CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte teacher and single mother of three is doing everything right, but still can't get ahead financially, so she sought help from a local nonprofit that helps people learn budgeting and even offers zero-interest loans.
Common Wealth Charlotte is changing lives, often by teaching basic budgeting skills that a lot of us just didn't learn while growing up. Some of their programs literally give money away to people who need a little help.
Ximora Livingston was a single mother raising three kids and working multiple jobs when she decided to go back to school.
"I would work during the day — we would come home together, they did their homework, I did my homework — and we made it work," Livingston said.
Livingston started out volunteering at her kids' school before she became a teaching assistant. She then decided to become a teacher.
"It's very powerful because I want them to see if I can do it," Livingston said. "With all of my responsibilities you can do it and you don't have these responsibilities."
But she now has a new challenge. Student loans and a tight budget, which pushed Livingston to seek help from Common Wealth Charlotte, a nonprofit that teaches financial literacy and works to get people financially stable. Counselors work with people reviewing credit reports and analyzing spending habits.
"I think it's amazing because there's no time like now," Alisha Jeter, the director of client engagement at Common Wealth Charlotte, said. "She has children that she wants to be able to teach them about their finances, as well."
Livingston is part of a program called 2080, meant to help people save money and ultimately create generational wealth. She contributes money each month and Common Wealth, thanks to funding grants from the community, matches it.
"I'm thinking more of the future," Livingston said. "I've accomplished my goal of getting my degree and becoming a teacher, but now it's, 'What's the next thing?' I want to be able to live comfortably and I want my children to have that same comfort of being able to live and do things they want to do."
To let us know how WCNC Charlotte can help you get ahead in 2024, email us at newstips@wcnc.com.
Her son Xavier is a senior in high school. He wants to attend Appalachian State, but instead he's starting at Central Piedmont Community College to save money.
"That way when I transfer, it won't be that much," he said.
Livingston admits it's a difficult decision as a parent.
"It's very hard," she said. "On the one side of it is I don't want him to settle, and then the other side is, 'OK, do I get another job just so I can help to make that dream come true?'"
Livingston is stuck paying her own student loans and remains hopeful her son won't be in the same situation. She's optimistic now that she's working with Common Wealth Charlotte.
"I've been in survival mode for so long now," Livingston said. "Sticking to a budget has been very helpful. I have to be very disciplined on what I spend my money on because at the end of the day, we have to have a home to come home to. It does take work, but it's worth it in the end."
Common Wealth Charlotte also has a program designed to help homeowners keep their houses. Click here to learn more.
Contact Michelle Boudin at mboudin@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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