Constance Byrd-Raynor
“If you want to get anything, control your spending...you have to really think about what you want, and if you really, really want it, you need to save for it.”
- Constance Byrd-Raynor
Constance Byrd-Raynor cannot wait to own a home and looks forward to being the first in her family to accomplish that goal. She and her husband, Theatrice, began saving for a home one year ago through CAAB’s Marriage Development Account (MDA) program. Constance first heard of CAAB through Manna, Inc., a CAAB partner. Manna shared information about CAAB’s 3-to-1 matched savings programs and is helping Constance come closer to her long-term goal of home-ownership.
Currently enrolled in Manna’s homebuying class, Constance says that when it comes to making an informed decision about a home purchase “our home buying class tells us everything we need to know.” The course covers financing a home and closing on a home, and even sets up tours for its participants to view various properties. Constance says she is glad to be learning everything in the class before she makes her purchase, so she’ll know what she needs in order to make a good decision and maintain her home. “There are people who have purchased homes [previously] and have learned a lot in this class. They had their house almost 10 or 20 years, and ended up losing their home. I am glad I am in this class so I can already get the knowledge.” She also appreciates that Manna will support her during the closing process. “When you go to closing, they are right there step-by-step,” she said. Manna staff members assist clients in reading and understanding housing contracts and go through each contract page-by-page which makes Constance feel more comfortable about the process. “I like to have someone have my back. They will be there with us for everything.”
The supportive staff is also what Constance enjoys about CAAB’s MDA program. “They want you to succeed…and I love them for that,” she said. “They care that much.” Even though she has finished CAAB’s Money Management 101 class, she still has her certificate of completion and the CD of information about saving, establishing checking accounts, and identity theft given to all of the class’s graduates. Since her job with the DC Public Schools does not pay her through the summer months, she looks forward to receiving one-on-one budget counseling to help her keep track of her finances for those times when she’s not drawing a regular paycheck. “If you want to get anything, control your spending; save more, party less,” she offers as advice for other people saving towards a goal, “You have to really think about what you want, and if you really, really want it, you need to save for it.”
And that is what Constance continues to do, save for her new home. In fact, she recently won a $100 Savings Bond in the DC Saves quarterly drawing. Constance thinks about the excitement her family will experience when they first walk in to their future home. “My husband will be happy. My niece will be jumping for joy. My family will be amazed that I accomplished my goal,” she said. And she is ready and looking forward to what comes next. “I will basically put it first, making it a lovely home for me and my husband, to keep, and grow old [in].”
