NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Discover how many people lie on insurance applications and the potential consequences you face when you do so. Is it okay to lie on your insurance application? What are the consequences if you do? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the findings from a recent NerdWallet survey revealing how many Americans admit to intentionally providing inaccurate information on their insurance application...

Learn handy tips you probably didn’t know about credit cards and why paying off loans could actually lower your credit score. 00:35 Credit Card Tips: What are some helpful credit card tips? Can paying off your student debt negatively affect your credit score? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss insider credit card tips to help you understand our options when shopping for and using credit car...

Author Jake Cousineau explains why it’s important to teach interest and budgeting to students — and how to learn as an adult. How can you understand complex personal finance topics as an adult?  What strategies can young people use to achieve financial independence?  Personal Finance Nerd Kim Palmer talks to Jake Cousineau, author of How to Adult: Personal Finance in the Real World, about the sign...

Learn why randomly choosing individual stocks can beat expert investing strategies — and what that means for your portfolio. Can random stock picks outperform Wall Street professionals? What kind of portfolio returns can low-cost index investing drive? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the astonishing results of a dart-throwing experiment by Wall Street Journal columnist Spencer Jakab...

Are credit card rewards points more valuable than cash back? This special presentation of All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins features deep dive into credit cards, with a focus on cash back versus points. Chris goes deep on strategies for every spending category and shares his analysis of how to optimize points vs. cash back for the best return on investment. All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins is a p...

Brittney Reynolds explains how sharing her finances publicly on social media helped her get out of debt and develop a new community. What are the benefits of sharing your finances publicly?  How is social media changing the way people talk about money?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the rise of financial transparency on social media and its impact on community building to help you...

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...

Learn how the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) affects your finances. How does the CFPB protect consumers? Why does the recent CFPB court decision matter? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the recent Supreme Court decision that upheld the CFPB’s funding structure, explaining its significance and what it means for consumer protections. They als...

“Krazy Coupon Lady” Joanie Demer shares couponing tactics and how coupons work to help you outsmart rising costs even in today’s digital marketplaces. How can you use coupons to help you afford everyday essentials?  Are digital deals and loyalty programs the same as using coupons?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the thrill of couponing and the evolution of coupon strategies to help...

Learn how the strength of the US dollar impacts your finances, as well as its ramifications on the US and global economies. What does it mean to have a strong dollar? Who benefits the most from a strong US dollar? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the implications of a strong dollar on both domestic and global economies. They interview Cris deRitis, deputy chief economist at Moody’s An...

Learn how to build a financial safety net to conserve your wealth and the ins and outs of investing in index funds. How can you build financial resilience to protect yourself from life's economic curveballs?  How do index funds work, and what should you consider when choosing one? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how you can use elements of financial planning to minimize risk exposure. Th...

Discover how you could turn your collectibles and passions into an actual business and stay ahead of market trends. How hard is it to make money from collectibles?  What kinds of things typically become collectible?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the unconventional method of selling collectibles to earn income to help you understand how your passions could yield financial gain. Sea...

Explore key insights into the current real estate market as the Nerds unpack the results of the 2024 Home Buyer Report. Should you rent or own your home? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski explore the financial and lifestyle implications of each choice, drawing insights from a recent NerdWallet survey and a firsthand account from fellow Nerd Elizabeth Renter, who transitioned from homeownership to...

Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:  Explore car buying in 2024, from Carvana's process to the electric vehicle surge and how to maximize your car's sale value. Budgets Beyond the Numbers: How do you manage the emotional aspects of budgeting? What’s the car buying market like in 2024? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola d...

A personal finance enthusiast with 37 active credit cards shares tips to strategically open and maintain multiple cards to travel cheaply and answers common questions around maximizing rewards. How many credit cards can you have at the same time?  What can credit card points and miles help you afford?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss quirky money management techniques and the mastery...

Enjoy this special presentation of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, a podcast from our friend Shannah Game, a money wellness expert, financial therapist and Certified Financial Planner. Shannah brings you honest, relevant, and forward-thinking conversations about money. This special episode explores how a simple question can unlock secrets to a wealthier life and transform your relationship with money. S...

Learn about fundamentals to consider before buying an individual stock and what to do if you over-contribute to a Roth IRA. 00:58 This Week in Your Money: What fundamentals should you consider before buying an individual stock? What should you do if you accidentally over-contribute to a Roth IRA? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss cautionary tales from the stock market to help you under...

Learn how scammers deceive victims by using AI for voice cloning and learn how you can protect yourself from other AI-related fraud. How can you protect yourself from AI-driven scams that target your finances?  What new scams are happening as technology advances?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the alarming use of AI in scams and the future of fraud to help you understand how to safegua...

Learn how investors use artificial intelligence to make decisions. Plus: AI’s current capabilities and limitations in finance. How does AI affect investment decisions? What are AI’s limitations in finance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski explore these questions and more with Sam Taube, an investing writer at NerdWallet, who shares insights on AI's role in investment research and stock selection...

Discover methods to achieve financial harmony in relationships and learn why fiduciary advisors are often considered trustworthy. 0:52 Sara’s Corner: How can couples equitably share the mental load of managing finances? Can you trust fiduciary financial advisors? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner begin with a discussion about the division of financial responsibilities among couples to help you und...

Learn how to spot and avoid online scams, including imposter scams, investment scams, phishing, vishing and smishing. How can you protect yourself from financial scams?  What steps should you take if you fall victim to one of these schemes?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the pressing issue of online frauds and strategies for safeguarding personal finances to help you avoid falling prey...

Learn why homeowners insurance costs are rising, tactics to find affordable coverage, and how to know if you have enough. Why are homeowners insurance costs rising? How can you tell if you have enough insurance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the factors behind rising home insurance premiums, from climate change-induced disasters to inflation’s impact on repair costs. They’re joined...

Learn how to control your behavioral economics biases and whether it’s ever worth it to use a credit repair service. 00:58 Behavioral Economics Biases: How can you master the psychology behind your financial decisions? Are credit repair services really worth the investment? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss behavioral finance biases to help you understand the psychological factors that inf...

Explore how to protect yourself from identity fraud, understand its emotional toll and learn fraud recovery steps. How can you protect yourself from identity theft and fraud?  What steps should you take if you become a victim of financial fraud?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner delve into the unsettling world of identity theft and fraud prevention to help listeners safeguard their finances and w...

Unlock insights on vacation spending to leverage summer travel trends, and dive into the latest employment report.  Planning to travel this summer? In this episode of NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the world of summer travel. They discuss the key findings from NerdWallet’s 2024 Summer Travel Report, revealing insights into Americans’ vacation plans...