NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

The Supreme Court is getting closer to dashing or fulfilling folks’ dreams of student debt cancellation. This week, the justices heard arguments that will determine the fate of some 40 million student loan borrowers.

In this Money News episode of the podcast, Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski talk about what happened, which way the court might be leaning and what it means for you.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Airbnb used to be a go-to option for fun, one-of-a-kind lodging. Then the cleaning fees started stacking up. Are Airbnbs worth it anymore, or are hotels the better route to go? In this episode, host Sean Pyles talks with travel Nerd Sam Kemmis about how to decide between an Airbnb and a hotel.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Tax season is in full swing. And this episode, we’re taking on popular questions, including when you’re fine filing on your own — and when you might want to hire help. We also discuss why so many Americans who are eligible to file their taxes for free end up paying anyway. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 11:36 

Money Question segment: 11:37 - 36:45 

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Being the victim of identity theft can be traumatic, especially when your own mother is the perpetrator.

In this episode, personal finance Nerd Kimberly Palmer talks with Axton Betz-Hamilton, author of “The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity.” Betz-Hamilton talks about her experience being the victim of familial identity theft and shares tips on how to protect your identity — and how to recover if you are a victim. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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It’s time for some money hot takes. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz share their (maybe unpopular) opinions about personal finance topics. Sean goes off about why buy now, pay later loans aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. And Liz shares her thoughts on how the credit bureaus can fix the way they handle your data. 

Then they answer a listener’s money question about when you might have too many credit cards — and what to do about it if you do. 

Also, we want to hear how your life — and your money — changed since the COVID pandemic began three years ago. Whether you bought a house, had a life changing epiphany or your life is more or less the same, share your story with us for an episode we're working on. Leave a voicemail or text Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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There are many ways for Black women and mothers to invest to build wealth for their families. Choosing the one that fits best can be a challenge, especially when you have competing priorities. In this episode, we explore different methods to invest, including various retirement accounts and 529 college savings accounts, and how to decide whether to save for yourself or your children when money is tight.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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At a certain point in your relationship, merging your finances can feel like a natural step … or not.

To start this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk about why combining your finances with a partner isn’t always a great idea. Then Sean is joined by Nerds Liz Weston and Kim Palmer to answer a listener's question about how to manage multiple credit card accounts when merging finances.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 16:14

Money Question segment: 16:15- - 32:51

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Sometimes anger is the best response to finding out you’ve been deprived of an opportunity. The steps you take from there may require research – and trade-offs.

In this episode of our “Color of Wealth” series, personal finance Nerd Elizabeth Ayoola talks with Dasha Kennedy, founder of the financial advocacy group The Broke Black Girl, about how to balance emotions and building wealth.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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This month the Supreme Court will hear cases to decide the fate of those hoping for federal student debt cancelation. 

In this Money News episode of the podcast, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski give you the rundown on those cases — including whether debt cancellation is likely to be upheld and when you might have to restart payment on your student loans.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT are making headlines — but can they be trusted to give personal finance advice? To kick off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston have ChatGPT answer some common money questions. 

Then Liz and regular Smart Money host Sara Rathner answer a listener’s question about how to make money from investment properties.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Also, we are running a book sweepstakes ahead of our next Book Club episode! In February, we're talking with Axton Betz-Hamilton, author of "The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets and Stolen Identity,” a book about what happens when the person who steals your identity is a family member. 

To enter for a chance to win our book giveaway, send an email to podcast@nerdwallet.com with the subject: "Book Sweepstakes" during the sweepstakes period. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST on Feb. 16, 2023. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, ZIP code and phone number. For more information, please visit our official sweepstakes rules page.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:30 

Money Question segment: 10:31 - 36:31 

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Black women face distinct challenges when building wealth. So what can they do about it? To kick off this new series, “The Color of Wealth,” NerdWallet writer Elizabeth Ayoola talks with Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary about what Black women and mothers can do individually to grow their wealth.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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A no-spend month is a chance to retool your relationship with how you spend money — and tuck away some extra cash. To start this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk about how they’re approaching the no-spend-month challenge this year.

Then they answer a listener’s question about how to recover from damage to their credit, including how to land an apartment or get a car loan.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Also, we are running a book sweepstakes ahead of our next Book Club episode! In February, we're talking with Axton Betz-Hamilton, author of "The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets and Stolen Identity,” a book about what happens when the person who steals your identity is your own family member.

To enter for a chance to win our book giveaway, send an email to podcast@nerdwallet.com with the subject "Book Sweepstakes" during the sweepstakes period. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST on Feb. 16. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, ZIP code and phone number. For more information, please visit our official sweepstakes rules page.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:59 

Money Question segment: 11:00 - 22:53 

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Uncertainty is the new normal. So, what can you do about it? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles, Liz Weston and Sara Rathner talk about how to improve your financial resilience, including savings strategies, setting your mindset and leaning on your community.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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A number of high-profile companies have reported data breaches recently. That means we have to be extra vigilant to secure our information. To start this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk about the breaches and how you can protect yourself. 

Then they answer a listener’s question about how to catch up on retirement contributions — including whether you can open an LLC to contribute with no limits. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Also, we are running a book sweepstakes ahead of our next Book Club episode! In February, we're talking with Axton Betz-Hamilton, author of "The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets and Stolen Identity,” a book about what happens when the person who steals your identity is your own family member. 

To enter for a chance to win our book giveaway, send an email to podcast@nerdwallet.com with the subject: "Book Sweepstakes" during the sweepstakes period. Entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. PST on Feb. 16. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, ZIP code and phone number. For more information, please visit our official sweepstakes rules page.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:08 

Money Question segment: 10:09 - 28:14 

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What can the housing market of 1981 teach us about 2023? A lot, apparently. 

In this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk about what would-be home buyers and sellers should think about this year — including how the past can inform the present, whether a housing crash is imminent and how to navigate the new twists of the market in 2023.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Getting a hold of customer service representatives can be a nightmare. Working with them to actually solve your problems can be even less fun. To start this episode, Liz Weston and Sara Rathner talk about the art of complaining.

Then Liz and regular Smart Money co-host Sean Pyles answer a listener’s question about how to save for your kids’ future — whether they go to college or not.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:58 

Money Question segment: 10:59 - 28:11 

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The stock market had a rough year in 2022. But for the savvy investor, the market downturn meant a big opportunity. And that good fortune could continue in 2023. 

In this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk about investing in 2023, including the lessons of the past year, ideas for investing in a recession, and how to find the right investment tools for your financial goals.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Important changes are coming to how you can save for retirement — including one that will allow your student debt payments to count toward retirement contributions. 

In this episode, Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski run through the retirement benefits that were passed by Congress at the end of last year and when those changes go into effect.  

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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What are you doing to improve your money in the new year? If you’re not sure where to start, we have some ideas. To kick off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk through ways to start off the new year right financially.

Then they answer a listener’s money question about whether they should pay off their mortgage early — or just go on more vacations.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 11:25 

Money Question segment: 11:26 - 28:17 

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Setting money goals in the new year is a time-honored tradition. But ditching them after a month (or a week) is all too common. This year, use your values to guide your financial ambitions. In this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss how you can set goals you’ll actually keep in 2023 — and what to do if you still need ideas for your money this year. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Student loans are a tool, as well as a dreaded financial reality, for most Americans who attend college.

In this two-part Nerdy Deep Dive into student loans, Sean and student loans Nerd Anna Helhoski explore how taking on huge amounts of student debt has become the norm in America. They also discuss what’s shifting now in today’s student debt conversation. 

In Part 1, we trace the origins of student loan debt and how college got so expensive.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Going from a two-income household to a one-income household is not solely a financial challenge. But this change also creates opportunities to strengthen your relationship and set clear expectations. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz discuss how to manage finances in a one-income household.

Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s money question about using HSAs and FSAs. Both can cover health care expenses, but only one can be used as an investment vehicle. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:45 

Money Question segment: 10:46 - 21:17 

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A lot can happen to your finances in a year. Raises, curveball expenses, luxurious vacations. Each step along your money journey in 2022 has its own lesson. And in this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston look back at the year that was and celebrate what our listeners did with their money during the year — and what they’re most excited about in 2023. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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The Fed is poised to raise interest rates — again. To kick off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk about who’s actually hurt when the Fed raises rates and what you can do about it.

Then they answer a listener’s question about which budgeting apps are the best and whether you might want to use multiple budgeting apps to track your money. 

Also, next year, the Smart Money team wants to talk with you, on the podcast, to answer your money questions. We’ll be able to explore what’s really driving your money questions, provide even Nerdier information and help you make even smarter decisions with your money. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 8:59 

Money Question segment: 9:00 - 30:33 

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Talking about money doesn’t have to be boring. In this episode of our Nerdy Book Club series, NerdWallet writer Kimberly Palmer talks with former financial advisor Joe Saul-Sehy, co-author of “Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management” and co-host of “The Stacking Benjamins Show” podcast, about setting money goals, recovering from big financial mistakes and how to have a good time while figuring out your finances. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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The job market is strong — but thousands of workers have been laid off in recent months. So, what’s happening? And what does this mean for the labor market in 2023?

In this episode, Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski talk about the latest jobs report with NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter, including why the job market is so weird right now and what it means for you. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Credit card rewards programs might be on the chopping block in Congress. To start off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk with a credit card Nerd about what’s happening and what it might mean for your credit card rewards.

Then Sean is joined by personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer to answer a listener’s question about when to cancel a luxury credit card.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 11:29 

Money Question segment: 11:30 - 28:08 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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The 50/30/20 budget is a simple way to organize your finances. But as rent prices soar and inflation impacts everything from gas to groceries, does this budget still make sense? To start this episode, Sean and Liz discuss the merits — and limits — of the 50/30/20 budget.

Then they answer a few listeners’ questions about navigating company stock.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Also, for a special end-of-year episode, we want to hear your financial rose, thorn and bud of 2022 — aka the best and worst thing that happened with your money this year, and what you’re most excited for in the new year. Leave us a message on the Nerd hotline, or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. 

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 8:28

Money Question segment: 8:29 - 27:14

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Shockwaves rippled through the crypto world with the collapse of the crypto exchange FTX. To start off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss what happened — and what it might mean for your finances.

Then Sean talks with personal finance Nerds Kim Palmer and Kate Wood about how to grow your money quickly ahead of home improvement projects. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Also, for a special end-of-year episode, we want to hear your financial rose, thorn and bud of 2022 — aka the best and worst thing that happened with your money this year, and what you’re most excited for in the new year. Leave us a message on the Nerd hotline, or email podcast@nerdwallet.com. 

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 8:17 

Money Question segment: 8:18 - 30:50 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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Scammers alleging to help you cancel your student debt are coming for you — whether you actually have student debt or not. To kick off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston walk you through how to outsmart these fraudsters. 

Then Sean and Liz are joined by their regular co-host, Sara Rathner, to talk about how you can save for retirement when your employer makes you wait to access its retirement plan.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Also, we’re working on a special end-of-year episode — and we need your help. We want to hear your financial rose, thorn and bud of 2022. What does that mean? Share the best thing that happened to you this year, a struggle you encountered, and what you’re most looking forward to in the new year. 

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 12:21 

Money Question segment: 12:22 - 37:01 

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Is your bank holding out on you? If you haven’t checked on your savings accounts lately, you should — or risk losing out on money you could be earning. In this episode, hosts Liz Weston and Sean Pyles talk about how Liz discovered her supposedly high-yield savings account was anything but.

Then Sean is joined by personal finance Nerds Kim Palmer and Sara Rathner to discuss whether you should put your credit on the line to help a loved one by co-signing. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 6:08 

Money Question segment: 6:09 - 23:47 

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Fear can control your life — if you let it. And when it comes to financial fears, what haunts you can mean the difference between a life of prosperity and one of anxiety. 

To start off this episode, Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk about their financial fears — and how you can overcome your own. Then they answer a listener’s money question about whether they should get life insurance, even if they don’t have children.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:42 

Money Question segment: 10:43 - 27:18 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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Paying off student debt isn’t easy — even for a Nerd who writes about it.

In this episode of our “How the Nerds Do It” series, student loans Nerd Anna Helhoski talks about how she paid off her debt, the challenges she faced along the way and how you can find the fastest and most affordable way to resolve your student loans. 

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.

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Black Friday isn’t the shopping extravaganza it once was. With rolling deals from major retailers, you might be able to get the best price for items on your list weeks — or months — before Nov. 25 rolls around. To kick off this episode, Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski talk with personal finance Nerd Amanda Barroso about how to approach holiday shopping this year.

Then Sean hosts a roundtable discussion with the Travel Nerds about how you can find the best prices when traveling over the holidays, including whether it’s better to drive or fly and how to combat credit card point inflation.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 12:28 

Holiday Travel Roundtable: 12:29 - 34:52 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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Buying a house takes grit, know-how — and, frankly, a good amount of cash.

In this episode of our “How the Nerds Do It” series, mortgage Nerd Kate Wood talks about how she bought her first home, and why she almost fell for a house with a poisoned well. Kate also gives you her tips for buying a house, including the importance of finding a real estate agent whom you can trust. 

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.

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 It’s finally here: The application to cancel up to $20,000 of your federal student loan debt is live. 

In this episode, Sean Pyles is joined by student debt and breaking news Nerd Anna Helhoski to walk through the debt cancellation application in real time. They also talk about scams and when you can expect your debt to be canceled. 

Call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com to send the Nerds your money questions.

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Do you know where your passwords are? To start off this episode, Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the risks of peer-to-peer payment apps. Then they talk about the one thing you should do this month to protect yourself online.

In this episode’s money question segment, Sean and Liz Weston answer a listener’s question about when to sell stock — and when buy-and-hold might be too much of a good thing. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:05 

Money Question segment: 10:08 - 28:26 

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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Points or cash. Bargain hunting or splurging. Deep research or impulse booking. A lot can go into booking the perfect vacation. 

In this episode of our “How the Nerds Do It” series, travel Nerd Sam Kemmis talks through how he books his vacations and how you can get into the points game yourself. 

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.

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It’s time for some money hot takes. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz share their (maybe unpopular) opinions about personal finance topics. Sean goes off about why buy now, pay later loans aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. And Liz shares her thoughts on how the credit bureaus can fix the way they handle your data. 

Then they answer a listener’s money question about when you might have too many credit cards — and what to do about it if you do. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 12:33 

Money Question segment: 12:35 - 35:17

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

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Saving for retirement can be a challenge for anyone — even our Nerds. 

To kick off a new series called “How the Nerds Do It,” Sean talks with investing Nerd Alana Benson about how she maxed out her retirement account. Alana explains what finally made her able to invest and her unique strategy for funding her Roth IRA. She also gives tips to make the most of your retirement savings. 

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.

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The Fed has been in the news a lot lately, raising interest rates and causing recession fears. But what, exactly, do the interest rate hikes mean for various parts of your finances, like your savings and credit cards? We give you the rundown to start off this episode.

Then we answer a listener’s money question about how to choose a new bank — including how to find one that fits your family’s needs. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:02 

Money Question segment: 10:03 - 26:33 

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Sometimes checking things off your financial to-do list can be a real slog. If you find yourself procrastinating, know that you have plenty of company. 

To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how to overcome money procrastination. Then they answer a few recent listener questions about student debt cancellation. And in this episode’s money question segment, they talk about when to unfreeze your credit. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:41 

Money Question segment: 10:42 - 29:56

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As we head into fall, is your money where you want it to be? To start off this episode, Sean and Liz give you a few easy money tasks so you can end the year right.

Then they answer a listener’s money question about how to save enough money to retire — including when to start spending what you’ve saved up.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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The smart way to lose your money gambling, whether now is a good time to invest and how to manage a big financial gift. In the first-ever live episode of the podcast — recorded at a NerdWallet conference in Las Vegas this summer — Sean and Sara cover these topics and more.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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The dust is settling after President Biden announced his student debt cancellation and repayment plan. But there are still a number of unknowns. This episode, Sean, Liz and Sara talk about the latest debt cancellation news, including new scams that are popping up. 

Then they answer a listener’s question about the best way to set up their finances for long-term success. At the end of the episode, they give their tips for the best investments you can make in yourself. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Maxing out a 401(k) is a great step toward saving for retirement, but have you ever thought about front-loading your plan? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk with investing Nerd Alana Benson about the pros, cons and potential pitfalls of front-loading your employer-sponsored retirement plan. 

Sean and Liz also talk about how to protect your privacy from companies that want to (literally) track your every move. 

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373, or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Medical debt can be confusing and, for some, financially debilitating. In this episode of the Nerdy Book Club series, NerdWallet writer Kim Palmer talks with author Emily Maloney about her personal experience with the health care system — both as an ER worker and a patient. Maloney also sheds light on how quickly medical costs can spiral out of control. 

In her book of essays, “Cost of Living,” Emily Maloney shares how, after accumulating thousands of dollars of debt, she eventually gets free of it and suggests ways that those currently weighed down by medical debt can do the same. She also offers insight into the debt collection process in light of recent changes.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Disney theme parks are some of the most magical places on Earth. But vacation-wise, they can also be some of the most expensive. From tickets to lodging and food, you can easily spend thousands of dollars on a Disney trip. 

This episode, Sean and Liz talk with NerdWallet travel writer Sally French about how she booked her dream Disney vacation for cheap — and how you can, too.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Building wealth over your life takes planning — and know-how. This episode, Sean and Liz talk with Angel Grace, a DIY YouTuber who wants to set her family up for success over the long term by investing and saving for her son’s college education.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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You’ve heard of crypto, but do you really know what it is? Do you think you could explain it to a family member who is totally clueless about this newfangled digital money? 

In this episode, NerdWallet crypto writer Andy Rosen attempts to explain crypto to his aunt and uncle, including what drives its valuation, how the underlying technology works and what to consider before investing in any digital currency. 

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.

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