The Season of Giving: Tips for Smart Holiday Shopping

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Savannah Brown tackle the topic of Smart Holiday Shopping. Together they discuss insightful data points about consumer spending during the holidays, the importance of building a strong spending and savings plan, and strategies for ensuring a successful holiday shopping season. They also provide useful tips for avoiding flash sales, resisting the temptation for impulse purchases, and the fighting the inclination to jump on "too good to be true" deals. Tune in today, because navigating the holiday season with a smart shopping plan that won't break your budget… just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. TD Bank | Merry Money Survey TD Bank | Holiday Shopping Tips - Here's How to Keep Spending In Check GNCU | Tips for Smart Holiday Spending BBB | Shop Like a Pro and Make the Most of This Holiday Season Nasdaq | 8 Holiday Temptations That Destroy Your Budget 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by SAFE's Senior Design and Communications Specialist, Susan Burns to tackle the topic of Financial Avoidance. Together they discuss Susan's featured articles in Comstock's Magazine, the importance of understanding your relationship with money, and strategies for leveraging your unique personal qualities to keep your finances in check. They also provide useful insights for being a positive money role model and helping the young people in your life as they learn to navigate their own financial wants, needs, and goals. Tune in today, because learning and demonstrating smart money behaviors to inspire the young people in your life as they build financial freedom… just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. Read Susan's latest article in Comstock's Magazine: "How to Avoid Passing Financial Fears to Kids" Read Susan's first article in Comstock's Magazine: "Are You a Financial Avoidant?" 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by SAFE Home Loan Consultant, Nate Dungca & Realtor, Nico Almanza to discuss all things Home Buying. Together they discuss the importance of organizing your finances before shopping for a home, the additional costs that come along with a home purchase, and the true value of leveraging strong lender/realtor relationships. They also provide useful insights about saving money on your purchase with SAFE Credit Union member benefits and the exclusive Home Rewards program. Tune in today, because having a dedicated team of professional experts to help you navigate the home buying process just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. Nate Dunga (Home Loan Consultant) | phone: (916) 639-7652 | email: [email protected] Nico Almanza (Realtor) | phone: (916) 745-9643 | email: [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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by Cordova High School student participants of SAFE's 2025 Youth Workforce Development program. Together they discuss their career goals and aspirations, the importance of financial literacy for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and the impact of online influencers on young people's spending behaviors. They also provide valuable insights on how to prioritize savings and avoiding online spending traps. Tune in today, because investing in the personal and professional development of young adults in our community just makes Perfect Cents! Youth Workforce Development Marketing Ad (Instagram) 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Savannah Brown are providing tips and tricks for having summer fun on a budget. Together they discuss common summer money mistakes, the importance of making budget adjustments to keep you on track with your savings goals, and fun things to do that don't require a lot of money. They also provide useful insights on ways to maximize your savings and increase your cash flow… Because beating the heat and making the most of your summer season without breaking your budget just makes Perfect Cents! 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra is joined by Home Loan Manager, Casey Jenkins, to talk about all things Home Equity. Together they discuss various ways for you to leverage the equity in your home to enhance your financial wellness, the main differences between Home Equity Loans and Home Equity Lines of Credit (HELOCs,) and the most common uses for Home Equity funds. They also provide useful insights on how to determine if a Home Equity Loan or HELOC is the right choice for you… Because strategically utilizing your Home Equity to build financial freedom just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. SAFE Credit Union | How A HELOC Can Help You Build Financial Freedom SAFE Credit Union | Revitalize Your Home with an Intro HELOC Rate 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Lauryn Gray are talking about the concept of Financial Resilience. Together they discuss the importance of making your dollar stretch when faced with challenging circumstances. They also provide helpful tips on budgeting for a family, making healthy choices for your life and your wallet, and adapting to hard times… Because making your money work for you and being prepared for life's unexpected moments just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Cristian Amaral are talking about the concept of Financial Capability. Together they discuss the importance of learning the "rules" of personal finance, building better money habits, and investing for the future. They also provide helpful insights about automating savings and practicing forced scarcity to strengthen your budget skills. Because capitalizing on your opportunities to make sound financial decisions and setting yourself up for future success just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Savannah Brown are talking all about setting and achieving financial wellness goals. Together they define SMART Goals and discuss the importance of establishing timelines for short, mid, and long-term goals. They also provide useful tips to help you track your goal progress, prioritize your goals, and explore different ways to make your savings grow… Because being proactive and setting smart goals to help you build financial freedom just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. SAFE Credit Union | SMART Goal Worksheet SAFE Credit Union | Debt Pay Down Methods SAFE Credit Union | Financial Habits Reflection 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]

On this episode of the podcast, Alex Becerra and Miriam Dougherty have an in-depth conversation about building Spending & Savings Plans. Together they discuss the importance of understanding your current financial situation, gathering data to make informed discoveries about your income and expenses, identifying which areas you can adjust or improve, and setting SMART goals. They also provide inspiration and encouragement to help YOU create an action plan to take the next step on your path to better money management… Because building a strong spending and savings plan to achieve your financial goals just makes Perfect Cents! To check out the resources highlighted in this episode visit the links below. America Saves | 6 Steps to Establishing A Spending & Savings Plan United States Office of Financial Readiness | Spending Plan Worksheet SAFE Credit Union | Financial Habits Reflection SAFE Credit Union | Weekly Grocery Budget Mindtools | SMART Goals: How to Make Your Goals Achievable nerdwallet | How to Choose the Right Budget System: 4 Methods to Consider 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 contact the podcast team, email [email protected]