Talking Cents and Making Change

Why is it so easy to click “Add to Cart” when we never planned to make the purchase in the first place? Alison and Michelle explore the psychology behind impulse spending, the role of dopamine and anticipation, and how influencers can make products feel like recommendations from a friend. They'll also share practical ways to slow down impulse purchases and make more intentional spending decisions.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Financial advice is everywhere, from TikTok and Instagram to YouTube and beyond. But how do you know what's actually true? Alison and Michelle tackle some of the most common money advice circulating online, including credit cards, debt, investing, emergency savings, Buy Now, Pay Later, and “get rich quick” promises. They'll also talk about influencer incentives, missing context, and how to evaluate financial advice before putting it into practice.

Buy Now, Pay Later can make a purchase feel more affordable, but is it actually helping your budget? Alison and Michelle break down how BNPL works, when it may be useful, where the risks can come in, and how multiple small payments can quickly add up. Most importantly, they discuss the difference between being able to afford a payment and being able to afford the purchase.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

In this episode of Talking Cents & Making Change, Alison and Michelle take a closer look at AAACU Online Banking and our Mobile Banking app and some of the features that can make managing your finances easier, more convenient, and more secure.

We'll walk through how to enroll and log in, what to do if you forget your password or security questions, and why protecting your login information is so important. We'll also explore how to update your personal information, view electronic statements, transfer money, apply for loans, purchase certificates, use Card Controls, deposit checks through Mobile Check Deposit, find Shared Branching locations, submit travel notifications, use Text Banking and eAlerts, schedule appointments, and pay bills for FREE through Bill Pay.

We'll also talk about how enrolling in eStatements can make a difference beyond your own account. AAACU contributes 75 cents per month for every member enrolled in eStatements to our Community Investment Fund, with up to $325,000 being donated back into our communities this year.

Whether you're new to online banking or have been using it for years, you may discover a feature you didn't know you had!

Listen in and learn how to make the most of your AAACU Online and Mobile Banking experience.

Can changing one financial habit for just 30 days make a difference? We decided to find out.

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Michelle and Alison are joined by AAACU team members Chantel and Rhea to share the results of several real-life money-saving challenges. From cash envelope budgeting and a 30-day no-spend challenge to automatic round-up savings and giving up eating out, each participant put a different strategy to the test—and the results were surprising.

Hear what worked, what was difficult, how much they saved, and the financial habits they'll continue using long after the challenge ended. Whether you're looking to save for a vacation, pay down debt, or simply become more mindful of your spending, this episode is full of practical ideas you can start using today.

Tune in to discover which money challenge might be the perfect fit for you!

What does it take to turn a great idea into an opportunity?

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Alison and Michelle sit down with AAACU team member Kelly to discuss her incredible journey through the Michigan Credit Union League's CU Spark Tank Competition. From presenting her idea to coworkers at AAACU, to advancing through the Blue Ox Chapter competition, pitching before CEOs and executive leaders, and ultimately earning a spot as a Top 5 finalist at the ACE Conference in Grand Rapids, Kelly shares the highs, the challenges, and the lessons she learned along the way.

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Alison and Michelle are joined by special guest Pam to discuss one of the fastest-growing threats facing consumers today, fraud and scams.

From phishing emails and fake text messages to imposter calls and social media scams, fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their attempts to steal personal and financial information. Pam shares common scam tactics, warning signs to watch for, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself and your accounts.

Tune in to learn:
• How to recognize phishing and smishing scams
• Common red flags scammers use to create urgency and fear
• Ways to protect your personal and financial information
• Security tools and habits that can help prevent fraud
• What to do if you think you've been targeted by a scam

Whether you're tech-savvy or just getting started with digital banking, this episode offers valuable tips to help you stay one step ahead of scammers and keep your finances secure.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Alison and Michelle are joined by special guest Karen to talk about how AAACU is building real relationships within the communities we serve. From business lending and personalized financial solutions to business visits, employee conversations, and community connections, this episode highlights the many ways AAACU shows “Local Love.”

Hear real stories about how simple visits turned into lasting partnerships, why meeting businesses where they are matters more than ever, and how being present in the community creates meaningful impact for both businesses and their employees.

Because at AAACU, it’s about more than banking it’s about relationships, trust, and supporting the people and businesses that make our communities thrive.The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

This episode may have spent a little extra time on the back burner, but we couldn’t let it stay there forever. In this “not forgotten” episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Michelle shares her experience attending GAC from key takeaways and memorable moments to the connections, conversations, and inspiration that came from the event. We’re finally bringing this episode out of the vault and into your playlist because some conversations are just too good to skip.

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Alpena Alcona Area (Credit Union) and should not be considered as business, financial, tax, legal or other advice. Should you decide to act on any information contained in this podcast, you do so at your own risk. The content is the intellectual property of AAACU and may not be reused or republished without consent. While the information in this podcast has been verified to the best of our abilities, we cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only and may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner and constitutes ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. The "Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner, and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Federally Insured by the NCUA and Equal Housing Opportunity Lender.

Ready to feel more confident about your finances? In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, Alison and Michelle are joined by AAACU Financial Coach Cheyenne to talk all about the credit union’s Financial Coaching Program.

Whether you're trying to build a budget, pay down debt, improve your credit, or save for a big life goal, financial coaching provides personalized guidance and support to help you create a plan that works for you.

Tune in as we discuss:
• What financial coaching is and how it works
• Who can benefit from meeting with a financial coach
• Common financial challenges members face
• Real success stories from coaching sessions
• Simple steps you can take today to start improving your financial future

Plus, don’t miss this week’s Talking Cents Hook — a practical challenge to help you take action on your money goals right now.

Your financial journey starts with one step — and we’re here to help.