NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Elizabeth Renter, a NerdWallet data journalist and senior economist, joins car buying authority Shannon Bradley to tackle economic uncertainty and its impact on auto purchases. They discuss whether now is the right time to buy a car amid fluctuating tariffs and market instability. Tips include assessing your financial situation, understanding market trends, and managing news consumption. Listeners learn about the implications of ownership decisions and tools to analyze financing options, ensuring they can navigate the current chaotic landscape confidently.

Lisa Green, a NerdWallet writer and seasoned rental property owner, joins the hosts to share her insights. They tackle post-vacation budgeting strategies, including tips for cutting back on spending and resetting financial goals after a trip. Lisa also reveals the ins and outs of rental property management, discussing the choice between DIY management and hiring professionals. The conversation highlights the challenges of passive income, tax considerations, and the realities of becoming a landlord with practical advice and personal stories.

In this discussion, credit cards expert Melissa Lambarena shares her wisdom on navigating the complexities of travel credit cards. She reveals what the recent U.S. credit downgrade means for personal investments and how it could impact borrowing costs. The conversation also covers when to reconsider high-fee travel cards and how to assess their true value. Listeners get tips on minimizing credit score impacts and optimizing benefits like lounge access. It's all about making informed financial choices in uncertain times!

In this engaging discussion, Lisa Green, a NerdWallet writer and rental property expert, shares her insights on the challenges of managing rental properties from afar. She and host Sean Pyles dive into the pros and cons of selling versus renting a home when relocating. Listeners learn tips for long-distance landlording, including hiring property managers and maintaining a financial cushion. They also explore maximizing rental income, tax benefits, and smart strategies for withdrawing from various accounts to fund a new down payment.

Discover how stagflation can impact your financial future and the key indicators to watch for. The hosts dive into whether life insurance is still necessary even with substantial wealth. Get insights on adjusting your savings strategy in uncertain times and the importance of monitoring inflation. A listener joins to discuss insurance coverage, the benefits of umbrella insurance, and how to tackle college savings for three kids. Tune in for expert advice on evaluating life insurance and making informed financial decisions.

Ross Anderson, founder of Kraftwerk Capital and co-host of Check Your Balances, shares sharp insights on navigating uncertain financial times. He dives into the value of maintaining 401(k) contributions, even amid job security fears. The discussion covers practical investment strategies like dollar-cost averaging and the FIRE movement, even for late starters. They also explore retiring abroad, emphasizing potential international tax hurdles and the need for proper financial planning. Tune in for actionable advice to safeguard your financial future!

Anna Helhoski, a senior news writer at NerdWallet, joins the hosts to tackle the complexities behind 'Made in the USA' labels. They delve into how tariffs shape consumer prices and the challenges of identifying truly domestic products in a global market. The conversation then shifts to practical advice on managing finances for home repairs. They discuss how to choose between high-yield savings and money market accounts, smart savings strategies, and the importance of financial flexibility when juggling multiple home repair costs.

Learn how to navigate job loss and reshape your money mindset to feel more in control — emotionally and financially. What should you do with your money after losing a job? How can you feel better about money and stop stressing about finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss managing job loss and improving your relationship with money to help you understand both the practical and emotional sides of financial well-being. NerdWallet writer Kim Palmer joins the show to share her conversation with Aja Evans, a financial therapist and author of Feel-Good Finance: Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being. They discuss money taboos and financial trauma, with tips and tricks on how to open up about money, build healthier habits, and understand your emotional triggers. Then, Bri, a listener from Chicago, joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss navigating job loss and making tough financial decisions. They discuss how to choose between COBRA and marketplace health insurance, when to consider tapping savings or debt, and how to balance job search priorities without derailing your financial future. They also share smart strategies for cutting spending, staying motivated with rewards-based goals, and deciding what to do with old retirement accounts. Learn more about NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast Book Club: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/bookclub  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: job loss finances, what to do after losing a job, COBRA vs marketplace insurance, unemployment benefits, high-yield savings accounts, emotional spending, financial trauma, money shame, how to budget after layoff, unemployment job search tips, how to choose health insurance after job loss, rollover retirement account, how to talk about money, financial therapy, coping with job loss, 50/30/20 budget rule, rebuilding emergency funds, how to negotiate salary, unemployment and freelance work, how to cut spending fast, when to tap retirement savings, mental health and money, money mindset, smart budgeting strategies, financial stress relief, marketplace health insurance, spending triggers, navigating layoffs, unemployment and part-time work, personal budgeting goals, rebuilding after job loss, job loss recovery plan, financial therapy techniques, affordable health insurance options, rolling over 401(k), money taboos, improving financial habits, saving during unemployment, and the emotional impact of job loss. 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

In this discussion, economist Elizabeth Renter from NerdWallet delves into the implications of a shrinking GDP and the potential signs of a recession. She, alongside health insurance expert Kate Ashford, provides keen insights on effectively managing Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), especially during employer contribution changes. They tackle crucial aspects like HSA rollovers, tax implications, and common pitfalls. Additionally, the conversation touches on the effects of inflation and tariffs on consumer behavior, painting a vivid picture of today's economic landscape.

Learn smart ways to budget for your wedding and how to navigate tipping expectations without overspending. What money lessons did you learn from your mom? How can you budget for a wedding without overspending — especially when your family is helping with costs? Sean and Elizabeth discuss the financial values we inherit and the realities of modern wedding planning to help you reflect on your own money habits and make smart spending decisions. They begin with a discussion about the money lessons they learned from their mothers, including the importance of saving consistently, using money to support joy and values, and balancing financial security with family priorities. Then, Lauren Kay, executive editor at The Knot, joins Sean and Elizabeth to answer listener Colleen’s questions about budgeting for her upcoming wedding. They explore how to prioritize spending when you're working with a fixed contribution from family, how to approach tipping vendors — especially when they own their own businesses — and which costs can easily catch you off guard. Whether you're in the middle of planning or just curious about the financial side of weddings, this conversation is packed with real talk and actionable insights. Download the free NerdWallet app to get help with your budgeting: https://click.nerdwallet.com/3687710914/smpc  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: wedding budget tips, how to budget for a wedding, wedding tipping guide, who to tip at a wedding, how much to tip wedding vendors, budgeting for wedding expenses, saving for a wedding, splitting wedding costs with parents, tipping wedding vendors who own a business, cost-effective wedding planning, prioritizing wedding spending, how to stay under wedding budget, budgeting for a honeymoon, wedding spreadsheet tips, wedding transportation etiquette, managing family wedding contributions, early retirement inspiration, financial values from parents, learning about money from mom, budgeting lessons from childhood, saving and spending balance, how to use money to bring joy, wedding cost in urban areas, budgeting for a reception, how to cut wedding costs, tips for affordable weddings, tipping musicians at weddings, wedding vendor contracts, tipping etiquette weddings, wedding planning checklists, and wedding planning tools from The Knot. 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