NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
NerdWallet Personal Finance
NerdWallet’s trusted finance journalists answer real-world money questions to help you make smarter financial decisions with confidence.Each episode dives deep into topics like budgeting, saving, investing, home buying, and credit cards, cutting through misinformation to bring you clear, actionable advice backed by thorough research.By the end of every episode, you’ll have the latest financial insights and the tools you’ll need to manage your money wisely, build wealth, and plan for life’s milestones. And if you have questions for the Nerds, you can leave them a voicemail at 901-730-6373.Join hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, Elizabeth Ayoola, and other expert Nerds as they answer your biggest money questions and share strategies to help you build wealth and reach your financial goals, including:– Investing: Advanced investment strategies, integrating ETFs and mutual funds into a diversified portfolio, tax-efficient retirement planning, understanding Roth IRA conversions, and navigating robo-advisors.– Credit Cards: Top credit cards for travel rewards and luxury perks, balance transfer strategies, maximizing credit card points, and optimizing credit card usage to boost your credit score.– Personal Finance: Advanced budgeting tips, building generational wealth, creating effective savings plans, managing high-income expenses, and developing a strong money growth mindset.– Home: Smart strategies for homebuying in competitive markets, leveraging home equity loans and HELOCs, refinancing for long-term savings, first-time homebuying tips, and budgeting for major home improvements.If you’re searching for the best personal finance podcasts or want practical knowledge to make smarter money decisions, then follow NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast.You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like: Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl,Money Guy Show, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth.NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/
Episodes
Mentioned books
18 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 36min
Housing in 2026: Home Prices and Rates Are in Flux. Time to Make Your Move?
Join Elizabeth Renter, a NerdWallet senior economist, and Abby Badach Doyle, NerdWallet's mortgage expert, as they dive into what 2026 could mean for home prices and mortgage rates. They discuss the impact of tariffs on inflation, the cooling labor market, and rising household debt. Abby offers practical strategies for homebuyers, emphasizing the importance of budgeting, understanding local market variations, and taking advantage of assistance programs. Whether you're looking to buy or refinance, they provide valuable insights on navigating the housing landscape!
9 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 19min
Investing in 2026: Fix Your Allocation Before the Next Market Swing
Start your 2026 investing strategy with smarter moves, fewer fees, and less stress when markets get rocky.
How should you invest in 2026 if tech stocks keep dominating the market? What’s a smart checklist for leveling up your investing this year? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss diversification and investing tools to help you grow your wealth with a plan you can stick to. Then investing writer Alana Benson joins them to unpack what 2025’s market swings can teach you, how to diversify beyond mega-cap tech stocks (including options like equal-weight funds), and how to choose the right account and platform while keeping fees and taxes in mind.
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In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: stock market 2026, how to start investing, passive investing, index funds, S&P 500, Magnificent 7, AI stock bubble, rebalancing portfolio, asset allocation, stocks vs bonds allocation, long-term investing, market volatility, timing the market, brokerage account, best brokerage for beginners, best investing app, best robo-advisor, Fidelity investing, Interactive Brokers, Wealthfront robo advisor, ETFs, target date fund, robo-advisor, IRA contribution limit 2026, Roth IRA, traditional IRA, SEP IRA, 401k match, 529 plan, college savings plan, and retirement investing.
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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9 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 24min
How to Build Better Money Habits in 2026
Discover how to align your financial goals for 2026 with your core values, from freedom to adventure. Get practical tips on transforming big dreams into actionable plans using the SMART framework. The hosts share personal goals like boosting savings and managing crypto hype. Learn how to create realistic targets for monthly contributions, add personal rewards for motivation, and prepare for financial curveballs. This engaging discussion helps you create a meaningful roadmap for your financial future!
Dec 29, 2025 • 38min
Ditch Your Money Trauma So You Can Live an Abundant Life (with Shannah Game)
Shannah Game, author and host of Everyone's Talkin' Money, dives into the emotional roots of money beliefs shaped in childhood. She shares insights on identifying financial stress through physical cues and encourages weekly 'money dates' to align spending with goals. The discussion also addresses budgeting tactics for those with lower incomes, emphasizing the value of small contributions to retirement. Listener Katie navigates a career change while receiving practical advice on emergency savings and using the 50/30/20 budgeting framework.
Dec 25, 2025 • 39min
Managing Money in Your Marriage and How to Build Wealth Without a Side Hustle
Discover the truth about wealth-building myths and the benefits of consistent investing through a 9-to-5 job. Explore the debate on whether Roth IRAs are overrated compared to Roth 401(k)s. Listen to a couple navigate aligning their financial goals and values. They discuss good vs. bad debt, budgeting for new opportunities, and the importance of emergency funds. Learn practical next steps for retirement planning and the pros and cons of 529 plans versus taxable accounts for kids' future savings.
Dec 22, 2025 • 38min
Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being
Aja Evans, a financial therapist and author of "Feel-Good Finance," explores the intricate relationship between emotions and money. She delves into overcoming financial trauma and emphasizes the importance of having open discussions about finances. Aja suggests creating 'dopamine menus' as coping alternatives to spending. The conversation takes a practical turn as listeners navigate job loss, weighing options like COBRA vs. marketplace insurance while managing emotions tied to financial uncertainty. Valuable strategies for budgeting and rebuilding savings are also shared.
12 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 35min
How the 2008 Financial Crisis Changed Wall Street (The Big Short Companion Podcast from Against the Rules)
In this engaging discussion, Matt Levine, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and finance expert, reflects on the lasting impacts of the 2008 financial crisis. He recounts his experiences at Goldman during the crash and explains how regulations shifted risk towards hedge funds. Levine connects Bitcoin's rise to the crisis, highlighting how crypto has mirrored past financial failures. He warns about potential risks in multi-strategy hedge funds and explores a future where banks may lose their traditional roles in finance.
Dec 15, 2025 • 52min
2025’s Money Year in Review and Travel Card Moves To Make Now
Join Meghan Coyle and Sally French, travel credit card experts, as they dissect the impact of 2025’s financial events on your wallet. They evaluate whether your premium travel cards are worth the fees, discussing perks like lounge access and statement credits. Discover strategic insights into managing high-cost groceries and navigating the changing housing market. Plus, they provide tailored advice on optimizing your travel rewards cards to ensure you're not overpaying. Tune in for practical tips that can save you money and enhance your travel experiences!
7 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 26min
Strengthen Your 2026 Financial Plan and Optimize TSP and 403(b) Accounts for Heirs
Anna Helhoski, a Senior news writer at NerdWallet, discusses insights from the 2026 Consumer Outlook survey, revealing how Americans feel about their financial future. Amanda Barroso, a credit writer, and Taryn Phaneuf, an investing writer, dive into strategies for managing a $1.2M TSP and 403(b) retirement savings, covering topics like asset allocation and estate planning. They emphasize the importance of balancing risk and taxes for a legacy while advising on options for retirement surprises and updating beneficiaries.
Dec 8, 2025 • 30min
Life’s Big Buys: Travel Splurges and When to Cut Retirement Savings for a Home Down Payment
Kate Ashford, a core personal finance reporter, joins the discussion on striking a balance between big life purchases and retirement savings. The conversation dives into the nuances of diverting retirement funds for a down payment while maintaining a financial safety net. Listeners learn the importance of setting clear savings priorities and the impact of pausing retirement contributions. Kate also shares insights on Roth IRAs vs. 403(b)s, emphasizing strategic withdrawals for first-time homebuyers. Overall, it's a fascinating exploration of navigating life’s significant financial decisions.
