Live Better by Centric CU

A winter storm shouldn’t decide who eats, who stays warm, or who can afford next month’s rent. When Winter Storm Fern pushed Northeast Louisiana past the breaking point—power out, roads blocked, fridges thawing—we moved fast with our friends at United Way of Northeast Louisiana to meet families where they were and get help into their hands with dignity. Meghan Jones, United Way’s Director of Marke...

Deadlines have a way of forcing clarity, and the final weeks of the year might be the most valuable money window you get. We sit down with Billy Joiner, CFO at Centric, to map out a practical, no-fluff plan for locking in free money, avoiding costly penalties, and starting January on steady ground. From retirement matches to healthcare accounts and charitable strategies, we focus on the moves that...

Some holidays feel bright on the outside and heavy on the inside. We sit down with Liz Gaught from the Center for Children and Families to show what hope looks like when it’s built on everyday actions: a single recorded interview that spares a child from retelling trauma, a counselor stepping into a living room to spot strengths and needs, a wish list that becomes new clothes and a toy to open on...

The holidays should feel warm and human, not like a budgeting panic. We sat down with Casey Messer to unpack how to enjoy a generous, memorable season without waking up to a January bill spiral. From setting a clear, per-person budget to automating weekly transfers into a dedicated holiday fund, we walk through practical steps that calm the mind and protect your money. We start with planning that...

The financial decisions we make daily might seem small, but they compound over time to shape our future. When Haley Murphy joins us to discuss strategic credit card usage, she brings years of practical wisdom earned through disciplined financial management. Most people view credit cards with suspicion, but Haley reveals how they can become powerful tools rather than debt traps. By charging planned...

August offers the perfect opportunity to reset your finances before the busy end-of-year season. Casey, a financial education specialist with over 10 years at Centric Credit Union, shares practical strategies to manage expenses during the costly back-to-school season and beyond. • Back-to-school expenses can exceed holiday spending costs, with basic public school fees alone costing hundreds of dol...

Unlock the full potential of your business with Centric's groundbreaking online banking upgrade, "Journey to Better." Join me and our insightful guest, Casey Messer, Centric's training manager, as we explore how this innovative platform is designed to streamline financial management for business owners. Experience the freedom of customized user access, enhanced security, and se...

Unlock the secrets to personalized financial empowerment with Centric's game-changing online banking upgrade, "Journey to Better."  Join us as we chat with Casey Messer, Centric's training manager, who reveals how Centric's latest features can transform your financial management. From changing preferred names to setting personalized account alerts, this upgrade is all abou...

Curious about how refinancing could become your financial lifeline amid rising mortgage rates? Join us as we welcome Laura Hawthorne, Centric's Chief Consumer Lender, who brings over 25 years of expertise to unravel the complexities of mortgage rates and refinancing. Laura shares her invaluable insights into the current state of mortgage rates, discusses the resulting affordability concerns f...

Unlock the secrets to protecting your finances from fraud with expert insights from Zane Dubois, Centric's Cards Manager. With over ten years of experience in the banking world, Zane joins us on the Live Better podcast to discuss practical strategies for securing your debit and credit cards. From the advantages of mobile wallets to the critical role of EMV chip technology, we guarantee you&ap...

Ever wondered how a simple overdraft privilege can be a financial game-changer? Join me, Kelli Green, on the latest episode of the Live Better podcast by Centric, where I sit down with Whitley Johnson, Centric's seasoned Overdraft Coordinator, to uncover the secrets of managing financial crunches with ease. Whitley, who has been a cornerstone at Centric for nearly nine years, shares her exper...

Can managing your finances during the back-to-school season save your sanity? Join us as we uncover valuable strategies with Lynette Kovack, Centric's Solutions Recovery Specialist, who reveals how skip-a-pay and loan deferrals can ease financial stress without harming your credit score. You'll gain insights into scrutinizing bank statements to cut unnecessary expenses and the power of a...

Unlock the secrets to financial stability with our latest episode of the Live Better Podcast! Join Kelli Green, Centric's Senior Vice President of Marketing, and Linette Kovac, Solutions Recovery Consultant at Centric Federal Credit Union, as we navigate the complex world of debt relief. Learn how to effectively manage financial challenges, from contacting Centric's Solutions Department...

Ever wondered how to shield your wallet from the sting of inflation? Join us as we dive into an insightful conversation with Laura Hawthorne, Chief Consumer Lending Officer at Centric Federal Credit Union. Laura unpacks the complex dynamics of inflation, revealing the forces behind rising costs in groceries, housing, and the car industry. Understand the intricate balance of supply and demand, and...

Unlock the door to your future home with confidence as Ashley Owens, Centric FCU's VP of Mortgage, joins us to clarify the journey of home ownership and the art of securing an advantageous mortgage. If you've ever felt baffled by the fluctuating housing market or tangled in the web of credit scores and interest rates, this episode is your beacon through the fog. Ashley disentangles marke...

Unlock the secrets to planting the seeds of financial wisdom in our youth with Melanie Moffett, our whirlwind of a Marketing Coordinator who's making waves in the community. In celebration of Youth Month, we're putting the spotlight on the need for early financial education, and Melanie is here to share how she's engaging young minds on this vital topic. With the help of our lovable...

Unlock the secrets to a smooth path toward owning your first home, with guidance from Ashley Owens, the powerhouse Vice President of Mortgage at Centric. In our heartfelt discussion, she brings a trove of experience—16 years, to be exact—to demystify the home buying process. Ashley showcases Centric's unique offerings, like 100% financing options sans PMI, and how they intertwine with local r...

Unlock the secret to a fatter tax refund and wiser financial future with Centric's CFO, Billy Joiner. As your savvy guide, Billy doesn't just break down the numbers; he brings to light the comprehensive value of being prepared with essential documents like 1099s and W-2s to ensure your tax return is not just timely but hits the mark for accuracy. Our conversation ventures into the divers...

Unlock the secrets to a thriving financial future with SVP Marketing Kelli Green, who joins us with her 16 years of finance acumen to navigate the complexities of credit health. Get ready to understand how your credit score shapes your economic opportunities and learn the ins and outs of installment debts versus revolving credit. We'll guide you through the importance of payment history and t...