STORIES
Thomas and Sharon
Marshfield, MA
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Meagan and Tim
Burlington, CT
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
There were so many unknowns going into it, and I was concerned about the demands. Would it be worth the financial investment? Would I be able to commit to it? In addition to the time and financial commitment, there is an emotional and time commitment as well.
How did your situation make you feel?
Before starting coaching I was frustrated and discouraged. I didn't know where to start but I knew that something was missing. I wanted to be able to feel in control of my finances instead of simply watching the money come in and go out every month.
What changed after coaching?
Mostly my mindset about debt and the desire to get rid of all of it. Also, having a budget, even one that flexed a bit month to month, felt really good. It gave me that element of control I was looking for.
What specific results can you share?
So far we have achieved many goals that previously felt almost impossible. Starting to pay down student loans, paying off a car loan two years early, and having a consistent, growing savings account were only goals a year ago. Now, they are reality.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
Give it a chance. There is little to no risk, and the confidence you gain from it as well as the life tips and strategies the coaches share are invaluable.
Mark and Michelle
Mendham, NJ
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Our biggest challenge was working to get out of debt, and stay out of debt.
How did your situation make you feel?
I felt frustrated because I knew we were making more than enough money to live comfortably, yet we were living paycheck to paycheck.
What changed after coaching?
After meeting with Dan and doing the Financial Peace University program, we are well on our way to not only getting out of debt, but we now have the tools and understanding of how to stay out of debt.
What specific results can you share?
We have cleared our credit card debt, are paying off 2 cars and are setting ourselves up for a future free of worrying about finances.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
I would say that it is absolutely worth the time and money you will invest!
Tim & Christine
Beverly, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Biggest day to day challenge was budgeting. Knowing the best way and amount needed to save for retirement was also a gray area.
How did your situation make you feel?
Our situation felt a bit out of control and cloudy.
What changed after coaching?
After coaching, we had much more detailed information at hand to make decisions on finances. We had a much better idea of what it would look like to save for retirement.
What specific results can you share?
After coaching we had a reliable, clear system for budgeting. We also had retirement savings set up at automatic percentages factored into the monthly budget. This way we can "check that off" the to do list and have freedom to spend without that continued concern.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
If you are on the fence I can only say that coaching was extremely helpful for us. My main concern was the initial cost, but eventually I looked at it as an investment. It was 100% worth it. A relatively small, temporary cost has paid, and will continue to pay, major dividends in the long term health and growth of our finances.
Anything else to add?
Dan was tremendously helpful. He was very easy to work with and relational. He doesn't push you in a certain direction. His motivation is to educate and enable his clients with the knowledge and skills needed to make decisions that make sense for them.
David
Andover, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
The biggest challenge was budgeting for long-term expenses.
How did your situation make you feel?
I felt perplexed as this was a new concept for me.
What changed after coaching?
I learned how to take a longer-term view on finances, and how to better itemize my budget.
What specific results can you share?
I learned how to think long-term in my finances, as sometimes it makes more sense to pay up more up front, and save long-term, versus always thinking about short-term gains.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
Try it at least once, because your struggles are not unique to your circumstance. An experienced coach will likely have seen your situation before, and have at least a general idea of how to resolve it.
Anything else to add?
Daniel is a great coach!
Donna
Winchester, IN
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
The motivation and guidance of what to do in order was my biggest challenge and concern.
How did your situation make you feel?
My situation made me feel anxious and lost at the same time. I was heading nowhere because I didn’t have a plan.
What changed after coaching?
I had specific goals each and every month, and I knew what needed to be done and how to get there.
What specific results can you share?
It was a wonderful experience!! You might think that money you could be doing something else with, but have you gotten on the path you want to be? If not, this is well worth the money you pay. If (and only if) you stick to the monthly goals you’ve set in the meetings.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
It will bring some clarity to the path you want to achieve in your financial pursuit, and worth every penny.
Anything else to add?
Do you know where your money is going? Do you have clarity in your goals? Do you have the motivation to get there? If not, money coaching is the perfect place to start. It teaches you all these things and more. Do it! It will definitely be worth the money in the long run.
Matthew
Hamden, CT
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Refinancing student loan payments.
How did your situation make you feel?
Limited, obligated, and stressed from heavy load of debt
What changed after coaching?
After my coaching sessions with Dan, I definitely have a better vision for my future that we created together. I am more aware of the "baby steps" that will help me to overcome the obstacles in life and move my future forward.
What specific results can you share?
Dan helped me to understand the negative long-term effects of consolidating multiple loans into 1 giant loan and extending the payment period by 5 years. Instead, he coached me on the importance of following a budget with great resources, and now I can actually see money left over and put it in specific savings categories (emergency, debt, retirement, apartment, etc.).
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
Having a coach is a great opportunity to help develop your skills and widen your approach towards confronting issues. In my situation, I had one-on-one sessions that were a big help in discussing strategies for refinancing and it was also nice to have a checklist of "focus points" after every session so that I can stay focused on my goals.
Kamika
Danvers, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
When I began coaching I was still a single mother of five children. I was almost 200K in debt from my ex-husband’s student loans.
How did your situation make you feel?
I was beginning to feel extremely hopeless about my future because of my debt.
What changed after coaching?
In the beginning of coaching, I was excited to finally have an accountability partner. Daniel helped me to remain focused and how to create a zero-based monthly budget. He helped me to organize my debt, and create a debt snowball.
What specific results can you share?
I became self-accountable for my actions and created a debt graph/countdown where I was able to visually see my progress in paying off my debt. I managed to pay off three old credit card debts and an old debt from Comcast. Using the debt snowball method, I am now working towards my student loan debt. I have also found a lawyer who can help me with the student loan debt from my ex-husband.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
At first I didn’t think I would have been able to afford it. But, after I went through the coaching I realized that I couldn’t have gotten by without it!
Anything else to add?
Coaching is a great asset to have when you’re in over your head. A lot times people who are severely in debt like myself, have burnt all their bridges with family and friends. It was so nice to have a non-bias accountability partner who can analyze my financial situation without judgement. And once you start making better financial decisions, it’s amazing how family and friends come back into your life!
Rebecca & Palo
Cambridge, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Having neither a plan nor practical tools; dipping into different advice on podcasts etc but not knowing which to employ
How did your situation make you feel?
chaotic, ungrounded
What changed after coaching?
Working together
What specific results can you share?
Specifically, just having the simple idea that we are a team (after all these years of marriage, we had not really been a team in the financial sense) has been transformative. That meant, for one thing, referring to "our" finances, and having a joint checking account, something I never had wanted.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
It is really helpful; you can pick up a lot through books and lectures, etc., but it is great to have someone to ask your own peculiar questions.
Anything else to add?
I think ultimately you make up the money you spend on coaching by becoming far more financially healthy; and this process entails not simply calculations but a whole philosophy of behavior change. My husband and I found Dan to be very approachable and non-judgmental, no matter how silly or seemingly trivial our questions (often very basic) and no matter how many times we have to re-ask them! Then again, he is also very helpful in urging us to consider the big picture.
Cecile
Belmont, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Living paycheck to paycheck, never having enough to cover monthly expenses without having to borrow more to cover the expenses while trying to get out of debt. I lived in this ugly cycle for more than 20 years!!!
How did your situation make you feel?
Sick, weak, anxious, trapped, hopeless and helpless in terms of finances
What changed after coaching?
I feel a certain degree of freedom and power and control over my life. I am more hopeful that financial peace is an achievable goal for those who are willing to put in the effort.
What specific results can you share?
About 9 months into the program all my credit cards are paid off! I have closed all my credit cards accounts! I have never been without a credit card in more than 20 years! I have young children and it feels great to have some emergency funds and some buffer savings. My family and I no longer live paycheck to paycheck! I have learned to set up a budget and still learning to stick to the budget. By God's grace and with the coach's continued support and with some discipline on my end, this will become reality.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
I would say this: "I can't speak for other coaches since I don't have experience with any other coach but the one I have (Daniel Rakiec) is an excellent coach! In fact I feel blessed to have him as my coach! Financial coaching is about accountability. Having someone to whom you are accountable to for the way you handle your finances will help you more than you can imagine! Financial coaching may not be applicable for everyone but if you are struggling with your finances; If you are deep in debt and want to get out but find yourself unable to do so; if you are feeling anxious and unhappy about your financial situation, etc...I challenge you to try financial coaching for at least 1 year. I strongly recommend Daniel Rakiec. He is patient, understanding and competent. He will sit with you, listen to you and help you set up a budget and bring clarity to your financial situation. Daniel Rakiec loves his job! He loves helping people! The bulk of the success and speed of success will depend on your willingness to apply his recommendations. He will definitely guide you in the right direction to achieve your financial goals and the rest is up to you"
Anything else to add?
For those who want to pursue true financial freedom, I strongly recommend that you pursue Financial Peace University (FPU) in addition to hiring a Financial coach. The money you have to pay is nothing compared to the outcome you receive. I took FPU classes in 2018 but it wasn't enough to help me get out of debt and stop living paycheck to paycheck. Having a Financial coach made the difference for me. FPU will help you learn about the baby steps and get the big picture that Dave Ramsey's program is all about. But having a Financial coach adds the element of accountability which is very helpful for people like me.
Darcie & Christian
Dedham, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Having a financial vision, budgeting, regular check-in practices
How did your situation make you feel?
Frustrated, anxious, worried, afraid, spinning wheels in the mud
What changed after coaching?
Clarity, accountability, peace and direction
What specific results can you share?
On a practical note of the Baby Steps, we have zero debt and a fully-funded emergency fund! On a more personal level, our finances have become a tool that we use together instead of a wedge in our relationship.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
A coach is able to come into your mess and guide you through your challenges. He gives perspective and accountability. He is able to tailor a plan to your specific circumstances. It's like having a personal trainer for your money!
David
Canton, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Not having a guide to call out specifics with my journey.
What changed after coaching?
A desire to help others as I have been helped. My own desire to become a coach too.
What specific results can you share?
My budget and my focus are now on track, I'm in the rhythm of doing a budget and giving monthly.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
Just do it, it is wise. It's always easier to help someone else than yourself, and they can see you from the outside looking in, instead of the inside looking out.
Anything else to add?
Daniel is great to work with, and has amazing IQ and EQ. He's been down this road, and he helped me keep on task and on point, focused and not finished.
Rafael & Fabiane
Burlington, MA
What was your absolute biggest challenge prior to pursuing coaching?
Lack of financial visibility and a plan for my future.
How did your situation make you feel?
Uncertainty about the future
What changed after coaching?
We designed a good plan following the FPU principles and recommendations.
What specific results can you share?
Better control of my income based on monthly budget control; I have a clean plan to achieve my long term financial goals.
What would you say to somebody on the fence about working with a coach?
It can help you design a plan for you future and help you stay in control of your finance.