Wallet Wisdom

On this episode of Wallet Wisdom, LMCU COO Sara Kemperman reflects on our journey from a teachers' credit union founded in 1933 to nearly 700,000 members today, and why putting people first remains at the heart of everything we do. Sara also shares financial wellness tips for budgeting and emergency savings, how LMCU continues to embrace technology, our growth in Florida and the importance of comm...

On this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Ken Jansen, President of Lake Michigan Insurance Agency (LMIA), joins us to talk about how consumers and businesses can think about insurance in today's economic climate. From rising costs and changing insurance markets to deductibles, shopping around and reviewing your coverage, Ken shares practical insights to help you better understand your options. You'll also...

Building a home can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to figure out how much you need to put down, how construction financing works, and whether building is actually more affordable than buying an existing home. In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett sits down with Luther, an LMCU mortgage loan officer with 20 years of experience, to break down what you need to know before deciding...

Fraud and scams are becoming more sophisticated, more frequent and harder to recognize. In this week’s Wallet Wisdom episode, Brett sits down with Natalie, a Market Leader at LMCU, to talk about the scams and fraud attempts she has encountered firsthand and the warning signs everyone should know. From impersonation scams and suspicious phone calls to fraudulent identities and convincing investment...

College is an exciting time, but it can also be the first time many students are responsible for managing their own money. In this week’s Wallet Wisdom episode, Brett sits down with Brenton, a Market Leader at LMCU, to talk about the financial decisions students face when starting college and the money mistakes that can follow them long after graduation. From understanding student loans and financ...

In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett sits down with Savannah and Ann Marie from LMCU to discuss why a mid-year financial check-up can make a big difference in reaching your money goals. Whether you're trying to save more, reduce debt, or simply gain a better understanding of where your money is going, this conversation offers practical tips and free tools to help you take control of your financ...

The holidays may feel far away during the summer months, but preparing for holiday expenses early can make a big difference when the season arrives. In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett sits down with Mary, Valrico Market Leader at LMCU, to discuss how listeners can start planning, saving, and building better financial habits before holiday spending begins. From creating a holiday budget and id...

The financial world has changed dramatically over the last century, but one thing has remained constant: people still need trusted financial partners to help them achieve their goals. In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett sits down with Trevor to explore the history of the credit union movement, why credit unions were created, and how their member-first philosophy continues to make a difference...

Graduation is an exciting milestone, but it also marks the beginning of a new financial journey. In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett sits down with Sedrick, Market Leader at LMCU, to discuss why financial literacy is one of the most important skills graduates can develop as they enter adulthood. From creating a realistic budget to avoiding the pressure of "keeping up with the Joneses," Sedrick...

In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett sits down with LMCU’s home lending experts to break down what home equity really is, how Fed rate decisions impact borrowing, and how homeowners can strategically use a HELOC to support their financial goals. From home renovations and debt consolidation to understanding variable rates and long-term financial planning, this episode explores the practical side...

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, and in this week’s Wallet Wisdom episode, we’re diving into what it really takes to get one off the ground. Brett sits down with Scott, Vice President of Small Business Lending at LMCU, to break down the early steps every entrepreneur should consider before launching or scaling a business. From realistic financial planning to finding the right...

Buying a home or continuing to rent? It’s not as simple as one being better than the other—and in this episode of Wallet Wisdom, we break down why. Brett sits down with Jake, Vice President of Regional Mortgage Production at LMCU, to unpack one of the biggest financial decisions many people face: owning vs. renting. Jake shares an honest, practical perspective shaped by years of helping members na...

Helping your kids build strong financial habits starts earlier than you think, and this week’s Wallet Wisdom episode shows you how to begin. Brett sits down with Byron, Market Leader at LMCU’s Downtown Detroit branch, to talk about how parents can start meaningful financial conversations with their kids and why those early discussions matter more than ever. From simple savings habits to long-term...

Brett sits down with Josh, Director of Fraud at LMCU, who shares an inside look at how scams are becoming more sophisticated, and what you can do to protect yourself in an increasingly digital world. From AI-powered scams to fake websites and urgent “fear-based” tactics, Josh explains how fraudsters are using smarter tools and more convincing strategies than ever before. As he puts it, fraud today...

Tax season is here, and this week’s Wallet Wisdom episode is packed with practical, real life strategies to help you stretch your refund further than ever. Brett sits down with Bill Turner (BT), LMCU District Manager in Southwest Florida, who brings 30 years of banking experience and a refreshingly honest take on how to use your tax return with intention—not impulse.  --- The information provided...

In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett catches up with LMCU Financial Wellness Coordinator Tiarra Weddle and LMIA Administrative Assistant Stevie VanHorssen to discuss how to build healthy money habits without ever checking your bank account. Between Tiarra’s time spent as an LMCU teller and Stevie’s experience as an LMCU Wellness Champion, today’s guests are well poised to help listeners underst...

In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, Brett sits down with Savannah Girmscheid, LMCU's Financial Wellness Manager, to break down the #1 money mistake people make when setting financial goals: jumping in without truly understanding where they stand. Whether you’re just starting your financial journey or looking to refine your goals, this episode offers practical insights and tools to help you move forw...

In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, we sit down with Cody Timm, Branch Manager of our Leonard branch and one of our top volunteers in 2025, to explore how financial education and community engagement can shape stronger futures. With eight years at LMCU and active involvement on both the Financial Wellness Council and DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Council, Cody shares how LMCU is...

In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, LMCU CEO Julie Leonard sits down to share the incredible journey of Lake Michigan Credit Union — from our beginnings in 1933 with 13 teachers pooling their resources, to becoming one of the nation’s largest and most member-focused credit unions. Whether you're an existing member or simply interested in how credit unions drive community impact, this conversation of...

In this episode of the Wallet Wisdom podcast, LMCU’s Brett Christiansen sits down with Patty Corkery, President and CEO of the Michigan Credit Union League, to unpack the key differences between credit unions and traditional banks. From member ownership and not-for-profit status to community-driven lending and financial education, this conversation reveals how credit unions empower their members a...

Welcome to another episode of Wallet Wisdom. In honor of Financial Awareness Day, we sit down with Savannah Girmschied, LMCU’s Financial Wellness Manager, to explore how financial wellness impacts your life—and how you can take control of your money with confidence. Whether you're just starting your financial journey or looking to improve your credit score, build an emergency fund, or develop heal...

In this episode of Wallet Wisdom, presented by Lake Michigan Credit Union, host Brett is joined by VP of Accounting, Tommy Minchew, and SVP of Finance, Mike Steele, to break down the Federal Reserve interest rate, how it affects your personal finances, and what you can do to stay financially strong in today’s economy. Whether you're saving, borrowing, or budgeting, this episode is packed with fina...

Join hosts Brett and Aldina, as they sit down with LMCU's VP of Secondary Marketing, and Veteran, Chad Baehr. Chad speaks to his experiences getting a V.A. mortgage, and helps to debunk some of the myths surround them. 

Join hosts Brett and Aldina as they share thoughts and ideas to help manage the rise in cost of living. From savings, to budget ideas, you wont want to miss it!

On this episode, we sit down with Josh Wolf, LMCU's Fraud Manager, to uncover the latest tactics used by scammers and how you can protect yourself. Josh shares insider tips to keep your accounts secure, and your wallet safe.