The Launch

Premier America Credit Union
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EDUCATION FOR KIDS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Launch is a weekly Saturday morning podcast is hosted by Frankie and Alfredo offering quick bits of financial wellness, financial education, and banking and savings tips for youth savers and their families. 

  1. 05/31/2025

    Dog Walking, Lemonade Stands, and Lawn Mowing: The Hustle Starts Young

    Send us a text Remember the thrill of earning your very first dollar? Whether it came from a lemonade stand, mowing lawns, or another childhood venture, that moment teaches invaluable lessons about work, value, and possibilities. In our season finale, Frankie and Alfredo explore the exciting world of youth entrepreneurship through personal stories and practical guidance. Alfredo shares how he earned his first dollars around age 11 by mowing neighborhood lawns with his father's guidance, while Frankie reminisces about running a lemonade and cookie stand with her older brother. These formative experiences didn't just put money in their pockets—they planted the seeds of financial literacy and independence. We break down what it truly means to earn money: exchanging time, effort, and knowledge for compensation. For children not yet ready for traditional employment, we explore accessible options like dog walking for animal lovers, creating and selling artwork for creative minds, or gardening services for those with green thumbs. The key insight? Encouraging children to pursue money-making ventures aligned with their natural interests makes learning about work and finances an enjoyable journey rather than a chore. Beyond just making money, we discuss how parents can guide children through fundamental business concepts like determining fair pricing, calculating costs versus profits, and marketing their services. These early lessons in entrepreneurship develop critical thinking, communication skills, responsibility, and confidence that extend far beyond financial literacy. Join us for our family challenge this week: help your child develop a concrete plan for their very first money-making venture! From identifying necessary supplies to setting appropriate prices, putting these entrepreneurial ideas into action creates powerful learning opportunities and meaningful family conversations about money. Thank you for joining us throughout our first season! We can't wait to continue our financial literacy journey with you and your family next season.  Learn More at PremierAmerica.com/Youth Federally Insured by NCUA

    7 min

  2. 05/24/2025

    First Flight: What Nobody Tells You About the Price of Freedom

    Send us a text Frankie and Alfredo explore the real costs of moving out and establishing independence, sharing their different experiences transitioning from living with parents to managing their own households. Hidden expenses beyond rent include utility deposits, application fees, and the surprising cost of groceries.First-time movers often underestimate how quickly food costs add up, especially when eating out!Creating an emergency fund is essential for unexpected expenses like car repairs.Furniture costs can be managed by shopping secondhand through Facebook Marketplace and thrift stores.Additional expenses include technology needs, internet, cell phone, auto insurance, and renter's insurance.Before moving out, create a "trial budget" and live by it for 2-3 months to test readiness.Premier America's Financial Wellness Center offers free rental counseling and personalized guidanceThis week's family challenge: Older kids research and create a trial budget; younger kids design a dream room with real costs to understand needs versus wants. Learn More at PremierAmerica.com/Youth Federally Insured by NCUA.

    9 min

  3. 05/17/2025

    Start Small, Dream Big: How Families Can Prepare for College Costs

    Send us a text Tackling the daunting challenge of saving for college requires early planning, consistent effort, and understanding all available options. Frankie and Alfredo share their personal experiences and practical strategies to help families navigate the journey toward funding higher education. Average four-year college costs now approach $100,000 for in-state students including room and board.Personal savings, scholarships, and federal student aid form the foundation of college funding.529 plans offer tax advantages and can be rolled into Roth IRAs if education plans change.Starting small with consistent contributions makes the large goal more manageable.Understanding student loans before taking them prevents post-graduation financial struggles.Even small sacrifices like skipping two lattes weekly can add $520 annually to college savings each year. Premier America Foundation offers scholarships annually to qualifying studentsWeekly Family Challenge: Research a college or trade school you're interested in, determine its cost, and create a small, achievable saving goal to start working toward now. Learn more at PremierAmerica.com/Youth Federally Insured by NCUA.

    9 min

  4. 05/10/2025

    The Secret to Building Bright Financial Futures Starts with Three Jars

    Send us a text In our 17th episode, Frankie and Alfredo explore what makes a smart money choice and share their own practical strategies for families to build positive financial habits together. We discuss how thoughtful planning and avoiding impulse purchases can lead to better financial outcomes for both parents and children. A few quick tips:  Smart money choices involve having well-thought-out reasons for purchases rather than making impulse decisions.Creating shopping lists helps families avoid impulse buys, especially at strategic checkout areas in grocery stores.The three-jar system (save, spend, share) provides a visual approach to teaching children about money management.The 72-hour rule gives time to reconsider purchases and research better options before committing.Shopping when hungry can lead to unnecessary purchases and spending.Finding spare change around the house is a great way to start populating savings jars. Learn more at PremierAmerica.com/Youth Federally Insured by NCUA.

    6 min

  5. 05/03/2025

    More Than Money: The Joy of Giving Back (With or Without Your Money)

    Send us a text Giving back to our communities builds stronger families and teaches important financial values beyond just saving and spending. We explore multiple ways families can work together to make an impact through volunteering, charitable giving, and everyday acts of kindness. Giving back involves three key elements: talent, time, and treasureAnimal shelters offer great volunteer opportunities for families with limited financial resourcesCredit unions like Premier America Credit Union contribute to communities through the Premier America Foundation and various community initiativesIncluding charitable giving in your family budget teaches children the importance of helping othersEven small donations can make a meaningful impact when given consistentlySimple acts like sharing lunch with friends teach children about resource sharingThe Premier America Foundation Scholarship rewards students who demonstrate commitment to serviceYoung children can start building giving habits through everyday kindness at school This week's family challenge: Think of one small way you can help someone with your money, time, or other resources, and discuss it as a family. Federally Insured by NCUA.

    6 min

  6. 04/26/2025

    Where Did Half My Paycheck Go? A Family's Guide to Tax Talk

    Send us a text Taxes are portions of our income and purchases that fund essential public services and infrastructure in our communities. We break down the concept of taxes for families and kids, explaining how they work at local, state, and federal levels to support resources we use daily. Different types of taxes include sales tax on purchases and income tax on earningsTaxes fund community resources like parks, libraries, schools, and first respondersChildren often experience "paycheck shock" when first seeing taxes deductedParents can simulate taxes with allowances to prepare children for future earningsVITA centers (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) provide free or low-cost tax help This week's family challenge: Discuss things in your community that you enjoy that are paid for by taxes, such as public beaches, parks, or libraries. Federally Insured by NCUA.  For more information and resources, visit PremierAmerica.com/youth

    7 min

  7. 04/19/2025

    Disneyland Churros Ate My Budget: Real-Life Lessons in Money Management

    Send us a text Budgeting is a powerful tool to ensure we're not overspending and helps us achieve our financial goals through proper planning. Always start a budget by setting clear goals like saving for a trip, vehicle, or special purchase like the next game!Break down your goals into manageable amounts (like saving $10/month for six months to reach $60)For kids, begin by listing all money sources such as allowance or giftsCall it a "spending plan" rather than a budget to frame it positivelyWhen extra money remains, revisit your goals before deciding whether to save or spendTip: Involve children in real household budgeting experiences like grocery shoppingTrack your spending against your plan to hold yourself accountable Family Challenge: Build a budget together! Help your kids create their own spending plan or walk them through your family budget process. Share your experience in the comments, and don't forget to like and subscribe. Federally Insured by NCUA.  Learn more at PremierAmerica.com/Youth

    7 min

  8. 04/12/2025

    Where has all my money gone?

    Send us a text Spending money has never been easier, but tracking it is crucial for your short- and long-term financial health. Frankie & Alfredo explore practical ways to determine if you're spending too much and how to build better money habits for your entire family. Make a plan and hold yourself accountable with budgetingPay yourself first by prioritizing savings before spendingUse mobile banking apps to categorize and visualize your spendingWatch for red flags like inability to cover emergency expensesHelp children track money with piggy banks before introducing digital banking Family Challenge: Track what you're spending for a day or entire week. Identify each purchase as a want or a need, then discuss as a family where you could save more money. Federally Insured by NCUA.  For more information, visit PremierAmerica.com/Youth

    5 min
See All (20)

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Launch is a weekly Saturday morning podcast is hosted by Frankie and Alfredo offering quick bits of financial wellness, financial education, and banking and savings tips for youth savers and their families. 

Information

  • Creator
    Premier America Credit Union
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Premier America Credit Union
  • Show Website
    The Launch