Make It Make Cents

We talk a lot about taking command of our finances, but today’s guest knows a thing or two about command in the truest sense of the word. Retired Air Force Lieutenant General Jim Vechery joins us to share what decades of military leadership can teach us about budgeting, stewardship, faith, and staying steady when life gets uncertain. Jim served our country for more than 31 years, leading thousands...

Money decisions are rarely just about the math. Usually, they’re about that sinking feeling you get when you realize you might be in over your head. For most of us, that moment doesn't come with a warning label. It just sneaks up quietly right as a life change or a new business venture starts getting more complicated than we expected. Kim Hall joins us today as a CPA and business owner who act...

Some people talk about making a difference, and some people actually do the work. Today's guest is firmly in the second category. Alison Huber is the Executive Director of Triad Honor Flight, a 100% volunteer-driven nonprofit that takes local veterans on a one-day trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the memorials built in their honor. What started as a personal mission became something much bigg...

This month is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, so we have a guest who can help make sense of what all of this really means. Cyber threats have a way of sneaking into our everyday lives through emails, texts, or a call that sounds just convincing enough to make you hesitate. It’s easy to think cybersecurity is something for IT experts, but in truth, it’s something we all have to think about. Our gues...

Buying a home is a milestone, but getting there often means facing a maze of mortgage terms, credit requirements, and unexpected costs. For someone starting out, it’s not just about coming up with a down payment, it’s about understanding the bigger picture of what lenders look for and what it really takes to qualify. Jennifer Kettlewell from myCUmortgage walks through that picture in plain terms....

A credit score might seem like just a number, yet it can raise or lower the cost of everything from a car loan to your monthly insurance bill. Joining me is Valerie Lentz, Senior Vice President at Performance Pro Consulting and a self‑described credit nerd who has spent more than two decades teaching credit‑union teams how to read reports line by line and spot the stories hidden in the fine print....

Financial freedom isn’t just about building wealth; it can be a lifeline. In this episode, we’re diving into a crucial but often overlooked issue: financial abuse in domestic violence situations. Survivors face countless barriers when trying to break free, and economic control is one of the biggest reasons many feel trapped. But what if there were real financial solutions to help them regain indep...

Fraud isn’t new, but scammers are getting more creative every day. Protecting our money requires awareness, vigilance and strategy. In this episode, we’re diving into financial red flags, common scams and how to protect your cash. I’m joined by Chelsea Treboniak, West Point graduate, U.S. Army veteran and financial fraud prevention leader. With her expertise in critical infrastructure protection a...

What does it take to spend over 40 years in the credit union movement and still get excited about making a difference? Today we find out with someone who has done just that—Denise Wymore, a true credit union lifer. Denise started as a teller and has become one of the most vocal advocates for small credit unions and financial inclusion. As the Marketing Manager for Small Credit Union Initiatives at...

Welcome to the first episode of Make It Make Cents , a podcast powered by Acclaim Federal Credit Union that breaks down the sometimes complex world of financial literacy into practical, easy-to-understand ideas. I'm your host Christie Smith, and I'm delighted to have you join us for our inaugural episode. Whether you're just getting started or looking to improve your financial skills,...