Pets can cost a lot more than you think. Pet insurance can help, but it’s not for everyone. Likewise, extreme couponing can pay off for the most dedicated adherents, but there are easier ways to use coupons to save. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Aug 17, 2020•25 min
August is shaping up to be another record month on the mortgage front. Here’s what it means for you. And if you want to move apartments right now, look at your goals and know how to move safely. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Aug 10, 2020•21 min
Air travel brings you in close contact with others, sometimes for hours. A road trip may be a better option. Also, handle old collection accounts with care. Paying an old debt typically doesn’t help your credit, and may lead to a lawsuit. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Aug 03, 2020•30 min
Losing your health insurance can expose you to medical bills that could bankrupt you. Most people can get subsidized coverage through HealthCare.gov. Also, setting financial goals requires thinking about what’s most important to you and then making a plan. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jul 27, 2020•33 min
Spending more impulsively because of the pandemic? You’re not alone. Also, different debt payoff methods have their merits, but paying off small balances first can help your credit. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jul 20, 2020•20 min
The IRS has payment plans if you can’t pay what you owe on July 15. Also, the steps to building wealth are simple, even if they’re not easy: spend less than you earn and save or invest the difference. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jul 13, 2020•22 min
Discrimination affected wealth creation and opportunity in the U.S., leading to vastly different median incomes, unemployment levels and homeownership rates. Also, people with variable-rate student loans can struggle to predict what their future payments will be, which can make budgeting difficult. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jul 06, 2020•19 min
As you approach your 30s, 40s or beyond, let the milestone birthday be an excuse to set some new money goals. Also, some banks will pay you to open a new bank account, but you need to look beyond the bonus to see if you’ll pay more in fees or collect less interest. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jun 29, 2020•22 min
In this episode, Sean and Liz give tips for managing your finances in a recession. Then they answer a listener's money question about how to handle an inheritance — and whether you owe any taxes on it. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jun 22, 2020•21 min
In this episode, Sean and Liz discuss survey results that show how money habits are changing as a result of COVID-19. Then, they answer a listener's money question about whether home improvement projects can help home refinancing odds — and if it’s still a good time to refinance. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jun 15, 2020•22 min
In this episode, Sean and Liz start off by discussing how you can make your donations to social causes go further. Then, they answer a listener's money question about how to plan for expenses as a new parent. Kim Palmer, a Nerd with a lot of first-hand experience managing baby costs, joins the conversation. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jun 08, 2020•22 min
Can identity theft protection services really protect us from identity theft? No, but they can serve as an (expensive) early warning signal. Most people should first consider some free ways to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, such as credit freezes and monitoring a credit score. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Jun 01, 2020•24 min
People who invest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies need to be ready for a wild ride. Values can soar and plunge, plus there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back. Cryptocurrency is more of a gamble than an investment, and shouldn’t be more than a small portion of your overall portfolio. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
May 26, 2020•22 min
Getting your retirement account squared away is just one of the many tasks facing the newly unemployed, but it’s an important one. Rolling the money into an IRA could be the best choice, particularly if your former employer isn’t allowing the new “coronavirus hardship withdrawals.” As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
May 18, 2020•25 min
It used to be easy for people with good credit scores to get 0% balance transfer offers. As lenders pull back, those with credit card debt may need alternative plans to deal with their balances. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
May 11, 2020•16 min
Being a first-time homeowner can be daunting, especially in a pricey market like Southern California. Chris Browning of the Popcorn Finance podcast has questions about what to expect, and he turns to the Nerds for some answers. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
May 04, 2020•20 min
Most American adults are eligible for government relief checks of $1,200, but many are still waiting for their money — plus the usual advice about what to do with a windfall doesn’t apply in a crisis. Sean and Liz discuss how to find out where your payment is and put it to the best use. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.
Apr 27, 2020•15 min
Don’t stop with your closets. Spring cleaning your finances can be just as satisfying, not to mention more lucrative. Whip your budget into shape, check your credit and make sure your investments are on track. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Apr 20, 2020•15 min
You were expecting a tax refund — but wound up owing money. Changing tax laws and the gig economy mean many taxpayers who traditionally got money back are now having to pay. Sean and Liz help a reader navigate paying a tax bill, as well as steps for avoiding a tax bill next year. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Apr 13, 2020•15 min
The economic stimulus package gave millions of student loan borrowers some important breaks, but people are confused about what they are and what they have to do. Sean and Liz get the scoop from student loan nerd Ryan Lane. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Apr 06, 2020•15 min
Nauseating drops in the stock market can be hard to endure, but most of us should try to do just that -- and even invest more, if we can. If you need the money within five years or you’re losing sleep, though, you might need to get at least some of your portfolio to safer ground. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Apr 02, 2020•11 min
The coronavirus pandemic has scrambled people’s travel plans and their budgets. Here are the most important things to know now about emergency funds, spending plans and travel in the coming months. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Mar 30, 2020•11 min
Mortgage rates dropped and then soared, making life difficult for people who wanted to refinance and buy homes. Mortgage and real estate Nerd Holden Lewis explains why that happened and what the future may bring. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Mar 26, 2020•12 min
The economic impact of the novel coronavirus and the COVD-19 disease it causes is likely to be profound. Sean and Liz discuss how to cope with the potential financial fallout. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Mar 23, 2020•15 min
Unexpected credit scores drops are the worst -- especially when you’re trying to do everything right. Sean and Liz dig into the details of how credit scores work to help a reader whose scores dived seemingly without reason. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Mar 16, 2020•15 min
Many first-time home buyers wonder how to save for a down payment and where to put the money while they’re saving. Sean and Liz talk to mortgage and real estate authority Holden Lewis about the options. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Mar 09, 2020•14 min
Want to get the most points from your travel credit card, but don't know where to start? We've got you covered. In this episode, Sean and Liz talk with travel Nerd Sara Rathner, who offers up her insider tips about how to get the most points from your travel. And if you want to become a savvy traveler but don't care about travel credit cards, we've got tips for you, too. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Mar 02, 2020•16 min
Roth conversions can give you a big tax advantage in retirement, but they're not right for everyone. Sean and Liz talk with retirement Nerd Andrea Coombes to help you figure out if you could come out ahead with a Roth conversion. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Feb 24, 2020•12 min
A spending fast can help you save money — fast! The idea is to hit the pause button on non-essential spending for a set period, usually a month. Sean and Liz are veterans of spending fasts and have some tips for how they work, what to watch out for and staying motivated. As always, send us your money questions! As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Feb 17, 2020•16 min
Should you invest or pay off debt? This question can get especially tricky when you’re talking about investing in your company’s stock versus paying down your student loans. Sean and Liz help a listener who wants to know if she should exercise her stock options or focus on paying her $90,000 student loan debt. As always, send us your money questions! Email [email protected] or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.
Feb 10, 2020•12 min