NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

If you’re in the market for a new pet, scammers may have you in their sights. Sean and Liz talk about avoiding common pet scams. Then they answer a couple of listener questions about buying different home types, including new homes, existing homes, condos and more. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about...

More travelers are taking to the sky as vaccines roll out. Sean and Liz discuss how to find affordable flights as ticket prices climb. Then they answer a listener’s question about how long a collections account stays on your credit report — and how to mitigate any damage to your credit score. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline...

Cannabis investing — specifically in ETFs — might seem like a savvy move to break into a budding industry. But there are unique risks to investing in cannabis. Sean and Liz discuss the pros and cons with investing Nerd Chris Davis. Then they answer a listener’s money question about whether you can have too much cash in your accounts. To contact the Nerds, email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or te...

More Americans are retiring early, but not all of them are doing it the right way. And you may have long-forgotten money waiting to be claimed — here's how to find it.  To have your money question answered on a future episode, email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad ch...

Find yourself saving more cash during the pandemic? On this episode, Sean talks with banking Nerd Chanelle Bessette about what people are doing with their pandemic-driven savings. Then, Liz and Sean answer a listener’s question about when you owe taxes on an inheritance. To have the Nerds answer your money questions, email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And...

On this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how they’re approaching spring cleaning their finances this year, including tidying up their digital lives. Then, they answer a listener’s question about how to manage filing taxes in the age of COVID — including whether you owe taxes on your stimulus.   To have the Nerds answer your money questions, email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotl...

On this episode, Sean talks with mortgage writer Linda Bell about the legacy of redlining and the racial wealth gap. Then, Liz and Sean answer a listener's question about whether to pay off a car loan early — and the potential impact on their credit.  To have the Nerds answer your money questions, email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwalle...

Fear of making mistakes can fuel procrastination, but that can be costly when you’re putting off important money tasks. One task that may be OK to delay, however, is paying off student loans. To send the Nerds your money questions, email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your...

On this episode, Sean and Liz discuss how to manage debt in our K-shaped economic recovery. Then they answer a listener's question about how to manage expenses for a cross-country move.  Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your...

You may have noticed that gas prices are on the rise. On this episode, Sean and Liz break down how you can save at the pump, including how to find the best prices and how to manage your fuel efficiency. Then they answer a listener's question about 401(k) contribution limits. Visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...

Filing your taxes isn't fun, we get it. On this episode, Sean and Liz give you three reasons why to file early (including how it can save you money). Then, they answer a listener's question about when to tap your home's equity.  Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more i...

A lot happened at the end of 2020. Sean and Liz discuss news you might have missed about important changes that could affect college financial aid and/or your employee benefits. Then they answer a listener's question about how to use the 50/30/20 budget.  Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwa...

On this episode, Sean talks with investing Nerd Chris Davis about whether the GameStop frenzy will affect your retirement account. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener's question about how to start having money conversations with your partner. The secret? Talk openly, often and set shared goals. Visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...

Suddenly find yourself the winner of a billion dollars? Sean and Liz discuss how you should think about your winnings — and other windfalls, like tax refunds. Then they're joined by personal finance Nerd Amrita Jayakumar to answer a listener's money question about how to change your money habits and use cash saved up during the pandemic. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@...

Wrapping up the #NewMoneyGoals series, Liz and Sean talk with home buying Nerd Holden Lewis about what would-be homebuyers need to know in 2021. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever wanted to buy cryptocurrency? Well, on this episode you can live vicariously through Sean, who talks with Liz about his experience dabbling in Dogecoin. Then, they discuss our current debt crisis and how to manage debt in 2021. Visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s how to recognize COVID-related scams and what to do if you’ve given out information you should not have, plus, small changes in your money that can have an outsized impact. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad cho...

What do you want to accomplish in 2021? This month, our #NewMoneyGoals bootcamp will set you up for success. To start, know how to craft — and actually achieve — your money goals. That means making them SMART. Sean and Liz talk with money Nerd Kim Palmer about how you can get what you want from your money in 2021. Turn to the Nerds for help with your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com o...

We're off for the holiday break, so here's an episode from our archives. Learn how to spot fake online reviews to save money. Speaking of saving, don't avoid retirement accounts from a fear that you won’t be “liquid” enough. You typically can borrow or withdraw retirement funds in an emergency. Send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-63...

2020 was a year of challenges — and opportunities. In this episode, listeners share the money lessons they learned over the past year, including why savings is more important than ever and the benefits of debt payoff. You know you have money questions — so send them to the Nerds! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for...

Feeling charitable this holiday season? Use discretion as you choose where to give. Also, Sean and Liz answer a listener's question about whether to use savings to pay off student loans. You know you have money questions — so send them to the Nerds! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Lear...

Sean and Liz share what they learned about managing money during the pandemic. Then they answer a listener's money question about how to save for retirement while saving for a down payment on a house.  You know you have money questions — so send them to the Nerds! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on thi...

Consumer protection will see a revival in 2021, but student loan forgiveness and pandemic relief are still question marks. Plus, what to do if you need to get your hands on some money (relatively) fast. You know you have money questions — so send them to the Nerds! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on th...

How are you planning to shop this holiday season? According to our shopping Nerds, we’ll shop differently, but we’ll still shop. Many stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, but the Black Friday deals have already begun. Here's how to find the best deals.  You know you have money questions — so send them to the Nerds! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And...

The two things we should rethink this holiday season are travel and offering financial advice to family members. Either should be done cautiously, if at all. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....