"Hi Steve-

Thanks so very much for meeting with me today. I am so very pleased to have such an outstanding coach in my corner. The support and understanding shown me went far above anything I was expecting. I have been down and feeling rather bad about myself and my situation but this evening I know that I am going to be OK now that you have started me on the proper path. I did take care of the matters we had discussed and will be so glad to follow your lead for my journey down the path of recovery. I feel this is definitely the start of a new me and I feel so much better. You are truly a wonderful person.

Thanks again. Now I head for a wonderful nights sleep-my first in such a long time.

God Bless you Steve."

"To All,

I was fortunate, through a course of circumstances, to be introduced to Steve Rhode, who I believe, is the true voice of reason in situations of the heart, soul and purse.

Steve knows the soul of the credit card industry and how to deal with debt in a realistic manner. He will take your current situation and assess it realistically, and advise you accordingly. He understands your needs, emotions and the fact that you might need a new work outfit now and then despite your financial situation.

Steve isn't a die-hard minimalist, but a realist in the truest financial sense. I would, and do, trust him with my every financial decision from here on out."

Teresa from the "Starting Over" television show

"Dear Steve:

I am now actively involved in my finances just as I am in other dimensions of my life. November was the first month in a long time in which there wasn't a single overdraft fee. Everything is coming together.

I have been busy working on my first poetry book. There are just over 30 poems that I've written and are a true reflection of who I am and what I am about.

Thank you for being supportive and enabling me to bring the knowledge and wherewithal inside of me to the surface."

[From a client that was in terrible pain. They were a financial advisor but at the same time struggling with finances.]

"Steve,

Thanks for taking the time to meet with me early this week. The meeting and the topics we discussed were just what I needed. The burden of the debt we're carrying already seems lighter because I have more of a direction now. I have been making some progress since January of this year, but I'm ready at this point to face our situation head on. There's nothing like sitting down with someone who has "been there" before and has helped lots of people get through this. It's probably the most difficult thing I've ever undertaken, but I know that, by the grace of God, I'll continue to learn throughout this process.

The conversation helped me see, in greater depth, the consequences of my debt and how I've continued to promise things to creditors that I couldn't deliver on because I haven't accurately known exactly where we stand financially and how to prioritize the overwhelming expenses facing us each week. As my wife and I begin to plan our spending for October, we're setting 10% aside for tithing/saving, and then proceeding with the tax bills and car loans. We'll divide what's left after living expenses with the other creditors. I suspect that when we meet again I'll need coaching about dealing with creditors since I do believe one will want to take me to court.

I'm getting a lot from your most recent book and the Get Out of Debt book. I like the way you focus on debt and deal with it in a comprehensive way. Most personal finance books move on pretty quickly to other topics which, at this point, aren't a great help to me.

By the way, my wife is also enjoying the cookbooks.

In a nutshell, as I think about the meeting, I knew that I needed to sit down with someone but have never been able to find someone who not only knows a lot about financial matters but who can look beyond the money issues to deeper patterns and concerns. You are just what I need.

I look forward to meeting with you again and processing where I am with my debt at that point. Thanks again for the time and for the book.

Grace and peace,"

[From a client that is a minister.]

"Dear Steve,

We are so happy we had the chance to meet with you today. I wanted to send you this late night email because we wanted to tell you what a remarkable resource you were. You are a guy with a special sense of humor and cool pragmatism. Betty and I were extremely impressed on every front."

[From a family in crisis.]

"Dear Steve,

This is a long overdue note to tell you how much our visit with you meant to both of us. As you can appreciate, this is a totally upsetting and confusing time for us. Your wise counsel, sense of humor and empathy were remarkable, and exactly what we needed.

We do want to visit with you again, once we make some headway on our Must Do List.

Thanks So Much"

[From a client who is a small business owner.]

"Steve:

When your booming, pleasant voice came on the phone I felt an immense amount of relief. You confirmed what I already knew from filling out the form. But somehow you gave me this information in a way that I can I can move forward and hold my head up. That, Steve, is huge for me. You are so right that I need to get back into life; it's been a long time since I belonged anywhere.

Your kind, caring, compassionate way of talking to me about my problems and the solutions helped me find a spirit that had lived in me and I thought had died with my son. I believe my life will get better. I have steps to take but am ready to do it.

Talking with you made a positive difference. Thank you for the time you took to review my debt and the honesty about my choices and presenting a plan. I plan to move ahead as you suggest. And my goal will be to find happiness."

[From a client whose son committed suicide four years earlier after he left an audio tape telling her how much he loved her.]

"Dear Steve,

As a senior physician close to retirement it has been an extremely humbling experience to have to face up to financial difficulties and inadequate funds for retirement. I consider my professional life very successful. I have a very busy surgical specialty practice and just completed my position as chief of surgery at a prestigious university facility.

With that success I found my personal finances a disaster. Even though I was aware of my failings in personal money management I could not find a way to face up to my money problems and direct a cure for my debt. Having met with you I feel confident that he has the know how and experience to direct me on a course of action to eliminate my debt, relieve my financial stress, and allow me to create personal fulfillment."

[From a client who is a doctor and surgeon.]

"Dear Steve,

You are a kindly man. It is, also, clear to me you live what you "teach". I read your book from cover to cover and I recalled many things you said that showed up in your book as well, including the story about the man on the roof of his home who refused to get into 3 different boats that went by and then wanted to blame God. I truly believe you are sincerely interested in the people you serve.

You do articulate the conventional wisdom very well-better than anyone else I have ever seen. You did help, Steve; God did use you to teach me a lot. I recognized I am in denial more than I care to admit, and I further, need to confess that the "status" thing or "materialism" has held too much sway in my life. May God bless you."

[From a client who is an attorney.]

Dear Steve,

I had a phone consultation with you this morning and I'm just writing to tell you how impressed I am and how appreciative I am for the time you spent with me on the phone.

I saw you mentioned in the New York Magazine article. I had a very positive feeling after my initial contact and went with my gut feeling. I'm very glad I did.

I already feel a huge load off my shoulders just because I am finally taking action, as opposed to that fear-induced state of paralysis I've been in. I'm going to tell my accountant about you and will not hesitate to recommend you to anyone I know who might benefit from your services. My accountant specializes will refer clients to you after I tell him what a great person you are.

Thanks again!

[From a client who is a school principal.]