Cracking the Code on Credit Scores

Black Friday deals are everywhere, but are you really saving money? Nicole and I are breaking down how to spot real deals, avoid overspending, and make smarter holiday shopping decisions. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

If you're thinking about starting a family, expecting your first child, adopting, or simply planning for the future, today's episode is for you as we are sharing the 12 habits for all parents to embrace. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

In this episode we are revealing our top ten financial habits you need to be practicing by the time you are 40 and in truth you need these at any age. And we are not just listing the habits, we are going to share real life stories from our listeners on how these habits impacted their lives. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

The end of the year has a way of sneaking up on us. If you've been meaning to take a look at your investments, this episode is for you. Benji Banks, CFP, joins us to talk about a few smart year-end moves that could make a difference and help you stay on track. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

Building a home can be one of the most exciting things you'll ever do, it can also come with plenty of surprises. In this episode, we chat with Mike Senn from FORUM Credit Union about what to expect, what to avoid, and how to make the process go a little smoother. If a new home is in your future, this conversation is for you. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

Your credit score may be just three digits, but it can shape some of life's biggest money decisions. In this episode of Smarter Money Life, we sit down with Kurt Niles from FORUM Credit Union to break down what lenders really look for, how to build a stronger score, and the simple steps you can take to protect it. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

If you've ever wondered what money lessons your kids really need and when to teach them, this episode is for you. Kids are growing up in a tap to pay, one click world, so money lessons have to grow with them. In this episode we'll show you practical ways to build money confidence at every age. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

If you've ever tried budgeting and thought, "this just doesn't work," you're not alone. The truth is—there's no one-size-fits-all plan. This week on Smarter Money Life, we will share best practices to help you be successful at budgeting regardless of the budget method that fits your personality. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

If you worry about protecting your parents or other family members from frauds and scams,  you are not alone. This episode is focused on giving you real steps to take and ways to have a respectful conversation about this subject. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.

We live in a connected world—and that means more convenience and more risk. On this episode of Smarter Money Life, we're joined by fraud expert Ben to share simple, practical ways to protect your accounts, devices, and personal information. For more information, please visit us at Smarter Money Life. You can also view this episode with captions here: Smarter Money Life on YouTube. Reference to, or information about, any specific product or service by name, trademark, trade name, or service mark in the Smarter Money Life podcast does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service. Federally Insured by NCUA. © 2026, FORUM Credit Union. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form is prohibited.