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Affinity Federal Credit Union presents the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the ninth episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz, and Grant Gallagher discuss spring cleaning your finances, and the various ways you can take stock and refresh your budget. The team begins their discussion by sharing steps you can take this spring to refresh your budget and improve your overall financial wellbeing. They give tips on setting limits for yourself, and ways you can plan for the rest of 2023 and beyond. The team also emphasizes the importance of looking for help from your financial partners, and looking for good checking and savings accounts to gain interest on the money you have. Grant and the team continue their main discussion by sharing insight on borrowing money during this tough economic environment. They share strategies on how you can review your credit score to make sure there are no surprises when realigning your budget. Some additional topics covered include: Ways to replenish three to six months worth of emergency funding Getting the most out of your money and maximizing credit card rewards Following the main discussion, Grant pulls a question from the Member Mailbag and the team answers the member-submitted question: What is the best way to stay on track of all your subscriptions, such as Netflix, Hulu, or even random subscriptions you weren't even sure you had? In response, the team discusses the importance of monitoring your monthly statements to track your expenses, and setting reminders for yourself for all of your monthly subscriptions so nothing slips through the cracks. To wrap up this week’s episode, Grant highlights Affinity’s recent SmartStart Savings Account rate increase. The account that makes it easy to grow your savings with a very competitive rate and no minimum balance requirement! If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the eighth episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz, and Grant Gallagher welcome Karla Wallack, Executive Director of the Affinity Foundation to dive into social and community wellbeing. Karla describes the mission of the Affinity Foundation in three words: wellbeing, education and healthcare. She describes their chief goal to help people leave poverty behind for good. Throughout the episode, Karla shares her insight on how members can play a key role in helping their communities, how the Foundation gives back, and the importance of financial education. Notably, Karla also gives an overview of the Foundation’s match savings opportunity, Individual Development Accounts, where users can develop better saving habits through education and matches to supplement their savings. This account also allows users to have access to hands-on expert help along the way to saving for a specific asset that will improve their lives. Jacqui and the team dig deeper into the true impact that the Foundation makes and the actions they take in the community, along with the support of Affinity FCU employees and members. They shift the conversation to what it truly means to be a part of the Affinity Foundation and how it complements the credit union and its mission. Karla discusses the Foundation’s annual events including the Rise & Inspire Gala, Golf Invitational and Impact Day, as well as the Foundation’s scholarship program. Karla also issues a reminder that students should apply for the program before the deadline of May 1. Following the main discussion, Shawn pulls a question from the Member Mailbag. The team is tasked with answering the member-submitted question: What are some ways that Affinity members can help the community? Weighing in on different options that members have if they want to help the community, the team details how members can start getting involved. Jacqui emphasizes the importance of being kind and reconnecting with others in the community, especially post-pandemic. To wrap up this week’s episode, Grant tells listeners how they can send a donation to the Foundation, either through affinitygives.org/donate or by attending one of the events in person. If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the seventh episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz, and Grant Gallagher are joined by their colleague Jessica Hennelly to discuss her experience managing finances with her fiancé. Jess kicks off the discussion with her top two recommendations for maintaining a good sense of financial wellbeing as a couple. She shares insight on goal-setting, budgeting, and what has worked in her relationship. The team weighs in on how they navigated their finances during wedding planning and the early years of their relationships. Jacqui and the team then dive into family finances, what everyone does well and where they can improve. The discussion shifts to lifestyle purchases and how to budget for large expenses like vacations, home improvement projects and unexpected costs. They cover how financial personalities can affect spending and saving as a couple and what works in their families. Everyone weighs in on how they divide or merge finances as partners during different life stages and manage financial hurdles as partners. Following the main discussion, Grant pulls a question from the Member Mailbag and the team answers the member-submitted question: My significant other and I are planning to move in together, but we have different incomes. Do you think that we should split the rent 50/50, or the person with the higher income pays more? In response, the team discusses the differences between couples and their own approaches. To wrap up this week’s episode, Grant highlights Affinity’s mortgage options, which offer solutions designed for your financial goals with no lender fees! If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the sixth episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz, and Grant Gallagher discuss the various ways you can assess and understand financial stress. The team begins their discussion by sharing their personal financial stress assessment results. They share insight on how to understand your own pain points when it comes to financial stress. The team also emphasizes the importance of taking the opportunity to give yourself credit for your financial wins. Jacqui and the team then dive into the main discussion around financial stress in this current economy. The team highlights Enrich, which is an online personal finance tool to help you learn about money management, personal credit, insurance, and retirement through online modules. Some additional topics covered include: Ways to balance, manage, and work through financial stress Budgeting, and prioritizing keeping your finances up to date Following the main discussion, Grant pulls a question from the Member Mailbag and the team answers the member-submitted question: I follow so many influencers that offer different savings and investing advice and all partner with different platforms and partners. How do I cut out the noise and focus on what’s best for my financial situation and needs? In response, the team discusses the importance of properly vetting and diversifying the content you consume, and really understanding the value and depth of that content. To wrap up this week’s episode, Grant highlights Affinity’s Smartstart Savings, an account that makes it easy to grow your savings with a very competitive rate and no minimum balance requirement! If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the fifth episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns and Grant Gallagher walk through a financial check up to help you kick off the new year with goals for strengthening your financial wellbeing. The team begins their discussion by sharing their financial resolutions for 2023. They share some insights on increased consumer spending this past holiday season, and how it can impact your overall financial wellbeing. Jacqui and Grant then dive into the main discussion, posing one of the biggest questions they have received from members going into the new year: What are some of the ways to pay down holiday debt efficiently? They share insight on debt management and resources you can take advantage of. Some additional topics covered include Ways to pay down debt when inflation is still raising costs of everyday expenses Understanding the best debt paydown strategy for your situation Following the main discussion, Grant pulls a question from the Member Mailbag and the team answers the member-submitted question: My family is growing and we’ll need a new vehicle soon. Where do we start if we want to use an Affinity auto loan and not the options from the dealer that have high rates? The team provides a brief overview of the competitive auto buying landscape, and the importance of doing your research ahead of time and truly understanding everything that goes into purchasing a vehicle. To wrap up this week’s episode, Grant highlights Affinity’s Business Banking Services, which provides everything your small business needs to get going! If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the fourth episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz and Grant Gallagher discuss managing debt and maintaining financial wellbeing during the holiday season.  The team begins their discussion asking the question: Where do you see the biggest increase in your spending around the holidays and at the end of the year? They address some of the biggest pain points they’re seeing regarding holiday spending and offering proactive tips you can implement to manage higher costs. Jacqui and the team dive into the main discussion around managing debt and maintaining financial wellbeing during the holiday season. The team recaps the main areas of spending that typically increase during the holidays and share tips on curbing spending to avoid racking up debt. Some additional topics covered include: Ways to plan your finances ahead for the holidays, and actions to take once the holidays are over How members and listeners use direct deposit to add to a high yield savings account to save year-round for the holidays Following the main discussion, Grant walks through the Member Mailbag when the team answers the member-submitted question: I recently changed jobs and they don’t offer a retirement savings option in their benefits. Where do I start if I still want to save a small portion of my paycheck towards retirement and get the tax benefits? The team offers suggestions on where to start when looking for a retirement savings option, like seeking the help of a financial professional. If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the third episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz and Grant Gallagher analyze financial wellbeing in your career, and if you are living to work or working to live.  The team begins their discussion, asking the question: Are higher prices affecting you, your family, those around you? They address best practices for recognizing higher prices and strategies for handling increased costs. Jacqui and the team dive into the main discussion around working to live, or living to work, and how work can impact overall wellbeing and financial wellbeing. Shawn and Grant share insight on the importance of having passion in your career and how that impacts your overall wellbeing. Some additional topics covered include: Side hustles and their effect on your overall financial wellbeing How to identify a skill that can be turned into a side hustle? When is the right time to monetize a passion? Following the main discussion, Grant walks through the Member Mailbag when the team answers the member-submitted question: My wife and I recently joined Affinity and want to make sure we are taking advantage of all the benefits of membership. We currently have shared checking, savings, and a mortgage. Is there anything else we should be considering? The team provides a brief overview of the products Affinity offers, and the importance of a financial wellbeing check up to ensure you are taking advantage of all the member benefits. To wrap up this week’s episode, Grant highlights Affinity’s Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), which gives you the key to getting more out of your home! If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the second episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz and Grant Gallagher analyze the differences between a bank and a credit union, and which offers you the most benefits. The team begins their discussion asking the question: Is it time to break up with your bank? How do consumers know they are getting the best experience? And exploring the important things to look out for. Jacqui and the team dive into the differences between a bank and a credit union, discussing the perks of joining a credit union. Shawn then shares some insight on credit union branches and the individualized services they provide for each member.  Some additional topics covered include: Credit union member experience and why it’s so important Real life anecdotes of the Affinity experience in action Following the main discussion, Grant walks through the Member Mailbag segment where the team answers the member-submitted question: I recently graduated from college and started my first real job. I have no clue where to start with managing my income and expenses. What are the easiest ways to start budgeting? The team offers tips for those who are in the beginning stages of their financial journey, highlighting ways they can get started. To wrap up this week’s episode, Grant highlights Affinity’s Credit Counseling Services, which offers budgeting tips, debt management, and more! If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Affinity Federal Credit Union presents Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! In the inaugural episode, expert hosts Jacqui Kearns, Shawn Lubitz and Grant Gallagher introduce themselves and the critical topic of financial wellbeing. The team begins by defining financial wellbeing, asking the question: Do you feel secure in your financial future? and addressing ways on how to achieve it. Grant and Jacqui then discuss the biggest roadblocks impacting consumers in achieving financial wellbeing, and Shawn shares insight on some of the best ways to get started on the personal journey to feeling confident in the emotional connection to your money. Some additional topics covered include: Achieving financial wellbeing in a hyper-inflationary environment, including tips consumers can implement to help combat inflation Exploring what consumers need to know right now to gain peace of mind in the current market Following the main discussion, Grant walks us through the first Member Mailbag segment. The team answers a member-submitted question: As the cost of gas increases, I am looking for ways to save more - at the pump and other areas. What can I do? Grant highlights a few Affinity products, like the Pure Rewards Visa, that offers cash back to help combat higher prices. If you have a question or comment for a future Member Mailbag segment, please send it to @affinityfcu on Facebook or Twitter with #MemberMailbag. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AffinityFCU/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AffinityFCU Rate, like, and subscribe for more from the Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast. Visit www.affinityfcu.com for additional information about financial wellbeing and Affinity products.

Introducing Affinity Federal Credit Union's Wellbeing and Your Wallet podcast! Join Affinity's expert hosts for timely topics on how they impact your financial wellbeing so you can spend, save and borrow with confidence.