Perfect Cents Podcast

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...

On this episode of the podcast, Savannah Brown and Miriam Dougherty tackle the topic of Financial Avoidance! This common money behavior often holds people back from taking control of their finances and achieving their financial goals. During the discussion, Savannah and Miriam highlight specific traits that can be used to identify Financial Avoidance, such as not checking bank statements, ignoring...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra & Savannah Brown welcome SAFE Credit Union's 2024 High School Interns! It's summertime which means it's time for our interns to take over the Perfect Cents Podcast. Join these amazing students as they discuss the importance of learning financial education fundamentals, credit basics, and valuable skills that young people can gain by participating in an...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra & Hector Madueno welcome SAFE's professional experts, Lawrence Lomeli and Kevin Hagedon to discuss what it's like to purchase a car in 2024. Together they share helpful considerations, tips, and tricks to help consumers navigate their next car buying experience with knowledge and confidence. Topics include dealer inventory, pricing, loan preapprovals, t...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra & Miriam Dougherty share the best financial advice they ever received from their moms. Together they discuss the importance of responsibly managing credit cards and how to take full advantage of promotions & rewards. They also talk about the benefits of having an organized money management system, keeping track of all your bills, and making payments on...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra & Hector Madueno talk about the Credit Union Difference and the various, unique ways SAFE Credit Union embodies the philosophy of "People Helping People." Throughout the episode they discuss SAFE's Financial Capability Month and Building CommYOUnity Month campaigns while spotlighting the work that is being done to advance financial education opportuniti...

On this episode of the podcast, Hector Madueno and Miriam Dougherty welcome Sallie Mae's Director of Relationship Management, Jeff Lackey, to discuss the importance of the FAFSA for new college students. Together they provide helpful insights into the process of completing the FAFSA, various types of financial aid students may qualify for, and much more! Tune in and learn how to set your future co...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex and Miriam welcome SAFE Credit Union's Senior Insurance Specialist, Lisa Lomeli to discuss the importance of loan insurance and payment protection products. Together, they share valuable insights into various types of loan insurance including GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection,) MBI (Mechanical Breakdown Insurance,) SAFE Payment Protection and more! They also sha...

On this episode of the podcast, Savannah and Alex discuss 5 tips for improving your credit in 2024. Together they discuss the importance of narrowing down your specific credit goals, understanding your complete financial picture, digging deep into your annual credit report, and more! Tune in today and get the inspiration YOU need to finally achieve your good credit goals... because following these...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex, Brit, Savannah, and Miriam share last-minute holiday spending tips submitted by fellow SAFE Credit Union employees. During the discussion they mention creative strategies for reducing spending, responsibly utilizing credit cards, deciding between wants vs. needs, alternative gift giving ideas, and much more! They also share insightful data around common holida...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex and Savannah talk about increasingly popular specialty savings accounts - specifically, FSA (Flexible Spending Accounts) and HSA (Health Savings Accounts.) Together they discuss the benefits of taking advantage of specialty savings accounts, the importance of fully understanding your employer benefits, helpful tips for getting the most out of your benefits offe...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex once again welcomes SAFE Credit Union's Certified Financial Educator, Miriam Dougherty, to discuss the strong connections between money and relationships. Together they provide insights on the importance of discussing money matters with your significant other, helpful tips for having financial conversations at ALL stages of a relationship, statistical data abou...

On this episode of the podcast, Alex and Brit are joined once again by SAFE Financial Educators Miriam Dougherty and Savannah Brown. Together the podcast team discusses recent updates on the status of the Biden Administration's student loan forgiveness efforts, student loan repayments, and programs that may assist graduates with navigating the shift to upcoming Student Loan payments. They also hig...

September is Building CommYOUnity Month at SAFE Credit Union and the podcast team is celebrating with a nonprofit spotlight! On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit are joined by Amber Stott from Food Literacy Center, a Sacramento-based nonprofit. The mission of Food Literacy Center is to, "inspire kids to eat their vegetables" by teaching children in low-income elementary school...

Attention! The interns have taken over! On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, SAFE's 2023 High School Interns are in the hosting seat and turning the tables on the podcast team. Tune in as the students take turns interviewing Alex, Brit, and Savannah about SAFE's Community Impact projects, financial advice for high school Seniors, the keys to professional success, and so much more! It's a...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Brit and Alex welcome two of SAFE's best and brightest Professional Experts (Dominic Davenport and Louis Mariner) to discuss the positive impact of having Money Conversations with Kids. Tune in as they share valuable insights and ideas to help  YOU share the gift of financial wellness with the youngsters in your life. Together, they discuss some of the...

Season 5 has arrived! On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex, Brit, Miriam and Savannah share candid updates on their individual debt payoff challenges and discuss the changing life circumstances that have influenced their overall debt profiles. Then, the podcast team dives into a conversation about enjoying Summer on a budget. Listen as our hosts highlight tips, tricks, and thoughtful...

On the Season 4 finale of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit welcome Jazmine Chatman, Joseph Mayeux, and LaTroya Johnson from SAFE's Black@SAFE (B@S) Employee Resource Group to recognize the importance of Juneteenth, which became a federal holiday in 2021. Throughout the episode, they chat about the significance of Juneteenth, what the holiday means to them, how SAFE supports Diversity, Equity...

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! Join Alex & Brit as they sit down with SAFE's Chief Human Resources Officer, Colleen Nerius to discuss the various connections between mental health and financial wellness. Throughout the discussion they uncover the impacts of financial stress on one's overall wellness, how that affects their productivity in the workplace, and different ways people can find su...

Big Day of Giving is here once again and the Perfect Cents Podcast team is celebrating by sharing the love with several amazing nonprofits serving our community. Join Alex & Brit as they spotlight ten nonprofits that SAFE will be supporting for Big Day of Giving 2023. Listen as our co-hosts are joined by guests from The Gathering Inn, Single Mom Strong, Shriners Children's of Northern California,...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast Alex & Brit welcome the owners of Of Land & Sea Co. to discuss the various ways  YOU can go green this Earth Day! During their conversation they chat about the benefits of shopping at a local refill store and the positive environmental impacts of choosing Earth-friendly swaps, while debunking some common misconceptions about the true cost of investing i...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast Alex & Brit welcome Sarah Soteroff from Too Good To Go to discuss the various ways YOU can go green by reducing food waste this Earth Day! During their conversation they chat about the positive impacts of eliminating unnecessary food waste and the innovative concept of the Too Good To Go app, while debunking some common misconceptions about the true cos...

April is Financial Literacy Month and the Perfect Cents Podcast team is here to highlight all the exciting things SAFE Credit Union is doing to celebrate! Join Alex, Brit, Miriam and Savannah as they share progress updates on their individual debt payoff journies and discuss the many ways SAFE is increasing access to Financial Education for our entire community. Whether  YOU are attending one of o...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit sit down with Hannah Berkowitz from zogo, a fun and exciting mobile app that provides on-demand learning modules with a focus on financial education topics. Together they chat about SAFE's recent partnership with zogo, the benefits of having financial education at your fingertips, and how  YOU   can start earning pineapples today! Hannah al...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, co-hosts Alex & Brit sit down with SAFE Credit Union's first female CEO & President, Faye Nabhani in celebration of Women's History Month. Throughout the discussion they chat about Faye's lifelong credit union journey, the importance of building financial freedom and the lasting positive impacts of mentorship. Faye also shares her passion for supportin...