Persistence, Progress, and the Power of Small Steps

On a quiet morning in San Francisco, David’s day starts the same way it has for years: with the gentle (and not-so-gentle) nudging of four demanding cats, including Shiva — his 18-year-old companion who keeps him grounded. “She gets me out of bed even when I don’t want to. She’s like a little accountability partner,” he laughed.

David’s life today is filled with purpose, community, and even a touch of opera. But to understand how he got here — with over $30,000 in savings, zero credit card debt, and the real possibility of homeownership — you have to go back to 1994, a year that changed everything.

Images by Jenni Chapman Photography

A Life Rebuilt from the Ground Up

In 1994, David was diagnosed with HIV. “That really made me stop and look at my life,” he said. At the time, addiction had a grip on him. Financial stability, health, and structure were out of reach. “Everything I had was going out of my pocket to other people. I didn’t understand what it meant to build something for myself.”

Getting clean was the first step. He entered a treatment program that didn’t just support his sobriety — it connected him to the social services that would become the scaffolding for his recovery. Through the program, David was guided through applying for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), accessing food assistance, and eventually entering a lottery for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP). “Out of 10,000 names, I got number 954. My number came up the exact month I was graduating from the program,” he said. “It was a smooth transition into stable housing — a real blessing.”

He moved into an apartment where he still lives today, more than 25 years later. It’s rent-controlled, well-located, and most importantly, it gave David a stable home base from which to begin again.

Learning the Hustle: Navigating Systems with Tenacity

While the support programs gave him a start, David says the real work came in learning how to use them. “The hustle was learning to work within these government systems. I had to pound the pavement — literally. This was before Google,” he said. “I had to go from agency to agency, make phone calls, look through lists. It wasn’t about cutting corners. It was about being persistent.”

He had to learn to humble himself too — letting go of pride to accept help when it was needed. “At first, I felt like I was less-than for needing help. But eventually, I realized: it’s okay to do what you need to do. It’s okay to be realistic about your needs.”

David’s success navigating services made him a quiet expert in his community. Today, he shares what he’s learned with others at a local nonprofit, where he now works part-time. “A lot of people don’t even know what’s available to them,” he said. “I’ve talked several clients through the steps I took. We don’t have the same story, but it’s the same plot.”

David credits SaverLife for the financial hacks that helped him keep making progress.

“Once I learned how much it cost to owe money, I stopped thinking just about balances and started thinking about interest. It was a game-changer.”

Finding Community, Finding Purpose

The community David has built through work has been a lifeline during some of his darkest days. Their free ticket programs helped him stay socially engaged and connected during recovery. Over time, he started volunteering there, eventually joining the staff over a decade ago. “I never planned to go back to work,” he admitted. “But I found something I loved to do, and they worked around my health. I told them what I could handle, and they built the job around that.”

David now manages the activities desk, coordinating cultural outings for the organization’s clients — many of whom are LGBTQ+ seniors or individuals living with life-threatening illnesses. “We get them to the symphony, the theater, the ballet — all for free,” he said. “It’s about more than entertainment. It’s about dignity and connection.”

The work gives him structure, joy, and a small, steady income. But more than that, it reminds him why he keeps pushing forward. “Service keeps me sane. Community puts my problems into perspective.”

Money Mastery, One Small Step at a Time

David’s finances didn’t transform overnight. For years, he lived paycheck to paycheck, doing just enough to stay afloat. “I used to think that breaking even was winning,” he said. “Savings felt impossible. I didn’t know where to begin.”

Then came SaverLife. A friend suggested he sign up, and the gamified savings challenges — modest, simple, but consistent — got his attention. “Save $5 this month. Then $25. It was manageable,” he said. “I started treating it like a game.”

He got in the habit of putting money away from every paycheck, even if it was just a little. Over time, those little bits grew — slowly at first, but then more rapidly. “It was about consistency. And eventually, I looked at my account and thought, ‘Wow. I did that.’”

He didn’t stop there. David began tackling his significant credit card debt, too. He used balance transfers — moving balances from high-interest cards to zero-interest offers — and made a habit of tracking his finances in a detailed spreadsheet. “I divided it all by my payment dates and income schedule. Now I know exactly when and what to pay.” 

He credits SaverLife for the financial hacks that helped him keep making progress.  “Once I learned how much it cost to owe money, I stopped thinking just about balances and started thinking about interest. It was a game-changer.”

Dreaming Bigger: A Home of His Own

As his savings grew and his debts shrank, something else started to shift: his sense of possibility.

“I never thought homeownership would be in the cards,” he said. “But once I had over $15,000 saved, I started asking questions.” He discovered a little-known homeownership program through the local housing authority — one that could use his rent subsidy to help pay a mortgage.

He’s still exploring his options, but for the first time, he’s turning down listings instead of turning away from the dream. “It’s not about having a mansion. I just want a place where I can paint the walls without asking permission,” he smiled.

He’s considering a condo. He’s researching down payment assistance. He’s weighing compromises — and dreaming without fear.

What Financial Health Means Now

For David, financial health isn’t about luxury — it’s about peace of mind. “It eases my anxiety,” he said. “I can pay for a vet bill if one of my cats gets sick. I don’t have to beg, borrow, or panic.”

He’s automated his bills. He tracks his debt and savings meticulously. He still finds ways to make extra cash — mock trials, surveys, small side gigs — and puts every bit straight into savings.

But most of all, David lives with confidence. “I’m not rich,” he said. “Things are still tight. But they’re manageable. I’m in control. That’s what wealth means to me.”

A Blueprint for Persistence

When asked where his resilience comes from, David chuckled: “I’m a stubborn ass sometimes.” But he also credits the communities that supported him, the tools he picked up along the way, and the refusal to give up — even when things seemed impossible.

“You may stumble, but that’s okay,” he said. “What matters is how many times you get back up.”

David’s story is one of setbacks and restarts, of scraping by and slowly learning to thrive. Through social programs, SaverLife tools, and his own unwavering determination, he built something steady. Something real. Something lasting.

“I haven’t bought the place yet,” he said. “But I’ve gotten myself to a place where it’s possible. And that in itself — that’s amazing.”

We extend out gratitude to the U.S. Bank for their generous philanthropic support, which has made it possible for this story to be shared.

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