Points or cash. Bargain hunting or splurging. Deep research or impulse booking. A lot can go into booking the perfect vacation. In this episode of our “How the Nerds Do It” series, travel Nerd Sam Kemmis talks through how he books his vacations and how you can get into the points game yourself. 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.
Oct 13, 2022•19 min
It’s time for some money hot takes. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz share their (maybe unpopular) opinions about personal finance topics. Sean goes off about why buy now, pay later loans aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. And Liz shares her thoughts on how the credit bureaus can fix the way they handle your data. Then they answer a listener’s money question about when you might have too many credit cards — and what to do about it if you do. To send the Nerds your money questions, call ...
Oct 10, 2022•36 min
Saving for retirement can be a challenge for anyone — even our Nerds. To kick off a new series called “How the Nerds Do It,” Sean talks with investing Nerd Alana Benson about how she maxed out her retirement account. Alana explains what finally made her able to invest and her unique strategy for funding her Roth IRA. She also gives tips to make the most of your retirement savings. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]...
Oct 06, 2022•19 min
The Fed has been in the news a lot lately, raising interest rates and causing recession fears. But what, exactly, do the interest rate hikes mean for various parts of your finances, like your savings and credit cards? We give you the rundown to start off this episode. Then we answer a listener’s money question about how to choose a new bank — including how to find one that fits your family’s needs. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email pod...
Oct 03, 2022•27 min
Sometimes checking things off your financial to-do list can be a real slog. If you find yourself procrastinating, know that you have plenty of company. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how to overcome money procrastination. Then they answer a few recent listener questions about student debt cancellation. And in this episode’s money question segment, they talk about when to unfreeze your credit. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-637...
Sep 26, 2022•31 min
As we head into fall, is your money where you want it to be? To start off this episode, Sean and Liz give you a few easy money tasks so you can end the year right. Then they answer a listener’s money question about how to save enough money to retire — including when to start spending what you’ve saved up. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
Sep 19, 2022•33 min
The smart way to lose your money gambling, whether now is a good time to invest and how to manage a big financial gift. In the first-ever live episode of the podcast — recorded at a NerdWallet conference in Las Vegas this summer — Sean and Sara cover these topics and more. 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.
Sep 15, 2022•40 min
The dust is settling after President Biden announced his student debt cancellation and repayment plan. But there are still a number of unknowns. This episode, Sean, Liz and Sara talk about the latest debt cancellation news, including new scams that are popping up. Then they answer a listener’s question about the best way to set up their finances for long-term success. At the end of the episode, they give their tips for the best investments you can make in yourself. To send the Nerds your money q...
Sep 12, 2022•37 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...
Sep 05, 2022•23 min
Medical debt can be confusing and, for some, financially debilitating. In this episode of the Nerdy Book Club series, NerdWallet writer Kim Palmer talks with author Emily Maloney about her personal experience with the health care system — both as an ER worker and a patient. Maloney also sheds light on how quickly medical costs can spiral out of control. In her book of essays, “Cost of Living,” Emily Maloney shares how, after accumulating thousands of dollars of debt, she eventually gets free of ...
Aug 29, 2022•18 min
Disney theme parks are some of the most magical places on Earth. But vacation-wise, they can also be some of the most expensive. From tickets to lodging and food, you can easily spend thousands of dollars on a Disney trip. This episode, Sean and Liz talk with NerdWallet travel writer Sally French about how she booked her dream Disney vacation for cheap — and how you can, too. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
Aug 22, 2022•17 min
Building wealth over your life takes planning — and know-how. This episode, Sean and Liz talk with Angel Grace, a DIY YouTuber who wants to set her family up for success over the long term by investing and saving for her son’s college education. 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.
Aug 15, 2022•19 min
You’ve heard of crypto, but do you really know what it is? Do you think you could explain it to a family member who is totally clueless about this newfangled digital money? In this episode, NerdWallet crypto writer Andy Rosen attempts to explain crypto to his aunt and uncle, including what drives its valuation, how the underlying technology works and what to consider before investing in any digital currency. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or...
Aug 08, 2022•25 min
Kids aren’t known for having a lot of financial decisions to make, but that doesn’t mean they’re not curious about it. This episode we take on a couple of kids’ money questions that get at some of the more existential aspects of money. Namely, where does money come from, and where does it go? And when you have it, how much should you spend? 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 ...
Aug 01, 2022•19 min
Opening a brick-and-mortar business isn’t for the faint of heart. This episode, Sean and small-business Nerd Rosalie Murphy interview Uyen Le. Le owns Beauty Bar, a full-service beauty salon with two locations in Colorado Springs. Le walks us through the ups and downs of securing financing to open her first location, getting a liquor license, hiring and growing her employees and weathering the COVID-19 pandemic. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-637...
Jul 28, 2022•21 min
The 50/30/20 budget is a simple way to organize your finances. But as rent prices soar and inflation impacts everything from gas to groceries, does this budget still make sense? To start this episode, Sean and Liz discuss the merits — and limits — of the 50/30/20 budget. Then they answer a few listeners’ questions about navigating company stock. 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...
Jul 25, 2022•27 min
Starting a successful business means building the right team — and knowing when not to cut corners when hiring employees and partners. This episode, Sean and small-business Nerd Rosalie Murphy talk with Mariyah Saifuddin, co-owner of IT consulting firm Innovative Solution Partners. She shares what she’s learned over 20 years in business, from choosing the right vendors to continually diversifying your customer base. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730...
Jul 21, 2022•22 min
Flight cancellations, rising gas prices and a surge of travelers — this year, summer travel might be more expensive (and headache-inducing). To start this episode, Sean and Liz share their tips for making the most of summer travel this year. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to balance conflicting financial priorities.
Jul 18, 2022•32 min
Taking a side gig to a full-time job is a big — and daring — jump. This episode, Sean and small-business Nerd Rosalie Murphy kick off the new Nerdy Business series, where they interview business owners about how they got to where they are today and the lessons they have for other entrepreneurs. Sean and Rosalie talk with Theresa E. Gonzales, owner of 5-E Leadership and Marketing and host of the podcast “Latinas From the Block to the Boardroom.” She discusses how she identified a target market an...
Jul 14, 2022•23 min
The home affordability crisis isn’t just an issue in the United States. This episode, Sean hosts a roundtable discussion with Nerds from Canada, the U.K. and the U.S. to explore what is driving up home prices in each country — and what consumers can do about it. Our countries might have more in common than you think. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Also, we are running a book sweepstakes ahead of our next Book...
Jul 11, 2022•32 min
You know you should start investing, but do you know the best way to get started? In the first episode of a three-part deep dive into investing, hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson explore how to get into the investing mindset, do a bit of myth-busting around investing and discuss how to actually get started. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
Jul 04, 2022•22 min
LGBTQ+ people face a number of unique personal finance challenges, including higher rates of poverty and a wage gap. As a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation is enacted across the country, how can members of this community protect their money to strengthen their personal resilience? This episode Sean and Liz talk with David Auten and John Schneider, also known as the Debt Free Guys and hosts of the Queer Money Podcast, about how LGBTQ+ people can improve their personal finances while following their...
Jun 30, 2022•31 min
Inflation is hitting everyone’s budgets — including those of small-business owners. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how inflation is impacting small businesses, and how you can still shop local as prices climb. Then they answer a listener’s question about the smart way to earn sign-up bonuses while protecting your credit score. Also, we’re 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...
Jun 27, 2022•29 min
The racial wealth gap was created and reinforced over centuries. Can it be solved in our lifetime? In this episode, Sean and Liz talk with journalist Kimberly Atkins Stohr about her series for The Emancipator about solving the racial wealth gap. 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.
Jun 23, 2022•25 min
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
