NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

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 a...

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...

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...

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...

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 s...

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...

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 co...

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...

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 t...

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 Fina...

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...

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...

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 ra...

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 diversificati...

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 us...

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...

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 lifesty...

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 ho...

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 lan...

Writer, producer, and actor Felicia Day shares her financial journey working in Hollywood, with tips for managing your budget when gigs are inconsistent. What is your time worth? How do you value your time outside of work?  How can you manage finances in an unpredictable career like acting?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the concept of time valuation to help you understand how to balan...

Understand how first-gen Americans can achieve financial success with tips for balancing cultural obligations and wealth-building strategies. How can first-generation Americans grow their wealth and protect their money? How can you set financial boundaries with family and friends while staying committed to your long-term financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Kim Palmer discuss the unique financial...

Learn how the National Public Data breach could affect you and what actions you can take after a major data breach occurs. What should you do after a major data breach? How can you secure your data from unscrupulous data brokers? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the alarming security breach at National Public Data with investigative journalist Bob Sullivan, exploring the implications of...

A CFP helps a listener turn financial anxiety into actionable steps for budgeting, investing, and achieving financial peace of mind. NerdWallet Advisors is no longer accepting new clients, and will be closing its financial planning business as of December 20th, 2024. How can you be more comfortable spending money? What are strategies for combating financial anxiety? Host Sean Pyles sits in on a li...

Learn how to make compassionate, informed decisions for your pet's end-of-life care, balancing costs, emotions, and love. How can you plan for end of life care for your pet? Hosts Sean Pyles and Ronita Choudhuri-Wade discuss the emotional and financial challenges of pet end-of-life care and the importance of early decision-making to help you understand how to make compassionate and practical choic...

Learn why experts criticize the “no tax on tips” policy and what it could mean for non-tipped workers if tips become tax-free. Why are some experts criticizing the proposed “no tax on tips” policy? Could it really benefit tipped workers as intended? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the nuances of the “no tax on tips” proposals from presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris a...