Nyesha Burton is an Accredited Financial Counselor^® (AFC^®) working for the Department of the Army. She provides financial counseling and financial education to military families abroad in Germany. Nyesha thoroughly enjoys helping her clients gain a solid financial foundation, preparing them to make educated, sound decisions individually and collectively.

AFCPE: What inspired you to enter this field?

Nyesha: This is a huge question and I have a pretty huge answer. I can remember a time in my life where my financial behavior was digging me deeper and deeper into debt. At the time I didn’t recognize the effects that this would have over my life so, I didn’t pay a lot of attention to it.  You can interpret this to miseducation or no financial literacy education at all. I don’t remember taking a financial preparation class in high school, nor in college. I also had no idea what it meant to have a money management plan (“budget”), all I knew is that I needed to pay for school and that I was going to do it with the resources that were available to me at the time. Unfortunately, those resources were student loans and credit cards.

By the end of a 4.5-year journey through undergraduate and 2 years of graduate school, I had accumulated almost $20K in credit card debt and $60K in student loan debt. It wasn’t until 2008 that I learned some basic principles of money management and debt elimination through a Financial Peace program at the church I was attending. Although I learned all of the principles and foundations of financial education through this class, there still wasn’t a behavior change. I continued the same spending and saving habits, digging myself more and more into debt.

In 2009, my husband and I got married and let’s just say, the whole thing about there being a “Spender” and a “Saver” was a reality in our relationship, and I bet you can also guess who was the Spender. My husband and I have always been open about our finances, so, it was no surprise to him that I had a lot of debt. Through his diligence and my feet dragging, we managed to get out of all of that debt in a little over 2.5 years. This was LIBERATING and rewarding! There was a change in me, FINALLY, and that’s when the fire started. I knew if we could do it on a reduced salary and income, we could share this with others. This started my journey to wanting to help others in their own financial journey.

AFCPE: As a graduate of the FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship program, how has the AFC^®certification and the Fellowship supported you in your career?

Nyesha: The FINRA Foundation Military Spouse Fellowship program has been such a huge blessing and encouragement to me and, from what I can tell, for other spouses as well. I have been able to take the principles I learned through the AFC certification program and help so many military families, which is priceless. I have been able to grow as a financial counselor through all of the connections and educational resources offered through AFCPE, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity.

AFCPE: Amazing! Last year you participated in the Military Saves* campaign. For those who are unfamiliar with this campaign, would you tell us what it is and how those in the AFCPE community can get involved?

Nyesha: I believe the Military Saves Campaign is such a great gem that needs a lot more attention. For those who are unfamiliar with Military Saves, it is a campaign that happens annually in many military communities, and it is used to encourage and educate our communities on the importance of saving, reducing debt, and investing for building wealth. Find your local military community and get the financial literature out there! It can be as simple as having an outreach table. It doesn’t take much, but it does take intentionality.

AFCPE: February is African American History Month. Can you provide insight into your experience as an African American woman in the field of financial counseling?

Nyesha: Oh my, such a great question.  I come from a normal, low to middle-class African American family from the small town, Bennettsville, SC.  My values and experiences were shaped by what I learned at home, just like any other person. In this profession, especially in the beginning, I felt a sense of intimidation being a woman, but not just a woman, an African American woman where my primary job is to educate military service members on their personal finances.

When I started out, I was working with transitioning service members, and I remember having to give financial literacy classes to high ranking, very educated people. I remember thinking, “who am I?”, “what are they thinking?”, “they have way more money than me, maybe”. I’ll never forget this couple, a white COL (Colonel) and Lt COL, who were in the class where I was the SME (Subject Matter Expert). They had many years on me in age, and I’m sure in finances as well. However, by the end of the class, they stood up and gave me a standing ovation. They were so helpful during the entire class, and this really encouraged me.

I still get a little intimidated from time to time, but I have to remember that we all come from different backgrounds and experiences and if I can empathize with my clients then we can gain a relationship.  It doesn’t matter if I am an African American woman at that point, our relationship and their goal is what really matters.

AFCPE: Amazing story! Lastly, what are some ways that the AFCPE community could celebrate and recognize Black History Month?

Nyesha: Get out into your community! If people can see that you care enough to approach them and share with them any kind of information, you gain a sense of trust and they feel a sense of importance.

Nyesha Answers the Friday 5

1. My Why: My Why is People, changing lives through personal finances is REAL!
2. My Favorite Quote: The best and probably the most popular quote from Maya Angelou: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
3. My Hero: I have many people in my life that have encouraged me and pushed me to get it done, if I had to choose one, I would choose my husband. It’s sort of strange, but he is the one that inspired me to take this journey. He challenges me to be better and holds me accountable although, I still give him a hard time.   
4. My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: I love podcasts. Some of my favorites:

• For Education: 1. Money, Riches, and Wealth
• For Insight: His and Her Money and The Clark Howard Show.

I also recommend using free resources for your clients, like: CFPB, FTC, and annualcreditreport.com. If you want to educate yourself, MFLN offers so many free resources.

5. My Best Advice:
   1. For someone starting the journey to financial well-being:
      • Don’t give up, you will have challenges, roadblocks, and people that don’t want to see you succeed. Stay on target and GET IT DONE! If you get off course, you’re not the only one. Don’t beat yourself up, get back on course.
   2. For a new professional entering the field:
      • Take your time and learn your client.
      •  Empathize with them.
      •  Ask questions, get to know who your clients are but even more importantly, know your own values and don’t let those interfere with your client’s values.
      • Lastly, don’t think you have all the right answers because you don’t. Learn from your colleagues, get connected, and stay educated.
   3. For Women of Color with aspirations of becoming a financial counselor:
      • Just Do IT! There’s about 10% of African Americans that are in the field of personal finances, so not only are you needed, you have the opportunity to change generations.

You can follow Nyesha at:

Email: Nyesha.ford@gmail.com, 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nyesha-burton/

*AFCPE is participating in this year’s America Saves/Military Saves Campaign (February 25 – March 2, 2019)! Learn how you can participate and take the pledge at https://militarysaves.org/for-savers/savings-tools-and-resources/take-the-pledge

The AFC^® certification program has a new supplementary tool to support your preparation for the AFC^® certification examination! The course is designed to guide you through the material, providing you with additional tools and resources to develop your skills, test your comprehension, and put your knowledge into practice!

Housed in a learning management system, the course allows you to: 

• Divide the material into manageable sections of content.
• Sort through study processes more efficiently.
• Engage with other certification candidates through discussion boards. 
• Tap into different learning styles, utilizing videos for visual learners.
• Apply the material you are learning with “Think Like A Counselor” exercises.
• Access study materials, including a glossary of terms and worksheets.
• Explore additional resources and links to bring the material to life.
• Experience new content, including case study applications for non-traditional clients and instruction on cultural sensitivity.

Invest in AFC^® and FFC^® certification and training – for you, your organization, or your important financial capability initiatives.

Have questions about nonprofit or group pricing?
Need help figuring which path is the best one for you?

Contact:

Jarod Taylor, AFC^®, Certification Program Manager

Michelle Starkey, Director of Certification Programs

Whether you are interested in AFCPE certification, training, or membership, we look forward to supporting you in 2019!

Judy Polyne, AFC^® is a financial coach and educator, coaching clients towards their financial goals. Through her work as an adjunct professor at New York University (NYU), as well as with local nonprofit organizations, Judy teaches people what they need to understand financial wellness and how to build a brighter financial future – both individually and collectively. She offers services to all individuals, but her primary focus is providing financial counseling to women of color in higher education. Through her passion and her “Setting the Standard” attitude, Judy is making big strides toward financial and social change in her community. As this week’s #FridayFollow spotlight, Judy tells us what sparked her motivation and offers great advice that all AFCPE candidates and professionals can utilize.

AFCPE: What inspired you to do this work?

Judy: In 2002 I was researching the effects of welfare reform on women in large urban communities. I realized that one of the reasons these women struggled so much with this new change in their income was because of their lack of knowledge about how to manage their money and try to build assets.

AFCPE: You provide financial counseling and financial education in your community through several avenues. Can you provide details describing the services you provide?

Judy: I provide one-on-one financial counseling and coaching primarily to my niche market, women of color in higher education (full-time faculty, adjuncts, and graduate students). Additionally, I offer financial education classes and write curriculum for high school and college students. I have provided financial education in schools working with 3rd graders to high school students, in organizations, working with chronically unemployed, working poor, low and middle-income populations, and in individual and group settings.

AFCPE: You recently obtained your AFC^®, congratulations! What does it mean to you to hold the AFC^®designation as you work in these spaces?

Judy: Having the AFC^® designation means that I have a level of expertise that is recognized as the standard, which I can confidently use to back-up the services that I provide in my work with clients and organizations.

AFCPE: What does it mean to provide financial counseling and financial education in your community of New York, NY?

Judy: New York is one of the most, if not the most, expensive places to live in the country. As the song goes, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere.” Helping people understand how to manage their money better so that they can make it here is what wakes me up every day.

AFCPE: What advice do you have for fellow AFC^® candidates looking to earn hours in a similar capacity?

Judy: There is a larger need for your services than you may realize. Seek out organizations whose work moves you and offer your services there, by way of a class or brief one-on-one sessions. It’s a win-win. You will help support an organization you believe in, and they will help you move closer towards earning your certification.

AFCPE: Great advice Judy! What’s next for you? What has you most excited?

Judy: I’m really excited about focusing more energy on starting my business, Commencement Financial Services, now that I have the AFC^® credential behind me.

Judy Answers the Friday 5:

1. My Why: Because everyone, no matter how much they have/make deserves to be financially secure.
2. My Favorite Quote: “You can’t go back and make a new start, but you can start right now and make a brand new ending.” James R. Sherman, Ph.D. 
3. My Hero: I’m inspired by Saundra Davis of Sage Financial Solutions for her work as a leader in this field.
4. My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: Kiplinger’s Personal Finance
5. My best advice: 

• For someone starting the journey to financial well-being: Your past does not dictate how far you can go in building a bright financial future. Start right now and build the future that you want and deserve.
• For a new professional entering this field: Your clients need your essence, your education, and your expertise. Always bring your whole self to any interaction, and you will find that your clients will turn out better for it.

Follow Judy at:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judy-polyne-afc%C2%AE-202921178/

At the 2018 AFCPE Symposium, Madeleine Greene was presented the Distinguished Fellow of the Year award. Her acceptance of the award was followed by an emotional, yet empowering, speech telling stories of her time as AFC^®. As a true pioneer in the AFCPE community, we thought it was only right to kick-off this year’s #FridayFollowspotlighting the one and only Madeleine Greene. Madeleine, known as the “The Money Lady” by servicemembers, has worked the last 18 years as a financial educator, counselor, and coach. With this title, she believes that this allows the individual to decide how she might be able to best assist. 

AFCPE: Madeleine, you have been an AFC^® for more than 20 years. What inspired you to enter this field?

Madeleine: My career path as an AFC began in 1992. The State of Maryland (MD) had budget problems and cut the University’s budget. I was given the choice of a transfer or leaving the University.  Upon arriving at my new position, I was told “there is a volunteer financial counseling program you will coordinate and you need to become an AFC”.  Working toward a secure retirement for myself, I was prepared to jump through all and any hoop that was presented. It was a fast and furious process toward the AFC. Many thanks to Dr. Mary Stephenson for amazing training and opportunities. Marvelous colleagues, volunteers, and class attendees taught me much over those 26 years and for these treasured individuals I am grateful.

AFCPE: What has inspired you to stay connected with AFCPE and this field?

Madeleine: Financial security is key to leading a successful life. Clients tell me on a daily basis how valuable they have found our time together. Positive feedback caused me to abandon my original University of MD retirement plans and continues to give me new found energy every day, to help in some small way a person who wants to do better. Staying involved with AFCPE provides a synergy for excellence by learning from other professionals who are doing amazing things.

AFCPE: A synergy of excellence is truly what you provide to this community! Speaking of, at this year’s Symposium, you were awarded the Celia Hayhoe Distinguished Fellow Award. Congratulations! What did it mean to receive this award?

Madeleine: Receiving the Hayhoe Distinguished Fellow Award was a shock and very humbling. Humbling because I know there are many AFC’s doing wonderful things to help deserving people. Being recognized in front of your peers, especially when you do not expect it, is heavy and sweet. The award has forced me to be retrospective and thankful for all those who have made this career possible. My family especially put up with many hours/days where Mom was away or preoccupied.

AFCPE: What’s next for you? What has you most excited?

Madeleine: Travel for some is not exciting but I am looking forward to January 2, 2019 when I begin an amazing travel schedule to Army Medical Recruiting offices confidentially coaching and counseling our very fine U.S. service members. I am excited because if this year is like last year, I expect to hear over the next six months about the progress they have made financially since my visit a year ago. Perhaps also I will meet someone who will choose to pursue the AFC and a wonderful helping career. It has happened before.

Madeleine Answers the Friday 5:

1. My Why: Because I truly believe “knowledge is power for good” 
2. My Favorite Quote: “Living successfully is forming the right habits with a positive attitude”
3. My Hero: My father U.S. Army General Allan R. Greene, he led and served in uniform and as a civilian in the communities where we lived.
4. My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: – I have several depending upon the situation.
   1. www.SaveandInvest.org – Military resources, transition and retirement planning.
   2. www.CFPB.gov – Money fundamentals consumer rights.
   3. www.Treasury.gov – Savings bonds, kids’ games, etc.
   4. www.Morningstar.com – Investment research.
   5. www.powerpay.org -Debt reduction, budgeting, quick practical tutorial.
5. My Best Advice:
   1. For someone starting the journey to financial wellness: First be honest with yourself about your current money and life choices. Set small, reasonable, achievable goals and track your accomplishments no matter how small. Compliment yourself on every positive change that gets you closer to your goals. And if having a “budget buddy” would help don’t be afraid to ask a friend to be you for help coach/buddy.
   2. For a new professional entering the field: Set realistic goals you can live with, shadow an AFC professional if possible, ask questions about community needs, share your training with community organizations and they will tell others about you. Success doesn’t come overnight it takes time and hard work.
   3. My advice for a rewarding career: Listen, continue to learn, stick to what you know, be real, exceed expectations, and volunteer where and when needed.

Follow Madeleine at:

• • • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-greene-3987648
    • Website: http://themoneyteam.net/about.htm

Ana Gonzalez Ribeiro is a longtime advocate for financial education. She entered the field more than 10 years ago as a personal financial writer, writing for popular publications and websites such as Mint.com and Yahoo Finance. Fast forward to today, Ana is an Accredited Financial Counselor^® with the same “why”. When she’s not writing articles, translating books, or providing financial counseling, she’s teaching classes and workshops on personal finance through local libraries and non-profit organizations. Ana is a great example of a professional raising her voice to eliminate financial illiteracy.  

AFCPE: What inspired you to do this work?

Ana: I started writing about personal financial topics in 2007 and found that people were really interested in learning about how to better manage their money in a smart and efficient way. When I got the opportunity to teach about this topic, I fell in love with the process of educating and interacting with students. I found joy in teaching and helping others learn more about personal finances.

AFCPE: You recently obtained your AFC^®. Congratulations! What does it mean to you to hold the AFC^®designation? How do you plan to utilize it?

Ana: Thank you! I was so nervous when I took the exam. I’ve been wanting to get this designation for a long time because I know how respected it is. I plan to use it to reflect my professionalism towards teaching people about money and counseling them one-on-one.

AFCPE: That sounds like a great plan to us! As someone really active on social media, we have a Twitter challenge for you. In 280 characters or less, describe what financial wellness means to you.

Ana: Financial wellness means having peace of mind that when there is an emergency, you will have the funds to meet this emergency. It means having resources to fund all basic living necessities, save for the future, and treat yourself without struggling.

AFCPE: Nicely done! What’s next for you? What has you most excited?

Ana: Now that I passed my AFC exam, I am most excited about being part of the AFCPE community, meeting new people and hopefully establishing new projects. I’m also excited about being able to help new clients with one-on-one counseling and helping them establish a strong financial foundation for them and their family through my business, Rise Up Financial Coaching.

I enjoy teaching classes and workshops covering topics on debt and credit education, investment and tax basics, money management, retirement and estate planning and budgeting. I’m also developing a class on the psychology of money. I’m also developing new and updated articles on a variety of money topics for my website Ace the Journey.

Ana Answers the Friday 5

1. My Why: I do this type of work because it brings me joy to help others in this manner. I love teaching and counseling and helping educate others on financial topics in both English and Spanish! 
2. My Favorite Quote: Success is something you attract by the person you become.” – Jim Roth 
3. My Hero(es): My parents inspire me to be better every day. My husband gives me support. My son shines the light towards my future.
4. My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: The Nolo.com is a great financial resource.
5. My Best Advice: 
   1. For someone starting the journey to financial wellness: Build an emergency fund. Eliminate costly credit card debt and budget your money. Increase your money awareness, know where your hard-earned money is going, that way you can start creating solid financial goals and saving for them.
   2. For a new professional entering this field: If you have a passion for helping people and educating them about money matters, this is the right designation for you. It fits me perfectly and I am really happy to have found AFCPE.

You can follow Ana and here work here:

Twitter: @AcetheJourney

Website: www.acethejourney.com

Website (Financial Counseling): www.riseupfinancialcoaching.com/

 Website: www.anagonzalezribeiro.com

Johnie Reed is an AFC^® based in Cleveland, Ohio. When asked about his profession, he shares with people that he’s a teacher by training, trade, and occupation. In his role as a financial counselor, he develops relationships based on trust and professional respect. Johnie helps clients change and improve upon their current credit and savings habits. A component of his practice is helping clients overcome generational habits. Through a process that requires some trial and error, he helps clients discover the financial management process that gives them the most traction, a process that they can own and thatfits them the best.

AFCPE: What inspired you to do this work?

Johnie: As a mortgage professional (in a past life) it became clear to me that most of my clients, who were not qualifying for mortgages, were not necessarily neglectful or bad managers of their credit. They just wanted an easy process of cash management and “did not know what they did not know.” The idea of managing their credit use to achieve the most positive impact was not a concern until they needed credit (for mortgage approval, as an example). The idea of using savings and checking accounts as a tool to manage their spending and saving offered challenges. The “ease of use” check cashing operation close to their place of employment, or a “cash card” that they load their paycheck on and use as an all-purpose card, were easy options. My goal at the time was to increase their mortgage qualifications. I quickly realized that I had to educate my clients for long-term homeownership and saving for possible repairs to their home. That need to be helpful beyond the mortgage closing propelled me into the space that I currently occupy.   

AFCPE: You recently obtained your AFC^®. Congratulations! What does it mean to you to hold the AFC^®designation?

Johnie: The AFC certification is another tool in my tool belt that validates my experience and training. For clients, it tells them that I am a part of a larger organization of professionals that work with integrity and within a standard of ethical behaviors and practices. The certification states that I have the education and experience that lends itself to a level of understanding and knowledge that sets me apart from those say they do financial counseling.  

AFCPE: Very true! We are grateful to have professionals like you in the AFCPE community. What does it mean to provide financial counseling in your own community of Cleveland, Ohio?   

Johnie: In my community, I am proud to say that I have been involved in training others who have successfully completed the AFC exam. Their hard work and perseverance serves as a model for me to continue in my practice to help others. The financial managers that I have had the honor of training have successfully worked with thousands of clients in the greater Cleveland area. Many of these clients have become homeowners, have increased their credit scores, and have improved their savings practices. These men and women get to know their clients by building positive relationships that are predicated on credit and financial management but go well beyond just the numbers that build great credit and savings. These men and women positively change lives every day.

AFCPE: What’s next for you? What has you most excited?

Johnie: The next step for me, is writing a small, easy-to-read book, based on my personal financial management journey.  I want to share tools that could be useful to other counselors, as well as the layperson who just wants a clearer understanding of managing their credit and savings. The idea of helping people, especially across a greater distance, is exciting.

Johnie Answers the Friday 5:

1. My Why: To guide people in moving from where they are to where they want to be.
2. My Favorite Quote: You don’t know what you don’t know.
3. My Hero: My godfather. Although he has passed away, his idea of helping others will always live in me.

4. My Favorite Personal Finance Resource: My peers – those whom I have trained and those whom I have learned from during my journey.
5. My best advice: 
   1. For someone starting the journey to financial wellness: Do not be afraid to share your story. You can help others feel a little easier about their journey.  
   2. For a new professional entering this field: I’d give the same advice. As a professional, we should be able to let our clients know that we have had some of the same struggles and have learned to make the behavioral adjustments to move positively forward.

Want to connect with Johnie? 
He can be reached at 330-817-6363.    

*PLEASE NOTE: Certification and Membership are two separate entities of AFCPE.

 Bonus! Johnie provided some short strategies based on the acronym A.C.T.I.O.N.©:

Activate – Do not let fear control your steps. Decide on a path and motivate yourself to make it happen.

Continuous – Always look for growth opportunities that make sense for the direction that you want to travel.

Talents – Engage with those that have the information that you do not; talk with those that have been where you want to go.

Include – Do not hold back information. Be transparent when working with your client or counselor.

Optimism – Someone else has overcome most of the challenges that we are faced with. You can do it!

Never – Never give up on the dream of financial security. It can be realized.