NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Learn how behavioral biases impact your investments and what a “good” return from your portfolio looks like. How do behavioral biases affect your investing decisions? What kind of returns should you expect from your investments? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss common psychological traps investors fall into and how to set realistic expectations for long-term portfolio growth. They beg...

Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are here to answer your biggest financial questions and help you take control of your money. On NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast, our trusted finance experts break down real-world money challenges, giving you clear, actionable strategies to build wealth and reach your financial goals. Each episode cuts through the noise with expert insights on budgeting...

Understand the financial pros and cons of marriage, from taxes to credit scores, and how it impacts your future. Is the economy as bad as people think it is? How does your spouse’s credit and debt affect your finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss marriage and money to help you understand the financial implications of tying the knot. But first, NerdWallet Senior News Writer Anna H...

Learn how values-based spending can help you curb impulse buys, avoid financial blindspots, and rethink your money habits How can you stop impulse spending? How do you know if you’re making good financial choices? This episode explores mindful spending and financial habits that may be holding you back. Personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer kicks off the episode with a discussion on spending habits with...

Learn what a CFBP shutdown could mean for consumers, plus how to financially manage a cross-country move — including whether to rent or sell your home. What happens if the CFPB is shut down? Should you sell or rent out your home when moving to a new city? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the financial decisions involved in relocating, including managing moving expenses and deciding wh...

Learn how debt affects dating, plus expert advice on retirement planning for business owners navigating succession and savings. When does debt become a red flag in the dating world? How can business owners best plan for retirement? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss a new NerdWallet survey revealing how financial responsibility impacts romantic relationships, and they explore how differ...

Get the latest on tariffs, federal spending and the CFPB shake-up — plus answers to your travel credit card and Roth IRA questions. What tariffs has President Trump implemented? What’s the best travel credit card for earning rewards and perks? How do you open a Roth IRA and choose investments? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the latest financial news, including new tariffs, federal s...

Do you need a vacation from planning your vacation? Before you budget, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars with Smart Travel, debuting Wednesday, February 12. NerdWallet’s trusted travel experts, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, are here to help your travel dollars work even harder.  But the travel Nerds don’t just make recommendations; they break down the latest travel details, exp...

Break free from debt cycles and rethink your spending habits with tips on no-buy challenges and financial therapy. How can you stop falling into a cycle of paying off debt, only to rack it back up again? What is a no-buy year, and how can it help you control your spending? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss strategies for breaking unhealthy spending patterns and staying out of debt for...

Learn how to decide if it’s time to change jobs or careers and understand how to strategize before you make a big career move. How do you know if it’s time to leave your job? What steps should you take before making a big career move? Host Sean Pyles talks to author and SiriusXM host Dawn Graham about how to evaluate your current job satisfaction and recognize the signs that it might be time for a...

Learn how rising climate risks impact home insurance costs and compare high-yield savings against money market accounts. How can you protect your home and finances as climate disasters increase? Should you choose a high-yield savings account or a money market account? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss rising home insurance costs and how to evaluate savings options to make informed financia...

Learn how to navigate the 2025 housing market with tips for buyers and sellers facing high rates, prices and tight inventory. What steps can you take to buy a home in a high-rate market? How can you prepare your home to sell for the best price? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how buyers and sellers can navigate the 2025 housing market despite high rates, tight inventory and rising home p...

Learn how to pick the best financial tools for investing, mortgages, and travel rewards to meet your personal goals. What are the best financial tools for investing, mortgages, and travel rewards in 2025? Should you invest in collectibles like designer handbags? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss top-rated financial tools for achieving your money goals and what to consider when investing in...

Learn how to create an effective budget and manage credit responsibly to build a strong financial foundation for 2025. How can you create a budget that works for you? What are the best ways to use credit cards responsibly? NerdWallet personal finance expert Kim Palmer joins host Sean Pyles to discuss budgeting strategies and smart credit management to help you build a strong financial foundation f...

Learn how to prepare financially for natural disasters with practical tips on planning, saving, and post-disaster recovery. How can you financially prepare for a natural disaster? What should you do to recover financially afterward? Host Sean Pyles and NerdWallet insurance writer Caitlin Constantine discuss the financial impact of climate change and share actionable strategies to prepare for and r...

Learn actionable strategies to tackle credit card debt and ways to manage your money while traveling or living abroad. How can you manage your money while living abroad? What are the best strategies to pay off credit card debt? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss managing finances while living outside the US and practical tips for tackling credit card debt to help you make smarter financial...

Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode: Learn how to balance risk and reward in your investments, rebalance your portfolio, and avoid common investing pitfalls. How can you manage risk and reward when investing? What are the best strategies for rebalancing your portfolio for 2025? Host Sean Pyles and Investing Nerd Sam Taube di...

Learn how to budget irregular income, set sustainable financial goals, and curb mindless spending for a better 2025. How do you create a budget when you're paid in large, irregular chunks of income? What are practical ways to curb unnecessary spending and stick to financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how to break down irregular income into manageable monthly budgets and how t...

Learn how to tackle financial regrets, set achievable money goals, and make 2025 your best year financially. How can you avoid repeating your biggest financial regrets this year? What are simple steps to improve your savings and spending habits? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss financial regrets and practical resolutions to help you take control of your money in 2025, beginning with a dis...

Hear an actual financial planning session where a CFP advises a listener on transforming her budget and spending habits. Magda Doemeny, a certified financial planner from the NerdWallet Advisors platform, gives a listener specific advice to improve their finances (advice given on behalf of Nerdwallet Advisors, not NerdWallet). Brinker, the listener, is struggling with spending habits that she call...

Learn how to assess your net worth, compare it wisely, and build a financial strategy to meet your long-term goals. What is net worth, and how do you calculate it? How can you use it as a tool to set realistic financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how to define and calculate net worth, why it’s normal to have a low or negative net worth in your 20s, and how it evolves over tim...

Learn how to avoid holiday shopping pitfalls and quickly improve your credit, with ideas for restoring your credit. How can you avoid overspending during the holidays? How can you can help your credit score recover after missed payments? Can rental payments be reflected on your credit reports? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss optimizing your financial habits during the holiday season and...

Learn how to tackle credit card debt, build savings, and decide between debt payoff and investing for financial growth. How can you pay off credit card debt faster and smarter? When should you prioritize paying off debt over investing your money? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss credit card payoff strategies and building an emergency fund to help you strengthen your financial security. Th...

Learn how financial scammers exploit emotions and how you can protect your finances from their latest tactics. How can you protect your money from online scams? What steps can you take to safeguard yourself from financial deception? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the harrowing tale of Judith, a 79-year-old who fell victim to a sophisticated scam that led to the loss of nearly $600,0...

Discover how to embrace “lazy” money management, maximize Roth IRA contributions and fix over-contribution mistakes. How can you passively grow your money? What should you do if you over-contribute to a Roth IRA? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss lazy money-management strategies and Roth IRA over-contribution fixes to help you stay on top of your finances with minimal effort. They begin wi...