Dollars & Sense

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...

You earned that refund — now it’s time to make it count. In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we dive into the surprising psychology behind why tax refunds feel like a bonus, even though it’s your own money coming back to you. We’ll break down what most people actually do with their refunds (spoiler: it’s not always the smartest move), why it feels so tempting to splurge, and how you can use you...

Raising financially smart kids doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intention, everyday conversations, and a few creative approaches. In this episode of Dollars and Sense, host Scott is joined by two moms, Kandy and Annie, to talk about how they’re helping their kids build real-world money skills early on. From teaching the value of saving to navigating the “wants vs. needs” conversation, this epis...

In this episode, we did something completely different—we invited ChatGPT as our podcast guest! Scott and ChatGPT teamed up to tackle one of the biggest challenges many of us face: managing our finances. We put AI to the test with a financial experiment to see if it could really fix our budget and help us save money. From analyzing our spending habits to building a customized budget plan, ChatGPT...

The Truth About Building a Custom Home | Dollars & Sense Podcast 🏡 Ever wondered what it really takes to build a custom home? In this episode of Dollars & Sense , we sit down with Jordan Mattila, owner of 47 North Custom Homes , HAPO’s Mortgage Origination Manager Rob Lindsay , and HAPO’s Commercial Construction Specialist Jaime Devore to break down the process from start to finish. Each...

💰 Love & Money: Mastering Couples’ Finances Without Breaking the Bank (or Each Other!) 💑 Money and relationships—two things that can make or break a partnership. Studies show that nearly half of couples argue about money , making it one of the biggest stressors in relationships. But what if managing finances together didn’t have to feel like a battlefield? In this episode, we dive deep into...

🏈 The Super Bowl Isn’t Just a Game—It’s an Economic Powerhouse! 💰 From $7 million commercials to 1.4 billion chicken wings, the Super Bowl is one of the biggest financial events of the year. In this episode, Scott is joined by Jeff and Jeremy from HAPO to break down the economics of the Super Bowl—who’s spending, who’s winning, and just how much money is flying around on game day. 🔹 What We Cov...

💸 Ever wonder where all your money goes? You’re not alone! In this episode, our host Scott sits down with certified financial coach Marcelo from HAPO to tackle the topic of budgeting. Together, they break down why budgeting matters and how to make it work for YOU. From understanding why most budgets fail to exploring different methods like the 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, and cash envelop...

In this episode of Dollars and Sense , we dive into the powerful yet often overlooked role credit unions play in shaping policy and building stronger communities. With a new legislative session underway in Washington State, we explore how credit unions are advocating for financial education in schools, protecting their members’ interests against potential new taxes, and navigating critical issues...

Side Hustles: Passion vs. Pragmatism – Which Approach Wins? In this episode, we brought in three dynamic entrepreneurs to talk about all things side hustle—from starting small to turning your hustle into a full-time business. With their diverse experiences and unique perspectives, this conversation is packed with inspiration, strategy, and practical advice for anyone looking to level up their fina...

In this episode, we dive into the world of online shopping trends and how they’re reshaping our spending habits—often in ways we don’t realize. From ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ services like Klarna and Affirm to one-click buys on Amazon, we examine the psychology behind these conveniences and their potential pitfalls. We’ll also explore the rise of subscription models, social media shops, and tempting fr...

Scott is joined by a couple of top real estate agents from the Tri-Cities Area, Vicki Monteagudo and Laura Harris-Hodges. The two give us some unique insights into trends in the housing market and talk about how important it can be to have a professional help you navigate the world of buying and selling real estate.

On this episode, Scott is joined by Nolan and Carter from HAPO's Finance department. They talk about the basic steps that everyone should make to secure their financial foundation.  These steps can help ensure that you are all setup to handle the bumps in the road and are in a good position to make future moves to start to develop more wealth.

Scott is joined by HAPO's Fraud Manager Jen and Detective Sam Grant from the Richland Police Department. We take the time to look into the current fraud trends happening via SMS messaging, as well as other fraud basics and how to go about protecting yourself. Blog Post:  HAPO Community Credit Union - Blog - Financial Education

On this episode of Dollars & Sense, Levi and Todd with HAPO Community Credit Union's Consumer Lending department join Scott to talk about a major part of Credit Union philosophy and business.  We get a chance to dispel some myths about how much credit to utilize in order to maintain a good Credit Score, how making payments impacts that score, and what exactly goes into a Credit Mix.  We a...

Scott is joined by Britany and Carol, two of HAPO's Mortgage Loan Officers. They talk about the current landscape of the mortgage and real estate world. Some advice on navigating the current rates, as well as reasons you might have to make a move. They also talk about ways you can access the equity without needing to do a full Refinance and lose out on a lower rate you may have secured previo...

Scott talks with Karyn from HAPO Commercial Services, Maria from Washington Small Business Development Center, and Ana from Craft3 about what it takes to start up your own small business.  We all know it takes more than just an idea for a product or service, but we'll jump into the weeds about all the things you might not have considered.  Business Plans, Start-up Capitol, what it takes to ge...

On this episode, Scott is joined by Tony, Teresa, and Domingo.  All 3 are Certified Credit Union Financial Coaches who have a number of personal and member stories about real life debt scenarios.  We discuss how to avoid these scenarios, as well as ways out of them if you didn't take those precautions.

Our favorite Fraud Prevention specialist, Jen, joins the podcast again to discuss another hot topic: Online Marketplaces. These marketplaces, like Facebook, eBay, or Craigslist, provide ample opportunities for fraudsters. We go over some methods of helping to keep yourself safe and protected when buying and selling items using these Person-to-Person marketplaces. Methods like public spaces, cash t...