NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Big Purchases, and Overcoming Money Guilt

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Liz starts off by talking with credit card Nerd Sara Rathner about how to manage a big expense on a credit card — including how to ...

Holiday Shopping Trends, and Self-Employed Retirement Options

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s your plan for holiday shopping this year? To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about NerdWallet’s latest holiday shopping report, wh...

The Benefits of Being Boring with Your Money, and Why to Make a Will ASAP

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your money doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. To start off this episode, Liz Weston and occasional co-host Sara Rathner discuss the benefi...

3 Crypto Questions, and Improving Credit to Buy a House

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With crypto back in the news, you might be tempted to climb aboard the hype train. To start this episode, Liz and Sean talk through 3 questions you sh...

Holiday Shopping Scams, and Paying Off Law School Debt

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Scammers are cooking up new ways to swindle your money from you. Two of their tactics this year? Social media ads and hyper-targeted emails. To start ...

What People Get Wrong About Credit, and Self-Employed Budgeting

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Do you know the right way to manage your credit? To kick off this episode, Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner dig into a few common credit myths — and how ...

Finding a New Job, and Rent vs Buy in a New City

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

More people are leaving their jobs, but it’s important to set yourself up for success when looking for your next gig. To start this episode, Sean an...

Nerdy Deep Dives: Investing, Part 3

07 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s your risk tolerance? Investing always carries the risk of loss — but can also build your wealth. How you choose to invest may mean the diff...

Haggling Tips, and What's Driving Volatile Car Valuation

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Negotiating can save you money and help you earn more over the course of your career. To start off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston give their ...

Nerdy Deep Dives: Investing, Part 2

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve heard of stocks, bonds and mutual funds. But do you know how to use them to build wealth? In the second episode of our three-part deep dive i...

5 Financial Tasks for Fall, and Kid Debit Cards

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With fall officially here, how ready are you feeling for the final quarter of the year? Sean and Liz give you five financial tasks to take on this fal...

Nerdy Deep Dives: Investing, Part 1

23 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You know you should start investing, but do you know the best way to get started? In the first episode of a three-part deep dive into investing, hosts...

DIY Investing, and Lightning Round Money Questions, Part 2

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

DIY investing has had a splashy year, but it might not be right for everyone. To start this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk about DIY investin...

Lifestyle Creep, and Booking Cheap Travel

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lifestyle creep — where your growing expenses outpace salary increases — can deflate your budget and prevent you from building wealth. To start th...

Redlining, and the Credit Impact of Paying Off a Car Loan

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sean Pyles talks with mortgage writer Linda Bell about the legacy of redlining and the racial wealth gap. Then, Liz Weston and Sean a...

Delta Spending Habits, and Marriage vs Mortgage

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How has the delta variant of the coronavirus changed how you’re managing your money? To start this episode, Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk about h...

School Supply Shopping Tips, and Breaking Bad Money Habits

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With supply chain issues and uncertainty about whether classes will be in person, virtual or a hybrid, back-to-school shopping this year poses unique ...

Home Affordability, and Unmarried Partners Buying a House

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re jumping into the housing market, know what you’re getting yourself into. This episode, Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk with NerdWallet ...

Job Scams, and Maxing Out Roth IRAs

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

More Americans are job hunting, but more are falling for job scams, too. Liz and Sean talk about how to spot and avoid scams in the job market right n...

Getting Ahead of Your Next Money Crisis with Michelle Singletary

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s a matter of when — not if — you have a money crisis. No matter your financial circumstance, preparing for an emergency can help you make sm...

Health Insurance Deadline, and Getting the Best Car Insurance Rates

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

An important deadline looms for getting health insurance on the ACA exchanges. Liz and Sean discuss what you should know, even if you already have hea...

Rethinking Credit Reporting, and Lightning Round Money Questions

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Credit reporting is flawed. Liz and Sean discuss what the issues are and how they can be fixed. Then they answer a number of listener questions back t...

Combating Inflation, and Risks of Small Mortgage Lenders

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Inflation is on the rise, as your budget has surely noticed. This episode, Sean talks with investing Nerd Alana Benson about what’s happening and wh...

Saving at the Pump, and 401(k) Limits

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rising gas prices got you down? On this episode, Sean and Liz break down how you can save at the pump, including how to find the best prices and how t...

Midyear Money Check-In, and Managing Finances Abroad

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How are your 2021 money goals coming along? Now that we’re halfway through the year, Sean and Liz talk about how to do a check-in on what you want f...

Savings Tips, and Updates to the Child Tax Credit

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all want to save more money, but actually doing it can be a challenge. This episode, Sean and Liz share their favorite tips to make saving easier, ...

When Travel Insurance Is Worth It, and Buying an Electric Car

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With more travelers taking to the sky, should they be booking travel insurance? Liz and Sean discuss. Then they answer a listener’s money question a...

Crypto-Earning Credit Cards, and Short-Term Investing

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Credit cards are hopping aboard the crypto hype train, with some offering rewards in cryptocurrency. Sean, Liz and Sara discuss what they are and thei...

The Psychology of Debt, and When to Refinance

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ans...

Buy Now, Pay Later Loans, and Getting Started Building Wealth

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve probably seen the offers when shopping online: Break up your purchase into smaller payments over a few weeks or months. But are buy now, pay ...

Big Purchases, and Overcoming Money Guilt

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Liz starts off by talking with credit card Nerd Sara Rathner about how to manage a big expense on a credit card — including how to ...

Free Health Insurance, and Finding Scholarships

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sean and Liz break down how to find out if you’re eligible for free or lower-cost health insurance under the American Rescue Plan. Then they answer ...

Pet Scams, and Buying Different Home Types

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re in the market for a new pet, scammers may have you in their sights. Sean and Liz talk about avoiding common pet scams. Then they answer a ...

Air Travel, and Collections Accounts on Credit Reports

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

More travelers are taking to the sky as vaccines roll out. Sean and Liz discuss how to find affordable flights as ticket prices climb. Then they answe...

Cannabis Investing, and Too Much Cash

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Cannabis investing — specifically in ETFs — might seem like a savvy move to break into a budding industry. But there are unique risks to investing...

Retiring Early, and Finding Lost Money

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 — her...

Pandemic Savings Goals, and Taxes on Inheritance

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Find yourself saving more cash during the pandemic? On this episode, Sean talks with banking Nerd Chanelle Bessette about what people are doing with t...

Spring Cleaning, and COVID Taxes

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how they’re approaching spring cleaning their finances this year, including tidying up their digital lives....

Redlining, and the Credit Impact of Paying Off a Car Loan

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sean talks with mortgage writer Linda Bell about the legacy of redlining and the racial wealth gap. Then, Liz and Sean answer a liste...

Procrastination, and Paying Student Loans vs. Investing

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fear of making mistakes can fuel procrastination, but that can be costly when you’re putting off important money tasks. One task that may be OK to d...

Pandemic Debt, and Moving Costs

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sean and Liz discuss how to manage debt in our K-shaped economic recovery. Then they answer a listener's question about how to manage...

Saving at the Pump, and 401(k) Limits

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You may have noticed that gas prices are on the rise. On this episode, Sean and Liz break down how you can save at the pump, including how to find the...

Why to File Your Taxes Early, and Tapping Your Home's Equity

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Filing your taxes isn't fun, we get it. On this episode, Sean and Liz give you three reasons why to file early (including how it can save you money). ...

Money News You Missed, and the 50/30/20 Budget

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A lot happened at the end of 2020. Sean and Liz discuss news you might have missed about important changes that could affect college financial aid and...

Stock Market Shenanigans, and Talking About Money with Your Partner

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, Sean talks with investing Nerd Chris Davis about whether the GameStop frenzy will affect your retirement account. Then Sean and Liz a...

Jackpot Windfall, and Extra COVID Cash

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Suddenly find yourself the winner of a billion dollars? Sean and Liz discuss how you should think about your winnings — and other windfalls, like ta...

How to Buy a House in 2021

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wrapping up the #NewMoneyGoals series, Liz and Sean talk with home buying Nerd Holden Lewis about what would-be homebuyers need to know in 2021. Want...

Buying Crypto, and Dealing with Debt

18 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ever wanted to buy cryptocurrency? Well, on this episode you can live vicariously through Sean, who talks with Liz about his experience dabbling in Do...

New COVID Scams, and Easy Money Moves

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here’s how to recognize COVID-related scams and what to do if you’ve given out information you should not have, plus, small changes in your money ...

How You Can Achieve Money Goals in 2021

04 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What do you want to accomplish in 2021? This month, our #NewMoneyGoals bootcamp will set you up for success. To start, know how to craft — and actu...

Spot fake reviews, and see if you're saving too much

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're off for the holiday break, so here's an episode from our archives. Learn how to spot fake online reviews to save money. Speaking of saving, don...

What our listeners learned from the pandemic

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

2020 was a year of challenges — and opportunities. In this episode, listeners share the money lessons they learned over the past year, including why...

Charitable giving, and using savings to pay student loans

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 u...

Pandemic money lessons, and balancing saving for a down payment vs retirement

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 reti...

What Biden may do for your finances and how to make money

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 nee...

The holiday shopping episode

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Holiday travel and giving money advice to family

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The two things we should rethink this holiday season are travel and offering financial advice to family members. Either should be done cautiously, if ...

Open Enrollment and HSA vs. FSA

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ha...

Finding financial stability and protecting yourself from ID theft

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 yo...

Beating burnout and the best college savings plans

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Retiring early and finding lost money

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 — her...

Cut your tax bill, and how to choose the best investment platform

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 investm...

Unequal unemployment recovery, and whether to buy a new or a used car

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Sean and Liz dig into what unemployment trends mean for our economy. Then they answer a listener's money question about whether it's best to buy a new...

The psychology of debt and when to refinance

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ans...

Used cars in short supply, and Shea Couleé talks money

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Fake reviews and saving too much

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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’...

Investing while paying off student loans

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 payi...

Renters are struggling, and what to do with an old 401(k)

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Buying local and emergency loans

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Buying local could help a favorite small business survive the pandemic. Meanwhile, people who don’t have savings may be tempted to take out emergenc...

Pet costs and extreme couponing

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pets can cost a lot more than you think. Pet insurance can help, but it’s not for everyone. Likewise, extreme couponing can pay off for the most ded...

How to take advantage of lower rent and mortgage rates — and move safely

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, l...

Is it safe to travel right now, and how to handle a collections to improve credit

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Losing your health insurance, and setting financial goals

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Losing your health insurance can expose you to medical bills that could bankrupt you. Most people can get subsidized coverage through HealthCare.gov. ...

COVID impulse spending, and building credit while paying debt

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Spending more impulsively because of the pandemic? You’re not alone. Also, different debt payoff methods have their merits, but paying off small bal...

Tax returns are due, and how to get started creating wealth

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The wealth gap, and how to cope with variable rate student loans

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Discrimination affected wealth creation and opportunity in the U.S., leading to vastly different median incomes, unemployment levels and homeownership...

Setting money goals at milestone birthdays, and scoring big bucks with bank bonuses

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

What a recession economy means for you, and how to handle an inheritance

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The pandemic is changing our financial lives, and what to know about refinancing now

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 m...

Make your donations go further; Plan for new baby expenses

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 mon...

Is identity theft protection worth the cost?

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Can identity theft protection services really protect us from identity theft? No, but they can serve as an (expensive) early warning signal. Most peop...

Is Bitcoin a safe investment?

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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’...

I Got Laid Off! What Should I Do with My Retirement Fund?

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Getting your retirement account squared away is just one of the many tasks facing the newly unemployed, but it’s an important one. Rolling the money...

Where have all the 0% offers gone?

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 al...

How can I buy my first home in an expensive city?

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Being a first-time homeowner can be daunting, especially in a pricey market like Southern California. Chris Browning of the Popcorn Finance podcast ha...

Where's my coronavirus relief check — and how should I use it?

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

How should I spring-clean my finances?

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, c...

Help! I owe the IRS!

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ba...

Coronavirus Special Edition, Part IV: The CARES Act and Your Student Loans

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The economic stimulus package gave millions of student loan borrowers some important breaks, but people are confused about what they are and what they...

Coronavirus Special Edition, Part III: Coronavirus and Your Portfolio

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Coronavirus Special Edition, Part II: Saving, Budgeting and Travel

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The coronavirus pandemic has scrambled people’s travel plans and their budgets. Here are the most important things to know now about emergency funds...

Coronavirus Special Edition, Part I: Mortgages and the Market

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mortgage rates dropped and then soared, making life difficult for people who wanted to refinance and buy homes. Mortgage and real estate Nerd Holden L...

How can I brace financially for coronavirus?

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 pot...

My credit score randomly dropped — a lot. What happened?

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 credi...

What's the best way to save for a down payment on a house?

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

How can I get into the travel credit card points game?

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 wit...

Are Roth conversions a good idea?

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 Coo...

What's the best way to do a spending fast?

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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. Sea...

Should I invest or pay off my student loans?

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 payi...

How do we manage money as a couple?

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...