-ZIP splits big payments into not-so-big ones and provides the flexibility and control to pay over time.

Available wherever you get your apps.

Learn more at zip.co.

ZIP is a proud sponsor of "Opportunity Knocks."

-Funding for "Opportunity Knocks" is provided by Visa.

Visa.

Everywhere you want to be.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

"Opportunity Knocks" is sponsored in part by the National Council for Financial Opportunities.

To learn more, visit theNCFO.org.

Support for "Opportunity Knocks" is provided by GreenPath Financial Wellness, a national nonprofit providing financial counseling and education for more than 65 years.

Learn more at greenpath.com.

-Previously on "Opportunity Knocks"... -What do you think the dream house looks like, Leah?

-It's a big, big house with a balcony.

-You have made a really good start by refinancing your car loan.

Getting that payment down, you're on the right path to moving into your own place.

-I'm so proud of you that you've picked up the phone and started calling some of these creditors.

-It wasn't as hard as I thought it was, and I was like, "Hey, I'm going to offer you 50% and I'll pay it off right now, today.

What do you want to do?"

-Please join me in welcoming Joanna as she shares her knowledge to help our community.

[ Applause ] -"Opportunity Knocks" is back with four single moms, three expert coaches and resources in their own backyards.

-I feel like I should not be asking for help because I shouldn't need it.

-The constant stress.

-And I don't like crying about it.

-Will it be enough to overcome the obstacles in their lives?

-It's spiraling and I can't keep up.

I need somebody to show me the way.

-This is the moment when opportunity knocks.

♪♪ ♪♪ -Hey, I'm Ashley.

-Hey, Nick.

Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

Excited to be here.

-Let's do it.

♪♪ -Thank you.

-You have a good day.

-You as well.

So I hear that you're the expert on side hustles.

-I try to be.

I've been hosting "The Side Hustle Show" podcast since 2013.

So you've got the day job with UW Medicine.

What's currently going on on the side from that?

-So I have a seasonal part-time job with a software development company.

And during the off-season, I use a grocery app.

-Which those are great, right?

It's like really quick to get started, really flexible.

Like, "Look, I can pick and choose when I do it."

-The shopper app isn't as consistent.

You know, you're kind of waiting for the orders to roll in.

-It's like unpaid downtime.

-Yeah.

-If it was -- if it was one right after the other, like... -It'd be great, yeah.

I'm wasting this time.

I could be home with my boys.

We could be, you know, doing something fun.

So I talked to Nick about the shopper app and just how many negatives come along with that.

I mean, I used to have my real-estate license with Washington State.

-Okay.

-But I started having kids and things like that.

And I needed insurance and it just didn't work out.

And so, I mean, I can re-up my real-estate license, but is that lucrative in this time and economy?

-Well, you know, the math on a -- you know, the property values around here, it's like, "Well, if I get one deal..." -I know.

I just need one deal a year.

-Yeah.

-[ Laughing ] -If it fits into the gaps in your day, like, that seems like a viable path.

-Yeah.

-And it could be related to the software that you're already an expertise in.

-I didn't really think about using my expertise that I have in my regular jobs as a side hustle.

I don't think I have thought about the remote possibilities in the evening time.

-It would keep you at the house, which maybe... -Which is, like, where I'm needed, you know, honestly, a lot of the time.

-If you could match the 20 bucks an hour from grocery delivery without the wear and tear on the car and the toll on the body, maybe that would be a win.

-That's a good idea.

I didn't think about that.

-Maybe in the event space.

You've got some experience there.

You've got some background in the culinary space, background in the real-estate space, plus the medical software, insurance stuff.

Like, there's a lot of different potential directions where it could go.

-The possibilities are endless.

So it's kind of exciting and liberating in a sense that, you know, I can turn almost anything into a side hustle.

Thank you so much for your expertise and your time today.

I'm excited to get to work and work on these side hustles.

-$2.

$2.

-$2.

Okay.

-Okay.

-All right.

What else are you going to do today?

-I'm going to wash the dishes.

-How much is that?

-$5.

$5!

-Yep.

So you're earning money.

-I'll do the trash.

$50.

-Mm-hmm.

-$70.

-Good.

-5 plus 5 is 10.

-What are you doing with it?

-Saving.

-You're saving it, right?

For something... -I really need.

-...that you really want.

So going through this process has also allowed me to teach my kids how to be smart with money, even with their fake money.

See, so now we're trying to get a house, so I'm working so we can do what?

So we can save and we can buy something that's worth it.

There you go.

So having a housing budget is going to help me prepare for the future.

-So we're going to go sit over here.

Okay?

-Okay.

I'm really interested in seeing what the United Way has to say about these mortgage programs.

-So my name is Leo.

-Mm-hmm.

-I'm the housing, education and financial empowerment manager.

We're here today to talk a little bit about homeownership.

-Yes.

-How do you feel about your credit?

-It's not perfect, but it's getting there.

-Awesome.

-Yeah.

-How do you feel about your debt?

-I mean, my debt's definitely better after the consolidation, but still trying to even get that down to a point where my money is going to where I want it to go and not just paying off debt.

-Do you know what you need to save?

Or at least know how much do you need to save to eventually become a homeowner and buy a house?

-So probably about $10,000 would get me just in the door to something that is enough for me and the kids.

-Do you know of different down payment assistance programs?

-I don't -- No, I don't think so.

So the down payment is something that I am worried about.

So if there are solutions or programs that can help me, I'm really interested in hearing about them.

-So I understand you're a first responder.

-Yes.

-In the district, there is a program called the EAH program.

It can give you up to $20,000 to purchase your home.

Another program, the Pathway to Purchase Program, is specific to Prince George's County.

The program is a great program where you get to qualify for up to $50,000 to purchase.

-Okay.

Did he just say $50,000?

$50,000?

-$50,000.

-Oh, okay.

-Right?

-Yeah.

-It is a great program.

-So Leo was definitely helpful.

I definitely enjoyed working with the staff at the United Way.

-There's lots of money out there.

There's lots of money out there.

I'd say the hardest part is just learning about them.

-Mm-hmm.

-About the education and seeing if you qualify for it.

I also do want to remind you that we do have many courses that you can take to learn more about becoming a homeowner.

-Okay.

-You could receive your homebuyer education certificate, which is usually a qualifying factor for down payment assistance and closing cost assistance programs.

-Okay.

I'm definitely interested, so sign me up.

The United Way offers the housing cohort, which will help me learn how I can apply to some of these programs.

And there are people in the program who are in the same situation that I am.

-So let's get you signed up for the cohort.

-Okay.

-So that way we can make sure that we work on your goals.

-I'm ready.

Thank you for having me today.

-Thank you so much.

Thank you so much.

-Nice to meet you again.

♪♪ -I definitely feel like there are a lot of changes that I need to make in order to move forward with my life and just have the life that I've always dreamed of for myself.

-Hey, Kristina?

-Yes.

-I'm Angela.

Good morning.

So we'll be right in here.

-Okay.

-Kristina, can you tell me a little bit about what you are hoping to get out of counseling?

Maybe start with yourself and then what your hopes are for your children.

-I'm pretty much just hoping to learn how to express my emotions.

-Mm-hmm.

-I feel like I've always held in a lot of my emotions.

And also with my kids... -Mm-hmm.

-...I just don't want them to kind of end up the way I did as far as, um, internalizing everything.

-Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

Kristina, sometimes when people come for grief counseling, sometimes the motivator is, "I'm just feeling stuck.

I don't know where to go from here."

Is that anything that you've been experiencing?

-I have my days where I feel, um... I feel motivated and eager to keep going.

And then other days, I just feel stuck and, like, I'm just existing.

-Okay.

-I definitely feel like it's starting to affect certain areas of my life.

-Absolutely.

-Like, even work.

Like, some days, I can't really focus.

-Mm-hmm.

-I feel like I'm just tired, like, emotionally, physically.

-Yes, yes.

We say here that grief will find a way out.

-A lot of times, I do tend to suppress my emotions so much to the point where I just don't have anything to say.

I think a lot of that comes from disappointment.

Disappointment in myself, I think, because I always expected myself to be way further in life than what I -- where I am now.

-Just you talking about, you know, the awareness you have of how you have internalized feelings and you probably have felt that physically in your body, I would imagine, over the years.

-Yes.

Like, I can have an emotion, but a lot of times, I don't know, my body will just -- I'll be on mute.

-And a lot of that comes back to because, you know, he can never come back.

That's -- That's the thing about grief, too, is you kind of feel like everybody else has moved on... -Yeah.

-...and you're still here.

-I feel like -- Yeah, that is a true statement.

-So here you're with people who know and that we can work on that and work on those ways of expression.

And you mentioned numbness.

I just wanted to acknowledge that, that that is a grief emotion.

-Mm-hmm.

-Um, again, most people think, "Oh, grief is sad."

-Mm-hmm.

-Well, grief is numb.

It's usually 18 to 22 months where that numbness starts lifting and people start feeling a little bit more of the intensity.

-Mm-hmm.

-So this is actually a time when a lot of people do seek grief counseling, because that numbness really serves as a protective force.

-Mm-hmm.

-But we also know if we allow it to continue on, it can become a damaging force.

I think what you're hearing is your grief waving at you and saying, "I need some help over here."

So the good thing is you don't have to do it alone.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-Before starting this process, I did feel pretty lost.

And now I feel like I definitely have, like, a solid plan that I'm working towards.

I have no other option.

[ Laughs ] -I'd just like you to take a minute and just think about how you're feeling right now.

This is a really big step you've taken today.

-Honestly, I'm just glad I was able to get something off my chest.

Yeah.

-[ Laughs ] -Good.

That's really great that you noticed right now that when you can share... -Mm-hmm.

-...that you can feel lighter.

-Right.

-That's what grief counseling is about.

So you carry that pride with you as you leave and go on to the next thing today.

-I will.

-Be proud of yourself and you should tell your kids, "I did a thing today and we're going to do a thing."

-I was just going to say, I will tell them.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

-"I have a -- I have a surprise for y'all."

-Yeah.

Yeah.

-Especially my oldest.

-Yeah.

Yeah.

♪♪ -Did you pick him up from school early?

-Yeah, we had a therapy session at Kindering, the new therapist.

-Okay.

-[ Yells ] -Yeah?

Miss Nicole?

-High five?

Yeah!

-Yeah, buddy.

I love and adore my son so much.

We have a great connection, but there are times that I hate what autism turns him into.

-No, Parker.

No.

Let's stay in the kitchen.

You stay.

Hey.

Stop.

He's hitting himself now.

-Hey, you need to be safe.

The process of getting Parker resources is exhausting, honestly.

No!

No.

-[ Yells ] -You need to be safe.

It's been hard to go out in the community as well with Parker and his behavior.

So, you know, I've taken him out very little.

Not a lot of people in my life really understand what I go through.

-I'm Arzu Forough.

I'm with Washington Autism Alliance.

This is my colleague, Misha Trivedi.

-Hi.

-We're really grateful to meet you today.

The information that you sent was really, really helpful.

You are such an insightful mother.

I've been where you've been, and it's really challenging.

-Yeah.

-And our goal for you is to find some near-term solutions.

-Louis wanted me to find some community-based support and I was able to find Washington Autism Alliance.

-I don't want this to be all on you.

You're a mom, you're not a therapist.

-Right.

-Right?

-Mm-hmm.

-And so we need to get people in here to provide that training that he needs for functional communication.

-I hope they can point me into the right direction of getting some more in-home behavior support, as well as training for my parents.

-You've got two people who are willing to help you.

Let's see if we can help them become the gateways of all wonderful things... -Yeah.

-...for Parker.

-In those, like, two and a half years that it was complete chaos, like, I was in fight or flight.

-Yeah.

-And he felt that from me.

I feel like autistic kids are such energy readers.

And so I really had to do a lot of self work to calm my internal.

It's -- It's been a challenge.

-You probably are shy about asking for help or talking about how challenging it is.

It's -- It's very isolating.

-Yeah.

It was so nice to speak with them, knowing that they have dealt with what I've dealt with and have been in my shoes before.

This is his therapy bed.

We've had this for several years and it's really, honestly, helped.

-Let's think about how we can maximize his learning opportunities in home and community and make sure that you're getting the services that you need so that your family can thrive.

-I wasn't really dealt a great hand in life, but I feel like I've handled every obstacle with grace.

It's nice to connect with people that actually understand, so... See a little bit into our world.

And I know I'm not perfect.

I want people to see that it is possible and you are able, too.

You just kind of got to take it one step at a time, one day at a time, but you'll get there.

-Amber, it's great to see you.

-Good to see you.

-I'm so excited to hear what's new.

-Me too.

I'm excited to tell you.

As a part of my homework, Jean wanted me to come back to SkyPoint to talk about different mortgage options.

-This is first-time homebuyer?

-First time, yeah, mm-hmm.

-Awesome.

With a conventional loan, you have a down payment.

It could be 3% to 5%.

-See, I'm glad I came in because I always thought the conventional loan, you had to put, like, 20% down.

-You actually bring up a great point.

So, yes, conventional, it can be 3% down.

-Mm-hmm.

-However, if you do put 3% down, then it will require you to have a PMI, which is a private mortgage insurance.

-Okay.

-And that's just a little extra that's added on top of your mortgage payment... -Okay.

-...until you get that 20% equity.

-So Cass talked about things that I didn't even consider -- closing costs, PMI, inspection -- things that I have to consider when I'm saving for a house.

-Everyone's here to set you up for success and making sure that this is, long term, going to not be a strain, but be an opportunity to have an asset, a place like we talked about... -Yeah.

-...for your kids to have, you know, their own rooms and thinking about furniture and things like that to make it unique for them.

-Yes.

-Have you been looking at any... -Uh, I mean, you know, I occasionally browse.

But I haven't looked for a house in a while.

-I definitely think that's the first thing.

Just go shopping, especially bring the little ones along and create core memories, like you said.

-Yeah.

-Because you remember that when you were younger as well.

-Alright.

What about that one?

-Yeah.

-And it's a corner house.

Let's see.

-Oh.

-I like the kitchen.

The kitchen is nice.

I like the cabinets.

-Yes.

How far is it?

-17 minutes.

Maybe we can go see it.

♪♪ Right here.

[ Knock on door ] -Hey, Amber, how are you?

-Hi.

How you doing?

Nice to meet you.

-Likewise.

-This is Leah.

This is Landon.

-Hey, Landon.

Kalonji.

Pleasure to meet you.

So this one, you have three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and sits on three levels.

-Okay.

-Okay?

Slightly over 1,300 square feet.

-Okay.

Walking into this house is really allowing me to see what I do want, what I don't want.

It's also allowing me to visualize myself in my own house.

-So you got a half bath on this level.

You got a fenced-in backyard.

You could seat maybe a 4-seater or a 6-seater here comfortably.

-Okay.

Go, Landon.

-Landon is excited.

-He is.

-[ Laughs ] -I also want to create a space for my kids that they feel comfortable in, they can create memories in.

-Is that closet big enough for you?

It is?

You can fit all your clothes, maybe a couple of toys, too.

-A couple of years ago, I didn't think it was going to be obtainable.

I didn't think it was going to happen.

But now that I'm at this point, it feels like maybe this is something that could really happen.

I can do it, yeah.

[ Chuckles ] I have to.

♪♪ [ Indistinct conversations ] -I just can't.

The nerves, you know?

Maybe once I start.

[ Laughs ] I'm going to be doing a couponing class.

And the main reason I wanted to do this, especially here in my community, was to show people that it is something that everybody can do.

-So we're going to be starting here in the next 15 minutes or so.

-I have 80 people coming to the couponing presentation.

[ Sighs ] I had butterflies in my stomach the whole way.

I'm feeling very nervous.

Oh, my God.

I haven't presented like this in front of this many people in a long time.

What if I stumble or something?

I don't know.

Just the million scenarios that go through your head.

Okay, we're about to start.

-Tonight we have something special in store.

-It's amazing to have my mom and my kids here.

I want to hear what they're going to have to say afterwards.

-Please join me in welcoming Jovanna as she shares her knowledge and expertise to help our community.

[ Applause ] -Um...so like Stephanie said, my name is Jovanna and I'm a couponer here in El Paso, Texas.

And although I started couponing five years ago to help my family, who was struggling financially, I've continued to do it for almost six years now.

Because when you start and you actually see the savings that you're getting on your everyday essentials, things that you're literally going to the store probably to buy every single day, there's more than likely a coupon for it.

You no longer have to get the Sunday insert or clip paper coupons.

Everything is available to you right from your phone.

And then we have MFR or MQ, which is a manufacturer's coupon.

And the main reason I want to explain that to you guys is because there's a difference between a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon.

Some stores do offer both and they do combine together, so you're getting double the savings.

Another great thing about content creators is we share the deals before they even come out.

We do the work for you, tell you, "Hey, coming up Sunday, these are the deals that you're going to want to look out for."

And then these are what the extra bucks look like on your app.

I mean, you always hear it, even when you're little, dream big and do big things, but do you actually ever get to do them?

Say that you go into the store and you buy two toothpaste and you pay $3 out of your pocket, but the store's rewarding you $5 back for buying those toothpastes.

So you made money.

A lot of cashiers haven't learned or don't know that regardless of what you buy, you can use that register reward.

I want to show you guys how easy that is.

Even if you take a step back for a little bit, you can come back from it.

Doors open.

When one closes, another one opens.

-How can we continue learning from you?

-I share weekly deals all the time for all the stores.

-Will you be giving more classes in the future?

-I would love to do that because I feel like it's so much information, and one class is not enough to teach you every single store.

-And let me know if you do.

-Based on what I saw today, I feel like the doors are going to be open for so many opportunities.

This is just the surface of it, but there's so much more.

And once you understand that, the savings that you can get are amazing.

I think I gave up for a little bit, but...not anymore.

-And can we give a round of applause to Jovanna, please?

-[ Sighs ] That makes me feel better.

-Yeah.

-Hold on.

So after the presentation, I walked over to my son.

-I don't know if this will make you cry, but it was definitely trying to, like, make me cry.

The entire time, like, I felt like, really, like, inspired and proud.

-Aw, thank you.

That was really good to see and hear him say that.

Sorry.

-Thank you.

So proud of you.

-Thank you for the invite.

-So many emotions.

I can't even put it into words.

I'm happy that you're, like, excited about learning.

-I am.

I really am.

-Yeah.

-I mean, I can, like, go take the time.

-Save on the stuff you're already getting.

Seeing the response from everybody, knowing that they're actually interested in more, I don't know, it made me, like, my heart full.

This is an opportunity for a business, for sure.

-[ Speaks Spanish ] -Okay.

Bye, Mom.

I love you.

-I love you too.

-I think I'm... I don't know... finally me again.

Yeah.

Sorry.

I got emotional there.

[ Sniffling ] ♪♪ -I wake up every morning telling myself today's a new day, to just start over and break some of those bad habits and show discipline.

I'm actually impressed.

-Thank you.

That's my go-to.

-And, yeah, I do hear Louis in my head reminding me to make sure I budget.

[ Camera shutter clicks ] -This was a great start to get an idea of what you are looking for.

-I am proud of myself for the amount of work that I've done in six weeks.

Makes me very optimistic that I can make big changes and stick with them.

Yes.

Come on, Leah, are you ready?

Alright.

-You gave me the bum ball.

-You can use this one if you want.

-I'm looking forward to seeing Louis again in six weeks.

Oh, you made it.

I gotta make it.

I am hoping to make him proud in the progress that I am going to make.

Whoo-hoo!

-Great game.

-I feel like I went from being scared to being more excited about everything that's to come in the future.

-And guess what, guys?

I'm packing for Seattle.

-Oh, you know us girls like to take a couple extra options, so I will squeeze it.

I will make it fit.

-I'm so excited to go to Seattle and meet everybody else and see and hear about their journeys.

-I'm at the airport.

I'm getting ready to board to head to Seattle.

-I'm super nervous but excited.

Looking forward to meeting the other families.

-We had about a 30-minute delay.

I'm rushing.

-Just truly thankful for this experience.

It's been life-changing and I'm just grateful for the opportunity.

I don't know what to expect.

-And, yeah, let's get this show on the road.

See you guys tomorrow.

Bye.

-We'll see you guys tomorrow.

♪♪ -Everyone deserves opportunities.

Find yours at opportunityknocks.net.

-ZIP splits big payments into not-so-big ones and provides the flexibility and control to pay over time.

Available wherever you get your apps.

Learn more at zip.co.

ZIP is a proud sponsor of "Opportunity Knocks."

-Funding for "Opportunity Knocks" is provided by Visa.

Visa.

Everywhere you want to be.

Additional funding provided by the Wells Fargo Foundation, which seeks to strengthen historically marginalized communities by investing in pathways to economic advancement and generational wealth.

"Opportunity Knocks" is sponsored in part by the National Council for Financial Opportunities.

To learn more, visit theNCFO.org.

Support for "Opportunity Knocks" is provided by GreenPath Financial Wellness, a national nonprofit providing financial counseling and education for more than 65 years.

Learn more at greenpath.com.