Dollars & Sense

Hosted by HAPO Community Credit Union

Business Investing

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Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

This isn’t your average money podcast. Dollars and Sense breaks down personal finance without the fluff. You’ll get honest talk, real stories, and practical advice to help you get ahead while still enjoying the things that make life fun. Powered by HAPO Community Credit Union.

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60 recent

August 5, 2026Episode 6742 min

We Asked College Students Where Their Money Actually Goes

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ In this episode of Dollars & Sense, two current college students and an incoming freshman discuss what it actually takes to manage money while attending college. Karlie and Sydney share the expenses, mistakes and surprises they experienced after leaving home, while HAPO scholarship winner Jazlyn explains how she is preparing for her first year at the University of Washington. They discuss dorm life, meal plans, transportation, campus jobs, unexpected fees, emergency savings and the pressure to spend money just to keep up with the college experience. You’ll hear why bringing a car can become more expensive than expected, how a forgotten utility setup created additional fees, why summer earnings disappear so quickly and how students can balance responsible spending with making memories. Whether you are preparing for college or helping a student get ready to leave home, this conversation offers an honest look at the financial side of college life that often gets overlooked.

July 15, 2026Episode 6656 min

The Truth About Owing the IRS and How to Get Ahead of It

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Tax problems usually don't start all at once. They build slowly through missed filings. Tax problems can grow fast when they are ignored, misunderstood, or handled alone. In this episode of Dollars & Sense, we sit down with Scott Taylor and Enis Maili from Priority Tax Relief to talk about what really happens when someone owes the IRS, why tax debt can get out of control, and how getting help early may give you more options. We cover IRS letters, missed filings, payment plans, self-employment taxes, business tax mistakes, and the common decisions that can make tax problems worse. This episode is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as tax or legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, speak with a qualified tax professional.

June 17, 2026Episode 6545 min

The Banking Tools Most Business Owners Don't Know Exist

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Most business owners don't realize how much time, money, and risk are tied up in the way they manage their banking. From driving checks to the bank and manually processing payroll to protecting against fraud and improving cash flow, the right systems can make a bigger difference than most people think. In this episode of Dollars & Sense, we sit down with HAPO's Commercial Deposits and Treasury Services teams to discuss the banking tools many businesses overlook, how growing companies can improve efficiency, and the simple changes that can save time, reduce risk, and help businesses focus on what they do best. Whether you're running a side hustle, managing a growing company, or leading an established business, this conversation will help you identify opportunities to work smarter—not harder.

June 3, 2026Episode 6437 min

What Working at a Credit Union Taught Us About Financial Mistakes

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Most people don’t realize how many small financial habits quietly impact their future. In this episode of the Dollars & Sense Podcast, the team sits down to talk about the biggest financial mistakes they’ve seen while working at a credit union—from credit card misconceptions and spending habits to late payments, savings, budgeting, and the financial advice people get completely wrong. They also break down the habits financially stable people tend to have in common, the mindset shifts that can improve your finances long term, and the lessons they wish more people understood earlier in life. Whether you’re trying to build credit, save more money, avoid common financial traps, or simply become more intentional with your finances, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world observations.

April 22, 2026Episode 6337 min

How Scams Are Evolving In The Age Of AI

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Scams are changing and most people don’t realize how fast. In this episode, we sit down with fraud analyst Jen to break down how AI is reshaping the way scams work, why they’re becoming more convincing, and what that means for everyday people. From phishing texts that look completely real to voice cloning and AI-generated relationships, the tactics are evolving. In many cases, they are not easier to spot. They are just easier to believe. But here’s the good news. The fundamentals of protecting yourself have not changed. We walk through: How AI is making scams more believable The most common scams people are falling for right now Why red flags are not always as obvious as they used to be How scammers use urgency, trust, and emotion to their advantage Simple habits that can protect you and your family This is not about fear. It is about awareness. Because the more you understand how these scams work, the easier they are to avoid.

April 15, 2026Episode 6240 min

The Biggest Financial Mistake People In Their 20s Make

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Most people think they’ll figure out investing later. The problem is, later gets expensive. In this episode, we sit down with Cameron Ridgeway from Petersen Hastings to break down the biggest financial mistake people make in their 20s and why waiting to start investing can cost you more than you realize. We talk about why time is your biggest advantage, how compounding actually works in real life, and what happens when you delay even a few years. From Roth IRAs to 401k contributions and employer match, this episode simplifies what you should be doing right now to set yourself up for the future. We also get into the psychology behind why people wait, how lifestyle choices impact long-term wealth, and how to build a simple plan that works for your real life. If you’ve ever thought “I’ll start later,” this is the episode you need to hear.

April 8, 2026Episode 6138 min

The Truth About Fixing Your Credit (No One Wants to Say This)

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ There’s a lot of advice online about how to “fix” your credit. Quick wins. Loopholes. Disputes that magically erase everything. The reality is this isn’t how it works. In this episode, we sit down with a credit dispute specialist who works directly with credit reports every day to break down what’s actually happening behind the scenes and clear up some of the biggest misconceptions people have about their credit. We cover: Why your credit score doesn’t update right away What happens when you file a dispute The truth about credit repair companies Why paid-off accounts still show on your report The difference between late fees and being reported late What actually moves your credit score in the right direction If you’ve ever been confused by your credit or felt like you’re doing everything right but not seeing results, this episode will give you the clarity you need. Because fixing your credit isn’t about hacks. It’s about understanding how the system actually works.

March 18, 2026Episode 6041 min

We Asked a Tax Pro What People Get Wrong About Taxes

Watch the full-length episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Tax season can feel confusing, stressful, and overwhelming—especially if you’re filing for the first time. But it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with Ken from AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, a free tax preparation service that helps thousands of people file their taxes correctly every year. We talk through some of the most common things people misunderstand about filing taxes, what documents you actually need before you sit down to file, and how free tax help programs work. Ken also shares insights from years of helping people through tax season—what trips people up, how to prepare ahead of time, and how to make the process smoother. Whether you’re filing your taxes for the first time or just want to avoid common mistakes, this conversation will help you walk into tax season a little more prepared and a lot less stressed. In this episode we discuss: • Common misconceptions about filing taxes • What documents you should gather before filing • The difference between credits and deductions • What first-time filers should know • How free tax preparation services work • Tips to make tax season easier If you’ve ever felt unsure about taxes, this episode is for you. Don’t forget to follow the show for more real stories and smart money talk.

March 4, 2026Episode 5936 min

We Bought a House at 19 — Here’s What Almost Stopped Us

Brenna's Socials: https://www.tiktok.com/@bren.nery?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/brenna.nery/?hl=en Kekoa's IG: https://www.instagram.com/kekoa.nery/?hl=en Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7dIYZRus5g9rjftdPkGVCL?si=41c4d1ded22442ad Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dollars-sense/id1788376326 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ Buying your first home is a milestone most people dream about, but very few understand the process behind it. In this episode, Brenna and Kekoa share what it actually took to buy their first home at 19 and 20 years old. It wasn’t smooth. It wasn’t simple. And it definitely wasn’t guaranteed. They put in eight offers before one was accepted. Interest rates jumped from 3% to 5.5% while they were shopping. Their projected payment increased by nearly $800 a month. At one point, they were ready to walk away. We talk about: What first-time buyers underestimate How rate changes impact affordability The reality of bidding wars Why preparation matters more than timing What lenders and realtors are really looking for How to know if you’re actually ready to buy Whether you’re 19, 29, or just starting to think about homeownership, this episode breaks down the real process from pre-approval to closing day and the mindset shift that makes it possible. If buying a home feels intimidating, you might be closer than you think. Brenna and Kekoa are also hosting a First-Time Homebuyer Workshop where you can ask questions, learn the process, and build a plan. Keep an eye on social for details. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to get your first set of house keys this episode is for you.

February 10, 2026Episode 5846 min

Investing Is Simple, But Your Emotions Decide the Outcome

Investing isn’t complicated. But emotions make it feel that way. Most people understand the basics—buy low, sell high, stay invested. Yet time and time again, investors make decisions that work against them. Not because they lack information, but because fear, panic, overconfidence, and the urge to “do something” take over when uncertainty shows up. In this episode, financial advisors Tyler Pearson and Nick Haberling break down the psychology behind investing decisions and explain why emotional reactions often matter more than market conditions. We explore how action bias, media noise, and short-term thinking quietly erode long-term results—and why passive investing still requires discipline and intention. This conversation isn’t about picking stocks or predicting the market. It’s about understanding how your emotions influence your decisions, especially during volatility, and why staying calm is often harder—and more valuable—than being right. Because in the end, investing is simple. But whether you succeed or struggle is determined by how well you manage your reactions when things don’t go as planned. If you’ve ever felt tempted to react to headlines, adjust your strategy in the moment, or second-guess a long-term plan, this episode will help you approach investing with a clearer, steadier mindset. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DollarsAndSense.Podcast Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hapoccu/ https://www.instagram.com/dollarsandsense.podcast/ This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.