NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
Episodes
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...
From the archive: "What's the best way to rack up travel rewards quickly?"
20 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 tra...
From the archive: "How can I pay off my debt faster?"
06 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Happy New Year from the SmartMoney team!
30 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 yo...
How can I (actually) keep my new year’s money resolution?
16 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
What are your best tips to save on family holiday travel?
02 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Holiday travel can be expensive — especially if you’re traveling with family. But you have options to make the cost more manageable. In this episo...
Does Black Friday live up to the hype?
18 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 o...
Which accounts can make me the most money?
04 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
How much house can I afford?
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 paymen...
How can I pay off my debt faster?
07 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 pat...
How do I buy a used car?
23 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 NerdWalle...
How can my credit score save me money?
09 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 cou...
Should I refinance my student loans?
19 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
My prescription drug costs are wrecking my budget. What can I do?
05 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
What's the best way to rack up travel rewards quickly?
22 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 ca...
Am I saving enough for retirement?
08 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 Se...
Travel-Hack the Holidays
12 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Inside student loan scams
16 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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 te...
What's a side hustle and should I start one?
09 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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. Learn mo...
I want to invest. How should I start?
02 Aug 2017
Contributed by Lukas
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. L...
How to get out of debt: Interview with The Debt Free Guys
26 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
The Debt Free Guys, John Schneider and David Auten, reveal how they paid off over $50,000 in credit card debt, and the need for personal finance educa...
Is a travel credit card right for me?
19 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
From application, to acceptance, to acquiring and using points, NerdWallet card sharks share tips on finding the right rewards program. Learn more abo...
How do I prioritize my budget?
10 Jul 2017
Contributed by Lukas
Wants versus needs. Spending versus saving. You can have it all (even the fun stuff) by following a simple budget to direct your dollars wisely. Learn...