When Cassandra Toombs first connected with Cincinnati Works Financial Coaching, she was rebuilding her life and working toward long-term stability. Introduced by the faith mentor who had helped her secure housing, Cassandra has been an active participant in coaching since November 2025.
Over the past year, Cassandra and her coach have worked together to address several barriers impacting her financial well-being. One of the first priorities was transportation. At the time, she was spending nearly $500 each month on Uber rides to get to and from work. With planning, persistence, and support from her father and her coach, Cassandra purchased a reliable vehicle and obtain auto insurance. This created greater independence and reduced a significant monthly expense.
Another major focus was resolving her defaulted federal student loans. Together, Cassandra and her coach spent 11 months navigating the student loan system, advocating with servicers, and working through the process of returning six loans to StudentAid.gov for consolidation. Today, her loans are out of default and enrolled in an Income-Based Repayment plan, reducing her monthly payment from $2,753 to just $44. She was also removed from default status.
Financial coaching also helped Cassandra gain a clearer understanding of her employment benefits and finances. Together, we obtained access to her employer and payroll portals. Now, she is able to review her earnings, paid time off, health benefits, and retirement options. She has also built savings and moved her funds to a high-yield savings account, allowing her money to grow more effectively.
Perhaps most importantly, Cassandra has consistently demonstrated a positive attitude and a commitment to her goals. She lives within her means, remains engaged in the coaching process, and continues taking meaningful steps toward her future. She and her coach are now working together to build retirement savings through her 401(k).
Cassandra’s story is a powerful example of what can happen when resilience, determination, and coaching support come together. Her progress reflects not only the impact of financial coaching, but also her unwavering commitment to creating a stronger future for herself.