Episode 1: Katie asks for help and then finds passion in helping others

Meet Katie. Retail credit cards became her best friend shortly after college. Home alone with her 4-month-old in a place where she didn’t know anyone, she turned to shoes and designer handbags. Being a military family resulted in multiple moves and income instability. Eventually, her grandma came to the rescue and helped get her debt under control. But that was only short-lived. She eventually found herself divorced with two small kids, without a job and in $26,000 of credit card debt.

Katie turned to a nonprofit credit counselor to get back on track. She had found someone who supported her and did not judge her—even when her payments became unaffordable. After many ups and downs, she eventually completed her debt plan five years later. And when she was looking for a job, she found an organization that helped others in the same way she had been helped. Now, she’s able to take her passion and skills to pay it forward.