Making It Count

S6E10 Season Finale: Kids and Summer Jobs: Building Financial Responsibility Early

In 2024, there was a noticeable increase in teen summer jobs from previous years, with employers adding 1,077,000 jobs between May and July. In the season finale of season 6, Hosts Cristina and…

S6E9 Mindful Money Series IV: Budget-Friendly Tips for Grocery Shopping and Eating Well

Did you know that switching to store-brand or generic products can lead to bigger savings? Some consumers have reported saving up to 41% by choosing these alternatives over name-brand items! Hosts…

S6E8 Mindful Money Series III: Splurge or Save? Mastering Balanced Spending Habits

In this episode of Making It Count, Cristina and Addison are joined by expert guest Melissa Murphy Pavone to explore how to strike the right balance between saving and spending. From understanding…

S6E7 Scams to Avoid in 2025: Staying Safe in a Digital World

Scams are getting smarter—and scarier. In this episode of Making It Count, Cristina and Addison team up with Cristin Blom from Addition Financial to explore the latest financial scams popping up in…

S6E6 Preparing for Your First Big Purchase: Cars, Homes, and Smart Planning

Thinking about buying your first car, home, or making a major financial commitment? In this episode of Making It Count, Cristina and Addison sit down with Rori from Addition Financial to walk through…

S6E5 Mindful Money Series II: Thrift It Up and Master the Art of Budget-Friendly Finds

In this episode of Making It Count, Cristina and Addison chat with thrift-savvy influencer Alexis Stuart about how secondhand shopping can be a game-changer for your budget. From saving thousands…

S6E4 AI and Money: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Personal Finance

In this episode of Making It Count, Cristina and Addison are joined by expert guest Chris Singel to explore how AI is transforming the way we manage our money. From smart budgeting tools to…

S6E3 Financial Literacy for Gen Z: Tackling Student Loans, Investments, and First Jobs

In this episode of Making It Count, Cristina and Addison are joined by Randy from Seminole State to break down the financial must-knows for Gen Z. From navigating student loans to budgeting your…

S6E2 Mindful Money Series I: Rethinking Spending with the No-Spend Challenge

In this episode of Making It Count, Cristina and Addison kick off the Mindful Money series with a closer look at one of TikTok’s latest viral financial trends—the No-Spend Challenge. Whether you’re…

S6E1 Banking in the Digital Age: Modern Tools for Smarter Finances

Welcome to Season 6 of Making It Count! We’re kicking things off with a deep dive into the world of online banking and digital financial tools. Cristina and Addison are back behind the mic to explore…

Trailer - S6 of Making it Count

S5E10 Financial Tips for Sustaining a Remote Lifestyle

According to USA Today, Pew Research Center found that around 22 million employed adults in the U.S. work from home all the time. Working remotely can offer more flexibility, but how does it impact…

S5E9 Set Paw-sitive Finances When Owning a Pet

On Credit.com, it was reported that the total average cost of owning a dog per year can range from $773 to $1,848. If you’re a cat person, the total annual cost tends to range from $788 to $1,693.…

S5E8 Money U Part III: College Game Plan

Deal News reported that student discounts typically take around 10%-15% off of qualifying purchases, but you'll find some places that offer 50% off or even higher. There are many ways for students to…

S5E7 Money U Part II: Master the Loan Lifecycle

According to WalletHub, 85% of college students already have a credit card. It's tempting to keep accepting new credit card and loan offers, especially with the freedom to make big purchases.…

S5E6 Money U Part I: Financing Your Way to a Degree

In this episode, hosts Cristina and Randy delve into the complexities of financing a college degree. With millions of students facing student loan debt, CEO Chuky Ofoegbu from Sojourning Scholar…

S5E5 Keep Your Dollars Safe from Fraud in 2024

In this episode of Making It Count, Randy and Cristina discuss the importance of avoiding fraud, noting the rise in credit card fraud cases. They share personal anecdotes and introduce guests Lee and…

S5E4 How to Say 'I Do' Without Breaking the Bank

In this episode, Cristina and Randy discuss how to plan a wedding without breaking the bank. Special guest Jessica Bishop, creator of The Budget Savvy Bride, shares insights on managing wedding…

S5E3 Smart Renting Best Practices + Red Flags

In this episode, hosts Cristina and Randy explore smart renting practices and red flags to watch out for. With 34% of U.S. housing units occupied by renters, there's a lot to consider when leasing.…

S5E2 De-Mystifying Your Paycheck

In this episode, hosts Cristina and Randy tackle the often mystifying realm of paychecks. With over half of Americans confused about terms like HSA and FSA, Brandon and Andrew from Addition Financial…