Dollars & Sense

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense. Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Most business owners don't realize how much time, money, and risk are tied up in the way they manage their banking. From driving checks to the bank and manually processing payroll to protecting...

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense. Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Most people don’t realize how many small financial habits quietly impact their future. In this episode of the Dollars & Sense Podcast, the team sits down to talk about the biggest financial mist...

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense. Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Scams are changing and most people don’t realize how fast. In this episode, we sit down with fraud analyst Jen to break down how AI is reshaping the way scams work, why they’re becoming more convinc...

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense. Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Most people think they’ll figure out investing later. The problem is, later gets expensive. In this episode, we sit down with Cameron Ridgeway from Petersen Hastings to break down the biggest financ...

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense. Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ There’s a lot of advice online about how to “fix” your credit. Quick wins. Loopholes. Disputes that magically erase everything. The reality is this isn’t how it works. In this episode, we sit down w...

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense. Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Tax season can feel confusing, stressful, and overwhelming—especially if you’re filing for the first time. But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with Ken from...

Brenna's Socials: https://www.tiktok.com/@bren.nery?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/brenna.nery/?hl=en Kekoa's IG: https://www.instagram.com/kekoa.nery/?hl=en Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7dIYZRus5g9rjftdPkGVCL?si=41c4d1ded22442ad Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dollars-sense/id1788376326 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram....

Investing isn’t complicated. But emotions make it feel that way. Most people understand the basics—buy low, sell high, stay invested. Yet time and time again, investors make decisions that work against them. Not because they lack information, but because fear, panic, overconfidence, and the urge to “do something” take over when uncertainty shows up. In this episode, financial advisors Tyler Pearso...

What happens when people at different life stages are given the same income and asked to build a budget? In this episode of Dollars & Sense , we run The Budget Experiment — giving each guest the exact same income, expenses, and framework, then watching how their priorities, values, and life stage shape the outcome. From young professionals to parents with kids, this conversation shows why budg...

Most financial advice sounds good… but doesn’t stick. In this episode of Dollars & Sense , we break down five practical financial habits that actually matter in 2026 — not trendy hacks or unrealistic rules, but simple actions that help reduce stress, improve clarity, and build consistency over time. We talk about: Why checking in on your money once a month matters more than perfection How auto...

In this episode of Dollars and Sense, Scott Cowan interviews Chris Dlugozima, a financial counselor and podcast host for GreenPath Financial Wellness, discussing the complexities of debt accumulation, the psychological barriers to seeking help, and the importance of financial literacy. They explore common signs of financial distress, the impact of life events on debt, and share success stories fro...

What does it really take to build generational wealth that lasts? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, we sit down with Tony and Brenna from Christiansen Inc., a three-generation family business that grew from a one-bedroom house and six employees into a billion-dollar company supporting more than 400 team members. Their story is not about luck or shortcuts. It is about courage, sacrifice, lead...

Healthcare is one of the biggest expenses in the average American household — yet almost no one knows how to use their insurance to get the best care and the best price. This conversation with Clayton from Alliant exposes the hidden habits and costly assumptions that cause millions of people to overspend on their health each year. We unpack the psychology of “reactive healthcare,” how to enter the...

When technology sounds human, it’s hard to know what’s real. In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we sit down with Eli and Sarah, a couple who lived through one of the most shocking examples of AI-powered fraud we’ve ever heard. A single phone call that sounded exactly like Eli’s mother sent their entire family into panic. What unfolded over the next two hours felt like a movie, but it was all r...

Hackers don’t just steal — they operate like businesses. In this episode, we sat down with Jeremy Karmy, founder of DevFusion, a managed IT and cybersecurity company that protects organizations across 13 states — from small businesses to major enterprises. With years of experience helping clients recover from real ransomware attacks, Jeremy has seen firsthand how today’s cybercriminals think, plan...

🎮 Think gaming is just fun and games? Think again. In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we explore how the gaming industry became a $250 billion machine by mastering one thing: human behavior . From paying to skip ads, to spending real money on digital outfits, to buying power and progression — games have perfected how to turn your attention, emotion, and identity into revenue. Whether you&apos...

In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we’re joined by Max Lucas , a loan officer at HAPO, and Connor MacDougall , a local real estate agent, to talk about how homeownership reshapes your relationship with money. It’s not just about mortgages and maintenance — it’s about the mindset shift that happens when you go from renting to owning. From unexpected costs to long-term planning, this is a real-w...

💸 Think you need thousands to start investing? Think again. In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with Nick Haberling and Tyler Pearson, both financial advisors from HFG Trust, to break down the biggest myth that keeps people from building wealth: the idea that you need to be rich to get started. With just a few dollars and the right mindset, you can build a portfolio that grows over...

What does it take to build a thriving business and who can you actually trust to back you? In this episode, we sit down with Bobby and Matt from HAPO’s Commercial Services team to talk about what truly makes business banking personal. From real estate loans to small business support, they share how HAPO is changing the game with local lending decisions, deep relationships, and a commitment to help...

HAPO recently acquired Community First Bank, and in this episode, we break down the why . CEO Scott Mitchell and CBO Eric Pearson join us to explain what this shift means for our community, how it all came together, and what the future of banking looks like. From local control to national trends — this one’s big. 🎧 Whether you're a longtime member or just curious about the banking landscape,...

Pickleball, concerts, economic growth—there’s a bold new vision unfolding at the HAPO Event Center. In this episode, we sit down with General Manager Mike McCall and Director of Sales Joanna Ruiz to explore what’s next for one of the Tri-Cities' most iconic venues. With decades of combined experience in pro sports, international business, and event operations, Mike and Joanna bring big-league...

IVF can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and that’s before it works. In this episode, we follow one woman’s emotional and financial journey through infertility, treatment, and the true cost of hope. Alissa, a young mom and HAPO employee, shares her raw experience with navigating infertility, including the medical system, hundreds of self-administered hormone shots, unexpected financial obstacles...

When schools skipped teaching money skills, Ashwin didn’t just start a finance club. He took his mission all the way to state legislation. Now he’s helping others take control of their finances too. In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we dive into: Why financial literacy is missing from most school curriculums How Gen Z is taking ownership of their financial futures The challenges young people...

Does money really lead to happiness? In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we unpack this age-old question through honest conversation and personal stories. Our guests share different perspectives—from growing up with limited means to experiencing the freedom that financial stability can bring. We explore what happiness really means, how money can shape our experiences, and why the answer isn’t a...

Fraud in 2025 isn’t random—it’s organized, strategic, and constantly evolving. In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we sit down with HAPO’s fraud team to break down how today’s scammers really operate. From coordinated fraud rings to sophisticated spoofing tactics, you’ll learn how these networks communicate, share data, and stay one step ahead of their targets. We also discuss what trends are o...