Talking Cents and Making Change

In this episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, we dive into the heart of what makes credit unions unique — and why they matter. We’ll explore the history of Credit Union, from its their beginnings to the roles they play today!

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, Alison from Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union is joined by Caitlin from Zogo—a fun and interactive financial literacy app that’s changing the way people learn about money. Whether you're just starting out or brushing up on your financial skills, Zogo makes learning easy, engaging, and best of all—rewarding.

That’s right—every time you complete a module on budgeting, saving, investing, or credit, you earn points that can be redeemed for real gift cards to places you love. It’s education that pays off—literally.

Tune in as Alison and Caitlin chat about how this partnership brings powerful tools right to your fingertips and why financial literacy is more important than ever.

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, we sit down with Liam, one of our outstanding student employees, to hear how working at Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union has transformed his financial understanding, shaped his career goals, and opened the door to real-world experience. From budgeting basics to big-picture planning, Liam shares how AAACU helped lay the foundation for his future—both professionally and personally.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 sit down with Jamie and Ashley to talk about something that affects people of all ages—scams. Learn how to recognize the warning signs, protect your personal information, and what to do if you think you've been targeted. Jamie and Ashley also share how AAACU supports its members with tools and resources to help safeguard their finances.

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.

AAACU just wrapped up an exciting trip to Washington, D.C., and we’ve got the inside scoop! Michelle from Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union and Kieran Marion, Executive Vice President of Advocacy at MCUL, join us to break down their experience at the Governmental Affairs Conference—what they saw, who they met, and how credit unions made their voices heard on Capitol Hill. It’s advocacy in action, and you won’t want to miss it!

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.

Welcome to today’s episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, brought to you by AAACU! In this episode, we're diving into an incredible benefit for our members—AAACU’s FREE credit monitoring tool. Whether you’re looking to keep track of your credit score or protect yourself from fraud, this tool has got you covered. We’re joined by special guest Brad, an expert in financial wellness, who will share his knowledge on how you can better monitor your credit and stay on top of your financial health. Tune in as we explore all the ways this powerful tool can make a difference for you!

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.

Join Michelle and Alison in this exciting episode as they dive into all the details about AAACU's upcoming 71st Annual Meeting! They'll talk about the prizes up for grabs, the event timing, and the important reasons behind holding this meeting every year. Whether you're a longtime member or a first-time attendee, tune in to learn what you can expect from this milestone event and why it’s one you won’t want to miss!"

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.

Economy vs Stock market... what do they do, what are they, and how do they impact us? Let Michelle and Alison give you the lowdown to help you better understand the impact they make.

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 AlconaArea 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.

After the holiday spending frenzy, it's time to tackle that post-holiday debt. Join Alison & Michelle as they share practical tips for getting back on track, from debt repayment strategies to balance transfer options. Plus, learn how you can take advantage of AAACU's Visa Balance Transfer Special to save on interest!

Tune in for actionable advice to start 2025 with better financial habits.

Welcome to a special recap episode of Talking Cents and Making Change, the financial wellness podcast brought to you by Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union! In this episode, we’re taking a step back to revisit some of our favorite moments, key insights, and expert advice from past episodes. Whether you’re new to the podcast or have been with us from the start, this is the perfect opportunity to catch up on valuable tips and strategies for managing your finances, achieving your goals, and making informed decisions. Tune in as we highlight the best of Talking Cents and Making Change, and get inspired to continue your journey toward financial wellness!