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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Learn how to make your hobbies more affordable. Plus, decide what to save for first: an emergency, a house or retirement. This Week In Your Money (0:00 - 12:03): Sean delves into the finer aspects of how you can plan ahead to make affordable gardening possible, including tips for sourcing tools and the surprising benefits of engaging with the gardening community. Liz then explains how you can enjoy your hobbies on a budget without sacrificing the fun factor by discussing how to avoid making some...
Jun 05, 2023•41 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 29, 2023•24 min
How would you recover if your life was upended by a huge disaster — a fire, hurricane or flood? Getting your affairs in order before a disaster hits — and knowing what help is available afterward — can help you recover faster and more fully. In this episode of our nerdy deep dive into climate change and your money, we talk about how to rebuild your finances after the worst happens. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 25, 2023•30 min
A lot of influencers peddle classes with guarantees of helping you become rich and successful. But are they legit — or just another moneymaking scheme? Sean has strong feelings about these classes, and he shares them in another round of Money Hot Takes. Then Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about when you should leave a job. 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:...
May 22, 2023•29 min
You really want to effect change around climate issues? Put your money to work for you. In this episode of our nerdy deep dive into how climate change affects your money, we discuss ways your banking and investing choices can reflect your climate goals — and how to avoid greenwashing. 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 choice...
May 18, 2023•30 min
The car market has been a mess for … a while. Is now a better time to buy than a year ago? And how is the car market looking for the rest of the year? This episode, Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about car buying in 2023. And to kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about the issues and providers that consumers are complaining about the most. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Timestamps: This Week...
May 15, 2023•27 min
Becoming a mother can transform your life: providing a new sense of purpose, expanding your family and, potentially, limiting your earning power. In this episode, Sean and NerdWallet writer Amanda Barroso dig into the motherhood pay gap, including what it is, where it comes from and how to fix it. 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 y...
May 14, 2023•28 min
If a natural disaster struck your home — whether you own or rent — would you be covered? Many consumers aren’t as protected as they might think. In this episode of our nerdy deep dive into how climate change affects your money, Sean and NerdWallet insurance editor Caitlin Constantine talk about how to really protect yourself when a big storm hits where you live. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like what you he...
May 12, 2023•35 min
Eating a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be expensive — or boring. In this episode, Nerds Sean Pyles and Kimberly Palmer talk with Toni Okamoto, author of “Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy,” about how to save money on your groceries by making healthy, vegan meals. 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 meg...
May 10, 2023•23 min
Deciding whether to keep on renting or get serious about buying a house is rarely easy. But in an area where houses are expensive and many apartments aren’t amenable to your four-legged friend, the choice gets even more complicated. This episode, the Nerds talk with a listener about how she’s working through this predicament. 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 - 9...
May 08, 2023•34 min
Climate change is going to have profound effects on our lives — including our money. To kick off this nerdy deep dive into climate change and finance, we explore how personal finances and economies could be affected by natural disasters. Then we talk about how to manage the emotional dread around climate change — and how to prevent it from bogging down your financial goals. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Like...
May 04, 2023•37 min
Knowing how much you could get from Social Security is a big part of retirement planning (and, yes, cynical listeners — you will be getting these benefits!). To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about a new tool that can help you estimate your benefits. Then Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about tax efficient investments for retirement accounts. Need help with a money question? Call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. You can also email us ...
May 01, 2023•32 min
It’s here at last: This episode, the simple formula to your happier, more prosperous life will finally be revealed! Just kidding. Turns out, happiness is work. But you can take steps to improve your levels of happiness and the role money plays in shaping your happiness. To round out this Nerdy deep dive into money and happiness, Sean talks with Dan Harris of “Ten Percent Happier"; University of California, Berkeley professor and host of “The Science of Happiness” podcast Dacher Keltner; and fina...
Apr 28, 2023•34 min
You don’t have to be a Taylor Swift fan to feel like you’re being personally attacked by hidden fees and surcharges. These so-called junk fees can be unrelenting, but the tide may be changing. In this Money News episode, Sean talks with Anna Helhoski about the latest on junk fees and what you can do about them. 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. Lear...
Apr 26, 2023•10 min
If your partner hid tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt from you, would you bail — or help them pay it off? In this episode of the podcast, Sean and Sara tackle a listener’s question about financial infidelity. They also talk about managing money when you’re neurodiverse. 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 - 7:31 Money Question segment: 7:32 - 27:02 L...
Apr 24, 2023•28 min
Let’s wheel out the cliche “money can’t buy happiness.” In truth, we know that’s not really the case, right? Research shows that the more money you have, the more well-being you have. But you can find happiness without steadfast reliance on cash. In this episode of our deep dive into money and happiness, we explore how much money you really need to be happy — and what it’s like to create a happy life where money plays a less important role. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text th...
Apr 20, 2023•28 min
If you wanted to dramatically upend your life overnight, you probably could — but it could have unintended consequences. You do have the power to transform your life, though, from your job, to where you live and how you manage your finances. In this episode, Sean and Sara talk with Jill Schlesinger — CBS business analyst, host of the “Jill on Money” podcast and author of “The Great Money Reset” — about how you can enact the changes you want in your life. To send the Nerds your money questions, c...
Apr 17, 2023•27 min
What is your first money memory? And how is it influencing your finances today? In this episode of our deep dive into money and happiness, Sean explores how you can dig into your financial history to build a happier — and more financially fruitful — future. Have questions about money and psychology? Share them with the Nerds! 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 choi...
Apr 13, 2023•26 min
A recession is imminent. Or, maybe it isn’t? News stories about looming recession can feel incessant, only for the economic turmoil to never materialize. To start off this episode, Sean and Sara talk about how to cut through the noise and focus on improving your financial life. Then Sean and Sara talk with a listener, Lauren, who’s deciding whether to pull back from her retirement savings to pay down her mortgage faster. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 90...
Apr 10, 2023•32 min
Do you really need money to be happy? Or is money the reason you’re unhappy? Either way, chances are your relationship to money and happiness is a little, well, messy. To kick off this Nerdy deep dive into money and happiness, Sean talks with happiness experts Gretchen Rubin and Robert Puff to understand what happiness really means. Then Sean talks with Morgan Housel, author of “The Psychology of Money,” about where money and happiness intersect. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or t...
Apr 06, 2023•40 min
It’s officially spring, which means it’s time to bust out the duster, broom — and your bank account logins. To start this episode, Sean and Sara talk about how you can do a little financial spring-cleaning. Then they answer a listener’s question about paying off different debts, like taxes and credit cards. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:34 Money Qu...
Apr 03, 2023•28 min
The travel Nerds have all sorts of opinions on when to get to the airport ahead of a flight, what sorts of upgrades or perks are most valuable to them — and of course, whether to check or carry on a bag. In this episode of Smart Money, the travel Nerds answer some lightning-round questions on their takes. 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...
Mar 31, 2023•14 min