he needed to make a change. With the help of his partner, family, friends, and the counselors at MMI, Jim worked diligently to create a budget that worked for his lifestyle and educat...

Dr. Megan McCoy is a professor of practice in financial planning at Kansas State University and is also a licensed financial therapist, researcher, writer, and speaker. She is fascinated by the intersection of emotional well-being and financial health. Through her work as a professor and therapist, Dr. McCoy works to reduce debt stigma and start conversations about pursuing financial freedom and c...

Jordan Zangara’s debt journey started when he was laid off from his job in New York City. When he later moved to Atlanta for a new career opportunity, Jordan began accumulating credit card debt while funding his arrival in a new city. When the pandemic hit, Jordan realized he needed to make a change in his financial future and contacted Money Management International for help. Since working with t...

Coming soon from Money Management International (MMI) - a podcast about debt that will make you feel a little less alone. We’re stripping away the shame and guilt around the debt conversation and replacing it with unique, personal, and inspiring stories from real people. We know the journey out of debt is individual and deeply personal. On each episode, we’ll attempt to make each guest’s financial...