NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

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.


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How To
476
How to take advantage of lower rent and mortgag...
August is shaping up to be another record month on the mortgage front. Here’s what it means for you. And if you want to move apartments right now, look at your goals and know how to move safely. As always, send us your money questions! Email...
20 min
477
Is it safe to travel right now, and how to hand...
Air travel brings you in close contact with others, sometimes for hours. A road trip may be a better option. Also, handle old collection accounts with care. Paying an old debt typically doesn’t help your credit, and may lead to a lawsuit. As always,...
28 min
478
Losing your health insurance, and setting finan...
Losing your health insurance can expose you to medical bills that could bankrupt you. Most people can get subsidized coverage through HealthCare.gov. Also, setting financial goals requires thinking about what’s most important to you and then making...
31 min
479
COVID impulse spending, and building credit whi...
Spending more impulsively because of the pandemic? You’re not alone. Also, different debt payoff methods have their merits, but paying off small balances first can help your credit. As always, send us your money questions! Email  or call or...
19 min
480
Tax returns are due, and how to get started cre...
The IRS has payment plans if you can’t pay what you owe on July 15. Also, the steps to building wealth are simple, even if they’re not easy: spend less than you earn and save or invest the difference. As always, send us your money questions! Email...
21 min
481
The wealth gap, and how to cope with variable r...
Discrimination affected wealth creation and opportunity in the U.S., leading to vastly different median incomes, unemployment levels and homeownership rates. Also, people with variable-rate student loans can struggle to predict what their future...
17 min
482
Setting money goals at milestone birthdays, and...
As you approach your 30s, 40s or beyond, let the milestone birthday be an excuse to set some new money goals. Also, some banks will pay you to open a new bank account, but you need to look beyond the bonus to see if you’ll pay more in fees or...
21 min
483
What a recession economy means for you, and how...
In this episode, Sean and Liz give tips for managing your finances in a recession. Then they answer a listener's money question about how to handle an inheritance — and whether you owe any taxes on it. As always, send us your money questions! Email...
20 min
484
The pandemic is changing our financial lives, a...
In this episode, Sean and Liz discuss survey results that show how money habits are changing as a result of COVID-19. Then, they answer a listener's money question about whether home improvement projects can help home refinancing odds — and if...
21 min
485
Make your donations go further; Plan for new ba...
In this episode, Sean and Liz start off by discussing how you can make your donations to social causes go further. Then, they answer a listener's money question about how to plan for expenses as a new parent. Kim Palmer, a Nerd with a lot of...
21 min
486
Is identity theft protection worth the cost?
Can identity theft protection services really protect us from identity theft? No, but they can serve as an (expensive) early warning signal. Most people should first consider some free ways to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, such as credit...
22 min
487
Is Bitcoin a safe investment?
People who invest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies need to be ready for a wild ride. Values can soar and plunge, plus there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back. Cryptocurrency is more of a gamble than an investment, and shouldn’t be...
21 min
488
I Got Laid Off! What Should I Do with My Retire...
23 min
489
Where have all the 0% offers gone?
It used to be easy for people with good credit scores to get 0% balance transfer offers. As lenders pull back, those with credit card debt may need alternative plans to deal with their balances. As always, send us your money questions! Email or call...
15 min
490
How can I buy my first home in an expensive city?
Being a first-time homeowner can be daunting, especially in a pricey market like Southern California. Chris Browning of the Popcorn Finance podcast has questions about what to expect, and he turns to the Nerds for some answers. As always, send us your...
19 min
491
Where's my coronavirus relief check — and how s...
Most American adults are eligible for government relief checks of $1,200, but many are still waiting for their money — plus the usual advice about what to do with a windfall doesn’t apply in a crisis. Sean and Liz discuss how to find out where...
14 min
492
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
493
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
494
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
495
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
496
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
497
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
498
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
499
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
500
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