NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

You don’t have to be a Taylor Swift fan to feel like you’re being personally attacked by hidden fees and surcharges. These so-called junk fees can be unrelenting, but the tide may be changing. In this Money News episode, Sean talks with Anna Helhoski about the latest on junk fees and what you can do about them. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 o...

If your partner hid tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt from you, would you bail — or help them pay it off? In this episode of the podcast, Sean and Sara tackle a listener’s question about financial infidelity. They also talk about managing money when you’re neurodiverse.  To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet...

Let’s wheel out the cliche “money can’t buy happiness.” In truth, we know that’s not really the case, right? Research shows that the more money you have, the more well-being you have. But you can find happiness without steadfast reliance on cash.  In this episode of our deep dive into money and happiness, we explore how much money you really need to be happy — and what it’s like to create a happy...

If you wanted to dramatically upend your life overnight, you probably could — but it could have unintended consequences.  You do have the power to transform your life, though, from your job, to where you live and how you manage your finances. In this episode, Sean and Sara talk with Jill Schlesinger — CBS business analyst, host of the “Jill on Money” podcast and author of “The Great Money Reset” —...

What is your first money memory? And how is it influencing your finances today? In this episode of our deep dive into money and happiness, Sean explores how you can dig into your financial history to build a happier — and more financially fruitful — future. Have questions about money and psychology? Share them with the Nerds! Call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwalle...

A recession is imminent. Or, maybe it isn’t? News stories about looming recession can feel incessant, only for the economic turmoil to never materialize. To start off this episode, Sean and Sara talk about how to cut through the noise and focus on improving your financial life.  Then Sean and Sara talk with a listener, Lauren, who’s deciding whether to pull back from her retirement savings to pay...

Do you really need money to be happy? Or is money the reason you’re unhappy? Either way, chances are your relationship to money and happiness is a little, well, messy.  To kick off this Nerdy deep dive into money and happiness, Sean talks with happiness experts Gretchen Rubin and Robert Puff to understand what happiness really means. Then Sean talks with Morgan Housel, author of “The Psychology of...

It’s officially spring, which means it’s time to bust out the duster, broom — and your bank account logins. To start this episode, Sean and Sara talk about how you can do a little financial spring-cleaning. Then they answer a listener’s question about paying off different debts, like taxes and credit cards.  Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-637...

The travel Nerds have all sorts of opinions on when to get to the airport ahead of a flight, what sorts of upgrades or perks are most valuable to them — and of course, whether to check or carry on a bag. In this episode of Smart Money, the travel Nerds answer some lightning-round questions on their takes. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or emai...

The banking system has been feeling less than stable lately. But how worried should you really be? To start this episode, Sean and Sara discuss the concern. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener question about how to choose between an online and a traditional bank.  To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Timestamps: This...

So you’re deep in the points game (or want to be). Are you better off focusing your points earning and spending efforts on one brand, or diversifying your points? This episode, Sean talks with travel Nerd Elina Geller about which is better and why.  To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leav...

The rates on certificates of deposit have shot up over the past year. But are CDs really a good option, especially when high-yield savings accounts are offering similar yields? Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss. Then Sean and Liz Weston talk with a listener about how to manage a life-changing financial windfall. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-637...

Travel credit cards can help you score the vacation of your dreams on points alone. But are they worth the hassle of playing the points game? In this episode of the “This or That” travel series, Sean talks with travel Nerd Sally French about why travel cards are worth the hype — and when a cash-back card might be the better option. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotl...

The COVID-19 pandemic upended the world — and our finances. The tumult created a lot of opportunity and angst in its wake. In this episode, Sean hosts a roundtable discussion about how COVID-19 changed the way we manage and talk about money. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a r...

You’ve got a trip coming up. Should you use cash or points to book your travel and lodging? In this episode, Sean Pyles talks with travel writer Meghan Coyle about when you might want to use cash — and when points are your best bet. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and...

Inflation is affecting a lot more than the price of groceries. It’s also presenting financial opportunities — if you know where to look. In this episode, we share a discussion about how you can leverage inflation for your benefit while minimizing its negative effects on your finances. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet....

The Supreme Court is getting closer to dashing or fulfilling folks’ dreams of student debt cancellation. This week, the justices heard arguments that will determine the fate of some 40 million student loan borrowers. In this Money News episode of the podcast, Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski talk about what happened, which way the court might be leaning and what it means for you. To send the Nerds you...

Airbnb used to be a go-to option for fun, one-of-a-kind lodging. Then the cleaning fees started stacking up. Are Airbnbs worth it anymore, or are hotels the better route to go? In this episode, host Sean Pyles talks with travel Nerd Sam Kemmis about how to decide between an Airbnb and a hotel. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@ne...

Tax season is in full swing. And this episode, we’re taking on popular questions, including when you’re fine filing on your own — and when you might want to hire help. We also discuss why so many Americans who are eligible to file their taxes for free end up paying anyway.  To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Timest...

Being the victim of identity theft can be traumatic, especially when your own mother is the perpetrator. In this episode, personal finance Nerd Kimberly Palmer talks with Axton Betz-Hamilton, author of “The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity.” Betz-Hamilton talks about her experience being the victim of familial identity theft and shares tips on h...

It’s time for some money hot takes. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz share their (maybe unpopular) opinions about personal finance topics. Sean goes off about why buy now, pay later loans aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. And Liz shares her thoughts on how the credit bureaus can fix the way they handle your data.  Then they answer a listener’s money question about when you might have too...

There are many ways for Black women and mothers to invest to build wealth for their families. Choosing the one that fits best can be a challenge, especially when you have competing priorities. In this episode, we explore different methods to invest, including various retirement accounts and 529 college savings accounts, and how to decide whether to save for yourself or your children when money is...

At a certain point in your relationship, merging your finances can feel like a natural step … or not. To start this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk about why combining your finances with a partner isn’t always a great idea. Then Sean is joined by Nerds Liz Weston and Kim Palmer to answer a listener's question about how to manage multiple credit card accounts when merging finances....

Sometimes anger is the best response to finding out you’ve been deprived of an opportunity. The steps you take from there may require research – and trade-offs. In this episode of our “Color of Wealth” series, personal finance Nerd Elizabeth Ayoola talks with Dasha Kennedy, founder of the financial advocacy group The Broke Black Girl, about how to balance emotions and building wealth. To send the...

This month the Supreme Court will hear cases to decide the fate of those hoping for federal student debt cancelation.  In this Money News episode of the podcast, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski give you the rundown on those cases — including whether debt cancellation is likely to be upheld and when you might have to restart payment on your student loans. To send the Nerds your money questions,...