Money Matters

We walk through the holiday scams that hit when we’re busy, distracted, and waiting on packages, then we test real-world scenarios with Better Business Bureau President Carmen Million. We share clear rules to spot phishing, fake delivery texts, bank impersonation, and even AI voice scams so you can protect your money before you react.  • why timing makes anyone a target during the holidays  • how...

We give you permission to say no to holiday spending that breaks your budget and steals your peace. We share simple scripts, realistic alternatives, and a $500 holiday budget challenge so you can enjoy the season without January regret.  • why holiday spending pressure feels so intense  • separating love from price tags and gift expectations  • ways to say no with confidence and less guilt  • alte...

NIL sounds like instant millions until you look at the numbers and the fine print. We sit down with Tom Henskey, certified financial planner, financial educator, and author of The NIL Financial Playbook, to get honest about what most student athletes actually earn, how deals get approved, and why the “easy money” story rarely matches reality. If you’ve seen the cars, the headlines, and the hot tak...

We break down what credit really is, why your credit report matters as much as your credit score, and how to spot problems before they block your next goal. We also clear up common credit myths, explain credit utilization in plain language, and share ways to get no-judgment help through our financial wellness counselors.  • credit as the ability to borrow now and pay later  • why you should review...

We sit down with David Rogers, the creator of Black Blocks, to explore how a board game can make financial literacy feel exciting while teaching African American history. We break down how the game works, why it sparks better family conversations, and what money habits it helps players practice in real time.  • why games can teach financial education better than traditional seminars  • David’s mot...

We hand the studio over to two student interns, Mason and Liam, to hear what it’s really like learning money skills inside a credit union. They share how the internship changes the way they think about budgeting, credit, debt, and the real costs of senior year.  • joining the East Baton Rouge Parish Student Internship Program for the stipend and the experience  • getting matched with Neighbors Fed...

We connect the digital divide to real financial consequences, from job access and school success to budgeting tools that assume you have a laptop at home. Nicole Fitzgerald from CACRC shows why “being disconnected” costs more than dollars and how refurbished computers can change a family’s future.  • why a laptop or desktop still matters in 2026  • what the digital divide means beyond a cell phone...

We break down the major student loan repayment changes after the SAVE plan ends and explain what borrowers need to do within the 90-day decision window to avoid default. We share practical ways to choose a plan, reduce stress, and protect your budget, whether you are already repaying or planning for college. • SAVE plan basics and what changes after June 30  • 90-day timeline to choose a new repay...

We talk with professional wedding planner Blakeley Santos about how to plan a wedding with clear priorities and a real budget so you don’t start marriage under financial pressure. We share what couples overspend on first, how to cut costs without hurting the guest experience, and what to book fast when the timeline is tight.  • January engagement rush and how wedding seasons work in Louisiana  • C...

We step away from pure budgeting and get honest about enjoying money through travel, with a focus on what “luxury” really means when time is your most limited resource. Angela Alesi of Heirloom Journeys shares how intentional planning turns a trip from a stressful expense into an investment in memories, health, and connection.  • redefining luxury travel as intentional travel built around time, pu...

We take our workout outside and prove you can build real strength using free public park equipment instead of paying for a gym. Kim Chapman and trainer Keldrick Emery walk through beginner-friendly and advanced options, plus simple safety rules that keep you consistent and injury-free.  • using BREC park equipment as a free outdoor gym option  • scaling push-ups from incline to more advanced posit...

We get ahead of hurricane season with Louisiana’s state climatologist Jay Grymes, focusing on how storms create real and avoidable money stress. We map out practical ways to plan early, stock up smart, and protect our homes and families without panic spending.  • why Louisiana faces tropical threats every year and why “no threat” seasons are rare  • what a state climatologist does and how weather...

We connect the dots between financial stress and mental health, from sleep and mood changes to avoidance and overwork. We share practical ways to balance your money and your mind so you can stay aware without letting anxiety run your life.  • money stress as uncertainty that fuels anxious thoughts  • behavior changes that signal finances are taking a toll  • why avoiding money conversations keeps...

We talk with HVAC technician Joseph Long about how to stay comfortable in Louisiana heat without letting electric bills explode. We focus on the small habits and maintenance choices that cut cooling costs, reduce humidity problems, and prevent those dreaded weekend breakdowns.  • what drives high electric bills: usage, thermostat habits, equipment condition  • setting the thermostat higher when aw...

We talk with Dr. Ni'Shawn Stovall about how EBR’s Learn and Earn Internship Program helps high school juniors and seniors build job skills while earning $1,500. We break down how placement works, what students learn in boot camp, and why mentorship and financial literacy can turn a first paycheck into a long term advantage.  • Learn and Earn Internship Program goals and who qualifies  • Diffe...

We challenge the myth that healthy eating has to be expensive and break down the practical tricks that make nutritious meals doable on a real budget. With dietitian Angell Jordan from the Southern University Ag Center, we share simple shopping and cooking habits that help us waste less, eat better, and keep more money in our pockets.  • buying fruits and vegetables in season for lower prices and b...

We break the myth that fitness has to be expensive and map out realistic ways to train at home without fancy gear. I talk with personal trainer Keldric Emery about consistency, accountability, and small steps that build strength without wrecking your budget.  • why gym memberships and big plans fade fast  • setting achievable goals instead of unrealistic timelines  • using community and workout pa...

We mark 100 episodes by reflecting on practical wins, welcoming two new financial wellness counselors, and recommitting to progress over perfection. Real stories, small habits, and a bigger team expand how we help people use, make, and save money with confidence. • milestone reflections and recurring money themes • family budgets, baby costs, school events, and tradeoffs • everyday savings in the...

We share how to file a simple return for free with IRS-certified volunteers, what to bring, who qualifies, and why filing on time supports bigger goals like homebuying and emergency savings. Super Tax Day details, ongoing site access, and added community resources round it out. • what VITA is and who it serves • why free beats low cost on simple returns • super tax day time, place, and flow • ongo...

We break down how personal credit and cash flow drive small business lending and share the simple steps that boost approval odds. From DSCR to down payments and the role of guarantors, we show founders how to prepare documents, avoid common pitfalls, and choose smart starter products. • why personal credit signals business reliability • how pay history, limits, and account mix affect approval • cl...

We break down why money resolutions fail and turn them into specific, doable steps you can keep all year. From emergency funds and debt strategies to guilt-free spending and simple budgets, the focus stays on small actions and steady systems. • causes of failed resolutions and vague goals • how to make saving specific, small, and automated • why emergency funds come before vacations and extras • d...

We share a simple plan to enjoy the holidays without debt or stress, from setting a real budget to spotting fake sales and making meaningful gifts. Practical steps help you find last‑minute cash, use credit wisely, and start saving for next year now. • setting a holiday budget at 10% of take‑home pay • using last‑minute tactics like no‑spend weeks and canceling subscriptions • automating short bur...

We break down the most common holiday scams and show how small choices—slowing down, going direct, and verifying—protect your money and your identity. Russell Barger, VP of Information Security, shares simple rules that stop most attacks at home and at work. • seasonal lures through fake deals, social posts and tracking links • warning signs: urgency, odd senders, spoofed domains, impersonal tone...

We share fast, clear ways to find food, rent help and local resources as government shutdown effects ripple through our parishes. Crystal Ward from Capital Area United Way explains how 211 works, which partners are active, and how donors can keep the safety net strong. • increased calls for food support and essentials • how 211 routes by parish and follows up • Greater Food Bank access and monthly...

We strip estate planning down to what matters: simple documents that protect your wishes and spare your family from conflict. Jason Knapps joins us to bust myths, map decisions by life stage, and lay out a clear starting checklist and next steps. • what estate planning covers beyond assets • essential documents: will, financial and medical powers, directives • keeping beneficiaries aligned with cu...