When it comes to managing your money, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed: overdue bills, mounting credit card debt, regular “emergencies” wiping out whatever you can manage to save. Even if you put together the right budget and begin digging ourselves out of a hole, a major car repair or a trip to the ER can derail your plans and make things worse. Many consumers faced with insurmountable money challenges may consider bankruptcy as a way to ease pressure and reset their financial

When 43 million Americans owe $1.3 trillion in student loan debt, people tend to take notice. At least, we did. At Transformance, we’ve revised our Student Loan Coaching program to better fit the needs of millions of college graduates (or near-grads) saddled with crippling debt. Studies have shown the spillover effect when so many individuals are hindered from reaching their full potential while paying off that degree. We’ve also seen that a significant number of African-Amer

Time and again we hear a familiar story: Tales of hard-working Americans who are overwhelmed by debt, have little or nothing in savings, and are on the verge of disaster when the next emergency strikes. The individuals and families are often stuck in a downward economic spiral due to poor decisions and unforeseen circumstances. Recent studies support what we hear: More than 40 percent of the U.S. population lives in “liquid asset poverty” and 30 percent routinely use non-bank

This month, Transformance is taking Pocket Change USA from one coast to the other. Brandon Fitzgerald, Director of Business Development, will present the financial education nonprofit’s new smartphone app at FinCon 2016 in San Diego, Calif. A few days later, Transformance President and CEO Ken Goodgames will be an invited speaker at the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) annual conference in Washington, D.C. Both men will have an opportunity to bring awareness t

On college campuses across the U.S., young adults are busy reviewing their class schedules, buying textbooks and settling in new dorm rooms. Concerns about paying for the fall semester’s tuition may have been alleviate by a student loan, but how many pursuing a college education are thinking three or four years down the line when those loans need to be repaid? Recent statistics are alarming: 43 million Americans owe nearly $1.3 trillion in student loan debt. The average Class

In 2013, Dallas resident David Hernandez was thrilled to be graduating from The University of Texas at Arlington, proud of his accomplishments and his new degree. Then reality set in, and excitement quickly turned to fear as the 26-year-old struggled to find a job and begin his career. As weeks turned to months with no job prospects, David’s concern grew. Bills began to stack and soon payments for his recently acquired student debt would be due. Relatives were unable to help;

As a former educator, Ada Williams has a heart for students and learning. As Chairman of the Board at Credit Union of Texas, she’s pushing for financial education as well. Williams, Transformance’s 2016 Financial Literacy Champion, began her career in education in 1955 when she joined the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) as an elementary school music teacher. Stints as elementary and secondary school counselors eventually led her to a role representing teachers in th

One of the ways we’re improving our services at Transformance is by moving from counseling to coaching. Our clients need more than a sympathetic ear and a nod in the right direction; they need a cheerleader, an advocate, a personalized navigator who will accompany them along the journey. Think about your last trip to the gym. Did you maximize your workout by yourself, utilizing all the weight equipment, treadmills and elliptical machines available to you? Probably not. Many h