As you begin to financially plan for your retirement, there are many questions you may have about how to maximize your wealth. On the latest episode of Pocket Change, we talk with Kevin Smith, LPL Financial Planner with Leaders Investment Services, who shares his advice on how you can make the most of your financial situation to have a secure future. Whether you want to build a lake house, purchase an RV, or travel the world, learn how you can make your goals for retirement come true by listenin...
Apr 02, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Are you curious about what is happening in the Jackson-Madison County School System? Join Carrie and Shea as they talk with the JMCSS Chief of Staff, Melissa Spurgeon, as she shares what’s been the current trends in education. Listen to the latest episode of the Pocket Change Podcast to learn the importance of public education, what upcoming projects are in the future for schools in Madison County, and how you can make an impact in supporting your local school system. Highlights 1:42: What Does ...
Mar 19, 2024•17 min•Season 2Ep. 30
With an ever-changing housing market, buying a home can feel overwhelming and stressful. Listen to the new episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, where you can learn from experts on how to make wise financial decisions that will benefit your future. Chris Gray, Chief Mortgage Officer at Leaders Credit Union, sits down with Shea and Carrie and provides insights on the housing market and ways to be prepared to buy. It's don't miss for anyone in the home buying process. Highlights 2:09: Updates for ...
Mar 05, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 29
Dreaming of buying your own home but feeling lost in the process? In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Maddie and Shea chat with Brent Ward, CEO of CWTAR, about all things home buying. In this episode, you'll discover: Why finding the right realtor is crucial: Brent emphasizes the importance of interviewing multiple realtors to find someone you feel comfortable with, has local expertise, and communicates clearly. The benefits of homeownership: From building equity to long-term wealth bu...
Feb 20, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Feeling overwhelmed by the endless cycle of debt? You're not alone. Debt consolidation can be a powerful tool to manage your finances and get out of debt faster. In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Angela Utley, a senior underwriter at Leaders Credit Union, dives deep into the world of debt consolidation, equipping you with the knowledge and strategies you need to conquer your debt and achieve your financial goals. Highlights: 2:59-3:33 - What is debt consolidation? 3:44-4:12 - How can...
Feb 06, 2024•14 min•Season 2Ep. 27
If you're in the market for a new home this year, you need to tune into this episode of Pocket Change. David McLemore, president of the West Tennessee Home Builders Association, join Shea and Maddie to discuss the housing market in 2024 and why it's a buyer's market right now. Highlights: 2:59-4:10 - Update on current housing market 4:14-7:37 - How to take advantage of buyer's market 8:30-9:57 - Blue Oval City's impact on the housing market 10:03-11:21 - Why is home ownership so important 12:00-...
Jan 16, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Looking to improve your finances in 2024? On this special episode of Pocket Change Podcast, Jonathan Jones, financial counseling coordinator, joined Shea and Maddie for the first episode of the new year. He shares financial wisdom and advice to help you kickstart this new year with a solid budget and a healthy credit score. We are also celebrating one year of our Pocket Change podcast. Thanks for tuning in! 2:26-4:00 - Jonathan's best piece of advice for 2024 4:10-5:25 - How to recover from spen...
Jan 02, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 25
On this episode of Pocket Change Podcast, we explore the unique culture and mission of Leaders Credit Union through a conversation with our CEO, Todd Swims. Shea and Maddie dive into Todd's 33-year journey with Leaders, highlighting the credit union’s growth and his personal experience. Leaders with Love, an annual community service project around the holidays driven by our employees, exemplifies the credit union's commitment to its members and the local community. 1:23-2:50 - Todd's history at ...
Dec 19, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 24
On this episode of Pocket Change Podcast, we talk to Jackson's own Lauren “Lolo” Pritchard, a singer-songwriter whose journey has taken her from Broadway to giving back to her hometown. She shares the story behind her annual Christmas show, her passion for supporting local artists, and why she believes in investing in the Jackson community. 1:13-4:01 - About Lolo's career 4:11-6:10 - Lolo Christmas show 6:15-8:33 - Snack Backpack Program at RIFA 10:35-11:43 - Ticket info for Christmas show 11:47...
Dec 05, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode of the Pocket Change podcast, we discuss the frustrations people may experience with their banking and the process of switching accounts. Brandy Ahlquist, the Vice President of Member Experience and Innovation at Leaders Credit Union, shares valuable insights on making the switch and how our members can have a step-by-step guide to walk them through the process. 1:35-2:40 - About Brandy & member experience 3:16-5:20 - The first step in switching 6:00-7:31 - Next steps in swit...
Nov 21, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In this Pocket Change episode, Matt Marshall, the president and CEO of United Way of West Tennessee, joined Shea and Maddie to talk about Giving Tuesday coming up at the end of November and how United Way helps our area non profits. He emphasizes the vital role of education as a foundation for community success, as it influences financial stability and health, and gave us many ways to be involved this giving season. 1:22-2:00 - About Matt & how he got to United Way 2:08-3:20 - United Way's m...
Nov 07, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 21
With the constant advancement in technology, digital banking is the way many people choose to handle their finances, and at Leaders, we are a digital first credit union. On this episode of Pocket Change Podcast, we talk to Latoya Ingram, Director of E-Branch Operations at Leaders, to hear how the call center is always staying ahead of what you need. 1:12-1:36 - About Latoya 1:38-1:56 - Digital banking at Leaders 2:01-2:41 - What does the E-Branch do? 4:16-6:17 - The importance of our members and...
Oct 17, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 20
The Discovery Park of America is a staple of West Tennessee and has helped numerous people discovery what they want to do in their future careers and experience something new around every corner. In this episode of Pocket Change Podcast, Shea and Maddie sat down with Scott Williams, the president of Discovery Park of America, located in Union City, Tennessee. With the park's 10th anniversary on the horizon, this conversation was an opportunity to talk about the park's history, its mission, and t...
Oct 03, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 19
How often do you think about the small purchases you make every day? Whether you’re a big family or are living by yourself, it is crucial to make a budget and find ways to save money on the little purchases so that you can meet your financial goals. Scott Heit, Director of Marketing and Digital Strategy at Leaders, joined Pocket Change to talk about how his family has found hacks to make their money go farther. 1:20-2:00 - About Scott and saving money as a family 2:12-2:42 - Scott's best saving ...
Sep 19, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 18
How much do your kids know about money? On this episode of Pocket Change Podcast, Eva Wright, sophomore at Milan High School and the Miss Bethel University Teen Volunteer, joined us to talk about how she teaches kids to handle finances. She is passionate about financial literacy and has created a platform called “Common Cent$” and a club called “Girls Just Wanna Have Funds” where she teaches kids about money management and educates them on finances. 1:33-2:00 - Eva's involvement in pageants 2:07...
Sep 05, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Life is full of transitional moments and times of change, and they all play a part in our financial journeys. On this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, we sit down with Mary Helen Holt, the former co-host of the podcast and the Marketing and PR Specialist at Leaders Credit Union over the past year. What did she learn working at a Credit Union for a year? Check out the episode to find out. Highlights: 2:58-4:38 - What did you learn working at a credit union? 4:48-5:51 - Advice for change 6:28...
Aug 15, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 16
College is a time of new experiences and memories, but it also comes with many financial decisions for the first time. Dr. Dub Oliver, President of Union University, joined the Pocket Change Podcast to share his advice for college students on how to manage their money wisely and avoid financial heartaches. Highlights: 3:00-4:10 - What's special about college 4:30-6:10 - One piece of advice for college students 6:18-8:15 - Do you recommend credit cards in college? 8:33-10:17 - How to be a good st...
Aug 01, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 15
On this episode of Pocket Change Podcast, Leigh Anne Bentley, president of the Leaders Education Foundation, gives us some insight into the heart of the foundation, which is to give back to students and teachers in West Tennessee. The foundation offers several programs, including LEADS Grants, scholarships, and sponsorships. Highlights: 1:40-2:00 - About the Foundation 2:20-3:00 - What LEADS Stands For 5:00-6:50 - Educational Programs We Support 7:05-7:32 - How Can a Teacher Apply for LEADS Gran...
Jul 17, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 14
On this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, our guest Courtney Searcy, Program Director of Our Jackson Home, tells us the mission of Our Jackson Home and all that you need to know about 731 Day coming up at the end of July. 731 Day is a community event that celebrates the people and stories of Jackson, Tennessee. The event is organized by Our Jackson Home, a nonprofit organization that promotes the city of Jackson through its journal and events. Highlights: 1:30-2:55: The History of Our Jackso...
Jul 03, 2023•12 min•Season 1Ep. 13
The financial industry is filled with acronyms, and one of those is a HELOC, which stands for a Home Equity Line of Credit. On this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Shea and Mary Helen sit down with our guest Spencer Pratt, Executive Vice President of Leaders Credit Union, who explains everything you need to know about HELOCs and the various ways you can use them. Highlights: 3:07-4:00- What is a HELOC? 4:07-4:48- Quick Example 4:54-6:05- What do people use it for? 6:07-6:40- Cash Flow 6:50...
Jun 15, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Downtowns are the heart of our communities. In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Shea and Mary Helen sit down with Beth Ann Simpson, director of Jackson Downtown Development Corporation, to discuss the recent growth and momentum of downtown Jackson, Tennessee. JDDC is a nonprofit that partners with area business owners and the community to highlight all that is happening in Downtown Jackson. Highlights: 2:42-3:50 - What is JDDC? 4:40-6:26 - What exciting things are happening downtown? 7...
Jun 01, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Is your money protected? With all the recent bank failures, that’s an important question to ask. In this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Shea and Mary Helen sit down with Seth Rudd, CFO at Leaders Credit Union, to discuss "How to protect your money and watch it grow." Not only do they discuss FDIC and NCUA insurance, they also examine the best accounts to help you grow their hard earned money. Put your trust in a financial institution that has safeguards in place to protect your money, min...
May 15, 2023•13 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Traveling to Disney World is not cheap and planning can be a daunting task. On this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, we're talking about the most magical place on earth and ways to save money on your Disney vacation. Kristi Woody, photographer and avid Disney traveler, sits down with Shea and Mary Helen to share her ways to save for Disney and save while your at the parks. If you're planning a trip to Disney, this is a must listen! Highlights: 4:50-5:54 - Use a Disney travel planner 6:01-6:...
May 01, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 9
On this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, Kay Carroll, Director of Mortgage Sales and Services at Leaders Credit Union, talks about what a first-time homebuyer should know when navigating the homebuying process. The process of buying a home for the first time can be a daunting and overwhelming experience, especially for those who are not familiar. This podcast is dedicated to helping first-time homebuyers navigate the complexities of the home-buying process by providing valuable insights, ti...
Apr 17, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 8
This episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, titled "The Power of Giving Back: Honoring the Unsung Heroes of our Community", is a touching tribute to the individuals who make a difference in their communities through acts of kindness and generosity. Guest Teri Jelks, evening anchor at WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News, introduces the West Tennessee Community Champion program which recognizes the unsung heroes who have made significant contributions to their communities without seeking recognition or reward. ...
Apr 03, 2023•10 min•Season 1Ep. 7
On this episode of Pocket Change, Brant Tibbs, Leaders Investment Services, LPL, and co-hosts Shea and Mary Helen chat about investment possibilities. Brant shares a basic overview of investment types and gets into the differences between 401K, IRAs, Traditional, and Roth. If you are confused by your options, this is a great episode to learn the basics of investing 101. Key moments: 5:45 – 6:37 (Difference in 401K and IRA) 6:55 – 7:28 (Difference in Traditional IRA vs. Roth) 8:50 – 9:14 (Brant e...
Mar 15, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Community is always around us. We shouldn't wait to be kind, but rather intentional and aggressive. On this episode Luke Pruett, Foundation Director of Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, and co-hosts Shea and Mary Helen discuss the importance and power of Cultivating Community. Luke co-host his own podcast called The Social Brokers, giving others the platform to share their story. Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe to the Pocket Change Podcast on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to ...
Mar 01, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Did you know there are five money personalities? When it comes to finances you can be a spender, saver, investor, debtor, or avoider. Although we may have tendencies of all, we closely relate to only one. Tune in to hear this episode as Community Engagement Specialist, Carrie Cantrell and co-hosts Shea and Mary Helen discuss the five money personalities and their correlating animals. Which animal are you? Learn more about your habits, to learn more about yourself. Be sure to rate, review, and su...
Feb 15, 2023•14 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Ford Motor Company recently announced its investment in Blue Oval City, which will have a huge economic impact on the greater West Tennessee region. Tune in to this episode to hear President and CEO of the Greater Jackson Chamber, Kyle Spurgeon, and financial champion co-hosts Shea and Mary Helen discuss the excitement and concerns that surround the impact of Blue Oval City. It is sure to have a transformational impact on cities like Memphis, Jackson, Brownsville, and all of West Tennessee. Be s...
Feb 01, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Start your year off right with these financially fit tips! On this episode of the Pocket Change Podcast, we're discussing 5 tips to get you financially fit in 2023. Our guest Karen Freeman, COO at Leaders Credit Union, shares practical tips to help you on your financial journey. If you implement these tips you are sure to see a positive change in your money habits. Subscribe to the Pocket Change Podcast to learn better ways to spend, save, and invest, and take control of your financial journey. ...
Jan 17, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 2
