NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast cover art
Podcast · 131 episodes

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, page 4

by NerdWallet Personal Finance · English

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/

All episodes, page 4

How to Balance Career Opportunity and Cost of Living (Plus: ChatGPT Ads Could Change How You Spend)In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss how to navigate career opportunities in the face of rising living costs.22 Jan 2026 · 39 min · 13 chapters
Banking in 2026: Best Banks to Consider and How to Avoid the Worst FeesBanking in 2026—how to choose the best high-yield savings account and avoid common banking fees as rates and consumer banking conditions ebb.19 Jan 2026 · 34 min · 22 chapters
Insurance in 2026: Best Auto, Home, Life, and Pet Insurance Picks—Plus a Wake-Up Call on Credit Card DebtThe episode covers (1) a wake-up call on rising credit card debt and how to pay it down, and (2) “insurance in 2026,” including why premiums are rising, how to shop for better rates, and NerdWallet’s…15 Jan 2026 · 34 min · 17 chapters
Credit Cards in 2026: Big Card Changes Are Rolling Out — Here’s What to Re-evaluate NowThe episode mixes “values-based spending” with a credit-cards explainer for 2026.12 Jan 2026 · 35 min · 21 chapters
Housing in 2026: Home Prices and Rates Are in Flux. Time to Make Your Move?Housing market outlook for 2026, focusing on how tariffs, Fed policy, labor-market cooling, and household financial fragility may affect inflation, mortgage rates, and home prices; plus practical…8 Jan 2026 · 36 min · 21 chapters
Investing in 2026: Fix Your Allocation Before the Next Market SwingInvesting outlook for 2026, emphasizing that markets are hard to predict, the role of diversification (especially beyond tech), and a practical checklist for improving allocations and accounts.5 Jan 2026 · 19 min · 9 chapters
How to Build Better Money Habits in 2026Kicks off NerdWallet’s 2026 series with how to build better money habits by aligning financial goals to personal values, then implementing them using the SMART (and “SMARTER” rewarded) goal…1 Jan 2026 · 24 min · 10 chapters
Ditch Your Money Trauma So You Can Live an Abundant Life (with Shannah Game)How to “ditch money trauma” by examining your money relationship (emotions, behaviors, childhood “money stories,” and body cues) and using practical steps to bridge the “goal gap” between what you…29 Dec 2025 · 38 min · 24 chapters
Managing Money in Your Marriage and How to Build Wealth Without a Side HustleMoney hot takes plus a listener question from a married couple about managing finances together and deciding how to use new “breathing room” after daycare ends; includes debate over debt, emergency…25 Dec 2025 · 39 min · 19 chapters
Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-BeingThis NerdWallet Smart Money episode focuses on untangling your relationship with money to improve mental and emotional well-being, plus practical guidance for someone recently laid off.22 Dec 2025 · 38 min · 20 chapters
How the 2008 Financial Crisis Changed Wall Street (The Big Short Companion Podcast from Against the Rules)How the 2008 financial crisis reshaped Wall Street, shifting risk-taking away from big investment banks, and the downstream effects on regulation, Bitcoin/crypto, and “narrow banking.”18 Dec 2025 · 35 min · 14 chapters
2025’s Money Year in Review and Travel Card Moves To Make NowNerdWallet’s Smart Money year-in-review for 2025, then a Smart Travel segment advising whether to keep or ditch multiple high-fee travel credit cards.15 Dec 2025 · 52 min · 29 chapters
Strengthen Your 2026 Financial Plan and Optimize TSP and 403(b) Accounts for HeirsNerdWallet Smart Money discusses Americans’ 2026 financial outlook, then answers a listener question about how to invest and pass on retirement savings held in a military TSP and a 403(b).11 Dec 2025 · 26 min · 15 chapters
Life’s Big Buys: Travel Splurges and When to Cut Retirement Savings for a Home Down PaymentThe episode mixes personal updates with a listener money question.8 Dec 2025 · 30 min · 25 chapters
Understanding 2026 Housing Pressure Points and Finding Your “Enough” Number for RetirementThe episode reviews 2025 housing trends and forecasts 2026 “housing pressure points,” then answers a listener’s question about CoastFI (coast toward retirement by reducing savings).4 Dec 2025 · 34 min · 23 chapters
Master Multiple Credit Cards Without Tanking Your Credit Score (Plus: Giving Tuesday Tips)Two-part episode. First, Giving Tuesday guidance: plan intentional charitable giving, research nonprofits using IRS filings/audits and avoid relying on admin-overhead ratios; consider giving together…1 Dec 2025 · 36 min · 23 chapters
Fix Emotional Spending Habits with Feel-Good Finance and Learn How to Manage Finances Post-Job LossEmotional spending habits and managing finances after job loss, including how to process money-related emotions, avoid shame, and make practical moves like using high-yield savings and choosing…27 Nov 2025 · 38 min · 22 chapters
Outsmart Black Friday Hype and Tackle Credit Card Debt with a Budget ResetBlack Friday deal skepticism and how to budget for the holiday season without going into debt; includes a “budget rehab” segment for a listener with credit card debt.24 Nov 2025 · 39 min · 27 chapters
Thanksgiving Savings You’ll Actually Notice and Tax Filing Tips for Common Law CouplesThis NerdWallet Smart Money episode has two parts. First, a Thanksgiving savings segment: Thanksgiving dinner is projected to cost $55.18 per consumer, about 5% less than last year (third straight…20 Nov 2025 · 25 min · 12 chapters
Generational Wealth Built from Scratch and an Emergency Fund on a DeadlinePart 2 of a two-part series on first-generation wealth builders, plus a listener question on rapidly building emergency savings before a likely job loss in January 2026.17 Nov 2025 · 40 min · 22 chapters
IRA Conversion Strategies and Reading Economic Signals During a ShutdownDuring a government shutdown, the episode explains how to read “alternate” economic signals (labor, layoffs, consumer sentiment, and quirky indicators like corrugated boxes/champagne/underwear).13 Nov 2025 · 23 min · 8 chapters
First-Generation Wealth Building and the Truth About Stablecoin YieldsThe episode is a two-part series. Part 1 focuses on first-generation wealth builders—people who are the first in their families to accumulate wealth—and how they pursue generational wealth through…10 Nov 2025 · 42 min · 20 chapters
Open Enrollment 2026: How to Choose Dental, Vision, Life and Disability (Plus: When to Refinance a Home)This NerdWallet Smart Money episode (part two of open enrollment) explains how to choose dental, vision, life, disability, and related supplemental insurance, plus when to refinance a home.6 Nov 2025 · 37 min · 19 chapters
Healthcare Open Enrollment Tips for 2026 and a Catch-Up Plan for RetirementPart of a two-part series on healthcare open enrollment for 2026, plus a Nerdy Book Club discussion about retirement planning for Gen X.3 Nov 2025 · 35 min · 12 chapters