We will all need to borrow at some point in our lives. Whether it is to purchase your first home, make some home improvements, or consolidating existing debt, there are lots of times where borrowing money can be beneficial.

However, managing your debt can sometimes be tricky. With the ever increasing cost of living and unexpected expenses occasionally popping up, prioritising your debt can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming.

In this episode of the Smile and Save Podcast, we are joined by Helen Handzel from StepChange Debt Charity to discuss:

• The difference between good debt and problem debt.
• Some of the emerging and worrying trends around problem debt across Britain.
• Why there is a stigma around debt and the fact we avoid talking about money with loved ones.
• How employers can be a part of the solution around problem debt.
  
  

If you are struggling with your existing debt, worried about a loved one, or an employer wanting to support the financial resilience of your workforce, this episode is for you.

Useful links:
StepChange website: https://www.stepchange.org/
Budget planner: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/...
Employer support: https://www.stepchange.org/about-us/p...
Call StepChange: 0800 138 11 11

Thank you so much to Helen for joining us for this episode of the Smile and Save Podcast! We really appreciate your time.

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

Worried about how gambling makes you feel? Concerned about a loved one's gambling? This episode is for you. Let's open up about gambling.

We are delighted to welcome GambleAware's Chief Communications Officer, Alexia Clifford, as our latest guest to the Smile and Save Podcast. In this episode we discuss: 

• Early signs of gambling harms
• Those who might be more vulnerable to harm than others
• Some of the reasons behind gambling stigma
• How to start a conversation about gambling
• The free, confidential, and personalised support available for anyone struggling

Useful links

GambleAware website: https://www.gambleaware.org/?utm_source=all&utm_medium=partnerships&utm_campaign=stigma2025

Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133

Useful tools: https://www.gambleaware.org/tools-and-support/

Resources for Professionals: https://www.gambleaware.org/tools-and-support/resources-for-professionals/

A huge thank you to Alexia for your time. It was a pleasure to welcome you to the podcast and we look forward to continuing to support GambleAware in future.

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

This Debt Awareness Week, we are joined by Paul Fox from the Money and Pension Service to explore the UK's consumer debt problem, why the stigma around debt is so difficult to overcome, and the support available for those struggling with problem debt.

This year, Debt Awareness Week is exploring the shame and stigma around debt. Part of this episode explains how to make opening up to loved ones easier:

- Clarifying the facts around your problem.
- Being clear on the support you need.
- Finding the right time and place to talk.
- Being totally honest about your situation.

Whether you are struggling with your existing debt, know somebody who might be, or are an employer wanting to support the financial resilience of your colleagues - this episode is packed with everything you need to know about debt support.

Useful Links:
MaPS website: https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/
Start budgeting: https://serveandprotectcu.co.uk/save/budget-planner/
Call MaPS: 0800 138 7777

A big thank you to Paul for your time and joining us for this episode!

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

You may have heard of 'loan sharks' before, but do you know what makes someone a loan shark and the devastating impact they can have on people's lives?

Today we are joined by Cath Wohlers from Stop Loan Sharks to explore some common misconceptions around loan sharks, some real stories from those affected, and how you or your organisation can get support to combat these illegal lenders.

Useful Links:
Been impacted by a loan shark? Visit: https://www.stoploansharks.co.uk/
Seeking support for your employees? Contact: catherine.wohlers@birmingham.gov.uk
Want to learn more? Visit: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbAN0e9xWmXAgbyzWurzF6w

A huge thank you to Cath for joining us for this episode! We hope you find it useful.

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

Managing your money can be stressful, especially when making big financial decisions. Approaching these decisions with a more focused mindset can give you the clarity to make managing your money easier.

That's where mindfulness comes in! Join the Staff Wellbeing team from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust as we explore what mindfulness is, how it can help you navigate your financial journey, and how you can get started. We even have a short guided exercise you can follow along with at the end.

Looking to learn more about mindfulness? Check out the following useful links to get started:

Oxford Mindfulness Foundation: https://oxfordmindfulness.org/events-...

Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-s...

Headspace (free for NHS staff): https://help.headspace.com/hc/en-us/a...

Unmind (free for NHS staff): https://unmind.com/nhs

You could also speak to your employer's wellbeing team or employee assistance program for further support.

A huge thank you to Anna, Sarah, and Anna for joining us. We really appreciate your time to make this such a valuable episode!

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

Your credit score is the single most important number related to your finances. It will impact many financial decisions you make throughout your life. But what is your credit score? And how do you improve it?

You may be looking to refresh your finances for the new year going into 2025. Or you may be setting some new year's resolutions focused on your finances. Boosting your credit score is a great place to start.

This episode outlines what your credit score is, why having a good credit score is so important, and 10 simple tips to improve your credit score and keep it healthy over time.

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

It can be easy to fall for clever marketing tactics around Black Friday and you may find yourself spending more than you should, or buying things you don't really need.

We have put together 10 simple tips to help you save money the smart way this Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Hopefully, these tips will give you some ideas to save money and secure the items you really need. Enjoy!

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

In this episode, you will discover some of the money habits you may want to consider avoiding to keep your personal finances healthy.

We all have our own habits when it comes to money. There are some financial habits which are really good - they may help us to save money or even build our credit scores over time.

Then there are habits which you may want to reconsider your use of. The three money habits we discuss in this episode are not necessarily bad for your finances, but using them in the wrong way may impact your finances in the future, such as your ability to borrow should you need to.

If you are worried about how gambling makes you feel, GamCare can provide free and confidential support. Find out more at www.gamcare.org.uk

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

Learn how to take control of your spending and save more for the future with this episode of the Smile and Save Podcast.

Today, we take a look at the 50-30-20 budgeting method. We explore why budgeting is helpful when understanding your spending habits, and how it can help you to reach your savings goals sooner.

By the end of the episode, you will know how to complete your first 50-30-20 budget plan, how to cut down on unnecessary spending and reach your savings goals quicker and easier.

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect

Transitioning from the armed forces to civilian life can be an uncertain time. With so many factors to consider and changes to plan for, it could easily become quite overwhelming.

In this episode, we are joined by someone with lived experience of transitioning from the armed forces to 'civvy street'. Jon Sykes served close to 37 years in the Royal Air Force, joining straight from school in 1986 and finishing as Warrant Officer Welfare Development at Headquarters Air. Jon retired from the RAF in 2022, before joining Serve and Protect Credit Union as Business Development Officer.

Jon shares his story of serving in the Royal Air Force, with many lessons and experiences we can all learn from. He also shares his experience of armed forces transition, to give you some tips and things to think about to make transitioning to civilian life as seamless as possible.

The video version of this episode is available to watch on our YouTube channel, which you can find by searching 'Serve and Protect Credit Union' or via the link below.

Don't forget to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode. Thank you in advance, see you next time!

Website: https://sandpcu.co.uk/podcast
Social media links: https://bit.ly/m/serveandprotect