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NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast explores credit cards in 2026, discussing industry trends, buy now pay later options, rising fees, best credit card picks, and strategies for aligning credit card spending with personal values.
A comprehensive look at the 2026 housing market reveals potential opportunities for buyers with improving inventory, moderating mortgage rates, and strategies to make homeownership more accessible despite economic challenges.
A financial expert helps a listener explore her money beliefs, navigate a career transition, and develop strategies for saving and investing on a tight income while moving in with her partner.
A couple discusses how to prioritize their budget after daycare expenses end, exploring options like boosting emergency savings, saving for their child's future, and potentially financing a home addition.
After losing her job, a listener navigates health insurance options, manages expenses, and maintains a positive mindset while strategically searching for her next remote position.
Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola review 2025's top financial stories, including tariffs, stock market volatility, housing market challenges, and Fed rate cuts, while Smart Travel podcast hosts help Elizabeth evaluate her stack of high-fee travel credit cards.
Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explore balancing big life experiences with long-term financial goals, discussing Sean's wedding and honeymoon expenses, and whether it's smart to temporarily reduce retirement savings to save for a home down payment.
A look at the 2026 housing market reveals rising climate-driven insurance costs, shifting homebuyer demographics, and potential relief from mortgage rates stabilizing around 6%, while a listener explores Coast FI and retirement savings strategies with financial experts.
Hosts discuss how to donate effectively on Giving Tuesday and manage multiple credit cards without negatively impacting your credit score, featuring insights from experts on charitable giving and credit card strategy.
A financial therapist and NerdWallet writer discuss emotional spending habits, financial trauma, and strategies for improving one's relationship with money, followed by a deep dive into a listener's financial journey after job loss, exploring health insurance options, job searching, and maintaining financial stability.
A candid budget rehab session helps Shelby tackle credit card debt, explore balance transfer options, and strategize savings while managing high housing costs in Austin.
First-generation wealth builder Grace Vandecruze shares her inspiring journey from growing up with limited resources to building generational wealth through strategic financial planning, entrepreneurship, and a focus on financial literacy and insurance.
A dynamic podcast episode explores first-generation wealth building through the stories of entrepreneurs Ronnie Brown and Courtney Hale, and delves into the complex world of stablecoins and crypto investing.
A comprehensive guide to navigating open enrollment, covering dental, vision, life, disability, and supplemental insurance options, with expert advice on choosing the right coverage based on personal health and financial needs.
A comprehensive guide to navigating healthcare open enrollment for 2026, covering health plan selection strategies, retirement planning tips for Gen X, and key considerations for choosing the right insurance coverage based on individual health needs and financial situations.
A discussion on managing government shutdown scams and helping a fellow NerdWallet employee navigate household budgeting challenges with his spouse by exploring financial values, tracking expenses, and finding compromise.
Sean and Elizabeth discuss wedding and honeymoon budgeting, then dive deep into understanding credit reports with Amanda Barroso, walking through Sean's Experian credit report and explaining how to access free weekly credit reports from the three major bureaus.
A podcast episode exploring home-buying disclosure laws around paranormal activity and murders, followed by a deep dive into how to budget effectively for irregular expenses.
A couple discusses burnout, career changes, and the pros and cons of quiet quitting, featuring insights from a guest expert who quit her dream job without a backup plan.
The podcast discusses potential changes to stock market reporting requirements and explores strategies for teaching children about financial literacy through an interview with a listener mom.
In this episode of NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, the hosts and a guest challenge each other to spicy hot takes while eating progressively hotter hot wings, discussing unconventional financial perspectives ranging from the myth of saving money to the nature of cryptocurrency and consumer debt.
In a unique budget rehab episode, podcast hosts Sean and Elizabeth dissect their personal finances, revealing their spending habits, savings rates, and financial goals while offering insights into managing money stress and making smarter financial decisions.
Two NerdWallet podcast hosts candidly break down their personal budgets, revealing their income, spending habits, savings rates, and financial goals while sharing insights about managing money stress and making smarter financial decisions.
A deep dive into travel points and miles valuation reveals the best strategies for maximizing credit card rewards, airline miles, and hotel points across different programs like Chase, Amex, and Hyatt.
A detailed discussion of the potential government shutdown, its potential impacts on various federal services and programs, and a listener's question about investing and saving for retirement while pursuing personal financial goals.
The podcast discusses preparing finances for fall, covering topics like seasonal expenses, open enrollment, retirement contributions, holiday planning, and strategies for supporting aging parents with limited savings.
The episode discusses the potential AI stock bubble, with experts warning about market excitement and inflated valuations, while also exploring the current car market's high prices and considerations for car buying. The podcast breaks down the complexities of AI investments and provides insights into navigating car purchases in a challenging economic landscape.
In this episode of NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, Sean and Elizabeth discuss the importance of estate planning, explaining how creating a will and trust can help protect your assets and loved ones, and they also explore the nuances of informal lending between friends and family. The hosts provide practical advice on starting an estate plan, reviewing beneficiaries, and navigating family loans, emphasizing that these financial decisions are ultimately acts of love and care.
The podcast discusses the current trend of home mortgage refinancing, exploring why people are refinancing despite high interest rates, with a focus on cash-out refinancing for purposes like home renovations or debt consolidation. Later, the episode delves into target date funds, explaining how they work, their pros and cons, and providing advice for retirement investing based on a listener's question about optimizing their 401(k) target date fund.
Here's a two-sentence description for the episode: In this episode of NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, Michelle Norris shares insights on smart kitchen buying tips, discussing when to invest in quality items and when to opt for more budget-friendly alternatives. The podcast then features a listener consultation about switching banks, exploring the pros and cons of online banks, traditional banks, and credit unions, with advice on making a strategic banking transition.
Based on the transcript, here's a two-sentence description: In this episode of NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, hosts Sean and Elizabeth discuss the crucial financial conversations couples should have before moving in together, covering topics like income, debt, savings, and shared expenses. They also explore the rising prices of coffee and matcha due to climate change and tariffs, with insights from a news segment featuring Anna Hilhosky and Rick Van Der Kneife.
Here's a two-sentence description based on the transcript: In this episode of NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast, hosts Sean and Elizabeth discuss their August spending, highlighting the financial challenges of summer expenses like weddings, travel, and childcare. The episode also features a deep dive into banking verification issues, sign-up bonuses, and strategies for navigating potential banking blacklists with insights from banking nerd Margaret Burnett.
Here's a two-sentence description for the episode: In this budget rehab episode, NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast helps self-employed Garrett and his wife explore strategies for building their emergency fund, potentially transitioning to a single income, and maximizing their financial goals. Through a detailed review of their current budget, the hosts provide advice on reducing expenses, increasing income, and preparing for potential future changes in their family's work situation.
Understand how to assess when financial advisor fees are worth it and how to rethink personal finance rules that don’t serve you. What are the different financial advisor fees, and how can you decide if they’re worth it? Do you need to follow traditional budgeting and debt payoff rules to be financially successful? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola answer a listener’s question about how to navigate financial advisor fees. But first, personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer joins the show to share her conversation with Dana Miranda, author of You Don’t Need a Budget, about why certain traditional budgeting frameworks may not be the right fit for everyone. Dana offers tips on experimenting with spending plans, prioritizing comfort over rigid rules, and how to reframe emergency funds as tools for opportunity, not just crisis. Then, Sean and Elizabeth welcome James Bashall, financial advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners, to answer a listener’s question about financial advisor fees, from AUM-based and fixed-fee models to fiduciary vs. suitability standards. They explain what high and low fees look like, what credentials to look for in an advisor, and when paying a premium might actually bring peace of mind (or not). Take the Smart Money Podcast Listener Survey 2025 and enter to win a prize! https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management: https://nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/ Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: financial advisor fees, when are financial advisor fees worth it, fiduciary vs suitability standard, how much does a financial advisor cost, AUM fee structure, fee-based vs fee-only advisors, how to hire a financial advisor, certified financial planner vs financial advisor, financial advisor credentials CFP, what is a fiduciary, what is AUM, robo advisor vs human advisor, average financial advisor fee, high financial advisor fees, passive vs active investing, index funds vs mutual funds, how to choose a financial advisor, budgeting rules that don’t work, 50/30/20 budget rule, Dana Miranda budget book, alternative to emergency fund, comfort fund vs emergency fund, financial triage, how to compare financial advisors, intuitive spending, what is intuitive spending, understanding investment fees, best financial advisor structure, how to spot hidden advisor fees, shopping for a financial advisor, emotional benefits of financial planning, and pros and cons of robo advisors. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Understand how new tariffs may hit your wallet and whether premium credit card fees are still worth it. What do new U.S. tariffs mean for prices on everyday goods and cars? What should you consider when choosing a premium travel credit card? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the latest economic indicators and the changing landscape of credit card perks to help you understand how today’s macroeconomics and personal finance decisions intersect. Joined by news Nerds Anna Helhoski and Rick VanderKnyff, the team unpacks key insights from recent federal data drops. They begin with a discussion of the latest tariffs and economic reports, with tips and tricks on understanding how import duties impact consumer prices, why inflation could be on the rise again, and how job growth revisions may affect consumer sentiment. Then, credit card Nerd Melissa Lambarena joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss whether high-fee premium cards still deliver value. They cover how reward structures are changing, when it makes sense to downgrade instead of cancel, and how opening or closing a card affects your credit score. Take the Smart Money Podcast Listener Survey 2025 and enter to win a prize! https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Reserve Makes Big Changes: Higher Fee, New Rates, More Perks https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve-overhaul-june-2025 Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-preferred Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Potential One-Card Solution https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-freedom-unlimited American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum 5 Things to Know About the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/5-things-to-know-about-the-bank-of-america-premium-rewards-elite-credit-card Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: tariffs 2025, credit card downgrade effects, new credit card impact on credit score, consumer inflation trends 2025, unemployment report July 2025, core PCE inflation rate, job growth revisions BLS, credit card rewards explained, travel credit card comparison, high annual fee credit cards, credit card utilization ratio, closing credit card and credit score, 2025 economic outlook, de minimis exemption 2025, trade war impact on consumers, credit card strategy during inflation, interest rates and consumer debt, credit card perks vs cost, credit card churn risks, emergency fund importance 2025, how tariffs raise consumer prices, July 2025 consumer sentiment, credit card reward program changes, and economic uncertainty and spending. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Understand how new tariffs may hit your wallet and whether premium credit card fees are still worth it. What do new U.S. tariffs mean for prices on everyday goods and cars? What should you consider when choosing a premium travel credit card? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the latest economic indicators and the changing landscape of credit card perks to help you understand how today’s macroeconomics and personal finance decisions intersect. Joined by news Nerds Anna Helhoski and Rick VanderKnyff, the team unpacks key insights from recent federal data drops. They begin with a discussion of the latest tariffs and economic reports, with tips and tricks on understanding how import duties impact consumer prices, why inflation could be on the rise again, and how job growth revisions may affect consumer sentiment. Then, credit card Nerd Melissa Lambarena joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss whether high-fee premium cards still deliver value. They cover how reward structures are changing, when it makes sense to downgrade instead of cancel, and how opening or closing a card affects your credit score. Take the Smart Money Podcast Listener Survey 2025 and enter to win a prize! https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Reserve Makes Big Changes: Higher Fee, New Rates, More Perks https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve-overhaul-june-2025 Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-preferred Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Potential One-Card Solution https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-freedom-unlimited American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum 5 Things to Know About the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/5-things-to-know-about-the-bank-of-america-premium-rewards-elite-credit-card Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: tariffs 2025, credit card downgrade effects, new credit card impact on credit score, consumer inflation trends 2025, unemployment report July 2025, core PCE inflation rate, job growth revisions BLS, credit card rewards explained, travel credit card comparison, high annual fee credit cards, credit card utilization ratio, closing credit card and credit score, 2025 economic outlook, de minimis exemption 2025, trade war impact on consumers, credit card strategy during inflation, interest rates and consumer debt, credit card perks vs cost, credit card churn risks, emergency fund importance 2025, how tariffs raise consumer prices, July 2025 consumer sentiment, credit card reward program changes, and economic uncertainty and spending. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices