Turns out, crushing your debt can involve glitter, glue sticks, and really good tapas.
On Friday, August 14, a group of Chicago residents traded their usual Friday night plans for something a little different: a financial vision board workshop. No, really. And before you roll your eyes at what sounds like a Pinterest fever dream meets personal finance, hear us out—this wasn’t your typical money seminar.
MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU), AlumniFi, and Changed teamed up to host “Mapped: A Financial Vision Night” at MSUFCU’s Lyric 312 space. The concept? Part creative workshop, part financial game plan session, with mocktails and bites from local favorite Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba! thrown in for good measure.
Financial Planning, But Make It Fun
Here’s the thing about money goals: they often live as abstract ideas floating around in our heads. “I should pay off my student loans.” “I need an emergency fund.” “Wouldn’t a house be nice?” But turning those thoughts into actual, achievable plans? That’s where most of us get stuck.
Enter the vision board approach. Attendees grabbed craft supplies and got hands-on, creating visual representations of their financial futures. Whether the goal was crushing debt, saving for a down payment, or finally building that emergency fund everyone says you need, participants walked away with something tangible—a physical reminder of where they’re headed.
Led by Someone Who Gets It
The evening was guided by Khadiza Ali, Growth Lead at Changed, the Chicago-based debt payoff app that snagged Mark Cuban’s attention on “Shark Tank.” But Ali’s background goes deeper than fintech. She spent years in humanitarian aid, leading community education programs for Rohingya refugees and working with local NGOs in Bangladesh. In other words, she knows a thing or two about meeting people where they are and making complex topics accessible.
“Financial planning doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or dry; it can be creative, inspiring, and deeply personal,” Ali explained. “Whether the goal is paying off student loans, buying a home, or building an emergency fund, putting a visual map to those aspirations helps make them attainable. It was incredible helping people from the area walk away with a physical board, actionable steps, and a clear road map to crush their debt.”
Community-First Approach to Financial Wellness
The collaboration reflects a growing shift in how financial institutions think about money education. Instead of stuffy seminars or intimidating one-on-one consultations, this event prioritized community and creativity.
“At MSUFCU and AlumniFi, we believe that financial wellness starts with community and accessible tools,” said Arianna Ridderbusch, MSUFCU Vice President of Community Impact. “Partnering with Changed for Mapped allowed us to welcome the Chicago community into our Lyric 312 space for an evening that combined real financial planning with a fun, supportive atmosphere.”
The takeaway? Financial planning doesn’t have to look like spreadsheets and stern advice (though those have their place). Sometimes it looks like cutting out magazine clippings of your dream home while sipping a mocktail and chatting with others working toward their own goals. And honestly? That sounds a lot more motivating than staring at a budget app alone on your couch.