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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Business
Investing
How To
401
Stock Market Shenanigans, and Talking About Mon...
33 min
402
Jackpot Windfall, and Extra COVID Cash
23 min
403
How to Buy a House in 2021
27 min
404
Buying Crypto, and Dealing with Debt
22 min
405
New COVID Scams, and Easy Money Moves
25 min
406
How You Can Achieve Money Goals in 2021
26 min
407
Spot fake reviews, and see if you're saving too...
We're off for the holiday break, so here's an episode from our archives. Learning how to spot fake online reviews can save you money. Speaking of saving, you shouldn’t avoid retirement accounts from a fear that you won’t be “liquid” enough....
21 min
408
What our listeners learned from the pandemic
2020 was a year of challenges — and opportunities. In this episode, listeners share the money lessons they learned over the past year, including why savings is more important than ever and the benefits of debt payoff. You know you have money...
24 min
409
Charitable giving, and using savings to pay stu...
Feeling charitable this holiday season? Use discretion as you choose where to give. Also, Sean and Liz answer a listener's question about whether to use savings to pay off student loans. You know you have money questions — so send them to the Nerds!...
24 min
410
Pandemic money lessons, and balancing saving fo...
Sean and Liz share what they learned about managing money during the pandemic. Then they answer a listener's money question about how to save for retirement while saving for a down payment on a house.  You know you have money questions — so...
21 min
411
What Biden may do for your finances and how to ...
Consumer protection will see a revival in 2021, but student loan forgiveness and pandemic relief are still question marks. Plus, what to do if you need to get your hands on some money (relatively) fast. You know you have money questions — so send...
26 min
412
The holiday shopping episode
How are you planning to shop this holiday season? According to our shopping Nerds, we’ll shop differently, but we’ll still shop. Many stores will be closed on Thanksgiving, but the Black Friday deals have already begun and many retailers are...
27 min
413
Holiday travel and giving money advice to family
The two things we should rethink this holiday season are travel and offering financial advice to family members. Either should be done cautiously, if at all. Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Email  or call or text the NerdHotline at...
26 min
414
Open Enrollment and HSA vs. FSA
Picking health insurance is a pain, but the right choice can save you serious cash. Also, a health savings account can be a great option if you can handle a high deductible health insurance plan, but it’s not for everyone. A traditional plan with a...
19 min
415
Finding financial stability and protecting your...
With the election, the pandemic and everything else that's happened in 2020, finding stability can be a challenge. Sean and Liz discuss how to make your money a source of security right now. Then, they answer a listener's money question about how to...
26 min
416
Beating burnout and the best college savings plans
Feel like you working longer and more draining hours during the pandemic? You're not alone. Liz and Sean share their tips to beat burnout. Then they answer a listener's question about how to choose the best college savings plan for their child with...
27 min
417
Retiring early and finding lost money
More Americans are retiring early, but not all of them are doing it the right way. And you may have long-forgotten money waiting to be claimed — here's how to find it.  To have your money question answered on a future episode, email  or...
24 min
418
Cut your tax bill, and how to choose the best i...
Looking to cut your tax bill? You have a few go-to strategies, but only a few months left to reduce what you'll owe next year. Also, the right investment platform depends on how you want to invest and how much help you need.  Want your money...
25 min
419
Unequal unemployment recovery, and whether to b...
Sean and Liz dig into what unequal unemployment recovery trends mean for our economy. Then they answer a listener's money question about whether it's best to buy a new or a used car.
34 min
420
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 their home, even if they just...
26 min
421
Used cars in short supply, and Shea Couleé talk...
Tight supplies and steady demand are driving up used car prices, but you can still save money. Speaking of saving money, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars is saving some of the $100,000 prize money to buy a house. Send us your money...
29 min
422
Fake reviews and saving too much
Learning how to spot fake online reviews can save you money. Speaking of saving, you shouldn’t avoid retirement accounts from a fear that you won’t be “liquid” enough. You typically can borrow or withdraw retirement funds in an emergency....
20 min
423
Investing while paying off 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...
12 min
424
Renters are struggling, and what to do with an ...
Renters are far more likely to be struggling in the pandemic than homeowners. Also, don’t put off a 401(k) rollover. If you want to move money out of an old employer’s plan, ask if your new employer will take it or consider rolling over to an IRA....
23 min
425
Buying local and emergency loans
Buying local could help a favorite small business survive the pandemic. Meanwhile, people who don’t have savings may be tempted to take out emergency loans to cover unexpected expenses. But these small dollar loans can come with high interest rates...
20 min