

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

Jul 12, 2021 • 22min
Combating Inflation, and Risks of Small Mortgage Lenders
Inflation is on the rise, as your budget has surely noticed. This episode, Sean talks with investing Nerd Alana Benson about what’s happening and what it means for your finances. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about the potential risks of going with a smaller mortgage lender. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 5, 2021 • 27min
Saving at the Pump, and 401(k) Limits
Rising gas prices got you down? On this episode, Sean and Liz break down how you can save at the pump, including how to find the best prices and how to manage your fuel efficiency. Then they answer a listener's question about 401(k) contribution limits. Visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 28, 2021 • 29min
Midyear Money Check-In, and Managing Finances Abroad
How are your 2021 money goals coming along? Now that we’re halfway through the year, Sean and Liz talk about how to do a check-in on what you want from your money this year. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to manage their finances abroad, including how to save money on conversion rates and using credit cards strategically. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 21, 2021 • 23min
Savings Tips, and Updates to the Child Tax Credit
We all want to save more money, but actually doing it can be a challenge. This episode, Sean and Liz share their favorite tips to make saving easier, including how to save with purpose and how to trim expenses. Then they answer a listener’s question about changes to the Child Tax Credit, and whether that should influence FSA contributions. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 14, 2021 • 27min
When Travel Insurance Is Worth It, and Buying an Electric Car
With more travelers taking to the sky, should they be booking travel insurance? Liz and Sean discuss. Then they answer a listener’s money question about how to buy an electric car, including how to negotiate with salespeople and how to take advantage of financial incentives for electric vehicles. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 7, 2021 • 21min
Crypto-Earning Credit Cards, and Short-Term Investing
Credit cards are hopping aboard the crypto hype train, with some offering rewards in cryptocurrency. Sean, Liz and Sara discuss what they are and their risks. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how to approach short-term investing. Also, please take a few seconds to fill out our two-question survey: http://bit.ly/nerdwallet-podcast-survey To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 31, 2021 • 29min
The Psychology of Debt, and When to Refinance
On this episode, Sean and Liz discuss the psychology of credit card debt — why some people see it as useful and others call it "evil." Then they answer a listener's question about whether now is a good time to refinance, even if they just got the mortgage last year. Send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 24, 2021 • 26min
Buy Now, Pay Later Loans, and Getting Started Building Wealth
You’ve probably seen the offers when shopping online: Break up your purchase into smaller payments over a few weeks or months. But are buy now, pay later loans a good deal? Sean and Liz break it down. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to get started building wealth. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 17, 2021 • 33min
Big Purchases, and Overcoming Money Guilt
On this episode, Liz starts off by talking with credit card Nerd Sara Rathner about how to manage a big expense on a credit card — including how to earn the most points and avoid paying interest. Then Sean joins Liz to answer a listener’s question about overcoming money guilt. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 10, 2021 • 25min
Free Health Insurance, and Finding Scholarships
Sean and Liz break down how to find out if you’re eligible for free or lower-cost health insurance under the American Rescue Plan. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to find scholarships and make higher education more affordable. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices