

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

Apr 11, 2024 • 31min
How To Guard Against Cyber Fraud: Essential Steps to Protect Your Identity
Discover essential steps to protect yourself against cyber fraud, including identifying fraudulent activity, enhancing personal banking security, and recovering from identity theft. Learn about the rise of new account fraud, the impact of zero-day vulnerabilities, and the importance of staying vigilant with software updates. Explore personal experiences of falling victim to deceptive banking scams and cyber fraud, emphasizing the emotional toll and the need for empathy and support for victims.

Apr 10, 2024 • 15min
Summer Travel Insights: Maximize Your Vacation Budget
NerdWallet's travel rewards expert Sally French joins hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski to discuss summer travel trends, airline fees, and budgeting tips. They also cover the latest employment report and a new student loan relief program in the financial landscape.

Apr 8, 2024 • 40min
How to Own a Home: Strategies for Buying, Selling, and Improving
In this podcast, they discuss strategies for buying, selling, and improving homes, including the best money spent recently, shopping for title agencies, using home equity for investments, and home improvement financing. They explore the emotional connection to purchases, navigating home repairs, and prioritizing functional upgrades over aesthetic improvements for personal enjoyment.

Apr 4, 2024 • 34min
Things You Can Do Right Now to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Learn practical tips to protect yourself from identity theft and financial scams, including setting up fraud alerts and freezing your credit. Dive into the challenges of authentication online and the misuse of social security numbers. Explore the rise in data breaches, the importance of questioning suspicious communications, and the need for improved authentication methods.

Apr 3, 2024 • 18min
Decoding Economic Health: Inflation, Growth, and Employment Trends
NerdWallet data journalist Elizabeth Rente joins hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski to discuss the current state of the economy, focusing on wage growth, inflation rates, and employment trends. They also explore consumer confidence, credit card settlement news, and the legacy of Daniel Kahneman in behavioral finance. Insights into the interconnected relationship among economic indicators and their implications for financial decisions are highlighted.

7 snips
Apr 1, 2024 • 23min
Diversify Your Portfolio: A Guide to Roth vs. Traditional Retirement Accounts
Learn about expense ratios and how to choose between Roth and traditional retirement accounts on this informative podcast. Discover the impact of fees on investment returns, tax implications of different accounts, and the importance of balancing retirement savings with immediate financial needs.

Mar 28, 2024 • 25min
Plan Your Next Cruise: Tips on Booking, Excursions and Entertainment
Learn about the benefits of booking a group cruise, managing travel costs, and utilizing onboard amenities. Explore tips on selecting destinations, booking excursions, and maximizing shared travel experiences. Discover the advantages of group cruises for family bonding and convenience, along with insights on planning a memorable group vacation at sea.

Mar 27, 2024 • 13min
Money in Your Pocket: Biden's Bid to Banish College Junk Fees
Neera Tanden, domestic policy advisor to President Biden, discusses tackling junk fees for college students. They delve into hidden fees like textbook costs, unused meal plan dollars, and more than $1 billion annual impact. The hosts also cover FAFSA troubles, Federal Reserve updates, and housing market surge in a comprehensive roundup.

Mar 25, 2024 • 27min
How Secure and Private Are Your Digital Wallet Transactions? Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo and More
Debunking credit score myths and discussing the safety of digital wallets like Apple Pay and Venmo. Exploring transaction tokenization, privacy settings, and the role of device security in protecting digital transactions.

Mar 21, 2024 • 26min
Save on Travel Transportation: Your Guide to Rental Cars, RVs and Public Transit
Learn how to save on travel transportation with rental cars, RVs, and public transit. Discover tips for group travel, rental car savings, RV adventures, and the convenience of public transportation in urban settings. Explore alternative transportation options like electric cars, peer-to-peer rentals, and hop-on hop-off buses. Get ready for efficient and economical ways to move your squad around during your next trip!