Dollars & Sense
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.
Episodes
56 episodes
How One Family Built Generational Wealth… And What You Can Learn From Them
What does it really take to build generational wealth that lasts?In this episode of Dollars & Sense, we sit down with Tony and Brenna from Christiansen Inc., a three-generation family business that grew from a one-bedroom house and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 54
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37:28
The Healthcare Money Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes
Healthcare is one of the biggest expenses in the average American household — yet almost no one knows how to use their insurance to get the best care and the best price.This conversation with Clayton from Alliant exposes the hidden habi...
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Season 3
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Episode 53
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53:50
AI Is Getting Too Real — And This Fraud Story Proves It
When technology sounds human, it’s hard to know what’s real.In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with Eli and Sarah, a couple who lived through one of the most shocking examples of AI-powered fraud we’ve ever heard....
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Season 3
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Episode 52
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50:23
We Asked a Cyber Expert How Hackers Steal Millions… The Shocking Business Behind Every Cyber Attack
Hackers don’t just steal — they operate like businesses.In this episode, we sat down with Jeremy Karmy, founder of DevFusion, a managed IT and cybersecurity company that protects organizations across 13 states — from small businesses to maj...
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Season 3
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Episode 51
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55:22
How Gaming Quietly Became Bigger Industry Than Hollywood
🎮 Think gaming is just fun and games? Think again.In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we explore how the gaming industry became a $250 billion machine by mastering one thing: human behavior. From paying to skip ads, to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 50
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56:00
Owning a Home Changes the Way You Think About Money
In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we’re joined by Max Lucas, a loan officer at HAPO, and Connor MacDougall, a local real estate agent, to talk about how homeownership reshapes your relationship with money.It’s ...
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Season 3
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Episode 49
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46:23
The #1 Investing Myth Holding People Back
💸 Think you need thousands to start investing? Think again.In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with Nick Haberling and Tyler Pearson, both financial advisors from HFG Trust, to break down the biggest myth that keeps people...
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49:20
How HAPO is Reshaping Commercial Banking in the Tri-Cities
What does it take to build a thriving business and who can you actually trust to back you?In this episode, we sit down with Bobby and Matt from HAPO’s Commercial Services team to talk about what truly makes business banking personal. Fro...
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Season 3
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Episode 47
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26:28
How HAPO Is Keeping Local Banking Alive
HAPO recently acquired Community First Bank, and in this episode, we break down the why. CEO Scott Mitchell and CBO Eric Pearson join us to explain what this shift means for our community, how it all came together, and what the future ...
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Season 3
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Episode 46
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36:52
Pickleball, Concerts & Economic Growth — The Bold New Vision for the HAPO Event Center
Pickleball, concerts, economic growth—there’s a bold new vision unfolding at the HAPO Event Center. In this episode, we sit down with General Manager Mike McCall and Director of Sales Joanna Ruiz to explore what’s next for one of the Tri-Cities...
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Season 3
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Episode 45
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44:33
How Much Does IVF Really Cost? One Woman’s Journey Through Fertility and Finances
IVF can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and that’s before it works. In this episode, we follow one woman’s emotional and financial journey through infertility, treatment, and the true cost of hope.Alissa, a young mom and HAPO...
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Season 3
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Episode 44
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49:05
He Got Tired of Waiting for Schools to Teach Money, So He Did It Himself
When schools skipped teaching money skills, Ashwin didn’t just start a finance club. He took his mission all the way to state legislation. Now he’s helping others take control of their finances too.In this episode of Dollars and Sens...
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Season 3
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Episode 43
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46:02
Can Money Really Buy Happiness… or Just Rent It?
Does money really lead to happiness? In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we unpack this age-old question through honest conversation and personal stories. Our guests share different perspectives—from growing up with limited means to ...
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Season 3
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Episode 42
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34:16
Spilling the Tea on Fraud: What Scammers Are Really Up To
Fraud in 2025 isn’t random—it’s organized, strategic, and constantly evolving.In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we sit down with HAPO’s fraud team to break down how today’s scammers really operate. From coordinated fra...
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Season 3
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Episode 41
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46:52
You Work Hard for That Refund — Here’s How to Use It Smarter
You earned that refund — now it’s time to make it count. In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we dive into the surprising psychology behind why tax refunds feel like a bonus, even though it’s your own money coming back to you.W...
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Season 3
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Episode 40
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31:40
We Asked a Mom + a Money Pro How to Raise Financially Smart Kids—Here’s What They Said
Raising financially smart kids doesn’t happen by accident—it takes intention, everyday conversations, and a few creative approaches.In this episode of Dollars and Sense, host Scott is joined by two moms, Kandy and Annie, to talk about h...
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Season 3
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Episode 39
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38:06
Our Podcast Guest Was ChatGPT… Did It Fix Our Finances?
In this episode, we did something completely different—we invited ChatGPT as our podcast guest! Scott and ChatGPT teamed up to tackle one of the biggest challenges many of us face: managing our finances. We put AI to the test with a fina...
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Season 3
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Episode 38
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31:33
Building Your Dream Home? WATCH THIS FIRST!
The Truth About Building a Custom Home | Dollars & Sense Podcast🏡 Ever wondered what it really takes to build a custom home? In this episode of Dollars & Sense, we sit down with Jordan Mattila, owner...
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Season 3
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Episode 37
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41:13
Is Money Secretly Sabotaging Your Relationship?
💰 Love & Money: Mastering Couples’ Finances Without Breaking the Bank (or Each Other!) 💑Money and relationships—two things that can make or break a partnership. Studies show that nearly half of couples argue about money...
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Season 3
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Episode 36
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30:12
The Super Bowl Economy: How Game Day Becomes a $17 Billion Dollar Event
🏈 The Super Bowl Isn’t Just a Game—It’s an Economic Powerhouse! 💰From $7 million commercials to 1.4 billion chicken wings, the Super Bowl is one of the biggest financial events of the year. In this episode, Scott is joined by Jeff and J...
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Season 3
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Episode 35
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54:16
Where Did All Your Money Go? How to Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck
💸 Ever wonder where all your money goes? You’re not alone! In this episode, our host Scott sits down with certified financial coach Marcelo from HAPO to tackle the topic of budgeting. Together, they break down why budgeting matters and...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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31:25
The Hidden Power of Credit Unions: Shaping Policy, Saving Communities
In this episode of Dollars and Sense, we dive into the powerful yet often overlooked role credit unions play in shaping policy and building stronger communities. With a new legislative session underway in Washington State, we explore h...
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Season 3
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Episode 34
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42:32
Is Your Free Time Your Next Payday?: The Power of the Side Hustle
Side Hustles: Passion vs. Pragmatism – Which Approach Wins?In this episode, we brought in three dynamic entrepreneurs to talk about all things side hustle—from starting small to turning your hustle into a full-time business. With their ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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43:09
From Temu to TikTok: How Modern Shopping Trends Are Changing Your Spending Habits
In this episode, we dive into the world of online shopping trends and how they’re reshaping our spending habits—often in ways we don’t realize. From ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ services like Klarna and Affirm to one-click buys on Amazon, we examine th...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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1:07:32
The Market Shift: What's next for Real Estate Buyers and Sellers
Scott is joined by a couple of top real estate agents from the Tri-Cities Area, Vicki Monteagudo and Laura Harris-Hodges. The two give us some unique insights into trends in the housing market and talk about how important it can be to have a pr...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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41:30
