We recap the financial rollercoaster that was 2023, including interest rates, market movements, travel mishaps and more.

Before reviewing this year’s biggest financial news headlines, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss federal interest rates, dropping mortgage rates, strong holiday spending numbers, and two new record highs — one for the stock market, and the other for a Southwest Airlines fine.

Then, Sean and Anna turn their attention to an analysis of the economy's bizarre yet resilient nature in 2023. They discuss the strength of the job market, inflation fluctuations, surprising deflation in certain sectors, Congress's tussles over the debt ceiling, banks collapsing, and the trials of student loan borrowers. They also discuss the news that came at the conclusion of 2023, including looming government shutdown concerns and ongoing Congressional debates, setting the stage for what could unfold in the financial landscape of the coming year.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: personal finance news, Federal Reserve, interest rates, mortgage rates, housing market, stock market, inflation, the US economy, holiday spending, Southwest Airlines, travel, unemployment, debt ceiling, Congress, banks, student loans, job market, inflation, government shutdown, strikes, gas prices, financial events, economic analysis, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average hitting a record high.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Friday, January 16, 2025