

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

Jun 10, 2024 • 27min
Get Smart on Gambling Money Management, Mortgage Rates and Home Purchases
Learn about smart money management in gambling and home purchases. Discover the psychology behind gambling and how to budget for a casino trip. Get advice on whether to use all your savings to buy a house or opt for a mortgage. Understand the pros and cons of different financing options for a financially responsible home purchase.

9 snips
Jun 6, 2024 • 38min
Overcome Impulsive Shopping: Strategies to Resist Social Media Spending
Licensed marriage and family therapist Jillian Knight shares insights on overcoming impulsive shopping triggered by social media. Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler discusses the addictive nature of social media and offers strategies to break the cycle. Topics include the dopamine-driven compulsion to scroll, setting app time limits, and finding joy in non-digital activities.

Jun 5, 2024 • 10min
Are You Lying on Your Insurance Applications? Here’s What Could Happen
Discussing the honesty of insurance applications, consequences of lying, generational attitudes. Analyzing credit trends, IRS free filing, grocery prices. Insights on insurance fraud, saving money, financial news.

Jun 3, 2024 • 27min
Credit Card Secrets Revealed and How to Balance Multiple Loans
Uncover credit card secrets such as navigating interest rate changes, maximizing reward points, and upgrading/downgrading credit cards. Dive into how paying off loans can impact your credit score and get tips on managing credit card debt. Discover strategies for car shopping, including loan pre-approval and considering a mix of new and used vehicles.

May 30, 2024 • 24min
The Intricacies of Interest: The Backbone of Mastering Your Finances
Author Jake Cousineau discusses the importance of personal finance education, budgeting, investing, and managing credit. They explore the impact of interest rates on loans, credit scores on major purchases, and the transformative power of automated savings and index fund investments.

4 snips
May 29, 2024 • 19min
Learn How Random Investments Can Outperform Managed Funds
Wall Street Journal columnist Spencer Jakab discusses how randomly selecting individual stocks can outperform expert investing strategies in a dart-throwing experiment. The podcast explores the benefits of low-cost index funds over expensive investment managers and offers insights on portfolio diversification, economic well-being, and the pitfalls of frequent market adjustments.

May 27, 2024 • 45min
Cash Back vs. Points Deep Dive: Presenting All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins
Credit card expert Chris Hutchins dives deep into the world of credit card rewards in this episode. He discusses the advantages of cash back versus points systems, optimizing rewards for different spending categories, and comparing top cashback cards. Learn about strategies for maximizing rewards, leveraging welcome bonuses, and using a personalized tool to enhance credit card optimization.

May 23, 2024 • 27min
Embrace Financial Vulnerability to Get Out of Debt: Social Media’s Impact on Financial Freedom
Brittney Reynolds shares how embracing financial vulnerability on social media helped her get out of debt. They discuss benefits of sharing finances online, changing money conversations on social media, and building communities. The podcast explores reducing debt shame, fostering support, navigating content creation post-debt payoff, and promoting financial transparency and authenticity in managing money.

May 22, 2024 • 33min
Finance Your Creative Career with Felicia Day’s Gig Economy Survival Guide
Writer, producer, and actor Felicia Day shares financial strategies for surviving in Hollywood. Topics include valuing personal time, managing finances in an unpredictable career, diversifying income streams, aligning creative passions with financial stability, and understanding the impact of financial education. The conversation covers Hollywood finances, freelancing lifestyle, budgeting tactics, career growth, and achieving financial security in creative careers.

May 22, 2024 • 12min
How the CFPB's Supreme Court Win Helps Consumers
Discover how the recent Supreme Court ruling impacts consumer financial protection, including the role of the CFPB in safeguarding consumer rights. Learn about payday loans, financial regulations, and how to leverage CFPB resources to address financial issues. Get actionable insights on filing complaints with the CFPB and stay updated on money headlines like the Dow Jones hitting 40,000, gas prices for Memorial Day weekend, and new pricing transparency laws for cruises.