NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet Personal Finance•nerdwallet.com

NerdWallet’s trusted finance journalists answer real-world money questions to help you make smarter financial decisions with confidence. Each episode dives deep into topics like budgeting, saving, investing, home buying, and credit cards, cutting through misinformation to bring you clear, actionable advice backed by thorough research. By the end of every episode, you’ll have the latest financial insights and the tools you’ll need to manage your money wisely, build wealth, and plan for life’s milestones. And if you have questions for the Nerds, you can leave them a voicemail at 901-730-6373. Join hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, Elizabeth Ayoola, and other expert Nerds as they answer your biggest money questions and share strategies to help you build wealth and reach your financial goals, including: – Investing: Advanced investment strategies, integrating ETFs and mutual funds into a diversified portfolio, tax-efficient retirement planning, understanding Roth IRA conversions, and navigating robo-advisors. – Credit Cards: Top credit cards for travel rewards and luxury perks, balance transfer strategies, maximizing credit card points, and optimizing credit card usage to boost your credit score. – Personal Finance: Advanced budgeting tips, building generational wealth, creating effective savings plans, managing high-income expenses, and developing a strong money growth mindset. – Home: Smart strategies for homebuying in competitive markets, leveraging home equity loans and HELOCs, refinancing for long-term savings, first-time homebuying tips, and budgeting for major home improvements. If you’re searching for the best personal finance podcasts or want practical knowledge to make smarter money decisions, then follow NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast. You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like: Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl,Money Guy Show, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

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Episodes

Money News: How UAW Strike Could Affect Workers — and Car Costs

Nerds explain this week’s personal finance news, with a focus on labor unrest as the United Auto Workers union prepares to strike. In Smart Money’s new weekly personal finance news roundup, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski take a look at recent developments in the world of money and then go in-depth on an issue that could be important to your life — and your bottom line. Today’s topics include rising home prices, the latest statistics on household wealth and debt, the rise in poverty from 2021...

Sep 13, 2023•14 min

Important Job Interview Questions and Travel Insurance Tips

Ace your next job interview with questions you may not have considered asking, then learn how travel insurance works. 01:13 This Week in Your Money: Before you head into your next job interview, consider asking yourself some questions suggested by hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston. They share specific questions you can ask in an interview to gain valuable insights into the position and the organization. They also suggest things you may want to ask yourself before jumping into a new role. 06:25 Tod...

Sep 11, 2023•26 min

Overcoming Millennial Money Problems for Financial Wellness

Discover how global events molded millennial finances, and hear ideas for addressing economic challenges and financial trauma. In this Nerdy deep dive, personal finance Nerd Tiffany Curtis joins host Sean Pyles to discuss millennial money woes, from generational financial trauma to structural challenges that have made financial life more difficult for Americans between 27 and 42 years old. They discuss the changing ways that generations are studied and explore how world events such as the financ...

Sep 07, 2023•31 min

Are CDs Worth It, and Managing a Life-Changing Windfall

The rates on certificates of deposit have shot up over the past year. But are CDs really a good option, especially when high-yield savings accounts are offering similar yields? Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss. Then Sean and Liz Weston talk with a listener about how to manage a life-changing financial windfall. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 6:33 Money Qu...

Sep 04, 2023•32 min

Employee Stock Purchase Plans and AI Travel Planning

Explore how AI can help with personalized travel planning, then learn about Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs). 01:08 This Week in Your Money: Travel Nerd Sam Kemmis discusses the surprising benefits of using artificial intelligence for personalized travel planning. He joins hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to share his experiences with AI tools like Google's Bard and ChatGPT, including tips for guiding AI and validating creative suggestions before committing to a travel itinerary. The Nerds a...

Aug 28, 2023•30 min

Alternative Investments and Speculation in Your Portfolio

Discover how alternative investments could help you diversify your portfolio. Have you ever wondered about the potential of alternative investments in your financial portfolio? NerdWallet’s Andy Rosen sits down with certified financial planner James Lee to uncover the world of untraditional investments, including real estate, commodities, cryptocurrency and collectibles. They discuss a recent survey indicating a shift in financial advisors' perspectives toward alternative investments and unpack ...

Aug 24, 2023•27 min

Overcoming Financial Fears, and Appliance Repair Tips

Learn why a broken appliance doesn’t have to drain your savings, and how to fight financial fears to enjoy your money. 1:13 This Week in Your Money: Should you repair your appliance instead of replacing it? Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston delve into the latest data from Consumer Reports and share handy tips that could end up saving you money and reducing electronic waste. They also discuss the “right to repair” movement and what it could mean for appliance owners in the future. 07:54 Today’s Mon...

Aug 21, 2023•36 min

Options Trading, Short Sales and Derivatives: A Nerdy Guide

Explore the risks and rewards of options trading, short selling and margin trading in this nerdy derivatives deep dive. Hosts Sean Pyles and Andy Rosen explain the concept behind derivatives trading before investing Nerd Sam Taube joins the show for a closer look at the ins and outs of specific types of derivatives. Sam explains the speculative and protective reasons for derivatives trading — and the average retail trader’s chances of finding success. Sam also delves into put options and call op...

Aug 17, 2023•33 min

When and How to Talk to Your Parents About Their Finances

Learn how to have crucial financial discussions with your aging parents while preserving their dignity and security. In this Nerdy Book Club episode, personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer talks with journalist Cameron Huddleston about insights from her book “Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances.” In their discussion, Cameron shares her personal journey of stepping up to manage her mother's finances after an Alzheimer's diagnosis and ...

Aug 16, 2023•32 min

Seasonal Housing Market Trends and Travel Credit Card Tips

Learn how to take advantage of seasonal housing market trends and enjoy travel credit card rewards — even in small cities. 1:03 This Week in Your Money: Seasonal housing market trends can have a big impact on homebuying (or selling!), which is why NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter joins today’s episode to discuss the latest patterns. She talks with hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston about the fluctuating trends of home prices, inventory and sales, with a focus on how they’ve shifted over the past f...

Aug 14, 2023•28 min

Day Trading Highs and Lows: A Nerdy Guide to Calculating Risk

Get an inside look into strategies and pitfalls of the high-risk, high-reward world of day trading. Hosts Sean Pyles and Andy Rosen discuss the high-stakes world of day trading and shed some light on your statistical chances of finding success. Then, Andy welcomes seasoned traders Sierra Smith and Michael Sincere to the podcast to share their perspectives. They pull back the curtain on Sierra's typical trading morning, break down concepts like options trading, and highlight the rollercoaster rid...

Aug 10, 2023•31 min

Student Loan Repayments and a Nerdy Midyear Money Review

Uncover actionable tips for ensuring your money is working for you, and how to plan for resuming student loan payments. 01:28 This Week in Your Money: Learn how to conduct a midyear financial check-in with help from hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston, who offer practical advice for reassessing your financial situation and getting back on track. They discuss strategies to save on car insurance and cell phone plans and stress the importance of securing the best rates for savings accounts. They also d...

Aug 07, 2023•29 min

Smart Strategies for Advanced Investing and Active Trading

Discover the risks and rewards of active investing, and when to consider calling in professionals for trading decisions. If you’re ready to take your investing game to the next level, then listen as NerdWallet’s Sean Pyles and Andy Rosen discuss the ins and outs of advanced investing strategies. They tackle the topic of autonomy over your investments, examining the rewards and risks that come with managing your own portfolio. They discuss how to assess your risk tolerance so you can make more in...

Aug 03, 2023•24 min

Smart Saving Tips for Disney Trips, and Self-Employed Retirement

Learn Nerdy tips to plan a Disney vacation without going broke, and how to choose a retirement plan when self-employed. 01:08 This Week in Your Money: Unlock the magic of making your next Disney vacation more affordable with insider tips from travel Nerd Sally French. She joins hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to unveil the secrets behind experiencing Disneyland and Disney World on a budget, from strategic hotel choices to the types of tickets you might want to avoid. Plus: The Nerds discuss the ...

Jul 31, 2023•32 min

Smart Credit Building and Saving for a Secure Retirement

Understand the implications of adding authorized users to credit cards, and how to plan retirement so your money lasts. 01:40 Today’s first Money Question: A listener asks whether it’s a good idea to help a friend or family member build credit by adding them as an authorized user on your credit card. Credit expert Bev O’Shea joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to discuss the risks and benefits of adding authorized users, including the impact it can have on a person’s credit profile, the conditions u...

Jul 27, 2023•35 min

Outsmart Student Loan Scams, and Child Care Budgeting Tips

Keep your money safe by spotting student loan scams, then learn how to cover child care costs without going into debt. 01:02 This Week in Your Money: Hear a student loan scammer’s actual voicemail, which hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston dissect line by line to give you a better understanding of scammers’ manipulative strategies and pressure tactics. Sean and Liz will also share practical advice about how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones against these scams and tips for how to plan your b...

Jul 24, 2023•24 min

Smart Ways to Get Out of Debt, and Pet Insurance Planning

Learn ways to handle your debt, including some options you might not know about. And find out how pet insurance works, how much it costs and ways to budget for pet care. 01:14 Today’s first Money Question: Personal finance Nerd Tommy Tindall joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to discuss alternative ways to pay off debt when you can’t get a personal loan. The Nerds discuss credit counseling, debt management plans and when it may make sense to declare bankruptcy. They analyze the pros and cons of eac...

Jul 20, 2023•38 min

Social Media Shopping Tips, and Smart Spare Cash Investing

Learn pro tips for shopping on social media so you don’t overspend, and smart strategies for investing your spare cash. 00:48 This Week in Your Money: Get equipped with practical tips to shop smart on social media platforms and stay vigilant against overspending. Personal finance Nerd Kimberly Palmer joins hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston for a Nerdy look at how your social media feed may be leading you to spend more money than you should. You’ll learn about useful browser extensions to help you ...

Jul 17, 2023•26 min

Nerdy Guide to Brokerage Fees and Investment Advisors

Learn how to avoid overspending on investing and brokerage fees, and get smart about how to choose a financial advisor. 01:55 Today’s First Money Question: Investing Nerd Alana Benson joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to demystify brokerage fees and explain how you can reduce the fees you’re paying on investment accounts. They discuss the types of brokerage fees and how they can impact your investments. 13:53 Today’s Second Money Question: The Nerds walk through the process of choosing the right f...

Jul 13, 2023•34 min

Human Longevity Literacy, and How Debt Impacts Credit Scores

Improve your longevity literacy so you don’t retire too early (or late!), then learn how debt affects your credit score. 01:31 This Week in Your Money: Sean Pyles and Liz Weston delve into the significant yet often overlooked concept of longevity literacy. They discuss how understanding your life expectancy can greatly influence retirement planning, and they share a life expectancy calculator you can use to get a personalized estimate of your life expectancy. 07:52 Today’s Money Question: Sean a...

Jul 10, 2023•22 min

Bill Disputes, Managing a Raise, and Smart Saving Early

Learn how checking your bills can prevent you from overspending, how to manage a raise and how to build wealth early. 01:14 This Week in Your Money: Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss how you can prevent overspending by double-checking all your bills and share how doing so saved Sean more than $100 on just a single bill. They also discuss some surprising ways bills can demonstrate that you’re getting shortchanged. 07:58 Today’s First Money Question: Smart Money co-host Sara Rathner helps Sean and...

Jul 06, 2023•36 min

When to Merge Finances — or Not

At a certain point in your relationship, merging your finances can feel like a natural step … or not. To start this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk about why combining your finances with a partner isn’t always a great idea. Then Sean is joined by Nerds Liz Weston and Kim Palmer to answer a listener's question about how to manage multiple credit card accounts when merging finances. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podca...

Jul 03, 2023•34 min

Student Loan Forgiveness Struck Down by Supreme Court. Now What?

The Supreme Court has struck down President Biden’s student loan forgiveness plan. Sean and Anna discuss what this means for consumers — including when you can expect payments to resume. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 30, 2023•8 min

The Price of Parenthood: In Vitro Fertilization and the Future of Parenthood

In vitro Fertilization — or IVF — is an effective way to become pregnant. But is it only for the wealthy? In this final episode of our Nerdy Deep Dive into the price of parenthood, Sean and Ronita explore IVF and hear from a mother who went through the process. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...

Jun 29, 2023•27 min

Nerdy Tips on Tipping, and Managing High Credit Card Annual Fees

Feel less awkward about tipping with our Nerds’ tipping tips. Then learn about credit cards with high annual fees. 01:12 This Week in Your Money: Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss when to tip, when not to tip and how much you should tip — not just in restaurants but also in places where people haven’t historically tipped, like grocery stores and self-serve frozen yogurt places. They also talk about the broader economic implications of tipping and different tipping standards around the world. 07:...

Jun 26, 2023•21 min

The Price of Parenthood: How Egg Freezing Works

Egg freezing lets would-be parents put their plans on ice. But is it a realistic option for everyone? In the third episode of our nerdy deep dive into the price of parenthood, Sean and Ronita explore when egg freezing is a good option for parents — and how much it really costs. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

Jun 22, 2023•32 min

Nerdy Travel Tips, and Budgeting for a Non-Traditional Life

Avoid costly travel mistakes with expert tips from our Nerds. Then, learn how to budget for a non-traditional lifestyle. You can help us improve our show! Please take our listener survey at: https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey 01:00 This Week in Your Money: Summer travel costs are soaring this year — but that doesn’t mean your expenses have to. Sean Pyles and Liz Weston offer tips for planning ahead to decrease your costs, from capitalizing on credit card rewards points to scheduling your trips whe...

Jun 19, 2023•36 min

The Price of Parenthood: What It Takes to Adopt

The price of adoption can vary greatly — from under $1,000 to over $60,000. In this episode of our nerdy deep dive into the price of parenthood, Sean and Ronita explore the various avenues and expenses associated with adoption. A dad now in the adoption process shares his experiences, and a financial planner unpacks questions you should ask if you’re considering adoption. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like w...

Jun 15, 2023•32 min

Money Scams, and Renting Credit Card Tradelines for Cash

Learn about how to avoid the latest money scams and whether it’s worth using your credit score to earn extra income. This Week in Your Money (00:00 - 08:06): Sean and Liz discuss the latest financial fraud to watch out for, including Google Voice scams and AI-generated voice spoofing, and provide insights and advice on how to stay safe and avoid becoming a victim. They also recommend resources for staying informed and where to go if you get defrauded. Today’s Money Question (08:07 - 26:05): Sara...

Jun 12, 2023•27 min

The Price of Parenthood: What It Costs to Be a Parent

Becoming a parent is unavoidably expensive. But this is a financial decision that’s about a lot more than just money. To kick off our nerdy deep dive into the price of parenthood, Sean Pyles and Ronita Choudhuri-Wade talk about how much it costs to have a child, including the cost of raising one to adulthood. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn ...

Jun 08, 2023•34 min

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