Learn how Donald Trump's economic plans could influence inflation, taxes, and your finances as he prepares to enter a second term in office. How will Donald Trump's economic policies affect inflation and prices? What impact could Trump's tax plans have on Americans’ finances? In a special edition of Money News, hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive into the financial implications of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. They unpack Trump's proposed economic agenda, cover...
Nov 11, 2024•16 min
Expert Nerds talk through the complexities of open enrollment, starting with ways to assess healthcare plans and costs. This episode takes a deep dive into specific terminology and scenarios relevant to choosing health insurance coverage. Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston start with an overview of open enrollment period timelines for November and December 2023 before welcoming guest Nerd Kate Ashford to explain deductibles, premiums, HMOs, PPOs and HDHPs. Then, NerdWallet’s Tina Orem joins the sho...
Nov 07, 2024•33 min
Learn why life insurance isn't a substitute for a 401(k) and how to spot reliable financial advice on social media. Is life insurance a better investment than a 401(k) for retirement? How can I tell if financial advice from TikTok influencers is reliable? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive deep into the latest viral finance advice circulating on TikTok. With influencers claiming that life insurance is a better investment than a 401(k), investing Nerd Alana Benson joins the show to break ...
Nov 06, 2024•13 min
Learn the pros, cons, and methods of rolling over retirement accounts to simplify your finances so you can avoid costly mistakes. How can you budget smarter for the holidays? Does it make sense to combine retirement accounts from previous jobs into one? What are the benefits and drawbacks of different rollover options? Hosts Elizabeth Ayoola and Sara Rathner begin the episode with a discussion of holiday budgeting, offering tips and tricks on avoiding impulsive spending, setting clear financial ...
Nov 04, 2024•31 min
Learn how women can excel at investing, overcome financial challenges, and build wealth with practical strategies. What does it mean to invest like a girl? How can women start investing and overcome financial challenges? Hosts Sean Pyles and Kim Palmer discuss gender differences in investing and practical strategies for women to build wealth. Kim interviews Jessica Spangler, author of Invest Like a Girl: Jump into the Stock Market, Reach Your Money Goals and Build Wealth, about the ways women te...
Oct 31, 2024•30 min
Learn how your spending compares to others in your generation using insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual Consumer Expenditure Survey. How does your spending compare to other people your age? Are you saving enough compared to others in your generation? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski are joined by NerdWallet’s Senior Economist Elizabeth Renter to break down the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. They dive into how income and spending patterns shif...
Oct 30, 2024•15 min
Get tips for saving money on Halloween costumes and decorations, plus how to leverage credit cards when making big purchases. How can you use credit cards to maximize rewards when making big purchases? What are some ways to save money on Halloween costumes? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss saving money on Halloween costumes and decorations to help you understand how to be festive without breaking the bank. They begin with a discussion of Halloween budgeting, with tips and tricks on ...
Oct 28, 2024•30 min
Learn how the presidential candidates' policies on health care and student loans differ in how they could impact your finances. What impact could presidential policies have on health care and student loans? How might these policies affect your personal finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss health care costs and student loan forgiveness to help you understand how upcoming elections may influence your financial future. They begin with a discussion of health care with Richard Frank, ...
Oct 24, 2024•32 min
Learn the key differences between sports betting and investing, plus tips for managing the financial risks of gambling. How is sports betting different from investing in the stock market? What are the financial risks and benefits of sports betting versus stock market investing? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive into the booming sports betting industry, examining the legal landscape, growing popularity, and potential risks. Investing Nerd Sam Taube joins the conversation to break down th...
Oct 23, 2024•13 min
Learn how to navigate job changes, maximize retirement benefits, and celebrate personal and financial accomplishments. How should you navigate job changes when it affects your retirement benefits? What options do military spouses have for saving for retirement? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss managing unvested retirement funds to help you understand how to make the most of your employment benefits. They begin with a discussion of the importance of celebrating success after working towa...
Oct 21, 2024•31 min
Explore how the 2024 presidential candidates' tax plans could impact your finances and what to know before voting. What tax proposals are the 2024 presidential candidates making, and how might these policies affect your finances? What should you know before voting on tax issues? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the key differences in the candidates' tax plans and how to make informed decisions to protect your financial future. They begin with a discussion of the importance of tax polic...
Oct 17, 2024•26 min
Learn how to protect your Social Security number and stay safe from identity theft, plus the latest news on inflation and health insurance rates. How can you protect your Social Security number from identity theft and data breaches? How can you freeze your credit? What should you do if your Social Security number is compromised? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski talk to Lauren Schwahn, a writer at NerdWallet who covers credit scoring, debt, budgeting and money-saving strategies, about how to ke...
Oct 16, 2024•12 min
Learn about the Chase Sapphire Preferred card’s limited time sign-up bonus and understand the impact of Federal Reserve interest rate changes. What is the economic impact of lowering interest rates? Does lowering interest rates increase people’s spending power? Host Sean Pyles leads discussions around the Chase Sapphire Preferred card and the Federal Reserve's interest rate adjustments to help you understand how to optimize travel rewards and navigate economic shifts. Travel Nerds Sally French a...
Oct 14, 2024•25 min
Learn how presidential policies on tariffs, immigration, and prices can impact your everyday expenses like groceries and gas. What can a president actually do to lower prices and fight inflation? Can campaign promises really impact your wallet, or are they just political hot air? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss presidential policies and how they affect everything from the cost of gas to your grocery bill to help you understand the real impact of political decisions on your finances. T...
Oct 10, 2024•29 min
Learn how the gig economy impacts workers' finances and get tips for managing taxes, savings, and benefits. How does the gig economy affect people financially? How can gig workers save for taxes and retirement without employer benefits? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Sara Rathner are joined by Rick VanderKnyff, NerdWallet’s senior news editor, to explore what defines a gig worker, how many Americans are involved in gig work, and what this means for benefits like healthcare and retirement. They discuss ...
Oct 09, 2024•18 min
Learn what it truly means to work with a certified financial planner (CFP) and how personalized advice can help you set and achieve your financial goals. NerdWallet Advisors is no longer accepting new clients, and will be closing its financial planning business as of December 20th, 2024. What should you know before working with a certified financial planner? What strategies can help you navigate societal pressures and make personal financial choices? Host Sean Pyles talks to Magda Doemeny, a cer...
Oct 07, 2024•27 min
Learn what powers the president does and does not have to influence the economy and your wallet. Does the president really have power over the economy? How do presidential promises impact your wallet? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the grand economic promises made by presidential candidates and the intricate realities of presidential influence on the economy to help you understand the real effects on your daily finances. They begin with a discussion of the policy proposals from Donal...
Oct 03, 2024•26 min
Learn to spot risky social media money “hacks” and discover safe, effective financial strategies to follow instead. Are social media money hacks reliable? Are financial influencers trustworthy? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski dive into the world of viral social media money hacks. They break down a recent TikTok trend that encouraged risky and illegal financial behavior, leading to disastrous consequences for some users. They highlight the dangers of following influencer advice blindly and exp...
Oct 02, 2024•13 min
Booking travel using points and miles can be complicated — but you don't have to do it alone. In this special presentation of the podcast Unpacked by AFAR, host Aislyn Greene discusses a service that does all the hard work of booking using points and miles for you, so you can focus focus on your best travel life. Listen to Unpacked by AFAR wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at https://link.chtbl.com/MrR4D8h9
Sep 30, 2024•44 min
Learn how to optimize debit and credit cards abroad, avoid fees, and maximize rewards for stress-free international travel. What are the best ways to use debit and credit cards while traveling internationally? What are best practices for avoiding fees and maximizing card benefits abroad? Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss strategic card usage and essential financial tips for international travel to help you understand how to enjoy a seamless and cost-effective travel experience. They begi...
Sep 26, 2024•20 min
Learn how to reassess Medicare coverage during open enrollment and get the latest on interest rates, home sales, and stock prices. How can you know if you have the right amount of Medicare coverage? How can you change your Medicare coverage? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski dive into the latest findings on Medicare coverage from a new NerdWallet survey conducted by the Harris Poll. Personal Finance Nerd Elizabeth Ayoola joins to discuss what Medicare enrollees can do if they’re unsure whether ...
Sep 25, 2024•15 min
Join a financial planning session with a listener who receives guidance on achieving multiple goals, including debt payoff and maximizing savings. NerdWallet Advisors is no longer accepting new clients, and will be closing its financial planning business as of December 20th, 2024. How can you balance multiple financial goals like debt repayment, retirement savings, and major purchases? How can you manage finances in an expensive city while supporting dependents? Recording in-person from a studio...
Sep 23, 2024•35 min
Get expert tips on how to pack for travel efficiently and effectively, including clever ways to save on baggage fees. How can you keep luggage costs down during holiday travel? What are the best strategies for managing carry-on luggage, especially for international trips? Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss efficient luggage management to help you understand how to save money on baggage fees. They begin with a discussion of minimizing luggage costs, with tips and tricks on rolling clothes,...
Sep 19, 2024•24 min
Learn how the Fed’s interest rate cuts may affect your loans, savings, and investments, as well as what to do about refinancing. How could interest rate cuts affect credit card debt? Will it be easier or cheaper to get a mortgage or auto loan with interest rates going down? Is now a good time to refinance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski break down how the Federal Reserve’s expected interest rate cuts could impact your finances. They discuss the potential impact on credit cards, mortgages, an...
Sep 18, 2024•16 min
Get fall-ready with budgeting tips and strategies for diversifying your investment portfolio to achieve financial goals. How can you reset your finances for fall and prepare for the holiday season? Can you grow an undiversified investment portfolio by $28,000 over seven years without additional contributions? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss seasonal budgeting and investment diversification to help you understand how to effectively manage your money during the fall season and optimize y...
Sep 16, 2024•26 min
Learn expert tips and tricks for saving money on holiday travel booking, from the best time to book to when you should use rewards points. When should you book your holiday travel? How can you save money on travel during the busiest travel season? Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle talk to travel rewards Nerd Sam Kemmis about how to save money when booking holiday travel, with tips and tricks on using companion fares, the optimal time to book holiday flights, and understanding the fine print of a...
Sep 12, 2024•22 min
Learn why the economy feels worse than the data suggests, and what the latest jobs report means for interest rates. Why do people feel negative about the economy even when the data says it’s doing well? How could upcoming changes to interest rates affect your personal finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski dive into the latest job market data and discuss why it’s so hard to tell whether the economy is doing well or not. Joined by NerdWallet Senior Economist Elizabeth Renter, they unpack th...
Sep 11, 2024•17 min
A certified financial planner offers a listener actionable advice to help him save for a big move while maintaining financial stability. NerdWallet Advisors is no longer accepting new clients, and will be closing its financial planning business as of December 20th, 2024. How much should you save before you move to a new city? How can you reach your savings goals while also spending on your lifestyle? Recording in-person from a studio in Chicago, host Sean Pyles sits down with Magda Doemeny, a ce...
Sep 09, 2024•38 min
Get insider tips for stress-free holiday travel, from booking strategies to maximizing credit card points and more. What’s the best way to avoid stress when traveling during the holidays? Is it better to book with points when you’re traveling for the holidays? Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss the challenges of holiday travel and share effective booking strategies to help you understand how to navigate the busiest travel days with ease and efficiency. Travel Nerd Sally French joins them ...
Sep 05, 2024•26 min
Learn about new real estate commission rules and how they impact home buyers, sellers, and the future of agent fees. How will real estate commissions work following the National Association of Realtors settlement? What do post-NAR rules mean for home buyers and sellers? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski break down the new real estate commission rules that recently came into effect following a landmark lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors. Holden Lewis, NerdWallet’s home and mort...
Sep 04, 2024•12 min
