NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Get a comprehensive breakdown of strategies for buying, selling, and improving homes in our homeowners lightning round. 00:42 This Month’s Nerdy Question: What’s the best thing you spent your money on this month? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner kick off a new segment by sharing some of their recent purchases, in a new segment designed to encourage you to think about your consumption habits. 08:2...

Learn how to protect your identity from theft and fraud by understanding how criminals are exposing authentication flaws. How can you protect yourself from identity theft and financial scams?  What steps should you take if your identity has been compromised?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the pervasiveness of identity theft and practical defense strategies to help you safeguard your fi...

Explore the latest on inflation, employment, and growth trends, and what it means for the future of the US economy. How is the economy doing right now and what does it mean for inflation, growth, and jobs? What do recent credit card settlement news and updates on inflation rates mean for your finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the current state of the economy, dissecting the l...

Learn to maximize retirement savings with tax diversification by balancing your Roth and traditional IRA contributions. 00:27 This Week in Your Money: What are expense ratios? How do you decide between a Roth and traditional 401(k)? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss understanding investment terms and retirement account options and strategies to help you understand how to make more informed...

Explore the ins and outs of planning a cruise, from choosing the right trip to coordinating on-board activities. What are the benefits of booking a group cruise for your friends and family?  What amenities do cruises offer that could make travel easier for you and your group?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss how to choose and book the best cruise to help you understand the logistics of p...

Neera Tanden, domestic policy advisor to President Biden, discusses the fight against junk fees impacting college students. What hidden “junk fees” are college students facing? How is the Biden Administration addressing fees to make higher education more affordable? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the Biden Administration's recent efforts to combat junk fees in colleges, from financial...

Learn the truth behind common credit score myths and get a better understanding of digital wallet privacy and security. 00:51 This Week in Your Money: Do you need to carry a credit card balance in order to maintain a good credit score? Does checking your credit score hurt your credit? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner debunk common credit score myths to help you understand the realities of your cr...

Get savvy about car rental services, pros and cons of RV rentals and navigating public transportation when traveling. What are the best transportation options when traveling with a group?  When is it worth it to rent a car?  NerdWallet’s Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss group transportation options and public transportation strategies to help you understand how to move your squad around effic...

Discover how a historic change in the way real estate agents are paid could impact prices for home buyers and sellers. Will housing costs become cheaper under new real estate commission rules? How will the recent settlement by the National Association of Realtors impact home buyers and sellers? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the details of the $418 million settlement by the National...

“Your Rich BFF” Vivian Tu explains how to adopt a millionaire’s mindset and shares key strategies for building wealth. How do wealthy people think about building wealth? What career choices can lead to a faster increase in income? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss spring financial planning and wealth-building strategies to help you understand how to effectively grow your finances and navig...

Discover tips and get answers to common questions for smooth group travel, from choosing accommodations to managing meals and costs for a successful trip. How can you find the perfect accommodations for group travel without overspending?  How can you split group expenses fairly?  NerdWallet’s Megan Coyle and Megan Lee discuss the ins and outs of group travel accommodations and the logistics of pla...

Understand the recent resurgence of cryptocurrency prices and what the future may have in store for crypto investments. Why did Bitcoin’s price go back up? Why are cryptocurrencies controversial? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the recent resurgence of cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, after its dramatic fall in previous years. They discuss the factors behind Bitcoin's recent ral...

Learn from others’ missteps in our new segment, “My Favorite Financial Mistake.” Plus: balancing paying debt vs. saving. 00:39 This Week in Your Money: What can you learn from making financial mistakes? Should you save and invest or pay off debt when you get a financial windfall? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner, along with their new co-host Elizabeth Ayoola, discuss turning financial blunders in...

Get expert tips on affordable group and family air travel, from maximizing points and rewards to booking the best flights and maximizing airline perks. How can you make group travel both enjoyable and affordable?  What are the best strategies for using travel points and credit cards to your advantage when planning group trips?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss the intricacies of group tra...

Understand how you may actually be able to save money on fast food thanks to “dynamic pricing.” What’s the difference between surge pricing and dynamic pricing? How can you take advantage of supply and demand timing for certain products and services? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski tackle the buzz around Wendy’s controversial new pricing strategy, dissecting the confusion surrounding surge pric...

Learn about savvy grocery saving and expert tax filing tips to bolster your budget and ease tax season stress. 1:14 This Week in Your Money: How can you slash your grocery bills and still eat healthy foods amid rising costs? What’s new for this year’s tax season? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss saving money on groceries and simplifying tax filing to help you understand how to eat smart,...

Discover how to revamp your finances with a 30-day money cleanse that aligns your spending with joy and personal values. How can you set a budget that aligns with your goals?  How can you optimize your spending to reduce waste?  NerdWallet’s Kim Palmer talks to Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, author of The 30-Day Money Cleanse, to help you understand how small changes can make a significant impact on y...

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona discusses the early rollout of $1.2B in student loan forgiveness and the future of debt relief. Why did the Biden administration accelerate student loan forgiveness by wiping away $1.2 billion in debt nearly six months ahead of schedule? How will eligible borrowers, especially those enrolled in the new income-driven repayment plan SAVE, be notified of this u...

Learn how to utilize a tax advantaged 529 plan to help your or a friend’s children save for future education expenses. 00:57 This Week in Your Money: What are the risks of purchasing a home without an inspection? How can you plan for major expenses when healthcare providers can’t tell you how much their services will cost? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner share their hot takes on unexpected finan...

Learn how to choose the right business structure for financial success and legal protection as a self-employed entrepreneur with answers to common questions. How do you select the right business structure when you’re self-employed?  What are the financial implications of different business structures on personal finances?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola help you understand how to navigate y...

Explore strategies to navigate surging mortgage and child care costs so you can meet your goals despite rising expenses. How are rising mortgage and child care costs impacting the typical American family? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski tackle the pressing issue of the dual financial burden faced by many households today. They discuss the nuances of the affordability crisis before NerdWallet wr...

Learn investment and tax strategies to help you achieve financial security and prepare for a prosperous retirement. How can you balance saving for emergencies and investing for the future? What strategies can you employ to maximize your tax benefits and build a secure financial future? NerdWallet’s Kim Palmer and Alana Benson discuss investment strategies and tax planning to help you understand ho...

Learn retirement savings strategies tailored for self-employed individuals to secure a financially stable future. How can self-employed individuals effectively save for retirement? What tailored retirement plans should freelancers and small business owners consider? NerdWallet’s Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the unique challenges of retirement savings for the self-employed and the differ...

Learn why now may be a good time to be in the market for a new car and why two industries are outliers in job layoffs. Why did new car prices drop in January? What’s driving layoffs in tech and media — and what does it mean for other jobs? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss car prices and a recent surge in layoffs, particularly in the tech and media sectors. They kick off with an in-depth...

Apply lessons from physical fitness to improve your financial fitness. Plus: how to manage money in your relationships. 00:21 This Week in Your Money: How can you achieve both financial and physical wellness? How can you stick to your goals when you face setbacks? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss achieving financial wellness by borrowing lessons learned from people working to achieve phys...