Debt Repayment
By Nadine Bialo

Taking Back Control Over Finances

After becoming a Virginia Saver and getting help from BankOn classes and coaching, Nadine Bialo took back control over her financial affairs.

After becoming a Virginia Saver and getting help from BankOn classes and coaching, Nadine Bialo took back control over her financial affairs.

Nadine admits that after her divorce she made some financial commitments to timeshares that really stressed her monthly budget, forcing her to look for creative ways to make ends meet like finding a roommate. She had budgeted for years, but didn’t feel like she was making enough progress.

After learning how to categorize her budget to show when she would make her final credit card payment and then retiring the credit card, Nadine was able to earmark those funds toward the next debt. Now, she is seeing a debt snowball work for her and as debts are paid, she has more money for savings and current expenses. Nadine is excited to have her income tax bill paid in full and to have a plan in place for withholdings, so that future tax years don’t have to be a burden.

A phone scammer offering to lower her credit card interest rates led Nadine to contact her credit union. The representative at the credit union confirmed the scam, but also was able to qualify her for a lower rate card so now more money pays down debt and less goes to interest.

By taking action to pay down debt, Nadine has seen her credit score increase and debts get smaller, one step at a time.

Nadine feels much better about her financial position today than she did before becoming a Virginia Saver. She is managing her monthly income and expenses. When something comes along that tempts her to spend, she sees if she is on track with her budget and makes a wise decision. Her motto is: “Bills first, then fun.”

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