Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement may have “broken the internet,” but hosts Chantel Windeshausen and Liz Malmberg are here to bust an even bigger set of myths: your credit score. In this episode of A Penny or Two for Your Thoughts (produced by Centris Federal Credit Union and Hurrdat Media), Chantel and Liz welcome Centris AVP and longtime credit expert Ron VanSkiver for a playful yet practical “Mythbusters” spin on all things credit. From whether checking your score will hurt it, to why closing a card can backfire, to how one $25 subscription mistake dropped a score 100 points, the conversation mixes humor, family stories, and real-world money lessons you can use right now.

00:00 Cold open — producer Rico, tequila jokes & pre-show banter

00:25 APOTFYT intro — hosts Chantel Windeshausen & Liz Malmberg

00:52 Taylor Swift & Travis Kelce engagement “breaks the internet”

02:09 Back-to-school life: five-year-old fatigue & senior-year feels 05:05 Credit Score “Mythbusters” — today’s game plan

05:30 Guest intro: Centris AVP Ron Van Schuyver (39 years in finance)

06:27 Fun fact & branch leadership; agribusiness degree

06:55 Welcome Ron — virtual setup & vibes

08:06 What is credit? Why it matters for cars, homes & rates

09:46 How credit scores impact approvals and interest rates

10:56 Why credit myths persist & what lenders actually look for

11:22 Myth #1: Does checking your own credit score lower it? (soft pulls)

13:39 Myth #2: Should you carry a balance to build credit? (30% utilization)

15:49 Adulting & the “free pizza” credit-card cautionary tale

16:34 Myth #3: Will closing a credit card hurt your score? (utilization & age)

18:41 Myth #4: Does your income affect your credit score?

20:19 Myth #5: Can you fix bad credit overnight? (HELOC/restructure tips)

22:49 Myth #6: Do paid-off loans vanish from your report? (7 vs 10 years)

24:00 Myth #7: Is there only one true credit score? (models vary)

24:28 How lenders choose which bureau/model to use

26:05 Myth #8: Do debit cards build credit?

26:53 Myth #9: Can one late payment tank your score? ($25 subscription story)

29:30 Myth #10: Is all debt bad? (using “good debt” to build a life)

31:01 Myth #11: Is there a credit blacklist? (how decisions are made)

32:31 Myth #12: Can you control your credit score? (influence vs control)

33:25 Myth #13: Will your score drop when you pay something off?

34:40 Myth #14: Do hard pulls wreck your score? (~5 points & timing)

37:22 Takeaway — Ron’s credit playbook: moderation & smart borrowing

39:07 Shout-outs, socials & subscribe

40:29 Book an appointment with Centris FCU & outro

– About A Penny or Two for Your Thoughts –

When it comes to all things financial, there are often a lot of questions. Being two marketers and moms on a budget, we certainly have all the questions. That's why we're bringing in the subject matter experts to help educate us on all things financial and get their thoughts to help improve our financial wellness and the financial well-being of our communities. Join us for a few laughs, some great insights, and hopefully, a few tips you can take on your path to financial success.

Visit us at our website: https://www.centrisfcu.org/a-penny-or...

Listen to our Podcast on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Lf8gGY...

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

*Follow Centris on Social Media:*

https://www.facebook.com/CentrisFCU

https://www.instagram.com/centrisfcu/

https://twitter.com/CentrisFCU

https://www.linkedin.com/company/centris-federal-credit-union/

This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to HurrdatMedia.com or Hurrdat Media YouTube channel!