Long Story $hort

Long Story $hort

From Money Management International - 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 history and future a Long Story… Short.

Episodes

April 30, 2025 16 mins

How does debt impact military families differently—and what unique resources are available to help them achieve financial wellness?

This episode of Long Story Short explores the mission of the USAA Educational Foundation, unpacking the financial challenges and opportunities that service members and their families face.

Mandi Moynihan and Katie Casey Macias, both Certified Financial Planners® and program leaders, share tailored fina...

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How do you prepare the next generation for financial success? Learn about the world of financial education with the MoneySKILL program, a dynamic initiative from the AFSA Education Foundation designed to empower consumers of all ages with vital money management skills.


You'll hear about how this innovative, online, and free resource equips educators, parents, and learners to understand and navigate the complexities of personal finan...

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How does your credit score impact your financial journey?

Discover the significance of FICO scores in the lending process and learn valuable tips for managing and potentially improving your credit profile. Elaine Cozart from FICO provides insights that are essential for anyone seeking to understand and leverage their credit score effectively.

You'll hear practical advice on the key components of a FICO score and the importance of pa...

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What does it take to eliminate a six-figure debt in just over four years? From substantial sacrifices to strategic financial planning, Ian reveals how he and his family conquered $100,000 of debt and achieved financial freedom through MMI's debt management plan.


You'll hear about Ian's journey through financial adversity, including the loss of his job during the Great Recession, and how he and his wife juggled multip...

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Struggling with debt and worried about housing options? Discover how taking the first step towards financial wellness can change your life, as housing counselor Naomi Peden shares her insights on homeownership.


Naomi talks about the impact of unmanageable debt on individuals' lives, emphasizing the emotional toll it can take, and highlights the significant importance of making an initial move, like contacting MMI for guidance. By un...

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Ali successfully paid off $17,000 in debt in just five years through Money Management International's (MMI) debt management plan. Ali shared how a job loss led him to accumulate debt across nine credit cards, with the highest balance reaching $7,000. Referred to MMI by one of his credit card companies, Barclays, Ali found solace and clarity through MMI’s debt counseling services.


You will learn about the pivotal role of debt conso...

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When the insurance company refused to pay, Rachel was stuck with $35,000 in unsecured debt.

Rachel's story is not just one of financial recovery but also of dealing with life's unpredictability.

A year after a significant car accident that left her with muscle skeletal issues, Rachel was sideswiped by another car. Thinking the driver's insurance would cover everything, Rachel put all the expenses on credit cards.

Rach...

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In the midst of a pandemic, Steve jumped into homeownership. Then tried to fix it up, and furnish it, then the 30-year old HVAC unit went out.


Thinking it would take 20 years to get out of this new consumer debt, he contacted MMI - and it in just over 2 years!


Listen to Steve's story about:

(00:00) Buying a home during chaotic times and using credit for quick renovations.


(03:43) Becoming overwhelmed and exploiting options like ...

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Joni had a six-figure income but was living off her credit cards. With over $62,000 in credit card debt, she was able to pay it off and build savings following MMI's debt management plan.


Listen to her story of avoiding bankruptcy the emotional impact she experienced from her financial freedom journey.


Key moments:

(00:00) Multipreneur Joni shares her Debt Payoff Triumph story

(06:29) She paid high-interest debt first and tracke...

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December 24, 2024 15 mins

What does paying off $25,000 in debt look like?

Jason from Redding, California, outlines his journey from financial strain to achieving significant financial milestones by paying off $25k in debt!

He and his wife initially accumulated debt due to living expenses and attempts to enjoy life, which led him to seek assistance via his union's website. There, he discovered MMI, and with guidance from a representative named Crystal, he le...

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Jessica shares her inspiring journey of raising her credit score to over 800 and paying off $32,000 in debt!

Jessica recounts her initial struggle with debt and the shame associated with it. She found MMI after a friend suggested seeking help, and her first call with a debt counselor named Sandra was pivotal in setting a clear, manageable plan. The structured payment plan helped Jessica see an end to her financial troubles, allowi...

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Nick, an IT manager from Long Island, shares his experience of paying off over $24,000 in debt through Money Management International (MMI).

He highlights the importance of acknowledging the debt problem, cutting credit cards to control spending, and the relief that comes from having a clear end date for becoming debt-free.

Tara and Nick discuss the benefits of lowered interest rates, streamlined payments, and the supportive rela...

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Podcasts are great because we can have deep conversations with meaningful impact as we share stories that are common to so many of us.


This show from us here at MMI is so important because it's critical that we reduce the stigma around debt.


Debt is something that's so very common and so many of us deal with it and yet we don't talk about it, but we really should.


And so on this show, that's what we do.


I'm Tara Alderete, MMI D...

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Join us as we wrap up season three of the podcast with MMI staff Maura Attardi, the Director of Financial Wellness; Tara Alderete, the Director of Enterprise Learning; and Amy Lins, the Vice President of Customer Success. Adam and the team from MMI discuss the broad range of MMI clients, the services MMI offers, budgeting trends made popular by social media, and common scams with the financial industry.

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Today on the show, three professionals join Adam to discuss all things student loans. Amy Lins is a Financial Educator at MMI, Adam Minsky is a Student Loan Attorney, and Zina Kumok is a Personal Finance Writer that specializes in student loans. Our three guests discuss loan repayment and forgiveness, how to apply for repayment initiatives, and the mental impact that student loans can have on the borrower.

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March 12, 2024 12 mins

Melissa John is an attorney from Salisbury, Massachusetts. In her twenties, she didn’t have a strong grasp on how to responsibly use credit cards. This, mixed with some medical costs and law school tuition left Melissa entering her thirties with $70,000 of debt. When she reached out to a financial advisor, he recommended MMI. Now, in just three years, Melissa has paid off the debt and says that she’s living in peace.

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When Sarah found herself in $70,000 of credit card debt, she reached out to Money Management International for assistance in paying it all off. She first got into debt when she was in college and didn’t have a strong understanding of how credit cards work. Now debt-free, Sarah is more intentional with her spending and advises people in similar situations to take action as soon as possible when paying off their debt.

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Michael McKeaney is no stranger to debt, having gone into it multiple times in his life. However, during his second round of attempting to pay it off, Michael reached out to MMI in hopes of finding an easier way to reach his goal. With the help of MMI, Michael was able to pay off around $40,000 in just under five years and increase his credit score by 120 points. Now, Michael is able to regularly contribute to his savings while liv...

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Kristin Pierre is a freelance singer and model, as well as executive assistant from Weehawken, New Jersey. As a freelancer, Kristin found her income to be unpredictable and she quickly found herself racking up credit card debt from shopping. When she reached her breaking point, Kristin reached out to MMI and was immediately comforted by a MMI counselor. Now, Kristin has paid off $20,000 in five years and increased her credit score ...

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Sami Johnson is a realtor and hairstylist from Athens, Georgia. After starting a retail job in her early 20’s, Sami, a self-proclaimed “Shopaholic,” started accruing credit card debt from in-store credit cards. When she reached out to MMI, Sami had roughly 15 credit cards and $25,000 of debt. Now, five years later and with the help of MMI, Sami has paid off the debt and raised her credit score by 70.

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