NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Learn how to travel abroad on a budget and how to part ways with a financial advisor whose services are unsatisfactory.1:15 This Week in Your Money: It’s possible to travel abroad on a budget, according to NerdWallet Travel editor Meghan Coyle. She joins hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to discuss the pros and cons of using budget airlines for international travel. She discusses the overall change in flight prices over the last few years, how reliable budget airlines are when compared with other larger airlines, and what to look for in terms of hidden fees and terms so you’re not surprised by unexpected costs. She also offers tips for a better budget airline experience, including in-flight food and entertainment — and investing in a good neck pillow.13:44 Today’s Money Question: A listener named Melissa joins Sean and Liz to ask for help deciding whether she should fire her financial advisor. Melissa expresses concerns about the performance of her investments and questions the fees she is paying her advisor. She also shares her struggles with balancing debt repayment, enjoying life in the present, and planning for the future. The hosts discuss what to look for in a financial advisor before working with them, then help Melissa understand what it takes to become a financial advisor after she expresses interest in becoming a certified financial planner herself.40:22 Wrap-up Segment.In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: international travel, budget travel, debt repayment, financial freedom, cheap flights, safety of budget airlines, financial challenges, Dave Ramsey, living in the present, retirement planning, financial advisors, fee-only fiduciaries, certified financial planners, the Financial Therapy Association, personal finance, grad school loans, financial well-being, high-yield savings accounts, 529 plans for saving for education costs, debt management, travel insurance, cancel for any reason policies, portfolio diversification, index funds, financial advisor fees, fiduciary responsibilities, how to become a financial advisor, and the Financial Independence, Retire Early (FIRE) movement.To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore the impact of generational financial trauma on millennials, how social media amplifies it and ideas for healing.Personal Finance Nerd Tiffany Curtis delves into the complex topic of generational financial trauma, particularly its impact on millennials, with two special guests: Aja Evans and Rahkim Sabree. Aja Evans is a licensed mental health counselor and financial therapist, and Rahkim Sabree is a certified financial education instructor and author. Together, they explore how past financial landscapes can shape our current financial behaviors, the double-edged sword of social media in shaping financial perspectives, and the importance of understanding these impacts, especially for marginalized groups.The episode also delves into the Black community's discussions around self-reliance and reparations. The speakers challenge the notion that achieving financial success is an antidote to generational trauma and expose how these misconceptions can breed competition among marginalized communities. Wrapping up the episode, the hosts stress the importance of financial literacy while discussing its limitations in closing racial and gender wealth gaps. In this conversation, you’ll learn about: generational financial trauma, millennials, social media echo chambers, marginalized groups, how people define financial success, racial and gender wealth gaps, mental health counseling, financial therapists, financial education instructors, reparations, trauma healing, financial strain, and distorted financial perceptions.To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nerds explain this week’s personal finance news, with a focus on labor unrest as the United Auto Workers union prepares to strike.In Smart Money’s new weekly personal finance news roundup, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski take a look at recent developments in the world of money and then go in-depth on an issue that could be important to your life — and your bottom line. Today’s topics include rising home prices, the latest statistics on household wealth and debt, the rise in poverty from 2021 and 2022, and high-yield savings accounts. Plus, Sean and Anna take a deep look at the United Auto Workers' (UAW) threatened strike against the three largest automakers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. Learn what the workers want and what it could mean for your car shopping prospects if their demands aren’t met.To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ace your next job interview with questions you may not have considered asking, then learn how travel insurance works.01:13 This Week in Your Money: Before you head into your next job interview, consider asking yourself some questions suggested by hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston. They share specific questions you can ask in an interview to gain valuable insights into the position and the organization. They also suggest things you may want to ask yourself before jumping into a new role.06:25 Today’s Money Question: Travel Nerd Sally French joins Sean and Liz to explore the intricacies of travel insurance. They discuss the types of coverage available, including “cancel for any reason” coverage and medical coverage, and the benefits of each. Then, they delve into the limitations of certain travel insurance policies, particularly those associated with credit cards. Finally, they explain the importance of understanding the specifics of a policy and options for assessing whether it suits individual travel needs and circumstances.In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: job interview questions, recruiters, career changes, interview tips, travel insurance coverage, travel planning, credit card perks, travel credit cards, travel tips, credit card travel insurance, international travel, medical coverage while traveling abroad, and cancel for any reason travel insurance.To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tiffany Curtis, Personal finance Nerd, and Angela Moore, certified financial planner, debunk myths surrounding millennials and money, discuss generational financial trauma, wealth inequality, career fulfillment, and challenges faced by millennials in improving their financial situations.

The rates on certificates of deposit have shot up over the past year. But are CDs really a good option, especially when high-yield savings accounts are offering similar yields? Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss.Then Sean and Liz Weston talk with a listener about how to manage a life-changing financial windfall.To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.Timestamps:This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 6:33Money Question segment: 6:34 - 30:44Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the use of AI for personalized travel planning, including tips for guiding AI and embracing mystery travel. Learn about the benefits and risks of participating in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) and how to assess whether you should participate. Explore the limitations of AI travel planning services and the rise of mystery travel for a break from planning. Delve into the benefits, risks, and comparison of ESPPs to other investment options

James Lee, a certified financial planner, joins NerdWallet's Andy Rosen to discuss alternative investments. They explore real estate, commodities, cryptocurrency, and collectibles. They highlight the shift in financial advisors' perspectives toward alternative investments. The conversation covers riskier investments, speculation, and the differences between investing and speculation. They emphasize the importance of diversification and long-term goals in incorporating alternative investments into your portfolio.

Learn how to repair appliances instead of replacing them, overcome financial fears, and enjoy your money. Discover the right to repair movement, budgeting methods, and saving for long-term goals. The hosts also discuss the impact of upbringing on money habits, finding balance between spending and saving, and the benefits of hobbies like gardening. They emphasize the importance of changing your mindset towards money for financial success and a more enjoyable life.

Sam Taube explains the speculative and protective reasons for derivatives trading and the average retail trader's chances of finding success. The podcast covers options trading, short sales, and margin trading. They discuss the price discovery process of markets, options strategies, risk management, and portfolio diversification.