PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips

If you are still searching for a one-of-a-kind last minute present, here's a unique idea for your holiday shopping -- check out a thrift store! PennyWise Host Teri Barr is talking with Kimberly Palmer , a Personal Finance Expert with NerdWallet, to learn why the idea of thrifting for gifts is trending right now. Kimberly also shares five benefits you'll enjoy when spending your hard-earned-money a...

Planning carefully now can help you before it's time to file your 2022 taxes next year. PennyWise  host  Teri Barr  talks with  Andy Rosen , investing and tax spokesperson for  NerdWallet , to learn why — even though the holiday season is busy — it's also important to think about your taxes before the end of the year. Andy also shares five things to consider to support your planning efforts. Suppo...

Winter travel, especially during the holidays, can be trying on both your patience and your pocketbook. PennyWise host Teri Barr is talking with John Kiernan , managing editor at WalletHub , to learn why it's especially important to plan ahead for your travels. Kiernan also shares five important tips to make your travels, smooth sailing. Helpful links from WalletHub: Best Travel Credit Cards 2022...

Could more disruptions in the supply chain lead to new shortages on store shelves? Host Teri Barr is talking with Kimberly Palmer , a Personal Finance Expert with Nerd Wallet, to learn if supply chain issues are expected to derail the holidays. Kimberly also shares four things to consider right now -- from retailers overstocking to weather and strikes impacting items you may have on your shopping...

Are you considering a way to support a charity or nonprofit right now? PennyWise Host Teri Barr is talking with Adam McCann , a Financial Writer and Editor with WalletHub , to learn whether you should donate time or money this holiday. He shares five great tips to help you make the right decision when it comes to your time or money and how it helps make a difference for others. Determine the best...

Are you struggling to find the perfect present right now? PennyWise Host Teri Barr is talking with Milvionne Chery , a Personal Finance Editor for WalletHub , to learn how a gift card can take the guesswork (and stress) out of your gift-giving. Milvionne also shares five important tips you need to know if you plan to purchase any gift cards for others this holiday season. Best Gift Cards in 2022 C...

Are you working on your gift list but you also really need to stick to your budget? PennyWise Host Teri Barr is talking with Christie Matherne , a Personal Finance Writer and Editor for WalletHub, to learn why a new survey shows many shoppers will spend thousands of dollars, despite not having the budget to support these big holiday purchases. Christine also shares five tips to help you save money...

The student loan debt plan is on hold, again, and no one knows if or when it's coming. What could this mean for you? Host  Teri Barr  is talking with  Cecilia Clark , a student loans expert with Nerd Wallet, to learn why this newest hold on the program could take awhile and three things you need to know about right now, including making your loan payments again in the New Year. The latest from Cec...

Are you feeling some pressure when it comes to your holiday shopping this year? If you plan to use or open a store credit card account, there are some good and bad cards — and things to know — before you decide to swipe it as your payment. Host Teri Barr is talking with Melissa Lambarena , a credit card expert with NerdWallet, to learn why it's important to slow down and think about financing your...

Prices are up more than 8% in the last year. Is that why many consumers have already started their "Black Friday" shopping? Host Teri Barr is talking with Kimberly Palmer , a Personal Finance Expert with NerdWallet, to learn what to expect if you are hunting for holiday deals this year, and why there are four specific things you should be prepared for while shopping. More from Kimberly on NerdWall...

Host  Teri Barr  talks with  Andy Rosen , an investing and taxes spokesperson with NerdWallet, to learn about the new projections for 2023 taxes based on inflation. If your income isn't keeping up, we'll tell you why some tax adjustments, credits and savings contributions could change your bill, and why it may be for the better. Read more here: Higher Inflation Could Mean Smaller Tax Bills More fr...

A new survey shows one in five Americans have decided to put off any debt payment planning. PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Melissa Lambarena , a credit card expert with NerdWallet, to learn why so many people are deciding not to deal with their debt right now. Melissa tells us more about the survey, than walks us through the simple but solid steps to start tackling your debt. Mor...

What do you know about your credit score? PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Kimberly Palmer , a personal finance expert with NerdWallet, to learn why it's important to understand some of the "myths" surrounding your credit score. Kimberly takes us through a new survey showing most of us admit to not knowing enough, including confusion about the top three credit score myths. We talk...

Have you ever thought about who your bank does business with using your money in checking or savings as loans to those businesses? PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Chanelle Bessette , a banking expert with NerdWallet, to learn why more Americans want to deal with banks considered socially conscious. Bessette explains what it means, and how you can find out if your bank is using you...

Do you have an extra $12,000? It's how much more experts say you are spending, on average this year, compared to two years ago. PennyWise host Teri Barr is talking with Elizabeth Renter , a Personal Finance Data Analyst with NerdWallet, to learn more about the specific categories where you've had to spend a lot more money in 2022. Elizabeth also shares what this means related to a recession, and w...

Are you happy with your current bank? Our host Teri Barr is talking with Chanelle Bessette , a banking expert with NerdWallet, to learn why right now may be the perfect time to make a change! Bessette also shares the four important things to consider if you are ready to open a new account or go to a different bank, altogether. Past Pennywise episodes with Chanelle Bessette as the guest: Four of fi...

Many people are remaining in their homes right now and hoping to increase the value with a remodel of their bath, kitchen or basement. Our host Teri Barr talks with Kate Wood , a home and mortgage writer for NerdWallet, to learn what areas of a house are currently bringing the best bang for your buck. Wood also explains why it's so important to budget for your project and shares some options to he...

Host Teri Barr  talks with Sara Rathner , a personal finance expert with NerdWallet, about the increase in additional costs to own and operate a new car. A new survey from AAA shows those expenses are up 11% in the last year: Buying a New Car? Prepare for Over $10K in Yearly Ownership Costs Thankfully, Sara shares 8 factors to consider and be prepared for, and how knowing these can help you save m...

The cost to travel remains expensive — and airfare, which is still up by 30% compared to a year ago — isn't going down in price anytime soon. PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Sam Kemmis , a travel rewards expert with NerdWallet, to learn if there are ways to find any deals on your next flight. Kemmis has four great tips to help you find affordable airfare, but you'll also need to b...

PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr talks with Sally French , a travel expert with NerdWallet, about the high cost to rent a car these days. French reveals what she found during a recent analysis comparing brands, prices and where you rent your car. She also shares her tried and true tips to help you save money the next time you need to book a car rental. Past PennyWise episodes with Sally French as...

PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Sara Rathner , a Personal Finance Expert with NerdWallet, to learn how you can use debt as a financial tool. Sara shares the differences between bad and "good" debt, and explains the three ways to use it to your advantage, especially right now. More Pennywise episodes with Sara: How to protect yourself from debt collectors using this new tactic High...

Teri is off this week, so Chris Lay is filling in as the host and introducing this little dip into the archives from August, 2021: Host Teri Barr is talking with Jason Metz , Insurance Analyst from Forbes Advisor, to learn why insurance often isn't on the back to school list for college students. Jason has important details about insurance in case of an accident, theft or poor decision making whil...

A new survey shows credit card use has quickly grown in the last few months and many people say they are also racking up debt due to the increased use of their cards. PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Sara Rathner , a Personal Finance Expert with NerdWallet, to learn why so many people are turning to their credit cards right now. Sara also shares five important tips to help you avoi...

A new survey revealed that 90% of shoppers say the current economic conditions will impact their back-to-school budget this year. Host Teri Barr is talking with Kimberly Palmer , a Personal Finance Expert with NerdWallet, to learn how higher prices and lower supplies are impacting back-to-school shoppers. Kimberly also shares six creative tips to help you save on your school shopping budget. More...

A new survey shows many of us are paying more to travel due to hidden travel fees. PennyWise Podcast host Teri Barr is talking with Sam Kemmis , travel expert with NerdWallet, to learn what to look to uncover these fees. Sam also shares some unique tips and tricks to help you avoid these extra costs to save money. More from Sam at NerdWallet: Family Travel Insurance Might Save Your 2022 Trip Budge...