Perfect Cents Podcast

Why is SAFE Credit Union combining with BECU? On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, SAFE President and CEO Faye Nabhani sits down to explain the strategic vision behind this combination and what it actually means for members and the community. Discover how this new partnership will drive greater member value through lower fees, competitive rates, and expanded consumer and small business lo...

Ever wonder what happens to your savings if the economy hits a rough patch? In this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex sits down with SAFE's Corporate Compliance Manager, Marina to demystify the NCUA and explain exactly how your money is federally protected. Many people have heard of bank insurance through the FDIC, but what about credit unions? Enter the National Credit Union Adminis...

Is it time to ditch the traditional piggy bank? In this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex Becerra sits down with parent and banking expert Marcie Johnson to explore how to build financial confidence in children early. In an increasingly digital world where physical cash is disappearing, teaching kids how to manage money online is more important than ever. Marcie shares her personal e...

Are you facing job loss, the rising financial stress, or unexpected bills? You don't have to handle it alone. On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex Becerra welcomes SAFE Loan Service Manager, Amber Mitchell to discuss how to partner with your financial institution during tough times. Topics include: Communication is Key: Loan servicing departments call out of care to find flexibl...

Is the Sacramento housing market finally cooling down, or are we entering a significant period of transition? On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex Becerra sits down with renowned housing analyst and certified appraiser Ryan Lundquist to break down the latest Sacramento real estate trends. With over 20 years of local experience, Ryan provides a data-backed look at why the current...

Are you torn between the convenience of a fintech app and the personalized service of a credit union? In this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex Becerra is joined by Marcus Webb, Branch Manager at SAFE Credit Union's Granite Bay location. With over 24 combined years of experience, they break down the shifting financial landscape—from the rise of "niche" apps like Rocket Money and Chim...

Are you ready to stop paying your landlord's mortgage and start building your own equity? In this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex Becerra sits down with SAFE Credit Union Home Loan Manager Casey Jenkins to demystify the journey to homeownership. Whether you're worried about your credit score or struggling to save for a down payment, this discussion provides a clear roadmap for anyo...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex Becerra sits down with Lawrence Lomeli, AVP of Consumer Lending at SAFE Credit Union, to break down the complex world of borrowing and credit to help you build financial freedom for your future.  Topics include: Borrowing as a Tool: Why credit should be viewed as leverage for big-ticket items like homes, cars, and education rather than a sour...

Are you looking to improve your financial health but don't know where to start? In this episode, join host Alex and special guest Marcie Johnson (Debit and Credit Program Manager at SAFE Credit Union,) as they discuss why mindful spending is the absolute foundation of long-term financial wellness. Whether you're a parent teaching your kids about money or just trying to navigate the convenience of...

On this episode of The Perfect Cents Podcast, host Alex Becerra is joined by Emilio Barrera, a Community Development Specialist at SAFE Credit Union. Together, they dive into the power of financial planning and how it can completely transform your relationship with money, starting with the way you spend. Emilio shares his expert insights on why a solid plan isn't just about numbers; it's about all...

Are you feeling the weight of financial stress? Join us for a special episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast as we celebrate America Saves Week and Financial Capability Month! In this episode, Alex is joined by Savannah Brown, a Community Development Specialist at SAFE Credit Union, to discuss why building a savings habit is the essential scaffolding for your financial wellness plan. Whether you are...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra welcomes the newest member of SAFE Credit Union's Community Relations & Financial Education team, Eli Lopez! Together they discuss the importance of embracing a growth mindset, setting intentional goals, strengthening discipline, and practicing ownership & accountability. Throughout their conversation Eli also shares insightful analogies and helpful tip...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Savannah Brown tackle the topic of Smart Holiday Shopping. Together they discuss insightful data points about consumer spending during the holidays, the importance of building a strong spending and savings plan, and strategies for ensuring a successful holiday shopping season. They also provide useful tips for avoiding flash sales, resisting the tem...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by SAFE's Senior Design and Communications Specialist, Susan Burns to tackle the topic of Financial Avoidance. Together they discuss Susan's featured articles in Comstock's Magazine, the importance of understanding your relationship with money, and strategies for leveraging your unique personal qualities to keep your finances in check. They al...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by SAFE Home Loan Consultant, Nate Dungca & Realtor, Nico Almanza to discuss all things Home Buying. Together they discuss the importance of organizing your finances before shopping for a home, the additional costs that come along with a home purchase, and the true value of leveraging strong lender/realtor relationships. They also provide usef...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by Cordova High School student participants of SAFE's 2025 Youth Workforce Development program. Together they discuss their career goals and aspirations, the importance of financial literacy for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and the impact of online influencers on young people's spending behaviors. They also provide valuable insights on how to prioriti...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Savannah Brown are providing tips and tricks for having summer fun on a budget. Together they discuss common summer money mistakes, the importance of making budget adjustments to keep you on track with your savings goals, and fun things to do that don't require a lot of money. They also provide useful insights on ways to maximize your savings and in...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by Home Loan Manager, Casey Jenkins, to talk about all things Home Equity. Together they discuss various ways for you to leverage the equity in your home to enhance your financial wellness, the main differences between Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs,) and the most common uses for Home Equity funds. They also provide...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Lauryn Gray are talking about the concept of Financial Resilience. Together they discuss the importance of making your dollar stretch when faced with challenging circumstances. They also provide helpful tips on budgeting for a family, making healthy choices for your life and your wallet, and adapting to hard times… Because making your money work for...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Cristian Amaral are talking about the concept of Financial Capability. Together they discuss the importance of learning the "rules" of personal finance, building better money habits, and investing for the future. They also provide helpful insights about automating savings and practicing forced scarcity to strengthen your budget skills. Because capit...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Savannah Brown are talking all about setting and achieving financial wellness goals. Together they define SMART Goals and discuss the importance of establishing timelines for short, mid, and long-term goals. They also provide useful tips to help you track your goal progress, prioritize your goals, and explore different ways to make your savings grow...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Miriam Dougherty have an in-depth conversation about building Spending & Savings Plans. Together they discuss the importance of understanding your current financial situation, gathering data to make informed discoveries about your income and expenses, identifying which areas you can adjust or improve, and setting SMART goals. They also provide inspi...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Miriam Dougherty share helpful tips and tricks for talking about personal finances with family and friends. Together they discuss the importance of having open and honest conversations about money, taking a proactive approach to managing money with others, and common money topics that impact relationships. They also provide inspiration and encourage...

On this episode of the podcast, Savannah Brown welcomes Kue Lee from the State of CA, Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI.) Together they discuss the importance of protecting your personal information, avoiding financial scams, and the impact of identity theft on consumers. They also provide insights on the most common frauds and scams and share tips on what you can do to avoid...

On this two-part episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Savannah Brown and Alex Becerra welcome Susan Stewart, business owner at Strapping Store and Licked Ice Cream in Sacramento, as well as Shannon Robb, VP of Strategic Partnerships at ChooseFolsom . Together they discuss the importance of supporting local businesses, the impact on our region's economy, and how small businesses contribute to the...