I had the privilege of working with a Redwood Credit Union member, Linda, during a recent financial coaching appointment. She sought support in creating a budget to achieve her dream of homeownership while also planning for a comfortable retirement. My goal was to provide her with practical strategies and insights to help her balance these financial priorities effectively.
I began by asking thoughtful questions about her spending habits and taking a close look at her monthly income and expenses. It quickly became clear that she was facing real financial hurdles. She was candid about her struggles with impulsive spending — habits she recognized were standing in the way of her goals. The dream of owning a home and securing a comfortable retirement felt increasingly out of reach, not because of a lack of desire, but because daily financial decisions that were derailing her progress. Acknowledging these challenges was a brave first step toward change.
As our budget discussion deepened, I could sense a pivotal shift in her mindset. The full weight of homeownership — factoring in utilities, maintenance, and the need to continue saving for retirement — had become clear. With honesty and vulnerability, she shared that perhaps now wasn’t the right time to buy a home. Instead, she recognized the strength in stepping back, refocusing her priorities, and committing to a strategy that would allow her to significantly reduce spending and build a stronger financial foundation for the future.
We created a plan and leveraged some of the budgeting tools in digital banking to keep her spending under control and made a list of monthly subscriptions that she will be canceling to free up additional income per month.
Although this might not have been the fairytale ending the member once imagined, it was something even more meaningful — a turning point. I’m deeply grateful that I could draw on my financial coaching certification to guide her through this moment of clarity. Together, we took a powerful step toward her true dream: a secure, dignified retirement. Helping her reclaim control over her financial future wasn’t just rewarding — it was a reminder of why this work matters.
This story was submitted by an employee of Redwood Credit Union.
