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
Feb 5, 2025 • 3min
Introducing Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, a NerdWallet Podcast
Planning a vacation can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make your travel budget stretch further. Discover actionable tips and expert insights that’ll help you get the most bang for your buck. Plus, dive into the features of the Amazfit T-Rex 3 smartwatch, perfect for adventure lovers, and snag a special discount. Whether you're a seasoned traveler or just looking to save, these insights will set the stage for your dream getaway.
Feb 3, 2025 • 33min
The Price Isn’t Right: How to Stop Overspending and Stay Debt-Free
Join Amanda Barroso, personal finance writer at NerdWallet, as she shares insights on breaking free from overspending. Discover the concept of a no-buy year, a powerful tool for resetting spending habits and enhancing mindful consumerism. Learn practical strategies like setting clear spending rules, resisting impulse purchases, and the importance of financial therapy in combating debt cycles. The discussion also delves into the psychology of spending and practical measures to improve budgeting and achieve financial stability.
6 snips
Jan 30, 2025 • 30min
Is It Time to Leave Your Job? Tips for Smart Moves and Strategic Growth
In this insightful discussion, career switch coach and author Dawn Graham shares her expertise on assessing job satisfaction and knowing when it's time to make a change. She highlights the importance of identifying personal values and aligning them with career goals. Strategies for effective networking and communicating with supervisors about job transitions are explored. Dawn also emphasizes the emotional challenges of starting anew, urging proactive skill-building and confidence as key components in navigating career shifts toward success.
Jan 27, 2025 • 25min
Rising Insurance Costs and Choosing the Best Savings Account for Your Money
Caitlin Constantine, NerdWallet's home insurance expert, dives into the rising costs of home insurance driven by climate risks, offering practical tips for finding competitive rates. She highlights the struggles faced by homeowners in high-risk areas, particularly after disasters like wildfires. Savings expert Margaret Burnett clarifies the differences between high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts, discussing the pros and cons of each, while providing insights on maximizing savings. This conversation equips listeners with vital tools to navigate their financial future.
9 snips
Jan 23, 2025 • 24min
2025 Real Estate Trends: What Homebuyers and Sellers Need to Know
Holden Lewis, a NerdWallet mortgage reporter, shares his expertise on navigating the complex housing market of 2025. He discusses crucial tips for homebuyers in a high-rate environment, emphasizing the importance of mortgage pre-approval and budgeting for rising insurance costs. For sellers, Holden highlights the value of curb appeal and professional staging to attract buyers. The conversation also delves into broader trends, including the effects of 'rate lock-in' and new real estate agent commission rules, providing listeners with valuable strategies for buying and selling.
12 snips
Jan 20, 2025 • 28min
The Best Financial Products of 2025 and Investing in Collectibles
Discover the top financial tools for 2025, including a look at the best investment app, Fidelity. Learn how to choose the right mortgage lenders and maximize travel rewards with the leading credit cards. The discussion then shifts to the world of collectibles—can designer handbags or Magic: The Gathering cards be smart investments? Explore the risks and rewards of these non-traditional assets, including the importance of diversification and extensive research before diving in.
6 snips
Jan 16, 2025 • 25min
Simple Steps to Budget Better and Manage Credit With Confidence
In this discussion, Kim Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet, shares her insights on effective budgeting and responsible credit management. She outlines the flexible 50/30/20 budgeting method and stresses the importance of customizing strategies to fit individual needs. Kim delves into smart credit card use, emphasizing transaction monitoring and maintaining low credit utilization. The conversation wraps up with practical tips for managing debt and enhancing credit health, all essential for building a solid financial foundation for 2025.
Jan 15, 2025 • 31min
Disaster-Resistant Finances: What to Do Before and After Catastrophes
Join Caitlin Constantine, an insurance writer specializing in home coverage and disaster preparedness, along with Kate Bolger, a disaster recovery expert, as they dive into strategies for financial resilience in the face of natural disasters. Discover practical tips for preparing your finances, such as creating a home inventory and understanding insurance. They also tackle post-disaster recovery, discussing how to work with insurance companies, access aid from FEMA, and avoid scams. It's an essential listen for anyone looking to safeguard their financial future against climate impacts!
13 snips
Jan 13, 2025 • 27min
What to Know About Managing Money Before Traveling or Living Abroad
Explore money management strategies for travelers and expats, tackling the intricacies of credit card debt and international banking. Learn effective repayment tactics while navigating rising debt trends. Discover essential tips for managing finances abroad, including avoiding high fees and selecting the right credit cards. The conversation also dives into the emotional impacts of debt, focusing on proactive repayment and prioritizing financial goals. Finally, gain insights into navigating taxes and the benefits of professional assistance for expatriates.
9 snips
Jan 9, 2025 • 21min
From Meme Stocks to Index Funds: A 2025 Investing Guide
In this insightful discussion, Sam Taube, an Investing Nerd at NerdWallet, shares his expertise on investment strategies for 2025. He emphasizes the importance of balancing risk and reward in investing and offers practical tips for rebalancing your portfolio. The conversation highlights the significance of diversification to navigate market uncertainty, warns against common investment pitfalls, and explains how to recognize scam signals. Sam also introduces index funds and briefly touches on cryptocurrency as speculative options for the future.
