Perfect Cents Podcast

America Saves Week 2023 is here and we want  YOU  to celebrate by listening to our 5-episode miniseries discussing all things saving! Join Alex & Brit for Episode 5 as they welcome Sylvia Garcia (Real Estate Processing Manager at SAFE Credit Union) to talk about Saving At Any Age. Throughout the episode they highlight the importance of starting your savings journey as early as possible and provide...

America Saves Week 2023 is here and we want  YOU   to celebrate by listening to our 5-episode miniseries discussing all things saving! Jointhe Perfect Cents Podcast team for Episode 4 as they sit down to discuss how Paying Down Debt Is Saving. Throughout the episode they share updates on their 2023 debt payoff goals and provide valuable insights about the cost of paying interest and the short & lo...

America Saves Week 2023 is here and we want  YOU   to celebrate by listening to our 5-episode miniseries discussing all things saving! Join Brit & Alex for Episode 3 as they sit down with special guest Daniel Trujillo (Relationship Officer/Work Team Lead at SAFE Credit Union) to talk about Saving for Major Milestones. Throughout the episode they discuss the major milestones they've personally save...

America Saves Week 2023 is here and we want  YOU   to celebrate by listening to our 5-episode miniseries discussing all things saving! Join Brit & Alex for Episode 2 as they sit down with special guest LaTroya Johnson (Contact Center Service Representative at SAFE Credit Union) to talk about the importance of Saving for the Unexpected. Throughout the episode they share wisdom and provide valuable...

America Saves Week 2023 is here and we want  YOU   to celebrate by listening to our 5-episode miniseries discussing all things saving! Join Brit & Alex for Episode 1 as they sit down with special guest Mike Knitter (VP, Total Rewards at SAFE Credit Union) to talk about strategies for saving automatically. Throughout the episode they discuss easy and accessible ways to increase your savings by util...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, co-hosts Alex & Brit chat with special guest Jeff Lackey from Sallie Mae to discuss all things related to paying for college! Tune in as they covers topics such as scholarships, grants, student loans, FAFSA, financial aid packages and more! Not applying for college or financial aid anytime soon, but know someone who is? Hit that share button and send t...

Season 4 is officially here! On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex, Brit, Miriam and Savannah candidly discuss their personal experiences with debt, the different types of debt, and their goals for paying off debt in 2023. The podcast team also highlights three common strategies for paying down debt: The Snowball, The Avalanche and Debt Consolidation. Tune in and get the inspiration Y...

On this short two cents episode, Alex & Brit introduce listeners to our awesome Financial Wellness Educators at SAFE Credit Union, Miriam Dougherty and Savannah Brown! Miriam and Savannah are a wealth of knowledge when it comes to personal finance and are thrilled to contribute their expertise to the podcast. Be sure to stay tuned for more content and join us in officially welcoming these two amaz...

Should auld acquaintance be forgot... Join Alex & Brit as they wrap-up Season 3 and share the final updates on their annual goals! On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast our co-hosts recap the 52-Week Savings Challenge and their respective 22 for 2022 lists, all while reflecting on the biggest wins of the year and revealing the lessons they learned throughout the process. Additionally, they...

Content Warning: This episode discusses the topics of estate planning and death. While we understand that these topics may be sensitive for certain individuals, we ask you to review the full episode description below and proceed accordingly. Join Alex & Brit as they welcome Ed Fong (Attorney-at-Law) for a discussion about the importance of establishing an Estate Plan. Together they discuss the fun...

Join Alex, Brit & SAFE's AVP, Enterprise Risk Management David Techau, for an episode focused on helping YOU prevent fraud and stay safe! On part 2 of this double-episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast our co-hosts chat with David about common check scams and potential warning signs you can look out for to protect your finances, identity and other personal information from would-be fraudsters . Addi...

Join Alex, Brit & SAFE's VP, Information Security Farrell Mapp, for an episode focused on helping YOU stay safe online! On part 1 of this double-episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast our co-hosts chat with Farrell about common scams conducted by online fraudsters and share steps you can take to thwart would-be scammers. Additionally, they discuss simple strategies you can use to protect your person...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit welcome Kevin Buffalino from Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and Joe Robustelli from Alchecmist CDC to discuss the idea of giving graciously during the holiday season. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services and Alchemist CDC both received grants from SAFE Credit Union in quarter 3 and the featured non-profits provide various programs...

'Tis the season...for smart holiday shopping tips! On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit share tips they've crowdsourced from fellow SAFE Credit Union employees for ways to help your budget during the holiday season. Tune in to see how you can utilize these tips in your shopping plan this year. Because saving money during the busiest shopping season of the year, just makes Perf...

Happy International Credit Union Day! Join our co-hosts as they celebrate the one year anniversary of the podcast and International Credit Union Day 2022. On this episode, Alex & Brit welcome special guests, Hector Madueno & Amanda Merz to talk about SAFE's ongoing commitment to Financial Education and Community Impact. Together they discuss the Credit Union Difference and the many ways SAFE Credi...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit conduct the 3rd quarterly goals check-in and share their progress on the 52-Week Savings Challenge and their 22 for 2022 lists! Together they highlight the biggest discoveries they've made in the last 3 months while sharing best practices and offering insight on how you can adjust your goals, if needed, during the final quarter of 2022. Lis...

The future of the automotive industry is electric and consumers are growing increasingly curious about the benefits of owning an electric vehicle. On this 2 Cents episode Alex & Brit are joined by SAFE Credit Union colleagues Avi Naidu, Susan Burns, and Tim Escobar who share their personal testimonials of owning an electric vehicle. Tune in as our guests candidly discuss their unique EV journeys a...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit team up with Jonathan Downes to discuss the benefits and challenges of gas and electric vehicles! During the Professional Experts segment they provide an overview of the various pros and cons of owning a gas-powered vehicle, in addition to the pros and cons of EVs. In the Best Solutions segment, Brit & Alex explore practical strategies for...

On the Season 3 debut of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit tackle a topic at the front of everyone's mind... inflation.  During the Professional Experts segment our hosts are joined by Jonathan Downes, Financial Education Specialist & Content Designer. Together they help define common inflation terms and explain some of the main factors that can affect the rate of inflation, at any given time...

Join Alex & Brit for the first ever 2-Cents mini episode! Listen as they preview Season 3 and share exciting updates to the existing show format. Tune in and learn how each episode will incorporate dedicated segments to help YOU take control of your financial situation and become a greater force for good in your community.  New segments include: Professional Experts, Best Solutions, Community Impa...

On the Season 2 finale of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit provide listeners with 5 helpful tips for Back to School shopping on a budget! Throughout the discussion, they also highlight money-saving ideas shared by experienced parents and talk about the importance of setting your student up for success in the upcoming school year. From doing your research before making your first shopping tri...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit conduct the second listener check-in and share their progress on the 52-Week Savings Challenge and  their 22 for 2022 lists! Along the way, they highlight the biggest discoveries they've made in the last 6 months while sharing best practices and offering insight on how you can adjust your goals, if needed, during the 2nd half of 2022. Liste...

When purchasing a house, can you separate mortgage facts from fiction? On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit take the backseat as Financial Educator Jason Fonseca & Sr. Mortgage Officer Samo Korosec debunk common mortgage myths. They provide insights about the benefits of buying vs. renting, the ins and outs of a mortgage transaction, and the importance of working with experien...

Buying a new home? Thinking of what it takes to purchase a home?  On this week's episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast Alex & Brit are joined by SAFE Credit Union mortgage gurus Ashley Van Den Berg and Brad Barroso to help you gain some knowledge to feel confident when buying a home. #knowledgeispower  They discuss the home buying process, how to overcome the anxiety that comes with a first time ho...

On this episode of the Perfect Cents Podcast, Alex & Brit are joined by Laine Himmelmann from Habitat for Humanity, Greater Sacramento! They discuss Habitat for Humanity's Homeownership program, Home Repair program and their local ReStore. Throughout the episode they highlight Habitat's mission to eliminate substandard housing and provide access to resources to help families improve their shelter...