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
501
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
502
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
503
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
504
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
505
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
506
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
507
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
508
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
509
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
510
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
511
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
512
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
513
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
514
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
515
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
516
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
517
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
518
Should I refinance my student loans?
Refinancing student loans might save you money — if you’re a good candidate. But that’s not the only way to help manage your student debt. In this episode Dayana and Sean get to the bottom of when student loan refinancing is a good idea, so you...
13 min
519
My prescription drug costs are wrecking my budg...
Having Type 1 diabetes can be expensive. Just ask Paloma Kemak, aka Glitter Glucose on Instagram, who pays over $1,000 a month for her insulin. Dayana and Sean talk with her about her experience living with diabetes and offer tips to help manage the...
12 min
520
What's the best way to rack up travel rewards q...
You can rack up travel credit card points quickly — if you know the right tips. In this episode, Sean and Dayana give you the inside scoop so you can earn points and miles fast to fund a vacation on credit card rewards.
9 min
521
Am I saving enough for retirement?
Here’s how to know if you’re saving enough for retirement — and what to do if you’re behind, or haven't even gotten started yet. Dayana and Sean explain easy steps to help you set aside a pot of gold to spend in your golden years.
9 min
522
Travel-Hack the Holidays
Want to make holiday travel a little less hectic? Dayana and Sean get the scoop from NerdWallet’s travel-hacking expert, Joe Cortez, to give you the insider tips to do just that. Learn how to cut lines, make the most of your Priority Pass and more.
12 min
523
Inside student loan scams
Are companies that offer to reduce or eliminate your debt legit? We hear Selina’s story about what happened with her $60,000 student debt and tell you how to get real help.
15 min
524
What's a side hustle and should I start one?
There are a lot of side gigs out there. (Nerds took some for a test drive!) Here’s how to tell which ones are worth it and which are scams.
12 min
525
I want to invest. How should I start?
We dive into the basics — getting financially ready, finding a good first investment, how to wade in safely and get over the fear of losing money.
13 min