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NerdWallet’s trusted finance experts 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 mil ...
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Learn what’s causing egg prices to rise so dramatically, then explore ethical investing and how to manage savings wisely. Are ESG investments really as ethical as they claim to be? What’s the smartest way to put extra savings to work? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss ethical investing and savings strategies to help you make informed fi…
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Learn how behavioral biases impact your investments and what a “good” return from your portfolio looks like. How do behavioral biases affect your investing decisions? What kind of returns should you expect from your investments? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss common psychological traps investors fall into and how to set realistic exp…
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Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are here to answer your biggest financial questions and help you take control of your money. On NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast, our trusted finance experts break down real-world money challenges, giving you clear, actionable strategies to build wealth and reach your financial goals. Each episode cuts t…
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Understand the financial pros and cons of marriage, from taxes to credit scores, and how it impacts your future. Is the economy as bad as people think it is? How does your spouse’s credit and debt affect your finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss marriage and money to help you understand the financial implications of tying the kno…
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Learn how values-based spending can help you curb impulse buys, avoid financial blindspots, and rethink your money habits How can you stop impulse spending? How do you know if you’re making good financial choices? This episode explores mindful spending and financial habits that may be holding you back. Personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer kicks off the…
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Learn what a CFBP shutdown could mean for consumers, plus how to financially manage a cross-country move — including whether to rent or sell your home. What happens if the CFPB is shut down? Should you sell or rent out your home when moving to a new city? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the financial decisions involved in relocating, …
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Learn how debt affects dating, plus expert advice on retirement planning for business owners navigating succession and savings. When does debt become a red flag in the dating world? How can business owners best plan for retirement? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss a new NerdWallet survey revealing how financial responsibility impacts r…
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Get the latest on tariffs, federal spending and the CFPB shake-up — plus answers to your travel credit card and Roth IRA questions. What tariffs has President Trump implemented? What’s the best travel credit card for earning rewards and perks? How do you open a Roth IRA and choose investments? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the lates…
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Do you need a vacation from planning your vacation? Before you budget, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars with Smart Travel, debuting Wednesday, February 12. NerdWallet’s trusted travel experts, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, are here to help your travel dollars work even harder. But the travel Nerds don’t just make recommendation…
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Break free from debt cycles and rethink your spending habits with tips on no-buy challenges and financial therapy. How can you stop falling into a cycle of paying off debt, only to rack it back up again? What is a no-buy year, and how can it help you control your spending? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss strategies for breaking unheal…
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Learn how to decide if it’s time to change jobs or careers and understand how to strategize before you make a big career move. How do you know if it’s time to leave your job? What steps should you take before making a big career move? Host Sean Pyles talks to author and SiriusXM host Dawn Graham about how to evaluate your current job satisfaction a…
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Learn how rising climate risks impact home insurance costs and compare high-yield savings against money market accounts. How can you protect your home and finances as climate disasters increase? Should you choose a high-yield savings account or a money market account? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss rising home insurance costs and how to …
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Learn how to navigate the 2025 housing market with tips for buyers and sellers facing high rates, prices and tight inventory. What steps can you take to buy a home in a high-rate market? How can you prepare your home to sell for the best price? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how buyers and sellers can navigate the 2025 housing market des…
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Learn how to pick the best financial tools for investing, mortgages, and travel rewards to meet your personal goals. What are the best financial tools for investing, mortgages, and travel rewards in 2025? Should you invest in collectibles like designer handbags? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss top-rated financial tools for achieving your …
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Learn how to create an effective budget and manage credit responsibly to build a strong financial foundation for 2025. How can you create a budget that works for you? What are the best ways to use credit cards responsibly? NerdWallet personal finance expert Kim Palmer joins host Sean Pyles to discuss budgeting strategies and smart credit management…
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Learn how to prepare financially for natural disasters with practical tips on planning, saving, and post-disaster recovery. How can you financially prepare for a natural disaster? What should you do to recover financially afterward? Host Sean Pyles and NerdWallet insurance writer Caitlin Constantine discuss the financial impact of climate change an…
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Learn actionable strategies to tackle credit card debt and ways to manage your money while traveling or living abroad. How can you manage your money while living abroad? What are the best strategies to pay off credit card debt? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss managing finances while living outside the US and practical tips for tackling cr…
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Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode: Learn how to balance risk and reward in your investments, rebalance your portfolio, and avoid common investing pitfalls. How can you manage risk and reward when investing? What are the best strategies for rebalancing your portfolio for 202…
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Learn how to budget irregular income, set sustainable financial goals, and curb mindless spending for a better 2025. How do you create a budget when you're paid in large, irregular chunks of income? What are practical ways to curb unnecessary spending and stick to financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how to break down irregula…
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Learn how to tackle financial regrets, set achievable money goals, and make 2025 your best year financially. How can you avoid repeating your biggest financial regrets this year? What are simple steps to improve your savings and spending habits? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss financial regrets and practical resolutions to help you take c…
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Hear an actual financial planning session where a CFP advises a listener on transforming her budget and spending habits. Magda Doemeny, a certified financial planner from the NerdWallet Advisors platform, gives a listener specific advice to improve their finances (advice given on behalf of Nerdwallet Advisors, not NerdWallet). Brinker, the listener…
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Learn how to assess your net worth, compare it wisely, and build a financial strategy to meet your long-term goals. What is net worth, and how do you calculate it? How can you use it as a tool to set realistic financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how to define and calculate net worth, why it’s normal to have a low or negative …
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Learn how to avoid holiday shopping pitfalls and quickly improve your credit, with ideas for restoring your credit. How can you avoid overspending during the holidays? How can you can help your credit score recover after missed payments? Can rental payments be reflected on your credit reports? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss optimizing yo…
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Learn how to tackle credit card debt, build savings, and decide between debt payoff and investing for financial growth. How can you pay off credit card debt faster and smarter? When should you prioritize paying off debt over investing your money? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss credit card payoff strategies and building an emergency fund …
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Learn how financial scammers exploit emotions and how you can protect your finances from their latest tactics. How can you protect your money from online scams? What steps can you take to safeguard yourself from financial deception? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the harrowing tale of Judith, a 79-year-old who fell victim to a sophis…
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Discover how to embrace “lazy” money management, maximize Roth IRA contributions and fix over-contribution mistakes. How can you passively grow your money? What should you do if you over-contribute to a Roth IRA? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss lazy money-management strategies and Roth IRA over-contribution fixes to help you stay on top o…
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Learn how to think about major homebuying decisions like shopping for title agencies, managing home equity, and when to buy a house with cash. How do you choose the right title agency for your home purchase? Should you buy a house outright with your savings or take on a mortgage? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the pros and cons of these …
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Learn the pros and cons of layaway and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and how to choose the best option for holiday shopping. What is the difference between layaway and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)? Which payment option is better for holiday shopping? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss these two financing tools, how they work, and which might be th…
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Learn how to refinance your mortgage, manage credit card debt, and navigate home equity with practical tips and strategies. When is the right time to refinance a mortgage? How can you use a HELOC or home equity to your advantage? Hosts Sean Pyles, freshly returned from time off to focus on the CFP exam, and Sara Rathner discuss mortgage refinancing…
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Learn how to diversify investments, leverage tax-advantaged accounts, and set realistic goals for long-term financial growth. How can you diversify your investment portfolio and reduce risk? What are the best ways to save and grow $44,000 in seven years? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss investment strategies and realistic goal setting to h…
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Learn how tariffs affect prices, inflation, and manufacturing, plus tips to prepare for potential new economic changes. What are tariffs, and how do they affect your wallet? What would President-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs mean for consumers, the economy, and inflation? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski dive into the complexities of tari…
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Learn how to maximize Southwest Companion Pass benefits and how to plan effective charitable giving to make your donations count. How can you get and use the Southwest Companion Pass? What’s the best way to plan charitable giving to make the most impact? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss travel savings and effective philanthropy to help you…
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Celebrate 2024’s Financial Turkeys as we spotlight the year's biggest money blunders and share tips to avoid them yourself. Why are grocery prices so high in 2024? What are ghost jobs and how do they affect job seekers? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner roast the year’s “Financial Turkeys” (pun intended), spotlighting the biggest money misfortunes …
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Learn how AI tools can help you brainstorm personalized gift ideas, compare options, and simplify your holiday shopping. How can AI help you save time and money? Should you trust AI for gift-giving advice? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski explore how artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT can streamline holiday shopping. Joined by NerdWall…
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Discover career growth strategies to boost your income, including negotiating raises, and navigating career growth and mentorship. What are some of the best ways to increase your income? What are strategies for negotiating a higher salary and excelling in your current role? Hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson discuss career growth techniques and sala…
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Understand employer-provided benefits, from dental and vision coverage to more unique perks like legal assistance. In the third and final episode of our special series on open enrollment, hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss the various benefits that employers offer during open enrollment season aside from health insurance. Liz speaks with Amber…
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Learn how prediction markets work, the legal gray areas in which they operate, and how they could be regulated in the future. What are prediction markets like PredictIt, Polymarket and Kalshi, and how do they work? Is it legal to bet on elections in the United States? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski welcome Sam Taube, the writer of the Nerdy …
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Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode: Learn how to distinguish neobanks from traditional banks, understand FDIC insurance, and get tips for affordable holiday hosting. What is the difference between a neobank and a traditional bank? Is my money safe in an online bank or neoban…
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Preparing for Worst-Case Scenarios: Choosing the Right Insurance Policy to Protect Your Income
37:04
It's open enrollment season, and a great time to explore coverage options to protect your income, such as life insurance and disability insurance. Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss the importance of insurance coverage, highlighting statistics around how many people are underinsured or lack adequate coverage. To dive deeper into different type…
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Explore life insurance as an investment tool, understand variable and infinite banking, and consider complex insurance choices. What’s the right life insurance policy for you? What is “infinite banking” and how hard is it to set up? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the intricacies of life insurance as both a protective measure and a financ…
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Learn how Donald Trump's economic plans could influence inflation, taxes, and your finances as he prepares to enter a second term in office. How will Donald Trump's economic policies affect inflation and prices? What impact could Trump's tax plans have on Americans’ finances? In a special edition of Money News, hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski…
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Expert Nerds talk through the complexities of open enrollment, starting with ways to assess healthcare plans and costs. This episode takes a deep dive into specific terminology and scenarios relevant to choosing health insurance coverage. Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston start with an overview of open enrollment period timelines for November and Dec…
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Learn why life insurance isn't a substitute for a 401(k) and how to spot reliable financial advice on social media. Is life insurance a better investment than a 401(k) for retirement? How can I tell if financial advice from TikTok influencers is reliable? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive deep into the latest viral finance advice circulati…
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Learn the pros, cons, and methods of rolling over retirement accounts to simplify your finances so you can avoid costly mistakes. How can you budget smarter for the holidays? Does it make sense to combine retirement accounts from previous jobs into one? What are the benefits and drawbacks of different rollover options? Hosts Elizabeth Ayoola and Sa…
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Learn how women can excel at investing, overcome financial challenges, and build wealth with practical strategies. What does it mean to invest like a girl? How can women start investing and overcome financial challenges? Hosts Sean Pyles and Kim Palmer discuss gender differences in investing and practical strategies for women to build wealth. Kim i…
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Learn how your spending compares to others in your generation using insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual Consumer Expenditure Survey. How does your spending compare to other people your age? Are you saving enough compared to others in your generation? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski are joined by NerdWallet’s Senior Economist …
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Get tips for saving money on Halloween costumes and decorations, plus how to leverage credit cards when making big purchases. How can you use credit cards to maximize rewards when making big purchases? What are some ways to save money on Halloween costumes? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss saving money on Halloween costumes and decorat…
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Learn how the presidential candidates' policies on health care and student loans differ in how they could impact your finances. What impact could presidential policies have on health care and student loans? How might these policies affect your personal finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss health care costs and student loan forgivene…
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Learn the key differences between sports betting and investing, plus tips for managing the financial risks of gambling. How is sports betting different from investing in the stock market? What are the financial risks and benefits of sports betting versus stock market investing? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive into the booming sports bett…
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Learn how to navigate job changes, maximize retirement benefits, and celebrate personal and financial accomplishments. How should you navigate job changes when it affects your retirement benefits? What options do military spouses have for saving for retirement? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss managing unvested retirement funds to help you…
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