NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

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...

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...

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.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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...

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...

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 em...

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 Q...

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. Pl...

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 podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave...

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 contract...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 creati...

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 podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leav...

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 90...

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...

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...

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 podcast@nerdwallet.com...

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 podcast@nerdwalle...

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...

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 te...

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 (l...

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,...