PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona delves into the critical topic of life insurance with Nerdwallet financial expert, Elizabeth Ayoola. They discuss six key milestones that signal it's time to reevaluate your life insurance needs, providing essential insights for anyone looking to safeguard their family's financial future. The episode begins with a fundamental overview of life insuranc...

  In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona discusses strategies for parents supporting their adult children financially, featuring insights from Nerdwallet financial expert, Kim Palmer. With six in ten parents having helped their adult children in the past year, this episode provides practical tips to guide your kids toward financial independence. The conversation starts with the import...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona explores practical ways to secure cheap car insurance with Nerdwallet expert, Melissa Lambarena. Car insurance is a necessity in many states, but that doesn't mean you have to overpay. This episode provides actionable tips to help you get the best deal on your car insurance policy. Tune in to this episode of PennyWise for expert advice on securing aff...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by a Nerdwallet financial expert to discuss five ways credit cards can help ease the burden of back-to-school expenses. As the school year approaches, families often face significant costs for clothes, supplies, and electronics. This episode offers practical tips to make those purchases more manageable. The conversation kicks off with the be...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona delves into the concept of financial self-care with Nerdwallet financial expert, Kim Palmer. Often, self-care is associated with relaxation activities like reading a book or taking a spa day, but financial self-care is about ensuring your financial practices contribute to your overall well-being. The discussion begins with the importance of reflecting...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona dives into the critical topic of staying safe from third-party seller scams. Joined by Nerdwallet financial expert Kim Palmer, they explore the various ways consumers can protect themselves when shopping from third-party sellers on major marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart. These scams often involve setting extremely low prices to lure in buyers, onl...

As summer travel heats up, it's crucial to ensure your credit cards are ready for the journey. In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona and financial expert Sally French from NerdWallet dive into a comprehensive credit card checklist to maximize your travel experience. They start by emphasizing the importance of bringing a credit card on your trip. Many aspects of travel, such as renting car...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona discusses the much-anticipated Amazon Prime Day, happening on July 16 and 17. Joined by Nerdwallet expert Kim Palmer, they dive into the best strategies for making the most out of these two days of deals, highlighting what to buy and what to skip. The episode kicks off with a focus on electronics, a category that often sees some of the lowest prices o...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona dives into the essentials of creating a home gym without breaking the bank. Joined by Nerdwallet expert Sarah Rathner, they explore practical tips and financial strategies to help you set up your workout space efficiently. The episode begins with a discussion on the rise of home gyms during the COVID-19 pandemic and the continued trend of working out...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona dives deep into the pros and cons of credit limit increases with Wallethub financial expert, Cassandra Happe. Whether you're considering requesting a credit limit increase or have recently received one automatically, this episode offers valuable insights to help you make informed decisions. Nat and Cassandra explain the two main ways to increase your...

Tune in to this episode of PennyWise for practical advice and essential tips to help your college-bound child navigate the world of credit cards responsibly and build a strong financial foundation for their future. Hosted by Nat Cardona and speaking with Wallethub expert Cassandra Happe, this episode is designed to help parents make informed decisions about their child's financial independence and...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona talks with Cassandra Happe, Consumer Finance Expert for WalletHub. They dive into the art of the staycation, exploring how to make the most out of your time off without the hassle and expense of traveling. Whether you're looking to save money or simply prefer the comfort of your own home, this episode is packed with tips to help you create a memorable...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by financial expert Christie Matherne to discuss the crucial steps to rebuild your credit. As many have faced financial challenges in recent years, this episode provides a comprehensive guide to getting back on track. Christie shares practical advice on how to review your credit report, catch up on past due bills, and deal with debt collecti...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona dives into dynamic pricing with a focus on recent announcements from fast food giant Wendy's. As we navigate 2024, the concept of fluctuating prices has many consumers on edge, but is there really a reason to worry? Join us as we clarify what dynamic pricing actually means. We'll explore how prices adjust in real time to supply and demand, and why thi...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona sits down with NerdWallet's senior writer Holden Lewis to discuss the strategic move of selling your home to boost your retirement savings. As many Americans consider downsizing for their golden years, we delve into the critical factors that should guide this life-changing decision. Holden brings a personal touch to the conversation, sharing his own c...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by NerdWallet's personal finance writer Elizabeth Ayoola to unpack the concept of generational wealth and guide you on starting your own legacy of financial prosperity. From defining what generational wealth means to you, to taking the first steps towards investing, this episode is a resource for actionable advice. Elizabeth clarifies the pr...

As we navigate the world of interior design trends, PennyWise invites you to embrace the bold and eclectic with maximalist decor. Host Nat Cardona is joined by NerdWallet's senior writer Sara Rathner to discuss how to infuse your living space with personality, without emptying your wallet. In this episode, we're ditching the stark minimalism of the past decade and saying hello to a world where mor...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona teams up with NerdWallet's personal finance writer Kim Palmer to give you the latest on getting the best incentives when buying a new car in 2024. As the auto market recovers from its pandemic-induced slump, buyers are once again finding themselves in the driver's seat with a variety of enticing deals. Discover what auto incentives entail, from rebate...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona takes off with NerdWallet's travel expert Sally French to explore the surprising trend of dropping airfares in 2024. Despite the inflation affecting almost every corner of the economy, travelers are seeing a welcome decrease in ticket prices, especially for international flights. From a nearly 12% drop for South America-bound flights to a 7.5% dip for...

In a world where the cost of living is constantly on the rise, millennials are facing a unique financial dilemma: to have or not to have children. This week on PennyWise, Nat Cardona is joined by NerdWallet's personal finance writer Kim Palmer to unpack the economic factors influencing family planning decisions. With childcare expenses skyrocketing and the median household income struggling to kee...

Credit card late fees can be the bane of any budget, but a new rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau might just be the relief many users need. In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona delves into the details with NerdWallet's credit card expert Sara Rathner. They break down the significant drop from $32 to $8 in maximum late fees and what this means for your wallet. Discover the...

Pet owners know that their cuddly companions can rack up quite the bill, especially when accidents happen. Join us on Pennywise as Nat Cardona chats with Kim Palmer from Nerdwallet about the financial cushion pet insurance can provide. They discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls, including how pre-existing conditions and age affect coverage. This episode is a must-listen for anyone considerin...

Are you feeling the crunch of the current housing market? Dive into the illuminating insights of the 2024 Homebuyer Report with NerdWallet's senior writer Elizabeth Renter on the latest episode of Pennywise. Discover why 77% of Americans couldn't secure a home last year, the unique challenges facing first-time buyers, and whether renting might just be the smarter choice in today's economy. Join ho...

Big fans of Costco will tell you that good buys justify the cost of membership. However, Costco knows what it's doing.  Host Nat Cardona is joined by Kim Palmer, a personal finance writer with NerdWallet, who points us down the right aisles.

Self-checkouts aren't the only things becoming more and more common for shoppers. Now the option to donate money as shoppers pay at the checkout has become a common occurrence, but should you use the opportunity to share the wealth? On the latest episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by NerdWallet's Sara Rathner who weighs in on when it's a good idea to skip the charitable donation at t...