Money Matters

We step away from pure budgeting and get honest about enjoying money through travel, with a focus on what “luxury” really means when time is your most limited resource. Angela Alesi of Heirloom Journeys shares how intentional planning turns a trip from a stressful expense into an investment in memories, health, and connection. 
• redefining luxury travel as intentional travel built around time, purpose, and how ...

We take our workout outside and prove you can build real strength using free public park equipment instead of paying for a gym. Kim Chapman and trainer Keldrick Emery walk through beginner-friendly and advanced options, plus simple safety rules that keep you consistent and injury-free. 
• using BREC park equipment as a free outdoor gym option 
• scaling push-ups from incline to more advanced positions 
• imp...

We get ahead of hurricane season with Louisiana’s state climatologist Jay Grymes, focusing on how storms create real and avoidable money stress. We map out practical ways to plan early, stock up smart, and protect our homes and families without panic spending. 
• why Louisiana faces tropical threats every year and why “no threat” seasons are rare 
• what a state climatologist does and how weather d...

We connect the dots between financial stress and mental health, from sleep and mood changes to avoidance and overwork. We share practical ways to balance your money and your mind so you can stay aware without letting anxiety run your life. 
• money stress as uncertainty that fuels anxious thoughts 
• behavior changes that signal finances are taking a toll 
• why avoiding money conversations keeps the fear gr...

We talk with HVAC technician Joseph Long about how to stay comfortable in Louisiana heat without letting electric bills explode. We focus on the small habits and maintenance choices that cut cooling costs, reduce humidity problems, and prevent those dreaded weekend breakdowns. 

• what drives high electric bills: usage, thermostat habits, equipment condition 
• setting the thermostat higher when away without crea...

We talk with Dr. Ni'Shawn Stovall about how EBR’s Learn and Earn Internship Program helps high school juniors and seniors build job skills while earning $1,500. We break down how placement works, what students learn in boot camp, and why mentorship and financial literacy can turn a first paycheck into a long term advantage. 

• Learn and Earn Internship Program goals and who qualifies 
• Differences between...

We challenge the myth that healthy eating has to be expensive and break down the practical tricks that make nutritious meals doable on a real budget. With dietitian Angell Jordan from the Southern University Ag Center, we share simple shopping and cooking habits that help us waste less, eat better, and keep more money in our pockets. 

• buying fruits and vegetables in season for lower prices and better taste 
• ...

We break the myth that fitness has to be expensive and map out realistic ways to train at home without fancy gear. I talk with personal trainer Keldric Emery about consistency, accountability, and small steps that build strength without wrecking your budget. 
• why gym memberships and big plans fade fast 
• setting achievable goals instead of unrealistic timelines 
• using community and workout partners for ...

We mark 100 episodes by reflecting on practical wins, welcoming two new financial wellness counselors, and recommitting to progress over perfection. Real stories, small habits, and a bigger team expand how we help people use, make, and save money with confidence.

• milestone reflections and recurring money themes
• family budgets, baby costs, school events, and tradeoffs
• everyday savings in the kitchen and home
• ...

We share how to file a simple return for free with IRS-certified volunteers, what to bring, who qualifies, and why filing on time supports bigger goals like homebuying and emergency savings. Super Tax Day details, ongoing site access, and added community resources round it out.

• what VITA is and who it serves
• why free beats low cost on simple returns
• super tax day time, place, and flow
• ongoing locations throu...

We break down how personal credit and cash flow drive small business lending and share the simple steps that boost approval odds. From DSCR to down payments and the role of guarantors, we show founders how to prepare documents, avoid common pitfalls, and choose smart starter products.

• why personal credit signals business reliability
• how pay history, limits, and account mix affect approval
• cleaning up collections ...

We break down why money resolutions fail and turn them into specific, doable steps you can keep all year. From emergency funds and debt strategies to guilt-free spending and simple budgets, the focus stays on small actions and steady systems.

• causes of failed resolutions and vague goals
• how to make saving specific, small, and automated
• why emergency funds come before vacations and extras
• debt snowball vs ava...

We share a simple plan to enjoy the holidays without debt or stress, from setting a real budget to spotting fake sales and making meaningful gifts. Practical steps help you find last‑minute cash, use credit wisely, and start saving for next year now.

• setting a holiday budget at 10% of take‑home pay
• using last‑minute tactics like no‑spend weeks and canceling subscriptions
• automating short bursts of savings and rou...

We break down the most common holiday scams and show how small choices—slowing down, going direct, and verifying—protect your money and your identity. Russell Barger, VP of Information Security, shares simple rules that stop most attacks at home and at work.

• seasonal lures through fake deals, social posts and tracking links
• warning signs: urgency, odd senders, spoofed domains, impersonal tone
• safer sh...

We share fast, clear ways to find food, rent help and local resources as government shutdown effects ripple through our parishes. Crystal Ward from Capital Area United Way explains how 211 works, which partners are active, and how donors can keep the safety net strong.

• increased calls for food support and essentials
• how 211 routes by parish and follows up
• Greater Food Bank access and monthly drives
• Family St...

We strip estate planning down to what matters: simple documents that protect your wishes and spare your family from conflict. Jason Knapps joins us to bust myths, map decisions by life stage, and lay out a clear starting checklist and next steps.

• what estate planning covers beyond assets
• essential documents: will, financial and medical powers, directives
• keeping beneficiaries aligned with current wishes
• revi...

We trace the real costs of welcoming a second child and how a strict budget turned worry into confidence. From rising doula fees to two daycare bills, we share what changed, what we reused, and how we planned leave, space, and school decisions without losing joy.

• daycare becoming the largest monthly expense
• getting serious about budgeting to pay off debt
• navigating higher medical and doula costs
• planning for...

We unpack why money talks feel heavy and show how to make them safe, honest, and useful. Ericka Young shares her $90K debt payoff story, how “play money” reduced friction, and practical ways to teach kids about money without passing along anxiety.

• the real reasons couples avoid money talks
• using your money past to lower defensiveness
• saver vs spender dynamics and finding balance
• autonomy with tra...

Carmen Million from the Better Business Bureau and Adrienne, a senior fraud investigator, join host Kim Chapman to discuss the alarming rise in financial scams powered by artificial intelligence and how to protect yourself.

• Scammers are using AI to create convincing fake business websites that target vulnerable consumers
• Phone spoofing has evolved to mimic not just financial institutions but actual customer phone numb...