It took a home purchase for Karen Rubin to get focused on makinga budget and balancing a checkbook on a quest to become morefinancially savvy.

That determination recently paid off for the single mother ofthree when she was named the $10,000 grand prize winner of FloridaCommerce Credit Union's weLiveFIT! challenge. Over a 10-monthperiod, Rubin reduced her debt by $4,500, increased her savings bymore than $30,000 and boosted her credit score from 662 to 758.

“And I am most proud of bringing up my credit score-thoseelusive folks with that nebulous formula at Fair Isaacs met theirmatch, eh,” Rubin wrote on her blog posted onwww.welivefitchallenge.com Jan.19, the day she was announced thewinner.

“But I would like to point out that while this challenge pressedme into 'extreme savings mode' for the time the cameras wererolling, the process of getting 'financially fit' is a lot likegetting physically fit-there are no magic potions or spells (drat),but there is reward for working hard and making tough choices,”Rubin wrote.

Seven families participated in the nearly year-long weLiveFIT!challenge. Each family worked closely with FCCU financial coacheswho evaluated their financial status, developed a fitness plan tofollow and provided additional support throughout the rigorouscompetition. Each household was eligible for the $10,000 prizebased on its progress by the end of the challenge.

With help from her financial coaches, Rubin learned how tocreate a budget and set achievable financial goals. She paid offseveral of her credit cards, taught her kids how to start savingand recently got a full-time job with steady income.

Over the challenge's 10-month period, the seven familiescollectively increased their credit scores by 469 points, increasedtheir savings by more than $72,000 and decreased their debts byapproximately $44,869, according to FCCU.

“While one of the families here today walked away with a checkfor $10,000, Florida Commerce has the satisfaction of knowing thatthis competition also rewarded our community with usefulinformation and real world financial advice,” said FCCU CEO CeciliaHomison.

The $300 million FCCU in Tallahassee shared the families'stories on monthly Webisodes that aired on the challenge Web sitewww.welivefitchallenge.com and Comcast cable. The families alsoused social media and blogs to share their experiences with thecommunity. While their journey to financial freedom was rewarding,it was not always easy. One of the contestants bowed out of thecompetition early citing work and family demands.

Rubin, who earned a doctorate degree in history from FloridaState University, had worked seasonally and part-time when thechallenge started. Her goal was to develop a savings plan andcreate daily financial maintenance habits. At the Jan. 19 pressconference, she thanked her financial coaches for hanging in therewith her.

“And anyone who really knows me can vouch for my illiteracy withboth math and budgeting-but with practice and positivereinforcement for a job well done-it does get…well, maybe not“EASY” (because who doesn't have to FIGHT that impulse for a warmoatmeal raisin cookie?) but it becomes more comfortable…it's adifferent lifestyle,” Rubin wrote.

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