John J. McGuinness
Ramsey Solutions Master Financial Coach
Founder & Financial Coach
Behavior-First Guidance | Real Life. Real Change.
For more than 15 years, I worked in the funeral service industry, helping families through some of the most heartbreaking moments of their lives. Whether it was the passing of a parent, the sudden loss of a sibling, or the unimaginable grief of a child, I was the steady, compassionate presence in the room — guiding them forward with empathy and care.
But behind the scenes, I was quietly struggling.
I faced chronic anxiety, depression, poor financial decisions, and a lifestyle that appeared stable but was crumbling from within. Each day, I longed for a deeper sense of purpose — not just in my work, but in my life. I wanted to help people in a more transformative way, but I didn’t yet have the tools.
Then everything changed…
*actual photo
January 7, 2022 — The Fire
That night, flames tore through the apartment below mine and across the hall. Chaos erupted. But the only alarm I heard was the one on my phone — a bank notification reminding me of my dangerously low balance.
By morning, I had lost everything: Furniture I never truly owned (thanks to rent-to-own agreements), a high-interest computer, photo albums, documents, clothes — even a toothbrush.
All that remained was my girlfriend, the clothes on my back, a large panting Goldendoodle… and one slightly smoked, tailless cat. (For the record, the fire didn’t take his tail. He’d chewed it off himself a few weeks earlier — because, well, cats.)
What should have been rock bottom quickly became worse. My unaddressed emotional spending and debt turned a disaster into a full-blown crisis. As Dave Ramsey famously says, “Debt turns an emergency into a crisis” — and I was living proof.
The Turning Point
In the midst of that chaos, I stumbled on a video of Dave Ramsey speaking directly to people like me — overwhelmed, defeated, and stuck. And for the first time, I realized:
My problem wasn’t just financial. It was behavioral.
That moment marked the start of a new chapter.
Step by step, I began to rebuild.
I took ownership of my story. I addressed the habits, mindset, and emotions driving my choices. I paid off debt, lost over 80 pounds, regained mental clarity, and most importantly — I found purpose.
Today, I’m no longer surviving. I’m thriving — with focus, peace, and a deep calling to help others do the same.
Why I Coach
I became a Ramsey Certified Financial Coach to walk alongside people just like you — whether you’re buried in debt, feeling stuck, or simply seeking direction.
No lectures. No shame. Just honest conversations, practical strategies, and a personalized plan to help you take control of your finances and your future.
Because here’s the truth:
Money is only 20% math — and 80% behavior.
You can’t change math. But you can change behavior.
You can rewrite your story.
You can rebuild — just like I did.
Let’s Take the First Step — Together.
No shame. No judgment. Just real change.