Real Stories Ep 60: Kelly Confronts the Pressure to Spend  

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Kelly’s financial story is a testament to resilience and relatable to many of us. Initially burdened by student loans and credit card debt, she struggled to keep pace with her peers who unintentionally created pressure to overspend. Life’s unexpected challenges, like a recent car accident requiring a new auto loan, added to her financial woes.  

For Kelly, a scarcity mindset still lingers from when her financial struggles were greater.  Despite these setbacks, Kelly has begun to shift her mindset and reclaim, starting a Debt Management Program with GreenPath.   

While she’s still a year into debt repayment, she has simplified her financial life, which has given her more peace of mind.  Kelly offers reflection about the psychological roots of her relationship with money and shares practical tips for others in a similar situation.  

Key Moments

2:57 Kelly reflects on how her family handled money growing up and how this influenced her as she reached adulthood. 

6:31 She starts spending more money after starting a new relationship. 

11:24 She describes how her debt slowly evolved to the point of being overwhelming. 

13:50 She starts to explore debt options and discovers GreenPath. 

16:55 Kelly discusses when she had used a debt settlement company earlier in her journey and why she feels more comfortable working with GreenPath today. 

22:19 She talks about her goals and progress on her Debt Management Program. 

24:31 She finds support with other friends who are going through similar circumstances. 

26:39 She analyzes how her scarcity mindset affects her approach to money. 

31:23 Kelly considers her financial goals, including creating more financial flexibility, buying a condo and travelling more. 

35:17 She shares a financial tip to save ten-dollar bills. 

44:33 She thinks about what financial advice she’d give her younger self, including saving more when she was younger. 

49:14 Our co-hosts reflect on the lessons learned within Kelly’s story.