Clear Money Program

On this program we welcome Get Ahead Colorado to discuss the EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) and changes to the EITC that will impact tax returns filed in 2019.  Included are an explanation of the EITC, who qualifies, and why people who aren't required to file taxes can qualify for the credit.

On this program we welcome Get Ahead Colorado to discuss the major changes to personal taxes that impact tax returns filed in 2019.  Included are an explanation of how tax credits, deductions, and exemptions work, and the changes that affect them.  

On this podcast, Sarae interviews Alan Lang, Denver Community's Accounting Manager to discuss how EMV chip cards work, how they differ from traditional cards, and the enhanced fraud protection they provide.

Sarae interviews Attorney Frank Danzo, an experienced estate planning attorney, from Chayet & Danzo LLC, about trusts. 

Sarae is joined by Melissa Duncan, Lead Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, to discuss how Debt Management Plans (DMPs) work.  We'll cover who a Debt Management Plan is a good fit for, how it impacts credit, and how legitimate DMPs differ from services offered by debt consolidation and debt management companies.  You'll also hear real life examples from clients who paid off debt through DMPs.

Description: On this show, we're joined by Carrie Singer from the Denver Office of Economic Development and Jacqui Dietrich from the Commons on Champa.  Learn about the Commons on Champa, an entrepreneurship and innovation hub in Denver.  We'll discuss why the Commons was founded, who it serves, and find out about their ongoing programming, events, and services. 

On this program we're joined by Katrina Morton, the VP of Lending at Denver Community Credit Union.  Learn why Zillow and Trulia's property values are different from professional appraisals.  We'll also discuss why lenders require professional appraisals for mortgages and refinancing, and how appraisers determine appraisal values.

On this program we're joined by Larry Fleury, the Branch Manger of our West branch location.  Learn what credit builder loans are, how they work, and how they can build or rebuild credit. 

Sarae is joined by Mary Murray, Card Services Accounting Specialist at Denver Community, to learn about the benefits of CardNav and how to get started using it.  CardNav is a app that allows members to turn credit cards and debit cards on or off within seconds, and to manage how, when, and where cards are used.   Members: click here to learn more or to download CardNav on our website.

Sarae is joined by Melissa Duncan, Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of Credit Karma for consumers.  As a nonprofit Accredited Credit Counselor, she shares her insight and expertise to discuss how consumers can use Credit Karma's services to understand of their credit, and what considerations to keep in mind.

Sarae speaks with Joe Tassano, Vice President of Branches at Denver Community Credit Union, to talk about Mobile Bill Payer.  Members can now pay all their bills directly from their phone.  Tune in to learn about its functionalities and benefits. Members: for a video overview on how to use Bill Payer in the upgraded Denver Community Mobile Banking App click here.  To update your device with the updgraded mobile banking app, click here. 

Sarae is joined by Jim Hall, a professional certified Focal Point Business Coach, and Director of Business Services at Denver Community Credit Union.  Jim explains 5 critical things they don’t teach you in business school but should that can take your enterprise and goals to the next level: The Multitasking Myth (Focus)3 Eyes of the Business Owner (Visioning)Urgent vs. Important (Time Management)The 1% Difference (Business Improvement)Goals vs. Dreaming (Goal Setting)  

Sarae speaks with Amanda Hamm, Vice President of IT & Finance at Denver Community Credit Union, to discuss details about Denver Community's new Mobile Check Deposit service. We'll share how it works so you can confidently start depositing checks right from your phone, at your convenience. Members: for step-by-step instructions on how to use Mobile Check Deposit in the upgraded Denver Community Mobile Banking App click here.  To update your device with the updgraded mobile banking app, click here. 

Sarae speaks with Noah Lyman, Realtor & Broker Associate with Keller Williams Realty Downtown Denver.  On this program, we discuss what questions home buyers and sellers should ask when meeting with a prospective realtor to find an agent that's a good fit for them and their needs.

Sarae is joined by Joe Tassano, Vice President of Branches at Denver Community Credit Union, to learn about Net Check In.  Net Check In is a free service that members can use through our website or via a phone app to skip the line at our branches.  Members: to get started using Net Check In through our website or to download the app, please visit our website.

Sarae is joined by Amanda Hamm, Vice President of IT & Finance at Denver Community Credit Union, to discuss how exactly Apple Pay™ works, how it keeps your financial information more secure than swiping your card, and how to add your Denver Community cards to Apple Pay.  Members: for step-by-step instructions to add your Denver Community cards to Apple Pay, and for more details, click here. Apple, the Apple logo, and iPhone are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.  Apple Pay and Touch ID are trademarks of Apple Inc.

Sarae is joined by Jason Vitug, Founder & CEO of Phroogal.  Phroogal is a free online personal finance resource designed to empower people to make better financial decisions. Phroogal launches the Road to Financial Wellness - a 10,000 mile cross-country road trip to engage a national discussion on financial wellbeing - on June 1, 2015.  We look forward to partnering with Phroogal stop #19 in Denver on June 19th 2015.  

Sarae is joined by Denver Community Credit Union's VP of Lending, Katrina Morton, to discuss in the ins and outs of second mortgages.  We discuss how they work, what questions to ask, and the different types of terms that are generally available, so that you can decide if a second mortgage is a good fit for you.

Sarae is joined by Carlos Colón, Bilingual Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, to discuss what to do if you have defaulted on your federal student loans and what options are available to you to get out of default.  We also cover: The difference between being delinquent and defaulting on your student loans.The effect on your credit of defaulting on your student loans. You can find more information about federal student loan default on studentaid.ed.gov. If you are not in default on your student loans, listen to our podcasts about income-based student loan repayment plan options and student loan repayment plan options not based on income.  More information about federal student loan repayment options can also be found at studentaid.ed.gov.

Sarae is joined by Carlos Colón, Bilingual Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, to talk about what student loan consolidation options are available and what you need to consider before deciding whether consolidating student loan debt is a good fit for you.  Click here for more information about federal student loan consolidation.

Sarae is joined by Amy Fidelis, Marketing & Education Director at mpowered to talk about whether Black Friday deals are really a bargain and discuss holiday shopping tips to avoid overspending and impulse buying.

Are you an aspiring business owner?  Sarae is joined by Benjamin Weeda, Co-Founder and Client Outreach Manager with the Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute (RMMFI), to discuss how you can build a solid personal foundation to set yourself up for success when launching a business.  Learn what most entrepreneurs fail to plan for and what you need to consider to succeed. To listen to the rest of this 4-part entrepreneurship series, which includes how to craft a realistic vision for your business that remains true to your big ambitions, how to move closer to your vision of success from where you are now, and more, visit our business services page at www.blogtalkradio.com/denvercommunitybusiness

On this program, Sarae speaks with Rachael Dudley, Marketing Coordinator at Denver Community Credit Union about tactics for keeping your personal information safe to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft and fraud. Avoid using the following passwords: "Worst Passwords" List

Mr. Shannon Peer, Director of Housing Counseling at Brothers Redevelopment, joins us to discuss a new community resource that connects Colorado residents to appropriate housing services for homeowners and renters through one central source: Colorado Housing Connects.  Denver Community Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender. 

Sarae talks with Carlos Colón, Bilingual Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, about what you need to know to determine if you are eligible for teacher student loan forgiveness. We also discuss how to decide which option to use if you qualify for both the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program and the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, and whether it is possible to take advantage of both. For more details about the federal Teacher Loan Forgiveness Program, visit studentaid.ed.gov/tc. 

Sarae talks with Carlos Colón, Bilingual Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, about what you need to know to determine if you qualify for public service student loan forgiveness.  For more details about public service student loan forgiveness, visit studentaid.ed.gov/publicservice.  To access the Employment Certification form to track your employment eligibibility (you will want to fill this out for each public service job you have while making qualifying payments), click here.

Sarae speaks with Lindsay Gafford, Homebuyer Education Instructor and Special Projects Coordinator with Brothers Redevelopment, about what to do if you are going to fall behind on your mortgage payments and what free resources are available to home owners who are in need of assistance. If you are in the Denver area and want to schedule a free financial coaching session, contact Sarae at skurth@denvercommunity.coop.   Denver Community Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender. 

Sarae talks with Carlos Colón, Bilingual Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, about student loan repayment plans.  Find out what student loan repayment options are available based on your income.  Click here for a repayment calculator that will estimate your monthly payments using each of the student loan repayment plans we discussed. For more details about the student loan repayment plans we covered, visit studentaid.ed.gov.

Sarae speaks with Carlos Colón, Bilingual Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, about student loan repayment plans.  Learn about what student loan repayment options are available that are not based on your income.  Click here for a repayment calculator that will estimate your monthly payments using some of the student loan repayment plans we discussed. For more details about the student loan repayment plans we covered, visit studentaid.ed.gov.

Sarae is joined by Amy Fidelis, Marketing & Education Director at mpowered to talk about how to create a budget you and your partner can agree on.  Click here to see a related blog post here. 

Sarae is joined by Amy Fidelis, Marketing & Education Director at mpowered to discuss strategies for talking to your partner about money.  Click here to see a related blog post.   

Sarae talks with Lindsay Gafford, Homebuyer Education Instructor and Special Projects Coordinator with Brothers Redevelopment, about what you can do to be better prepared for the home buying process, including what your ideal debt-to-income ratio and credit score should be to qualify for a mortgage. *Correction (to the audio): Brothers Redevelopment's phone number is 303-202-6340 If you are in the Denver area and want to schedule a free financial coaching session, contact Sarae at skurth@denvercommunity.coop.  Denver Community Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender. 

Sarae talks with Liz Ludchak, Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, about which types of debt are and are not dischargeable (forgivable) in bankruptcy filings. *Please note that there was a technical glitch during the podcast recording so the audio starts at 23 seconds (feel free to skip ahead to that point!)*

Sarae is joined by Liz Ludchak, Personal Finance Coach at mpowered, to talk about the differences between Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcy.

Sarae talks with Amy Fidelis, Marketing & Education Director at mpowered, about how secured credit cards work, who they can benefit, and how to best use them to build or improve your credit. If you are in the Denver area and want to schedule a free financial coaching session, contact Sarae at skurth@denvercommunity.coop. 

Sarae chats with Amy Fidelis, Marketing & Education Director at mpowered, who shares tips to avoid trashing your credit and overspending during the holiday season. If you are in the Denver area and want to schedule a free financial coaching session, contact Sarae at skurth@denvercommunity.coop. 

Sarae talks with Amy Fidelis, Marketing & Education Director at mpowered, about why you should think twice before signing up for retail/store credits.  Even with an average interest rate of 23.43% (as of the end of 2015), there's a lot more to consider in terms of your credit health before opening a retail credit card. If you are in the Denver area and want to schedule a free financial coaching session, contact Sarae at skurth@denvercommunity.coop. 

Sarae is joined by Chad Otto to discuss what you need to know about homeowners' insurance, including how liability coverage works and the extent to which your personal belongings are covered. Mr. Otto is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) and an experienced insurance salesman with Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Sarae is joined by Chad Otto to discuss what you need to know about renters' insurance, including how liability coverage works and the extent to which your personal belongings are covered. Mr. Otto is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) and an experienced insurance salesman with Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Sarae is joined by Kristi Brouillette, Denver Community’s Mortgage Loan Officer, to discuss the ins and outs of HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit)--how they work, drawing options, and more.

Sarae welcomes Helen Gibson, Denver Community Credit Union's VP of Marketing & Education, to disscuss Denver Community's new Second Chance Checking Account.

Sarae is joined by Kristi Brouillette, Denver Community’s Mortgage Loan Officer, to discuss fixed-rate mortgages and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).  We'll take about the advantages & disadvantages of each so you can choose the right mortgage type for you. If you are in the Denver area and want to schedule a free financial coaching session, contact Sarae at skurth@denvercommunity.coop.  Denver Community Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender. 

On this podcast we welcome Kristi Brouillette, Denver Community’s Mortgage Loan Officer, to discuss what you should bring when applying for a mortgage, including:  What do most lenders require that you bring hard paper copies of? Can any of the information the lender requests be provided electronically? Is there any information the mortgage lender can pull on your behalf so you don't have to bring it? Denver Community Credit Union is an Equal Housing Lender. 

It's Life Insurance Awareness Month! Join Sarae as she speaks with Chad Otto about what you need to know about life insurance. Mr. Otto is a Life Underwriter Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) and an experienced insurance salesman with Liberty Mutual Insurance.

Sarae speaks with Amy Fidelis, Financial Education Director at Mpowered, about the best ways to rebuild credit after filing bankruptcy or foreclosure.

Sarae is joined by Amy Fidelis, Financial Education Director at Mpowered (formerly Community Credit Counseling Services), to discuss if and when bankruptcy is a good option for you.

Sarae chats with Amy Fidelis, Financial Education Director at Mpowered (formerly Community Credit Counseling Services), to find out the difference between debt consolidation and debt settlement.  Learn how to tell if debt consolidation is a good option for you. If you are in the Denver area and want to schedule a free financial coaching session, contact Sarae at skurth@denvercommunity.coop. 

Sarae welcome Amy Fidelis, Education Director at Mpowered (formerly Community Credit Counseling Services), to discuss the fastest and most impactful ways to improve a credit score.

Sarae talks to Amy Fidelis, Financial Education Director at Mpowered (formerly Community Credit Counseling Services), to discuss efficient methods to pay down your debt.

Sarae is joined by Amy Fidelis, Financial Education Director at Mpowered (formerly Community Credit Counseling Services).  Learn the best strategies to establish a credit history for young people, foreign nationals, etc. To register for our next free class on credit, check our financial education class schedule.

Sarae talks with Amy Fidelis, Financial Education Director at Mpowered (formerly Community Credit Counseling Services).  Find out what you should do if you are going to have to make a late payment to protect your credit. To register for our next free class on credit, check our financial education class schedule.