Money Matters

We walk through the holiday scams that hit when we’re busy, distracted, and waiting on packages, then we test real-world scenarios with Better Business Bureau President Carmen Million. We share clear rules to spot phishing, fake delivery texts, bank impersonation, and even AI voice scams so you can protect your money before you react. 

• why timing makes anyone a target during the holidays 
• how AI makes scam messages look real 
• using “assume it’s a scam” as a safety rule 
• spotting fake package delivery texts and bad links 
• avoiding “too good to be true” deals with countdown timers 
• handling sold-out gift pressure and upfront deposit demands 
• verifying holiday charity requests before donating 
• protecting yourself from “family emergency” money requests 
• recognizing caller ID spoofing and verification code traps 
• what to do immediately after you slip up and share info 
• choosing credit cards over debit cards for safer disputes 
• documenting orders and checking return policies before buying 

Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future.

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We give you permission to say no to holiday spending that breaks your budget and steals your peace. We share simple scripts, realistic alternatives, and a $500 holiday budget challenge so you can enjoy the season without January regret. 
• why holiday spending pressure feels so intense 
• separating love from price tags and gift expectations 
• ways to say no with confidence and less guilt 
• alternatives to buying for every adult in the family 
• how to bow out of office Secret Santa gracefully 
• talking with kids about budgets and gift limits 
• cutting decoration costs by reusing what you have 
• surprise costs like food, travel and last minute extras 
• rapid fire worth it or skip it on common expenses 
• building a simple $500 holiday spending plan 
Stay on track with your financial journey. Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future.

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

NIL sounds like instant millions until you look at the numbers and the fine print. We sit down with Tom Henskey, certified financial planner, financial educator, and author of The NIL Financial Playbook, to get honest about what most student athletes actually earn, how deals get approved, and why the “easy money” story rarely matches reality. If you’ve seen the cars, the headlines, and the hot takes, this conversation brings it back to what happens when real checks hit real bank accounts.

We dig into the biggest early surprise: taxes. Tom explains why gross versus net income confuses even smart, motivated athletes and how that confusion fuels overspending and stress. From there, we talk about sudden wealth syndrome, why preparation matters as much as practice, and how athletes can set simple boundaries that still let them enjoy the moment. You’ll hear actionable frameworks like the 20-50-30 budgeting rule and Tom’s Four Ps for smarter decisions: pause, purpose, people, and plan.

We also zoom out to the future of NIL and college sports, including transfer portal chaos, donor fatigue, and the idea of caps or guardrails that could push more money into savings or even retirement accounts like a Roth IRA. We close with concrete resources for parents and athletes, plus how programs can make financial literacy a real part of team culture. Subscribe to Money Matters, share this with a parent or athlete who needs it, and leave a review, what would you do with your first NIL check?

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We break down what credit really is, why your credit report matters as much as your credit score, and how to spot problems before they block your next goal. We also clear up common credit myths, explain credit utilization in plain language, and share ways to get no-judgment help through our financial wellness counselors. 

• credit as the ability to borrow now and pay later 
• why you should review the full credit report not only the score 
• fraud and errors showing up on reports and why timing matters 
• how often to check your credit report and why corrections can take months 
• what appears on a credit report including old accounts and inquiries 
• myth busting on checking your own credit and score impact 
• the 30% credit utilization guideline and why carrying a balance is not required 
• reasons a score may not rise even with on-time payments 
• credit mix and length of credit history including challenges for young adults 
• common mistake of opening too many new accounts at once 
• Blueprint for Financial Success options for virtual phone or in-person support 
• Credit Pit Stop details including quick sessions and free breakfast 

Please go to our website, neighborsfcu.org. You've got to register. 
Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future. 

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We sit down with David Rogers, the creator of Black Blocks, to explore how a board game can make financial literacy feel exciting while teaching African American history. We break down how the game works, why it sparks better family conversations, and what money habits it helps players practice in real time. 
• why games can teach financial education better than traditional seminars 
• David’s motivation rooted in parenting, youth education, and Black history 
• how Black Blocks works: starting cash, buying property, paying rent, and managing setbacks 
• Fate cards that test Black history knowledge with real consequences 
• Life cards that mirror everyday expenses and unexpected events 
• using game night to talk about budgeting, mortgages, insurance, and smart choices 
• common gaps in history knowledge and how curiosity drives deeper learning 
• core financial concepts: strategy, cash flow, avoiding overbuying, and not going bankrupt 
• where to buy the game and what David is building next 
Stay on track with your financial journey. Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future.

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We hand the studio over to two student interns, Mason and Liam, to hear what it’s really like learning money skills inside a credit union. They share how the internship changes the way they think about budgeting, credit, debt, and the real costs of senior year. 
• joining the East Baton Rouge Parish Student Internship Program for the stipend and the experience 
• getting matched with Neighbors Federal Credit Union and rotating through departments 
• expectations versus reality across marketing, collections, lending support, and the support center 
• what collections teaches about missed payments, overdrafts, and getting back on track 
• why budgeting “makes or breaks” your future and how teens can start now 
• how to use a first credit card responsibly by paying it off monthly 
• what actually builds a credit score over time and why payment history matters most 
• how to budget for senior year fees, applications, and surprise costs 
• advice for other students considering the internship program 
Stay on track with your financial journey. Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future. 

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We connect the digital divide to real financial consequences, from job access and school success to budgeting tools that assume you have a laptop at home. Nicole Fitzgerald from CACRC shows why “being disconnected” costs more than dollars and how refurbished computers can change a family’s future. 
• why a laptop or desktop still matters in 2026 
• what the digital divide means beyond a cell phone 
• hidden costs of relying on libraries for computer access 
• how online banking and budgeting apps change money habits 
• why seniors often need larger screens for financial tasks 
• CACRC’s approach to recycling electronics and refurbishing devices 
• real success stories of jobs gained and stability restored 
• ways to donate electronics, give money, or volunteer in Louisiana 
Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future. 

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We break down the major student loan repayment changes after the SAVE plan ends and explain what borrowers need to do within the 90-day decision window to avoid default. We share practical ways to choose a plan, reduce stress, and protect your budget, whether you are already repaying or planning for college.

• SAVE plan basics and what changes after June 30 
• 90-day timeline to choose a new repayment plan 
• Repayment Assistance Plan payments tied to income 
• Income Based Repayment and long-term forgiveness rules 
• Standard repayment and tiered standard options 
• Why doing nothing leads to default risk 
• What default can trigger for taxes wages and credit 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility and payment requirements 
• Deferment versus forbearance and interest impacts 
• How to find your servicer on studentaid.gov 
• Advice for future students to borrow only what you need 
• Grad PLUS changes and updated borrowing limits 
• Parent PLUS borrowing caps and planning for cost of attendance 
• Steps after graduation including exit counseling and record keeping 
• Options for borrowers squeezed by rent insurance and basic bills 

Stay on track with your financial journey, subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future.

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We talk with professional wedding planner Blakeley Santos about how to plan a wedding with clear priorities and a real budget so you don’t start marriage under financial pressure. We share what couples overspend on first, how to cut costs without hurting the guest experience, and what to book fast when the timeline is tight. 
• January engagement rush and how wedding seasons work in Louisiana 
• Common early mistakes like booking vendors before doing price research 
• Handling family pressure and keeping the focus on the marriage 
• Budget reality checks when inspiration photos don’t match the number 
• Typical budget weight on venue plus catering and bar 
• Floral sticker shock and how to quote the dream then scale back 
• Smart savings like candles, repurposing ceremony florals, and DIY bundles 
• Top priorities for 6 to 12 month weddings like venue, catering, band, photographer 
• What a planner provides through packages, vendor connections, and a live budget spreadsheet 
• Money conversations couples should have early, including who is paying 
• Ways to save through season choices and even a Sunday wedding 
Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future. 

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice. 

We step away from pure budgeting and get honest about enjoying money through travel, with a focus on what “luxury” really means when time is your most limited resource. Angela Alesi of Heirloom Journeys shares how intentional planning turns a trip from a stressful expense into an investment in memories, health, and connection. 
• redefining luxury travel as intentional travel built around time, purpose, and how you want to feel 
• why “someday” delays dreams without requiring commitment 
• how health, energy, and mobility shape the best itinerary long before you book 
• common DIY travel planning mistakes, especially logistics and unrealistic pacing 
• what a discovery call looks like and the questions we should ask, including what you do not want 
• how destination relationships unlock unique experiences and help you pivot during disruptions 
• how far ahead to plan for big trips to get better options and less stress 
• why multi-generational travel has surged post-pandemic and how to plan for different ages 
Plan the life you want. Pick one dream trip you've been putting off, add it to your budget, and treat it like a priority. Remember, tomorrow's not promised. Start a dedicated travel savings fund, set a timeline, and break it into small monthly goals. Use the right resources to maximize your experience. Travel doesn't have to be expensive, but it certainly can be luxurious. That's a wrap on today's Blueprint Building Blocks. Stay on track with your financial journey, subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and visit neighborsfcu.org slash financial wellness for more tools to help you build a strong financial future.

Have an idea for a show or a question for Kim? Send us a text message

Support the show

Welcome to Money Matters, the podcast that focuses on how to use the money you have, make the money you need and save the money you want – brought to you by Neighbors Federal Credit Union. 

The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.