NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Picking health insurance is a pain, but the right choice can save you serious cash. Also, a health savings account can be a great option if you can handle a high deductible health insurance plan, but it’s not for everyone. A traditional plan with a flexible savings account could be a better fit. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotl...

With the election, the pandemic and everything else that's happened in 2020, finding stability can be a challenge. Sean and Liz discuss how to make your money a source of security right now. Then, they answer a listener's money question about how to protect yourself from identity theft.  Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 9...

Feel like you working longer and more draining hours during the pandemic? You're not alone. Liz and Sean share their tips to beat burnout. Then they answer a listener's question about how to choose the best college savings plan for their child with the help of Kim Palmer.  Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. An...

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...

Looking to cut your tax bill? You have a few go-to strategies, but only a few months left to reduce what you'll owe next year. Also, the right investment platform depends on how you want to invest and how much help you need.  Want your money question answered by our Nerds? Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more in...

Sean and Liz dig into what unemployment trends mean for our economy. Then they answer a listener's money question about whether it's best to buy a new or a used car. Want your money question answered by our 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. If you’re looking for an app to track al...

On this episode, Sean and Liz discuss the psychology of credit card debt — why some people see it as useful and others call it "evil." Then they answer a listener's question about whether now is a good time to refinance their home, even if they just got the mortgage last year. Send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www....

Tight supplies and steady demand are driving up used car prices, but you can still save money. Speaking of saving money, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars is saving some of the $100,000 prize money to buy a house. Send us 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. L...

Learning how to spot fake online reviews can save you money. Speaking of saving, you shouldn’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. Saving a big chunk of your income while you’re young can give you a great start. Send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the N...

Should you invest or pay off debt? This question can get especially tricky when you’re talking about investing in your company’s stock versus paying down your student loans. Sean and Liz help a listener who wants to know if she should exercise her stock options or focus on paying her $90,000 student loan debt. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text th...

Renters are far more likely to be struggling in the pandemic than homeowners. Also, don’t put off a 401(k) rollover. If you want to move money out of an old employer’s plan, ask if your new employer will take it or consider rolling over to an IRA. Send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for mor...

Buying local could help a favorite small business survive the pandemic. Meanwhile, people who don’t have savings may be tempted to take out emergency loans to cover unexpected expenses. But these small dollar loans can come with high interest rates and short repayment terms, leading to a debt trap. Send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-73...

Pets can cost a lot more than you think. Pet insurance can help, but it’s not for everyone. Likewise, extreme couponing can pay off for the most dedicated adherents, but there are easier ways to use coupons to save. As always, send us 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 episod...

August is shaping up to be another record month on the mortgage front. Here’s what it means for you. And if you want to move apartments right now, look at your goals and know how to move safely. As always, send us 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 y...

Air travel brings you in close contact with others, sometimes for hours. A road trip may be a better option. Also, handle old collection accounts with care. Paying an old debt typically doesn’t help your credit, and may lead to a lawsuit. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for m...

Losing your health insurance can expose you to medical bills that could bankrupt you. Most people can get subsidized coverage through HealthCare.gov. Also, setting financial goals requires thinking about what’s most important to you and then making a plan. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet...

Spending more impulsively because of the pandemic? You’re not alone. Also, different debt payoff methods have their merits, but paying off small balances first can help your credit. As always, send us 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 ad choice...

The IRS has payment plans if you can’t pay what you owe on July 15. Also, the steps to building wealth are simple, even if they’re not easy: spend less than you earn and save or invest the difference. As always, send us 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 a...

Discrimination affected wealth creation and opportunity in the U.S., leading to vastly different median incomes, unemployment levels and homeownership rates. Also, people with variable-rate student loans can struggle to predict what their future payments will be, which can make budgeting difficult. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotlin...

As you approach your 30s, 40s or beyond, let the milestone birthday be an excuse to set some new money goals. Also, some banks will pay you to open a new bank account, but you need to look beyond the bonus to see if you’ll pay more in fees or collect less interest. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.n...

In this episode, Sean and Liz give tips for managing your finances in a recession. Then they answer a listener's money question about how to handle an inheritance — and whether you owe any taxes on it. As always, send us 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...

In this episode, Sean and Liz discuss survey results that show how money habits are changing as a result of COVID-19. Then, they answer a listener's money question about whether home improvement projects can help home refinancing odds — and if it’s still a good time to refinance. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373....

In this episode, Sean and Liz start off by discussing how you can make your donations to social causes go further. Then, they answer a listener's money question about how to plan for expenses as a new parent. Kim Palmer, a Nerd with a lot of first-hand experience managing baby costs, joins the conversation.   As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the...

Can identity theft protection services really protect us from identity theft? No, but they can serve as an (expensive) early warning signal. Most people should first consider some free ways to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, such as credit freezes and monitoring a credit score. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730...

People who invest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies need to be ready for a wild ride. Values can soar and plunge, plus there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back. Cryptocurrency is more of a gamble than an investment, and shouldn’t be more than a small portion of your overall portfolio. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline a...