NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet’s objective finance journalists answer real-world questions empowering you to make smarter decisions with your money and help your finances thrive.


The Nerds are your resource to make the most of your personal finances, while cutting through the clutter and misinformation of today’s economic news and advice. You’ll get clarity on strategies to help you build your wealth, invest wisely, shop for financial products, and plan for major life events.


By the end of each episode, you’ll feel smarter and more informed to make the most of your finances. Future You will thank you.


Join hosts Sean Pyles, Sara Rathner, and other expert Nerds as they discuss everything personal finance, including:


- Credit cards: credit card rewards, different types of credit cards, credit card annual fees


- Investing and retirement: investment strategies, retirement planning, financial independence, investing in the stock market, money market accounts, financial strategies, mutual funds, short-term bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Roth IRA investing, robo-advisors, retirement savings


- Personal finance: budgeting methods, emergency funds, paying off debt, frugal living, money management tips, wealth accumulation, money habits, cultivating a money growth mindset, debt-free living, financial resources, budgeting apps and browser extensions, avoiding scams, tax bills, financial success and financial stability


- Banking: high-yield saving accounts, online banking, credit unions


- Loans: student loans, home equity loans, HELOC, student loan forgiveness


- Home: mortgage interest rates, homebuying, home improvement projects, homeowners insurance


- Insurance: travel insurance, pet insurance, auto insurance, home insurance


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, 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.


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351
How should I spring-clean my finances?
Don’t stop with your closets. Spring cleaning your finances can be just as satisfying, not to mention more lucrative. Whip your budget into shape, check your credit and make sure your investments are on track. As always, send us your money...
14 min
352
Help! I owe the IRS!
You were expecting a tax refund — but wound up owing money. Changing tax laws and the gig economy mean many taxpayers who traditionally got money back are now having to pay. Sean and Liz help a reader navigate paying a tax bill, as well as steps for...
14 min
353
Coronavirus Special Edition, Part IV: The CARES...
The economic stimulus package gave millions of student loan borrowers some important breaks, but people are confused about what they are and what they have to do. Sean and Liz get the scoop from student loan nerd Ryan Lane. As always, send us your...
14 min
354
Coronavirus Special Edition, Part III: Coronavi...
Nauseating drops in the stock market can be hard to endure, but most of us should try to do just that -- and even invest more, if we can. If you need the money within five years or you’re losing sleep, though, you might need to get at least some of...
10 min
355
Coronavirus Special Edition, Part II: Saving, B...
The coronavirus pandemic has scrambled people’s travel plans and their budgets. Here are the most important things to know now about emergency funds, spending plans and travel in the coming months. As always, send us your money questions! Email...
10 min
356
Coronavirus Special Edition, Part I: Mortgages ...
Mortgage rates dropped and then soared, making life difficult for people who wanted to refinance and buy homes. Mortgage and real estate Nerd Holden Lewis explains why that happened and what the future may bring. As always, send us your money...
11 min
357
How can I brace financially for coronavirus?
The economic impact of the novel coronavirus and the COVD-19 disease it causes is likely to be profound. Sean and Liz discuss how to cope with the potential financial fallout.  As always, send us your money questions! Email  or call or text...
13 min
358
My credit score randomly dropped — a lot. What ...
Unexpected credit scores drops are the worst -- especially when you’re trying to do everything right. Sean and Liz dig into the details of how credit scores work to help a reader whose scores dived seemingly without reason. As always, send us your...
13 min
359
What's the best way to save for a down payment ...
Many first-time home buyers wonder how to save for a down payment and where to put the money while they’re saving. Sean and Liz talk to mortgage and real estate authority Holden Lewis about the options. As always, send us your money questions! Email...
13 min
360
How can I get into the travel credit card point...
Want to get the most points from your travel credit card, but don't know where to start? We've got you covered. In this episode, Sean and Liz talk with travel Nerd Sara Rathner, who offers up her insider tips about how to get the most points from your...
14 min
361
Are Roth conversions a good idea?
Roth conversions can give you a big tax advantage in retirement, but they're not right for everyone. Sean and Liz talk with retirement Nerd Andrea Coombes to help you figure out if you could come out ahead with a Roth conversion. As always, send us...
10 min
362
What's the best way to do a spending fast?
A spending fast can help you save money — fast! The idea is to hit the pause button on non-essential spending for a set period, usually a month. Sean and Liz are veterans of spending fasts and have some tips for how they work, what to watch out for...
14 min
363
Should I invest or pay off my student loans?
Should you invest or pay off debt? This question can get especially tricky when you’re talking about investing in your company’s stock versus paying down your student loans. Sean and Liz help a listener who wants to know if she should exercise her...
11 min
364
How do we manage money as a couple?
Yours? Mine? Ours? Managing your money as a couple can be stressful, and there’s no one right way to do it. Sean and Liz offer some strategies for figuring out what will work best for both of you. As always, send us your money questions! Email or...
12 min
365
From the archive: "What's the best way to rack ...
We'll be back in a couple weeks. In the meantime, here's how you can use these winter months to rack up the credit card points to fund your summer travel. And be sure to send us your money questions! Call or text the Nerd Hotline at 901-730-6373, or...
10 min
366
From the archive: "How can I pay off my debt fa...
We'll be back in a few weeks, so here's an episode from our archives that can help you tackle your holiday debt. In the meantime, send us your money questions! Call or text the Nerd Hotline at 901-730-6373, or email . Talk to you soon!
12 min
367
Happy New Year from the SmartMoney team!
Thanks for a great 2019! We're taking a little holiday break but will be back in 2020 with loads of new episodes for you. In the meantime, send us your money questions! Text or call our Nerd Hotline at 901-730-6373, or email us at podcast@nerdwallet.com.
0 min
368
How can I (actually) keep my new year’s money r...
New Year’s money resolutions are common, sure. But keeping them is a whole different story. In this episode, Sean talks with Nerd Kim Palmer about the best tips that can help you actually achieve your money goals in the new year.
14 min
369
What are your best tips to save on family holid...
Holiday travel can be expensive — especially if you’re traveling with family. But you have options to make the cost more manageable. In this episode, Sean talks with travel Nerd Sara Rathner about how you can save on family holiday travel costs.
13 min
370
Does Black Friday live up to the hype?
Black Friday might seem like the best time to get the biggest deals of the holiday shopping season. But is the shopping extravaganza all it’s made out to be? The answer: Sometimes. In this episode we give you the tips to get the best holiday...
14 min
371
Which accounts can make me the most money?
You can make money just by putting your cash into the right account. Which account to choose depends on a few factors, though. In this episode, Sean talks with investing Nerd Arielle O’Shea about the best ways to make money off of cash you have...
13 min
372
How much house can I afford?
Think you’re finally ready to buy a home? Here’s how to know how much house you can afford with your budget, what you might need for a down payment, and how to think about the emotional aspect of homebuying.
14 min
373
How can I pay off my debt faster?
Want to pay off your debt fast? You can, with a bit of know-how. In this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston break down how you can find the payoff path that might work best for you and your debt.
11 min
374
How do I buy a used car?
Buying a used car can be confusing. Should you shop around a used car lot, or are the online classified ads a better route? With the help of NerdWallet car-buying whiz Philip Reed, that’s the debate Dayana and Sean settle this episode.
14 min
375
How can my credit score save me money?
Sure, you got a high credit score — but how can you make the most of it? Sean and Dayana talk with NerdWallet all-star Liz Weston to see how you could use your high credit score to save thousands of dollars.
13 min