Perfect Cents Podcast

'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 Perfect Cents!

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

Wild Sisters Book Company

A Seat at the Table Books

Want, Need, Wear, Read Info

Credit Card Options for Cash Rewards

Saran Wrap Gift Ball Game

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

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

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 Credit Union serves our community.

Later in the episode, Brit provides a in-depth recap of the Building CommYOUnity Month campaign that took place in September, encouraging all SAFE employess to volunteer their time in support of nonprofits throughout the Sacramento region. Finally, Brit & Alex share their favorite podcast moments of the last year!

Tune in to celebrate the continued growth of the Perfect Cents Podcast neighborhood! Because celebrating your milestones and doing good for your community just makes Perfect Cents.

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

Impact Foundry - https://impactfoundry.org/

River City Food Bank - https://rivercityfoodbank.org/

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/

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. Listen as they provide inspiration to keep YOU motivated while emphasizing the importance of reevaluating your goals to find success. There's no time like the present to refresh your mindset and refocus your goals... Because taking some time to check in on your financial and personal wellness goals, just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in our goal-setting episodes visit the links below.

52-Week Savings Challenge

To read the Beyond Everyday Banking "52-Week Savings Challenge" blog and download the fillable PDF tracker visit: https://blog.safecu.org/52-week-savings-challenge

https://safe-credit-union.libsyn.com/the-52-week-savings-challenge

22 for 2022

*Note: 22 for 2022 is inspired by the Happier with Gretchen Rubin Podcast. For more information and to download a PDF to fill out your own 22 for 2022 list visit: https://gretchenrubin.com/resources

No-Spend Challenge

https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/no-spend-challenge/

https://blog.safecu.org/new-tricks-for-saving-money-in-the-new-year

https://safe-credit-union.libsyn.com/no-spend-challenge

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/

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 and reveal things they wish they'd known prior to owning an electric car...

Because sharing personal stories to help others learn, just makes Perfect Cents!

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/

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 maximizing your efficiency and offer additional considerations for you to take into account before making the switch to electric.

In the Community Impact Corner, they share information on how you can get rid of your old car by donating it to a local nonprofit organization.

Afterwards, they open up the Email Vault to share bonus advice from employees at SAFE who also own electric vehicles...

Because understanding how an electric vehicle might fit into your life as we progress towards the electric future, just makes Perfect Cents!

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

U.S. Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov)

"Have booming EV sales crossed the mass-adoption tipping point?" - Energy Monitor

ChargePoint - Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

Shell Recharge

EVgo

SemaConnect

Sacramento SPCA, Vehicle Donation Program

Make-A-Wish, Wheels for Wishes Car Donation

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento, Car Donation Program

CapRadio, Vehicle Donation Program

PBS-KVIE, Vehicle Donation Program

To register for one of SAFE's upcoming financial wellness webinars, visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

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

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

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.

In the Best Solutions segment, Alex & Brit share practical strategies to help YOU save money on groceries, transportation and utilities during times of increased inflation. They also share resources to provide listeners with some peace of mind, as we all adjust to a higher cost of living.

Because doing a little bit of planning and preparation to fight inflation, just makes Perfect Cents!

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

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (Consumer Price Index)

Inflation: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

River City Food Bank (Sacramento)

Elk Grove Food Bank

Twin Lakes Food Bank (Folsom)

Joey's Food Locker (Natomas)

Placer Food Bank (Placer County)

Orangevale-Fair Oaks Food Bank

To register for one of SAFE's upcoming financial wellness webinars, visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

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

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

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 Impact Corner and the Email Vault.

Because finding new ways to become the best version of yourself, just makes Perfect Cents!

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/

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 trip to establishing a sinking fund and beyond, listen as they uncover easy and practical ways for YOU to get the most out of your purchases... because creating a strategy for back to school shopping that doesn't break the bank, just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in our goal-setting episodes visit the links below.

Statista (Data Points):

Average planned back-to-school spending per household in the U.S. (2004-2022)

Expected spending by U.S. parents on back-to-school items by category (2022)

Penny Hoarder (7 Tips to Keep Your Back-to-School Budget on Track):

https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/budgeting/back-to-school-budgeting/)

YouTube Video (WhatsUpMoms)

Budget | Back to School Spending Tips

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

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

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. Listen as they provide inspiration to keep YOU motivated and emphasize the importance of reevaluating your goals to find success. There's no time like the present to refresh your mindset and refocus your goals... Because renewing your commitment to an ongoing journey of self-improvement, just makes Perfect Cents!

To check out some of the resources highlighted in our goal-setting episodes visit the links below.

52-Week Savings Challenge

To read the Beyond Everyday Banking "52-Week Savings Challenge" blog and download the fillable PDF tracker visit: https://blog.safecu.org/52-week-savings-challenge

22 for 2022

*Note: 22 for 2022 is inspired by the Happier with Gretchen Rubin Podcast. For more information and to download a PDF to fill out your own 22 for 2022 list visit: https://gretchenrubin.com/resources

No-Spend Challenge

https://www.thepennyhoarder.com/save-money/no-spend-challenge/

https://blog.safecu.org/new-tricks-for-saving-money-in-the-new-year

Wild Sister's Book Company - https://www.wildsistersbookco.com/

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

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

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 experienced professionals in an ever-changing housing market.

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

SAFE Credit Union's Mortgage Info: https://www.safecu.org/personal/borrow-money/home-loans

Samo's Email: [email protected]

For a guide on general terminology in the mortgage world, visit: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/mortgages/answers/key-terms/

FHA loans: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/housing/fhahistory

VA loans: https://www.benefits.va.gov/homeloans/

USDA loans: https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do

To register for one of SAFE's upcoming financial wellness webinars, visit: https://www.safecu.org/community/events

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

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