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 5 tips to build healthy credit habits just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

The 5 Factors of Credit | SAFE Credit Union Beyond Everyday Banking Blog

AnnualCreditReport.com

CreditKarma

Equifax

Experian

TransUnion

Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche

SAFE Credit Union - Refer Your Friend

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected]

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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 holiday shopping trends, increases in gift-giving costs, and consumer spending habits. Tune in and get the support you need to cross those last-minute gifts off your checklist... because enjoying the festivities of the holiday season without the stress of overspending just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

Bankrate.com | How to do Holiday Shopping on a Budget

Bankrate.com | Americans to Slash Holiday Budgets due to Inflation

Bankrate.com | After an Expensive 2023, 52% of Americans are Staying Home for the Holidays

SAFE Credit Union - 12-Month Certificate Special

SAFE Credit Union - Refer Your Friend

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected]

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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 offerings, preparing for your next open enrollment period and much more! Tune in and discover new ways to help YOU stretch your dollar further, cover your most essential needs, and ensure your future self is set up for continued success!.. because maximizing your health benefits to enhance your financial wellness just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

FSA Store

HSA Store

National Institutes of Health | The Difference Between a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) and a Health Savings Account (HSA)

Investopedia | Health Savings vs. Flexible Spending Account: What's the Difference

HealthEquity | HSA vs FSA: Which Account is Right for Me?

FSA Store | Does my FSA Have a Grace Period or Rollover?

SAFE Credit Union - Refer Your Friend

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected]

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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 about the impact of financial stress on relationships, setting common goals, and more! Whether you are in a long-term relationship, newly married, or are navigating a new relationship, this episode offers valuable insights to help you and your partner have effective and productive conversations about money... because talking about finances to strengthen your relationship and achieve your mutual goals, just makes Perfect Cents!  

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

Fidelity - 2021 Couples & Money Study

BBC - The 'Financial Infidelity' That Can Sink Couples

The Knot - The Money-Related Questions to Ask When Dating

Investopedia - Financial Infidelity: When Couples Lie to Each Other About Money

Wealthspire - Domestic Partnership vs. Marriage: Financial Considerations

SAFE Credit Union - Refer Your Friend

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected]

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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 highlight useful tips for shifting your budget to make room for continuing payments while encouraging you to seek out nonprofit community organizations, Alumni associations, and other resources to help with essential goods and services. Tune in today and get the inspiration you need to tackle your student loans because realizing that YOU can payoff your student debt... just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

Federal Student Aid (FSA) - Federal Student Loan Debt Relief

Federal Student Aid (FSA) - Loan Simulator

Her Money - Your Student Loan FAQ Answered, with Tara Siegel Bernard (Article)

Her Money with Jean Chatzky - All Of Your Student Loans Questions Answered with Tara Siegel Bernard (Apple Podcasts)

Her Money with Jean Chatzky - All Of Your Student Loans Questions Answered with Tara Siegel Bernard (Spotify)

NPR - 12 Things Student Loan Borrowers Should Know About The Return To Repayment

Forbes - 6 Student Loan Forgiveness And Repayment Updates As Interest Starts Accruing

ShopSavvy

Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services

Placer Food Bank

Elk Grove Food Bank

Fair Oaks-Orangevale Food Bank

Rancho Cordova Food Locker

Yolo Food Bank

Sacramento Public Library

Placer County Library

Yolo County Library

Libby

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected] 

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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 schools cooking, nutrition, gardening, and active play to improve our health, environment, and economy. Together, they discuss the amazing work that Food Literacy Center is doing in honor of Food Literacy Month, the positive impacts of enriching the lives of local youth and their families through healthy eating programs, and the uplifting power of community partnerships. There's simply no time like the present to get more involved in your community so tune in today to find out how you can support. Because eating your vegetables... just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

Food Literacy Center

Food Literacy Month (September 1-30, 2023)

Oak Park Farmer's Market 

Oak Park Farmers Market relaunches with $500,000 grant under new nonprofit (ABC10)

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected] 

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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 discussion that ranges from humorous and light-hearted to thoughtful and poignant - all the while showcasing an amazing group of students and their experience participating in SAFE Credit Union's 2023 Summer Internship program, because working together to uplift the future leaders of tomorrow... just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

Interns Paint Classrooms, Sort Donations for Single Mom Strong 

2023 SAFE Credit Union Interns (Instagram)

Cordova High School Business Technology Academy - SAFE Credit Union, an Official Partner

SAFE Credit Union, Securing Our Community's Future Through Education (Comstock's Magazine)

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected] 

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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 biggest challenges in helping kids create smart money habits, financial lessons they wished they had learned earlier in their lives, and strategies for piquing a kid's interest for responsible spending, saving, and managing money. Because preparing the children to achieve financial wellness tomorrow... just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

nelly and fitz (Instagram)

Up | Carl & Ellie Fredericksen (YouTube)

HISO SAC

Il Pizzaiolo

Taylor's (yelp)

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected] 

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To read the latest edition of SAFE's Beyond Everyday Banking blog visit: https://blog.safecu.org/

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

To learn more about SAFE Financial Services (financial advisors, wealth management, and financial planning) visit: https://www.safecu.org/wealth-management

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 considerations to help YOU save money during these hot weather days. Tune in and get ready to spend the rest of the season staying cool without burning your money because... making a plan to save money during the Summer just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

Nerd Wallet - Pay Off Debt: Tools & Tips

Principal - 3 Ways to Pay Off Your Debt

SMUD - Energy Savings Tips

AllTrails

SAFE Credit Union, Beyond Everyday Banking Blog - The 5 Factors of Credit

Perfect Cents Podcast - Invest in the Planet, Earth Day 2022 (featuring SMUD)

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected]

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and serv ices visit: https://www.safecu.org/ 

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, Inclusion, and Belonging initiatives within the organization, and so much more! Join us as we send off the fourth season of the podcast with a humbling conversation about what it means to create a stronger sense of community, connection, and understanding amongst all groups of people while honoring and celebrating Juneteenth as a monumental celebration of American freedom, marking the official end of African American slavery in 1865... because getting curious and learning more about Juneteenth, just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below.

Louisiana Heaven Restaurant

Q1227 Restaurant

Zach and Zoe Sweet Bee Farm

Mary and Berries Beauty

ROYAL Dancers

To contact the hosts, email us at [email protected]

To register for an upcoming Financial Wellness webinar visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

To learn more about SAFE Credit Union products and services visit: https://www.safecu.org/