Eggs — why are they so expensive right now, and what can you do about it? To start this episode, Sean and Liz crack open the factors driving up egg prices at the moment. They also share their tips for making groceries more affordable at the moment, including whether you should start your own chicken coop. Then they talk about how to approach home improvement season in 2022. Materials and contractors can be expensive and hard to come by, so you might need to get creative to accomplish your goals....
Jun 20, 2022•30 min
Child care can be a strain on many families’ budgets — but there are opportunities for you to minimize the cost. In Part 2 of this Nerdy deep dive, we talk with two of our own Nerds to highlight existing financial resources for parents at the federal and state level. We also discuss personal finance strategies that can help parents think long term, even if money is tight at the moment. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwall...
Jun 16, 2022•26 min
A recession is (maybe) imminent. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how to prepare for a recession, including how to think about investing. Then they answer a number of your questions in a lightning round. This time they talk about how to grow money, buying cars and travel credit cards. Also, we are running a short, two-question survey. Please share your feedback to help us improve the show for you. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-...
Jun 13, 2022•31 min
Child care costs are pushing budgets to the brink. In the first episode of this two-part Nerdy deep dive, we go behind the scenes to untangle one of the largest budget items for many families. By listening to this series, parents and listeners of all stripes will become more aware of the system and know how to take advantage of supports that currently exist — while the fight for widespread policy changes continues. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-...
Jun 09, 2022•30 min
Your family or friend needs money in a pinch. Do you help them out, or tell them to look elsewhere for cash? To start this episode, Sean and Liz discuss different approaches to giving loved ones money. Then they talk about all things inflation — what’s driving it and when it might slow down — with Darian Woods from NPR’s podcast “The Indicator from Planet Money.” Also, we are running a short, two-question survey. Please share your feedback to help us improve the show for you. To send the Nerds y...
Jun 06, 2022•31 min
If traditional money advice doesn’t work for you, then you might want to consider a more creative approach. In this episode, personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer talks with Paco de Leon, author of the new personal finance book, “Finance for the People.” She is also an illustrator, musician and founder of a financial education firm and bookkeeping agency. De Leon shares how to take a visual and creative approach to budgeting and making money decisions, including why — and how — to write a letter to y...
May 30, 2022•24 min
You can fly abroad in business class on points alone — if you know how to play the points game. To wrap up our Nerdy Travel Diaries series, Liz talks with travel Nerd Elina Geller about her strategy for booking international business class flights. 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/adchoices
May 26, 2022•18 min
Want to get rid of your junk and earn a buck? To start off this episode, Sean and Liz give you tips for a successful yard sale, including how to make your wares look more appealing to buyers and how to price items. Then they answer a listener’s money question about when it doesn't make sense to refinance a mortgage. Send the Nerds your money questions by calling or texting the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373. You can also email your voice memos to [email protected]. Timestamps: This Week in Yo...
May 23, 2022•30 min
After two years of sitting on credit card points and staying at home, you might be in a great position to book some luxurious international travel. In this episode of our Nerdy Travel Diaries series, Sean talks with NerdWallet travel editor Kevin Berry about his recent trip to an all-inclusive luxury resort in Costa Rica that he booked with points. They also discuss how you can use points to book your own international vacation. To send your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-...
May 19, 2022•23 min
Student debt cancellation may be on the horizon. But a new generation of graduates is set to take on another load of burdensome debt. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk with NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter about her new report on the debt high school graduates may face — and how they can mitigate it. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how to get past the money baggage in their relationship and manifest an exceptional financial future together. To send the Nerds your...
May 16, 2022•29 min
Traveling to Japan can be both expensive and intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of our Nerdy Travel Diaries series, NerdWallet travel writer Sam Kemmis shares how he crafted a vacation in Tokyo that included both luxury amenities and cost-saving travel hacks. 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. ...
May 12, 2022•21 min
Crypto is coming to 401(k) accounts. Should you add it to your portfolio? And which crypto is the best to invest in right now? In this episode, Liz and Sara discuss how to think about investing in crypto, including how to understand which type will help you reach your financial goals. 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 - 8:56 Money Question segment: 8:57 - 22:41 A...
May 09, 2022•23 min
The Travel Nerds know how to get the most from any trip — whether they’re staying in a luxury hotel on credit card points or finding the best airfare. To kick off this Nerdy Travel Diaries series, NerdWallet travel writer Sally French shares how she saved money on a trip to New Mexico for a weightlifting meet. One tip? Make sure you know where your credit card points have the most value. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwa...
May 05, 2022•27 min
Shopping at small businesses may offer more benefits than you know, including access to exclusive deals and insider information. To start this episode, Sean and Liz talk about the benefits of shopping at small businesses. Then they answer a listener’s money question about whether switching to a hybrid vehicle is a smart financial move right now. 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 Mon...
May 02, 2022•32 min
Maxing out a 401(k) is a great step toward saving for retirement, but have you ever thought about front-loading your plan? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk with investing Nerd Alana Benson about the pros, cons and potential pitfalls of front-loading your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Sean and Liz also talk about how to protect your privacy from companies that want to (literally) track your every move. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotlin...
Apr 25, 2022•22 min
Is student loan cancellation the key to liberating those crushed under burdensome debt, or a potentially-ineffective political ploy? In this two-part Nerdy Deep Dive into student loans, Sean and student loans Nerd Anna Helhoski explore how taking on huge amounts of student debt has become the norm in America. They also discuss what’s shifting now in today’s student debt conversation. In Part 2, we speak with two experts — each falling on one side of the student debt cancellation debate. To send ...
Apr 21, 2022•23 min
Wedding season is picking up steam. Are you — and your budget — ready? To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how you can save money attending weddings this year. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about the risks of going with the mortgage lender your real estate agent recommends. 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 - 10:57 Money Question se...
Apr 18, 2022•31 min
Student loans are a tool, as well as a dreaded financial reality, for most Americans who attend college. In this two-part Nerdy Deep Dive into student loans, Sean and student loans Nerd Anna Helhoski explore how taking on huge amounts of student debt has become the norm in America. They also discuss what’s shifting now in today’s student debt conversation. In Part 1, we trace the origins of student loan debt and how college got so expensive. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text t...
Apr 14, 2022•24 min
With spring in the air, money tasks might be the last thing on your mind. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about three easy tasks to knock out so you can have your money on track while you go enjoy the warmer weather. Then they answer a listener’s question about different ways to take care of their debt. Some routes can save you time and money — others can make a difficult situation worse. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email p...
Apr 11, 2022•27 min
The windfall of a tax refund can be a boon to your savings, help fund a vacation — and more. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about different ways to use your tax refund and why you might have to wait awhile for yours. Then they answer a listener’s money question about whether pet insurance is worth the cost. 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 - 10:27 M...
Apr 04, 2022•31 min
The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. To explore what it means for you, Sean kicks off this episode with a roundtable discussion about how the rate hike could affect mortgages, day-to-day finances and credit cards. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how making family members (or friends, for that matter) authorized users on your credit cards can help them boost their credit. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email ...
Mar 28, 2022•27 min
Going from a two-income household to a one-income household is not solely a financial challenge. But this change also creates opportunities to strengthen your relationship and set clear expectations. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz discuss how to manage finances in a one-income household. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s money question about using HSAs and FSAs. Both can cover health care expenses, but only one can be used as an investment vehicle. To send the Nerds your money quest...
Mar 21, 2022•21 min
What does it take to save $100K by your mid-20s? Just ask Tori Dunlap, founder of the blog Her First $100K and the “Financial Feminist” podcast. In this episode, Sean interviews Tori about how she got to where she is today, the lessons she learned along the way and her advice for you to make the most of your finances. 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 frien...
Mar 17, 2022•31 min
Gas, groceries and just about everything else are getting more expensive. Sean and Liz share tips for protecting your purchasing power, including cutting expenses and using a savings account that earns interest at the rate of inflation. Then they answer a listener’s question about whether saving for retirement is worthwhile in the face of the climate crisis and other calamities. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]....
Mar 14, 2022•29 min
Selling your house right now might sound like a great way to inject unnecessary stress into your life. But it could also be very lucrative, if you do it right. To start this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how and why you might want to sell your house. Then they answer a listener’s money question about how to manage fees on investment accounts. 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 Mon...
Mar 07, 2022•30 min
Taxes: You’ve got questions about ‘em, and we’ve got answers. On this episode, Sean and Liz answer a number of listener money questions about filing taxes this year, including how to navigate capital gains, when to hire a tax pro and knowing what you owe. Sean and Liz also discuss how to reduce your tax obligation through credits and deductions. 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 ...
Feb 28, 2022•28 min
Lifestyle creep — where your growing expenses outpace salary increases — can deflate your budget and prevent you from building wealth. To start this episode, Nerds Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk about how to determine if you’re succumbing to lifestyle creep and how to be more intentional about your money, while still enjoying the finer things in life. Then Sean and Liz Weston answer a listener’s three-part question about whether to pay off student loans while they’re paused, what to do with th...
Feb 21, 2022•33 min
Taking charge of your own financial education can help you get ahead and avoid classic money mistakes. In this episode, personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer talks with money author and educator Bola Sokunbi about her book, “Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth.” Sokunbi discusses how her mom taught her about money growing up, financial mistakes she made and learned from, and why she says it’s so important to have a side hustle. To send the Nerds your money questions, cal...
Feb 17, 2022•29 min
Where you bank can have a big impact on your community. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about the benefits of credit unions, including how they can offer lower rates on loans and higher rates on savings accounts — while keeping your money local. Then Sean and occasional co-host Sara Rathner answer a listener’s money question about how to get into the housing market. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]....
Feb 14, 2022•25 min
Has the recent stock market shakiness left you feeling jittery? To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how you can manage your anxiety — and your portfolio — in moments of volatility. Turns out, sometimes doing nothing is the best thing you can do. Then they answer a listener’s money question about buying a car in 2022, including when the market might calm down a little. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet....
Feb 07, 2022•29 min
