Mary Bliz (left) and Moises Serrano worked with Everence early in their relationship to help them get off on a good financial footing.
Mary Bliz and Moises Serrano spent one of their first dates taking a financial wellness workshop at the Everence® Federal Credit Union Philadelphia office.
“The class was right on time for that season of my life – and of our lives,” Moises Serrano said.
Soon after Mary Bliz and Moises attended that workshop, they set up a financial counseling session with Kevin Gil, Financial Wellness Manager of the Philadelphia credit union. Gil led the couple through a conversation about their debts and budgeting, and helped them identify goals for their future together.
“When you’re in a relationship where you’re intentional and you’re really thinking about getting married, finances are super important,” Moises Serrano said.
The financial counseling session provided the couple with the support they needed to take charge of their financial situation and do it in a way that aligned with their faith and their blossoming relationship.
Gil helped Mary Bliz and Moises develop a spending plan with one goal in mind: To pay off the couple’s collective debt so they could start their lives together. Between the two, they had over $20,000 in debt.
“Because we had a plan, we were able to knock that debt out within the first year,” Moises Serrano said.
The couple got married in March 2020, and finished paying off their debt in July of that year. Soon after, they were able to afford a payment on a house and had their first child.
“[Mary Bliz and Moises’s] journey is a testament,” Gil said. “It’s beautiful to be able to walk alongside them and see their journey flourish and know that Everence was a part of their story.”
Everence helps individuals, families, churches and nonprofits build a financial foundation, connecting them with one of our professionals to create a path that integrates their faith and values with their finances.
