MHV's Off the Trail

Maybe you've heard that banks and credit unions are different. And maybe you've even learned why.But here's the real question:Why should you care about that difference?You're about to find out. Michael Mattone, VP of Community Impact at Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, hops on this episode to drive home why people - including you - should care about the credit union difference. 

No one wants to file bankruptcy. But the fact is, it's a very real financial possibility for a lot of people. And there's still a lot of mystery around it. In this episode, we're joined by Hilary Nichols, Loss Mitigation Manager. Hilary walks us through what happens during bankruptcy, what happens to your accounts, and what you need to do after filing. 

So you've been bitten by the entrepreneurial bug? Starting a business is pretty exciting...but it takes a lot of planning to build a successful one. Get the expert take on business plans in this episode. Hear from Sam Kandel, Advanced Certified Business Advisor and Interim Director of the Mid Hudson Small Business Development Center on: What business plans areWhy they're critical to the success of your businessYour risk - if you fail to make a business planHow to get started

You know your credit score matters - to basically every financial decision you're going to make. But did you know there are common behaviors that could be holding your score down? We're joined by Aaron Lindo, MHV's Consumer Loan Underwriter, to discover what those top three behaviors are.

No matter when you enter the workforce, understanding taxes is one of the most confusing parts of your first job. Host Mariclare Cranston sits down with Thomas Lindgren, CPA, to get you some answers to the tax questions everybody has. 

We know physical activity helps reduce stress, right? But...getting started with fitness can cause more stress in and of itself. Let's talk about embracing physical activity, how to make it work for you, and why it can help you with your money.

How has growing a business changed? What finance options are available? Are there certain things you should outsource? What financial mistakes should I avoid? In this episode Michael Mattone, VP Community Impact at MHV joins us to share the top small business tips every owner needs to hear. 

Want the hard truth about improving your credit score? There's no quick fix, but there are some steps you can take to get the solid score you need. In this episode, we're joined by Aaron Lindo, Consumer Loan Underwriter at MHV. He's giving you the expert scoop on improving your credit score. 

You've probably heard this advice: save 3-6 months' worth of expenses in your Savings Account. And if you're like a lot people, you felt immediately overwhelmed because...that's a pretty big number. The good news? Microsaving. Tiny little deposits that:Build the habit of savingAdd up to a decent balance in your Savings AccountTune in to find out how to start, why it works, and things to avoid. 

If 2020 taught us anything, it's that we don't control nearly as much as we think we do. And that can feel frustrating and scary. In this episode, we're joined by Lauree Ostrofsky, owner of Simply Leap and founder of Hudson Valley Women in Business. Lauree walks us through why we try to control others, what we can focus on to get grounded again, and some mindset shifts we need to make to set ourselves up for success.

College planning...has anything changed since COVID? Do I need to do anything differently? Is financial aid harder to get? Join us as we chat with Stephanie Goldberg-Mauro, founder and owner of College Planning 101. Stephanie shares her insider scoop on how things have changed and what stays the same. Then, download our Guide to Free Money to help you maximize your college financing. 

Oh, you know you've done it. Promised to get your home or office more organized. Soon. Tomorrow. Next Year. In this episode, host Mariclare Cranston chats with Colleen Ashe, founder of Ashe Organizing Solutions. Colleen dives into exactly how you can start, finish, and actually maintain an organized space. Tune in for lots of good info, and a few laughs along the way.

You've probably heard experts suggest you need months' worth of expenses in your Savings Account. And...that's pretty overwhelming. How can you start - right now - with some easier steps? Join host Mariclare as she talks to Melissa Walsh, MHV's VP of Marketing, on ways to get started. Melissa shares what worked for her to start building a Savings Account and how you can take those same steps.

How do you start talking to kids about saving money? Is there a way to make it interesting? Host Mariclare Cranston talks to MHV's Financial Education Specialist Sarah Short about starting money conversations with your children.

You already know that a website is a must-have for your business. But what about the content on your site? Do you need to update it? And if so, how often? Join host Mariclare Cranston as she gets expert insight from Caroline Falk, MHV's Marketing Specialist, for some quick-hit website first aid.

You already know that physical fitness is important to your overall well-being. But where does your brain come into the picture? In this episode, Claude Dal Farra, owner of Spa 21 in Kingston, NY, shares his insights on mindfulness. You'll hear tips you can implement today to become more aware of your mental well-being and how it impacts your overall wellness.

We're joined by Michael Mattone, VP of Community Impact at Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, to dive into what makes credit unions different and why - with a resurgence of the importance of local economies - they're more important than ever. 

Thinking about putting your home on the market? Staging is an important part of the process. Join host Mariclare as she chats with Jennifer Tampasis, Principal Designer and Owner of Jennifer Lynn Interiors. Jennifer is sharing her secrets on how to successfully prepare your home to boost its appeal to buyers.

Networking is one of the most powerful ways to grow your career or your business, but how we network has changed. Join host Mariclare Cranston as she chats with Christine Gritmon of Christine Gritmon, Inc. Christine is a social media expert and master networker and is sharing her tips for finding, building, and loving your digital network. 

Join in as our guest Sarah Short, Financial Education Specialist at MHV, lays down some easy-to-implement action items for managing your money in times of uncertainty and crisis. No complex or overwhelming plans here; these are simple steps you can start today.

Join our host Mariclare as she talks with Sarah Short, Financial Education Specialist, on how high schoolers can start prepping for college. We're covering financial aid, the biggest surprises kids have when they start college, and how best to navigate the transition. 

We're joined by Charles Broe, AVP of Asset Protection at MHV, who's talking about signs that you may about to become a victim of fraud and how to avoid that. Don't miss this all-too-important episode! 

We're back with Kyla Thomas, a realtor from Murphy Realty Group, as she dives into some of her top home-buying tips! If you're even thinking about purchasing a home, don't miss her expert advice. 

What happens if I'm late on my bills? What do I do if I'm facing foreclosure? How can I get the help I need? In this episode, we talk with our very own Hilary Nalepa, Loss Mitigation Manager, to get expert insight into how to manage your finances when times are tough and money is short. 

We're going Off the Trail with Joe Capobianco, our resident car-buying expert. From when to buy a car to figuring out if pre-approval matters, tune in for top car-buying tips.