By his second year of college, Kyle knew that achieving his future goals—like buying a car or moving into an apartment—would require more than ambition. It would require learning how to manage money.

That’s when his father stepped in.

A retired fireman who had long emphasized the importance of financial literacy, he introduced Kyle to the work of Operation HOPE through founder John Hope Bryant’s books on the topic.

After absorbing Mr. Bryant’s guidance, Kyle decided to explore Operation HOPE’s Credit and Money Management program.

“I came in first just for overall understanding of budgeting,” he explained. “I knew anything that I wanted to get is going to cost money, so making sure you’re not overspending and tracking where your money is going in or going out.”

Working with Financial Wellbeing Coach Syreeta Lewis helped translate those general goals into practical steps.

As Kyle began reviewing his budget, one issue became immediately clear: he was overspending by several hundred dollars each month on eating out.

“It would be a lot of DoorDash orders for lunch at work or fast food for dinner,” Kyle said.

With Syreeta’s guidance, Kyle began grocery shopping, meal prepping, and using an Instant Pot to cook meals throughout the week. The shift made an immediate difference.

“That saved me an extra $100 instead of just always going out to eat,” he said.

Small adjustments added up quickly. But Syreeta’s support didn’t stop with budgeting. She also helped Kyle take a closer look at his credit report—something many young people overlook until they are trying to get a loan.

Kyle discovered that an inactive Pandora account opened years earlier was negatively affecting his credit score, so he worked with Syreeta to have it removed from his credit report.

“I didn’t realize that does affect your credit score,” Kyle explained.

Just as important as the tactical guidance was Syreeta’s coaching style.

“She was very patient, very understanding,” Kyle said. “If there were certain topics I didn’t understand, she would always take her time to explain to me, give me different analogies.”

That openness also made it easier for Kyle to talk honestly about past financial missteps:

“Being able to be vulnerable—admitting I didn’t know certain topics well or that I was making negative financial decisions—but knowing there’s still time to correct them and do better.”

Over time, those efforts made a measurable difference. With the support of Syreeta, financial education tools from Operation HOPE, and staying consistent with on-time payments, Kyle’s score climbed from 558 to 723.

With improved credit and reduced expenses, his focus has shifted to growing his savings for a car and an apartment. He’s also exploring opening an account with a credit union to continue strengthening his financial foundation.

But perhaps the biggest shift has been in mindset. Learning financial literacy, Kyle said, feels like gaining a new kind of power.

“It does feel somewhat of a superpower,” he shared. “You have more of the power to control your goals and your destiny.”

Instead of “walking through a dark tunnel,” Kyle now says he feels equipped with “an ultra-bright flashlight” to choose his own path forward.

For someone just beginning their financial journey, that confidence may be the most valuable asset of all.

For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Follow the HOPE conversation on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.