Money is the number one source of stress for Americans. In a 2015 poll, three-quarters of Americans had stressed about money at some point in the last month, and a quarter of those folks said money stressed them out all or most of the time.
At Texas Legal, we know that legal issues and money issues are often intertwined. And we don’t want our members to deal with stress about either! So in addition to offering you the peace of mind that you’ll have a lawyer’s help whenever you need it, we’re excited to announce our new partnership with TransformanceUSA – a Texas nonprofit dedicated to empowering and educating people about their finances.
What does this mean for you as a member? It means you can get real financial help from certified coaches who can help you get to the root of your financial problems and create real solutions that can change your life – for free! You can get the knowledge you need to move forward financially. And if you decide you need a complete do-over – bankruptcy – Transformance can give you the counseling you need to start the process and make sure it works for you.
In addition, Transformance can help you create a plan to manage your debt (one that won’t lead to more problems like the scams you see on TV). If you have kids in college or are considering going back to school yourself, they can offer student loan coaching to make sure you’ve got the best plan for how to pay for it.
Take a look at a list of all Transformance’s great services:
Budget and Credit Coaching (Free for Texas Legal Members): Sit down with a certified financial coach to create a custom plan that will strengthen your financial standing. Get to the heart of your money issues and create a comprehensive strategy to address them. Your coach will cheer you on and offer advice all the way to the financial finish line!
Educational Webinars (Free): Have you always felt a little bit in the dark about how your credit card works? Or wondered about the home-buying process? Transformance can help. They offer free webinars almost every single day of the week with certified coaches explaining important financial concepts that will arm you with the knowledge you need. With topics like “How Do I Get Out of Debt?,” “Life After Foreclosure,” or “Payday Loans” and many more, you’re sure to find a webinar you’ll benefit from.
Debt Management Plan (Free for Texas Legal Members): Got debt? Many of us do. Transformance’s trained counselors will help you identify the most efficient way to pay off your debt and work with your creditors to establish repayment plans that make the process more manageable. Unlike for-profit organizations that are looking to profit from your debt, Transformance will help you find a manageable way to pay it off that will help you attain financial freedom.
Bankruptcy Counseling and Education (Free for Texas Legal Members): If you’re considering filing for bankruptcy, the law requires you to meet with a certified counselor beforehand who can help you understand the risks and benefits. Transformance can fill that role and help you decide if bankruptcy is right for you, explain the kinds of bankruptcy and help you figure out how to avoid more financial stress in the future.
Student Loan Coaching (Free for Texas Legal Members): Student loan debt is increasing at a record pace. These days, 43 million Americans owe $1.3 trillion in debt. Transformance’s Student Loan Coaching program is designed to get you out of debt and on a pathway to financial freedom or create a plan to pay for college that doesn’t ruin your finances. A student loan coach can help you create a budget and realistic outline for paying back your loans, as well as helping you figure out if you qualify for any loan repayment programs and what your options are.
Housing Coaching and Education (Free for Texas Legal Members): Buying and keeping up a home is a serious responsibility, but also a great financial investment. If you want to do it right, take advantage of Transformance’s housing coaching and education options. Transformance provides guidance and classes ranging from home ownership readiness to foreclosure prevention.
Educational Apps and Online Resources (Free): In addition to all the great services they offer, Transformance also features a lot of great content on their website that you can access for free. They offer a phone app – PocketChangeUSA – where you can play games, earn badges, plan your budget and connect with financial experts, as well as a credit card payoff calculator and mortgage calculator. Their blog is full of great articles on different financial topics that can give you trusted advice and insight into financial issues.
Overall, we couldn’t be more pleased with Transformance as our financial education partner. Our hope is that our members will take advantage of their amazing resources and find peace of mind in both their legal and financial lives. For more questions about Transformance’s services, you can contact them at 1-800-249-2227 or info@transformanceusa.org, or reach out to Texas Legal’s customer service team at 1-800-252-9346 or members@texaslegal.org.