>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

Additional funding for "Opportunity Knock$" provided by Balance... and Callahan & Associates.

Previously on "Opportunity Knock$"... >> Are you both working full-time?

>> Not right now.

>> There are a lot of things going on.

The only way to solve them is with more income.

>> What's Ascend?

>> A loan that I attained online.

Things were kind of just crazy and I was like, let me just help.

But I didn't help.

'Cause the interest rate was like 600-something.

>> What I'm seeing is it's almost 700%.

>> My car just got taken.

>> What do you mean, it just got taken, repossessed?

>> Yeah, this was last week.

>> I feel like we're here, like, right on time.

>> Yes.

>> Every day, millions of Americans must make the choice between paying rent... >> We're behind on rent.

>> We got to pay the mortgage.

>> ...or buying groceries.

>> I live paycheck to paycheck, and sometimes that doesn't even cut it.

>> So we got spaghetti with no meat.

Are you serious?

>> "Opportunity Knock$" is back with our three esteemed coaches and six new underestimated families to create a personalized journey... >> Are you gonna do what I ask you to do?

>> ...that everyone watching can benefit from.

>> I'm just hopeful that I won't always be struggling.

>> Through these families' experiences... >> This is an emergency.

>> ...you will see that a better life is possible with the tools that they are provided.

>> And we're going to turn your life around like you have no idea.

>> Are the obstacles that these families are facing too much?

>> Your mom is sick, too?

>> A loan that I obtained online, interest rate's like 600-something.

>> What I'm seeing is almost 700%.

>> You're looking at bankruptcy.

>> ...or will their coaches help them open the door when opportunity knocks?

♪♪ ♪♪ >> While we're working together, I am going to assert that you probably have more than enough hair, lashes, makeup, jewelry, bedazzled goods, and all the things.

You have more than enough to create different looks and be the vibe that you want to be.

But we have to get focused and take this seriously.

There's always help available, but you have to be honest and vulnerable enough to put yourself in position to receive it.

So I'm incredibly proud of you for taking advantage of this opportunity.

>> I'm happy.

>> Yeah.

>> I'm excited to see what happens and go through the process.

>> You know this is going to be work, right?

>> Yes, I knew it was going to be work when I saw you.

>> [ Laughs ] You knew it was gonna be work when you saw me?

You're like, "Ooh, she look like a lot."

That's what you thought?

It's going to be work, but it's going to be well worth it.

>> Talking to Patrice, I feel like we're like sisters.

She's like the perfect match for me because we, like, vibing.

I feel comfortable with her because it's like she's opening up to me, which makes me feel more comfortable, like, to open up to her.

So she's like my little angel.

>> So the first thing is we have to get you on a budget.

Now, when most people hear the term "budget," I know they get -- I know.

See, I know you want to roll your eyes or furrow your brows, but I really look at budgeting as just a plan for your money.

Because if you don't tell money where to go, it's going to find somewhere else, right?

You're going to be like, well, where did it go?

Because you didn't direct it.

And I could tell... by this little printout of the spending, baby, this was a month or two.

I could tell.

You need to tell money where to go.

So one of the first things that I really want you to do, though, to get clear on, is how much you're really spending on all this eating out and how much you're spending on Amazon and clothes shopping.

Because when you see that number, I guarantee you it's going to hit you like a ton of bricks.

Like, "Dang, that was my car money."

>> I don't keep up with it.

>> You don't keep up with it.

Yeah.

So we have to keep up with that because no matter what resources you end up getting, you don't want to be back in this place, so you want to start reeling it in now.

So first thing is budget.

And I want you to focus on tallying up how much you've really been spending.

And then, I want you to tell me the number because you need public accountability.

We need to give voice, yeah.

It can't just be in your head.

So that's number one.

After we get you going with the budget, I want you to visit The Opportunity Finder.

So The Opportunity Finder is a resource that allows you to choose whatever you need help or support with, and for you, we definitely want to build up the credit and lower that credit card debt.

>> Yes.

>> So once you choose that as an option, it'll connect you to a CDFI.

And that's a community development financial institution.

And essentially they're a credit union that is really set aside to make sure that they can support people who are going through these types of circumstances.

And the only goal is to see you win.

>> Patrice tells me about a CDFI, which I never even knew CDFIs ever exist.

A CDFI is pretty much a credit union that's here to help me out that I never knew that was right in my own community.

>> The other reason I really want you to get to this CDFI is because I think they may be able to help you get the car back.

>> Yes.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> ♪ Doo doo doo doo doo ♪ ♪ Doo doo doo doo doo ♪ ♪ Doo doo doo doo doo doo ♪ ♪ Doo doo doo doo doo ♪ >> One of the first steps we're going to do is we're going to have you work with a credit union, all right?

And most people aren't aware of credit unions.

There are people there that can also take a look at your finances and take a look at all the debt that you have.

They won't minimize the amount that you owe, but they will consolidate to minimize the interest.

And I will tell you that that's the part that's going to -- that's really hurting, right, is the high interest rates.

>> Yes.

Yeah.

>> And, so, the reason why the credit unions can do that is because they're not these huge financial institutions that have these boards or whatever.

They're actually run by their members.

Their goal is to try to help out all their members.

>> I really thought credit unions was just another bank.

I never knew that a credit union can actually be beneficial to anyone.

I thought it was just, okay, like any other bank out here, you direct deposit, you go in there, cash a check, get a cashier's check if you need one, come on out, and go on about your business.

I never knew a credit union could actually be helpful in other ways than just holding your money all day.

>> [ Laughs ] >> The goal for us is to show you that there are a lot of available resources for you so you don't feel alone.

There's this amazing tool that people have been using across the country to really help them with their financial goals, career goals, a lot of stuff, right?

We call it The Opportunity Finder.

So you're going to go on there and you're going to enter your zip code.

And once you enter your zip code, there's going to be a list of items that you can select.

One is keeping more money in my pocket.

And within there, you'll see a selection, and one is getting rid of credit card debt.

>> Oh.

>> Okay?

That's what you'll do.

So that's the first one.

We've got to work on the high-priority debt.

But what's kind of urgent is that your daughter is in her last year of high school.

What is it that she wants to do?

>> She wants to go to culinary school.

>> Culinary school.

Okay.

And, so, how much is culinary school?

>> Well, I was talking to my daughter, and she was asking me to help her to fill out a, you know, a FAFSA.

>> Yeah.

>> And I was like -- She started looking at a school, and I started seeing how expensive it was, and so, my anxiety started building.

I was like, well, let's look at a cheaper school instead, because just because you go to a more expensive school doesn't necessarily mean that you'll get the outcome that you want.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> I said, because you want to make it cost effective.

I said, "Don't do what I did," because I went to multiple schools, and between student loans and changing degree programs, it just threw everything off.

>> Oh, shoot.

So I don't think we talked about the student loans, right?

>> Yeah.

>> Okay.

And how long have you had these student loans?

>> I first got my first student loan back in 1998.

>> Wow.

Okay, so we're talking about 25 years ago.

>> Yeah.

>> And you're still paying on that student loan.

>> Still paying on the stu-- I finally am now making income where they say I can pay.

>> So it was based on what you earn and then what you can pay.

So, basically, you've been delaying these loans.

♪♪ [ Train whistle blows ] ♪♪ ♪♪ >> A couple of just basics that come along with working with me.

You have to track your spending, every single dollar.

That's how you stay accountable to yourself.

It's how you stay accountable to each other, and it's how you stay accountable to me.

>> As Jean is discussing my spending with me, at first I'm feeling a little bit attacked.

But after Jean explains that I don't spend as much, and then we can pay our bills.

So it kind of a ding.

The light goes off in my head and I realize that she's not criticizing me.

She's helping me.

>> We have a tool called The Opportunity Finder.

You can write that down.

It's this amazing tool that helps connect people to resources in their area, places like credit unions and CDFIs, which is a community development financial institution, that has resources.

We're also going to use The Opportunity Finder for some financial coaching.

And financial coaching is -- it's a little bit like what we're doing here.

It's understanding why your money is going the places that it's going, understanding, you know, sort of the underlying feelings that you're having about how you're using your resources.

Because we're all emotional creatures, right?

And one of the things that I see is sadness.

I'm sensing that your energies, both of them, are completely depleted.

It's been a terrible stretch of time, but it shows up in the way you take care of the house and the way you take care of yourself and the way you take care of your kids.

And I think, you know, maybe if you, not made your bed, but you tidied up a little bit and you made your house feel happier and healthier, then you would feel happier and healthier.

But how are you doing?

I mean, they told me that your mom just passed away, and I am really sorry.

>> Thank you.

I am just taking it one day at a time right now.

It's definitely been hard.

>> It is a really tough blow.

I'm -- I'm... Have you had the time that you need to process?

>> After she had passed, I had to take a few days off because I was not... [Clears throat] ...going to be able to take care of kids when I was feeling the loss of my mom.

It's been tough.

>> I'm sorry.

I mean, there are just -- there are no words, right, when you lose -- when you lose a parent.

And when we don't -- when we don't have, you know, a flush emergency savings account, it just makes it really that much harder... >> Yes.

>> ...to weather these sorts of things, and so, I want you to have that more stable foundation for that reason.

One of the things that we can do with The Opportunity Finder is use it to find a counselor who can talk to you about this loss.

>> Yeah, I definitely could use that.

>> And for you, too, if you need it.

I mean, I know parents -- your spouse's parents are sometimes like your parents, so... >> It really was.

It's been really hard.

>> She was like a mom to you?

>> She was mom.

>> She was a mom to you.

Wow.

I'm sorry for your loss, as well.

Sounds like she was incredibly special.

>> She was.

>> Yeah.

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> The Opportunity Finder is a resource that allows you to choose whatever you need help or support with, and for you, we definitely want to build up the credit and lower that credit card debt.

>> Yes.

>> Is there anything else that we're not -- that we haven't covered?

>> Taxes?

I haven't filed them for five years.

>> Why?

>> I don't know, I just never did it, which I should.

I know I need to.

>> Yeah.

We definitely -- >> I just be like, I don't owe, I don't think, so...

I just never worry about it, but I do, I need to file.

>> Yeah.

Yeah.

We definitely want to get that taken care of, as well.

You're going to use The Opportunity Finder and say, "I want to talk to someone about my emergency."

>> Okay.

>> I would suggest possibly the United Way in the area that can support you with just where you are right now, especially with needing to support your mom.

We want to talk to them about that and getting you some support in filing those taxes.

>> Patrice tells me about United Way, and when you go on to the site, there's information about taxes help because I need to file my taxes.

I haven't filed taxes in about 4 to 5 years.

So I was very excited about getting help with, like, taxes and just get emergency help.

>> Last, we really need to hone in all of these great gifts and talents and skills and get some support with starting a business.

So, also, there are local resources here, and you can look on The Opportunity Finder to get some support there.

We want to get this business stuff together, not the, like, "Oh, I do this and I do this and I do this."

Because now we don't know what to come to you for, right?

Because, ultimately, it's a shame to have all of these gifts and talents and then not be using them in a way that actually supports you, and not just maintaining, but really thriving.

Right?

So you have the gifts to be able to do that, but you don't necessarily have the business savvy yet, and I really want you to get the support in building out a small business plan.

It doesn't have to be 30 pages, and it doesn't have to be daunting, but you need a concrete plan for how you talk about who you are, what you do in the world, and what you price your services at.

>> Business plan.

I definitely need that.

>> Mm-hmm.

And then you need to stick to it.

>> I will.

>> Okay.

>> I will.

>> Yeah.

>> I will.

Part of my homework is to go onto the site and find information about starting a business because I want to be a boss, my own boss, because I'm bossy.

[ Laughs ] >> Okay, so we good?

>> We're good.

>> We got it down?

>> Yeah.

>> Erika, don't play with me.

>> I'm not.

I'm not!

>> You know, I'm gonna be... >> I'm gonna make you proud!

>> Yes.

I want you to make me proud.

I'm really excited.

>> I'm excited, too.

>> So I want you to jump on top of this, like, immediately, especially because you need that emergency support, right?

We're going to be in touch.

>> Okay.

>> You got me as your accountability partner.

>> I'm excited.

>> Now, let me tell you, I don't play with people.

>> I already knew when you walked through that door you don't play.

>> As long as you knew when I walked in that I don't come and play.

>> When you walked in, I already knew you don't play.

>> All right, so I'll be checking in with you.

>> Okay.

>> And then, I'll come back in some time, and we'll get to talk about all of your updates, and I expect to hear good things.

>> You're going to hear a lot of good things.

>> All right.

I'm excited for you.

>> I'm excited, too.

>> All right, hon.

Good to meet you.

>> Nice to meet you, too.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> So just want to finish up with the goals.

You mentioned that, okay, your daughter, you're working with her.

She wants to go to college.

>> She wants to go to culinary school.

>> Culinary school.

Okay.

And, so, in the same Opportunity Finder, the next step that we want to do is we want to go to the section where it says education.

And there's an area there where you can get help for paying for college or technical schools.

And, so, you'll go to that area there, and then you'll follow up with the people there.

>> Louis is fantastic.

And his explanation to us about The Opportunity Finder and the resources listed there as far as, like, financial counseling, putting more money in our pocket, getting rid of credit card debt, education, career counseling.

It's a myriad of information that will be most helpful to our family.

>> I'm gonna not sugarcoat this, right?

We've got some big challenges going on here.

And, so, it's going to be really important that once you go on The Opportunity Finder and you start working with the people, that you trust them and that you work together to try to get the credit under control first.

Please keep me in the loop, keep me engaged.

Let's get this done.

>> Let's do it.

>> Thank you so much.

>> All right.

You killin' it?

Yeah, I'm so excited to work with you guys.

>> Thank you.

>> All right, be good, be safe, and we'll see you guys soon.

♪♪ ♪♪ >> Like I said, I want you tracking your spending for accountability, right?

And that just starts today.

And then, we're going to dig in using The Opportunity Finder.

And we are going to find a CDFI or credit union that can focus on the emergency that is happening right now, which is not losing this house.

>> Yes.

I don't know what would happen if we were evicted.

>> We would be on the streets and, you know, then our kids would get taken away.

And that just -- We couldn't deal with that.

>> Yeah.

>> Wes, tell me what you want to do with your bachelor's degree.

>> I just keep getting confused.

I don't know, really.

>> Do you want to work for somebody else, or do you want to work for yourself?

>> I think I want my own business.

>> And what kind of business?

Do you have an idea?

Or ideas?

>> Like an entertainment business where we deliver entertainment services, you know, like bounce houses or party related.

Because I like to see people have fun.

>> So, like, kids' birthday parties?

>> Kids' birthday parties, yeah.

That kind of thing.

>> That sounds like a good idea.

We can use The Opportunity Finder for that, too.

We can use it to find you a business coach, to look for advice about how to get your business started from somebody who has run a business.

And last but not least, we're going to use this remarkable tool to look for options when it comes to paying for childcare, because part of making this work is five-day-a-week work for both of you.

It's full-time work for both of you, but it all really hinges on getting Rowan into a child care solution that works.

>> Jean gave us so much information, so many tips to start with, and she helped us lay everything out, and where to start, which helped me so much.

>> I'm glad we took notes.

>> [ Laughing ] Yeah.

>> I'm not as nervous now, but I'm still nervous for the road ahead.

>> That's okay.

A little nervous energy is okay.

One trick I was taught early on was don't think of it as nervous or anxious.

Think of it as excitement and anticipation.

It actually feels the same to your body when you think about, like, your muscles being tense and wired.

It could be nerves, but it could also just be excitement.

So tell yourself you're not nervous, you're just excited for what's coming up.

>> I really like that.

>> I'm going to go.

And once you've gone through the tools, text me, call me, I will be back.

But you don't have to wait.

I'm a phone call away.

>> Thank you so much.

>> Thank you, guys.

>> All right.

I'm going to carry this because it's not that cold out.

Give me a hug.

>> [ Laughs ] Thank you so much for coming.

>> Of course.

We'll see you soon.

>> All right.

>> See you soon.

>> Got some work to do.

>> Yep.

♪♪ >> Ready to get on The Opportunity Finder, like he said?

>> Let's go.

Okay.

So, yeah, got rid of the credit card debt.

So, okay, search.

>> Whoa.

>> Wow.

There really is a lot of them around us.

Found the BECU Credit Union.

>> Okay.

>> And looks like we could make an appointment.

>> Let's make an appointment.

>> Looks like we got one for next week.

>> Okay.

>> On The Opportunity Finder, after we punched in our zip code, the map lit up and it showed us all the credit unions that are closest to us.

And we found one that was real close to us.

BECU.

The next one was financial counseling, and it looks okay.

Hit the search.

[ Chuckles ] It's BECU again.

>> All right.

Great.

Two for two.

Okay.

>> Yeah, we already got an appointment there.

Okay.

The next one was... >> Career counseling.

>> ...career counseling.

Yeah, there it is.

Career counseling.

>> Mm-hmm.

So hold up.

>> Yeah.

Birch Creek.

>> This is Birch Creek, >> Which is right across the street.

>> Whoa.

>> You talk about right in your own backyard.

The place that lit up was Neighborhood House, which happens to be right across the street from us.

It really is walking distance.

I didn't even know that, many times been across the street.

>> No.

>> Hey.

>> Hey, what's up, Jay?

>> Perfect timing.

Jailyn comes home from school while we're on The Opportunity Finder.

>> He did make a recommendation that we could go on there and look at education.

>> Let's take a look.

>> So we can do it together.

"Going to technical school."

>> There we go.

>> There you go.

Now search.

Ooh!

>> Ooh.

Seattle Central College, got a culinary program right here.

>> Oh, this looks interesting.

>> Oh, yeah.

Contact, too.

Looks like there's one right here in two weeks.

>> Oh, I'm really excited to go.

This is actually really cool.

>> And we could find, like, help paying for your school, okay.

So we want to click on a trade.

"Going to technical school."

>> Yep.

>> Oh.

>> "Paying for it," okay.

>> Okay, wow.

Look what came up.

It's a Federal Pell Grant.

>> So we can send that to you, and you can look at that in your own time.

>> E-mail that to you?

>> That actually will be really useful to me.

>> She's super excited that she gets to tour college.

She gets to find financial aid.

>> I'm really proud of you guys that you guys got the help and the notes and the things that you need to be able to go and move forward.

To find your own opportunities, please visit opportunityknocks.net.

Next time on "Opportunity Knock$"... >> So, it looks like, if you do not pay, then it will go to short sale.

>> I'm sick and tired of struggling.

I'm exhausted all the time.

>> I feel like I'm in a rut that I can't get out of, living paycheck to paycheck and struggling, and I just -- I need me and my kids to be better.

>> It doesn't make sense for somebody who's earning a quarter million dollars a year to be thinking about filing bankruptcy.

That's where you're headed.

>> Major funding for "Opportunity Knock$" is provided by the National Council for Financial Opportunities, a nonprofit dedicated to reducing poverty and creating economic mobility by breaking down systematic barriers, increasing equitable access to capital, and making opportunity accessible to all.

Its programmatic areas of focus include financial resiliency, financial accessibility, and income adequacy.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

Additional funding for "Opportunity Knock$" provided by Balance... and Callahan & Associates.

♪♪ ♪♪