NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet Personal Finance
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NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet’s objective finance journalists answer real-world questions empowering you to make smarter decisions with your money and help your finances thrive. The Nerds are your resource to make the most of your personal finances, while cutting through the clutter and misinformation of today’s economic news and advice. You’ll get clarity on strategies to help you build your wealth, invest wisely, shop for financial products, and plan for major life events. By the end of each episode, you’ll feel smarter and more informed to make the most of your finances. Future You will thank you. Join hosts Sean Pyles, Sara Rathner, and other expert Nerds as they discuss everything personal finance, including: - Credit cards: credit card rewards, different types of credit cards, credit card annual fees - Investing and retirement: investment strategies, retirement planning, financial independence, investing in the stock market, money market accounts, financial strategies, mutual funds, short-term bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Roth IRA investing, robo-advisors, retirement savings - Personal finance: budgeting methods, emergency funds, paying off debt, frugal living, money management tips, wealth accumulation, money habits, cultivating a money growth mindset, debt-free living, financial resources, budgeting apps and browser extensions, avoiding scams, tax bills, financial success and financial stability - Banking: high-yield saving accounts, online banking, credit unions - Loans: student loans, home equity loans, HELOC, student loan forgiveness - Home: mortgage interest rates, homebuying, home improvement projects, homeowners insurance - Insurance: travel insurance, pet insurance, auto insurance, home insurance You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Preparing for Worst-Case Scenarios: Choosing the Right Insurance Policy to Protect Your Income

    It's open enrollment season, and a great time to explore coverage options to protect your income, such as life insurance and disability insurance. Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss the importance of insurance coverage, highlighting statistics around how many people are underinsured or lack adequate coverage. To dive deeper into different types of coverage, Liz welcomes Insurance Nerd Ryan Brady and John Ryan, founder and CEO of Ryan Insurance Strategy Consultants, to explain various types of insurance. In this episode, they talk about life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D) insurance, and disability insurance, and explore the nuances of employer-provided life insurance and supplemental insurance. Plus: the complexities of disability insurance, comparing short-term and long-term coverage, and the interplay between employer-provided disability insurance, individual disability insurance, workers' compensation, and Social Security.  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: life insurance, disability insurance, workplace benefits, financial needs, income protection, supplemental insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance (AD&D), disability coverage, short-term disability, long-term disability, employer-provided disability insurance, choosing an insurance policy, workers' compensation, Social Security, insurance complexities, income safeguards, accidental death insurance, dismemberment insurance, critical illness insurance, hospital indemnity coverage, and pre-existing conditions clauses. 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.

    37 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Navigating Life Insurance Choices: Investing, Variable Policies, and Financial Growth

    Explore life insurance as an investment tool, understand variable and infinite banking, and consider complex insurance choices. What’s the right life insurance policy for you? What is “infinite banking” and how hard is it to set up? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the intricacies of life insurance as both a protective measure and a financial instrument to help you understand its potential for investment and financial growth. NerdWallet insurance pro Lisa Green joins Sean and Sara to explain term life insurance and more complex life insurance options, such as variable life insurance, and the concept of “infinite banking.” They discuss the nuances of investing extra money into the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy, highlighting guaranteed interest rates versus market risks, and who might benefit from these types of policies. Additionally, they delve into the infinite banking concept, explaining how it works, the financial discipline it requires, and potential pitfalls. This episode is designed to help listeners navigate their life insurance choices and create a balanced financial plan. In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: term life insurance, permanent life insurance, life insurance investment, life insurance premiums, variable life insurance, infinite banking, cash value life insurance, life insurance strategies, life insurance options, term vs permanent life insurance, life insurance costs, life insurance benefits, financial planning, life insurance risks, borrowing against life insurance, financial growth, investing in life insurance, high-yield investments, insurance market risks, life insurance for smokers, funeral expense insurance, and financial security. 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.

    26 min

  3. 4 DAYS AGO

    Trump’s Economic Playbook: Get Clarity on Inflation, Taxes, and More

    Learn how Donald Trump's economic plans could influence inflation, taxes, and your finances as he prepares to enter a second term in office. How will Donald Trump's economic policies affect inflation and prices? What impact could Trump's tax plans have on Americans’ finances? In a special edition of Money News, hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive into the financial implications of President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. They unpack Trump's proposed economic agenda, covering key areas like inflation, tariffs, taxes, and interest rates, and examine what these could mean for the American economy and your wallet. They also discuss what his policies on energy production, housing, and immigration could mean for your finances. Stay up to date with the latest financial news from NerdWallet: https://www.nerdwallet.com/h/news/financial-news  In today’s episode, the Nerds discuss: Trump economic policies, Trump inflation plan, Trump tax cuts, taxes, Trump tariffs,Trump interest rates, Trump and the Federal Reserve, inflation under Trump, Trump fiscal policy, tax cuts under Trump, how tariffs could impact consumers, Trump financial promises, economic impact of Trump policies, how tariffs affect prices, Trump credit card interest cap, consumer prices, and fiscal policy changes in the US. 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.

    16 min

  4. 7 NOV

    Open Enrollment: Choosing a Healthcare Plan (HMO, PPO, FSA, HSA, HDHP and More)

    Expert Nerds talk through the complexities of open enrollment, starting with ways to assess healthcare plans and costs. This episode takes a deep dive into specific terminology and scenarios relevant to choosing health insurance coverage. Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston start with an overview of open enrollment period timelines for November and December 2023 before welcoming guest Nerd Kate Ashford to explain deductibles, premiums, HMOs, PPOs and HDHPs.  Then, NerdWallet’s Tina Orem joins the show to discuss the pros and cons of high deductible plans and the intricacies of Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and both Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). In the second half of this episode, she zeroes in on selecting optimal health insurance for individual needs, discussing the merits and disadvantages of different health plans, budgeting for healthcare, and how to compare the benefits of an FSA and an HSA. In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: open enrollment, health insurance options, healthcare choices, high deductible plans, premiums, health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs), optimal health insurance, HMOs, PPOs, HDHPs, health insurance budgeting, FSA vs HSA, the use it or lose it rule, health insurance decision-making, health insurance terminology, healthcare strategies, health plan selection, medical costs, and types of health insurance coverage. 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.

    33 min

  5. 6 NOV

    Life Insurance as an Investment? We Fact-Check the TikTok Trend

    Learn why life insurance isn't a substitute for a 401(k) and how to spot reliable financial advice on social media. Is life insurance a better investment than a 401(k) for retirement? How can I tell if financial advice from TikTok influencers is reliable? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive deep into the latest viral finance advice circulating on TikTok. With influencers claiming that life insurance is a better investment than a 401(k), investing Nerd Alana Benson joins the show to break down the facts. She explains the critical differences between life insurance policies and retirement accounts like 401(k)s, debunks false claims from influencers, and highlights hidden fees and conflicts of interest that you may miss when seeing financial trends in your social media feed.  In addition to the TikTok trend, Tess and Anna cover some of the latest money headlines, including the GDP growth report for Q3, the October jobs report, and upcoming decisions from the Federal Reserve on interest rates.  Here are NerdWallet's top picks for whole life insurance policies: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/find-best-whole-life-insurance Anxious about the election? Find our special series on how presidential policy could impact your finances at https://nerdwallet.com/podcast In this episode, the Nerds discuss: life insurance vs 401k, TikTok finfluencers, life insurance investment, 401k vs life insurance investing, personal finance tips, retirement planning, social media influencers in finance, financial advice on TikTok, life insurance pros and cons, 401k benefits, how to choose life insurance, spotting bad financial advice, avoiding bad financial advice, financial mistakes to avoid, is life insurance a good investment, TikTok finance myths, financial advice for millennials, and whole life insurance. 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.

    13 min

  6. 4 NOV

    Retirement Rollover Ready? Rules, Risks, and Rewards of 401k and IRA Transfers

    Learn the pros, cons, and methods of rolling over retirement accounts to simplify your finances so you can avoid costly mistakes. How can you budget smarter for the holidays? Does it make sense to combine retirement accounts from previous jobs into one? What are the benefits and drawbacks of different rollover options? Hosts Elizabeth Ayoola and Sara Rathner begin the episode with a discussion of holiday budgeting, offering tips and tricks on avoiding impulsive spending, setting clear financial priorities, and the importance of delayed gratification. Then, hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss retirement account rollovers and key considerations to help you streamline your retirement savings and avoid penalties. They begin with a discussion of rollover basics, with tips on direct vs. indirect rollovers, how to avoid unexpected costs, and how to choose between an IRA and a Roth IRA. Credit Card Nerd Jae Bratton joins Sean and Sara to discuss her own experiences with retirement rollovers. They discuss the pros of consolidating accounts, the financial security it can offer, and how to choose the right investment options to suit your retirement goals. Interested in consolidating your old retirement accounts? Our investing writers broke down the best IRA accounts for hands-on or hands-off investors: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/investing/ira-accounts And the best Roth IRA accounts categorized by online brokers or robo-advisors: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/investing/roth-ira-accounts  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: holiday budgeting, retirement rollovers, financial management, impulsive online shopping, retirement account rollovers, direct rollovers, indirect rollover, IRS penalties, Roth 401k, Roth IRA, 403b, traditional IRA, tax compatibility, retirement savings, financial priorities, budgeting tips, holiday spending mistakes, investment flexibility, IRA options, consolidating accounts, retirement planning, contribution limits, managing finances, budgeting strategies, simplifying retirement accounts, retirement account consolidation, and financial goals. 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.

    31 min

  7. 31 OCT

    Why Women Outperform When Investing — And How You Can, Too

    Learn how women can excel at investing, overcome financial challenges, and build wealth with practical strategies. What does it mean to invest like a girl? How can women start investing and overcome financial challenges? Hosts Sean Pyles and Kim Palmer discuss gender differences in investing and practical strategies for women to build wealth. Kim interviews Jessica Spangler, author of Invest Like a Girl: Jump into the Stock Market, Reach Your Money Goals and Build Wealth, about the ways women tend to excel at investing, including taking time to make investment decisions, avoiding rash choices during market downturns, and focusing on long-term goals. They discuss strategies for eliminating high-interest debt, creating a budget that works for your lifestyle, and choosing the right mix of stocks and bonds for personal goals. In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: investing for women, how to invest, gender differences in investing, women and investing, investing for beginners, investing in stocks, building wealth, investing like a girl, stock market basics, financial literacy, sustainable investing, index funds, money management tips, compound interest, fractional shares, how to build wealth, stock market tips, investment portfolio, investing for the long term, long-term investing strategies, short-term financial goals, net worth calculation, and time horizons for investing. 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.

    30 min

  8. 30 OCT

    Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers — Are You Spending Like Your Generational Peers?

    Learn how your spending compares to others in your generation using insights from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual Consumer Expenditure Survey. How does your spending compare to other people your age? Are you saving enough compared to others in your generation? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski are joined by NerdWallet’s Senior Economist Elizabeth Renter to break down the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. They dive into how income and spending patterns shift across generations, from Gen Z to the Silent Generation, and discuss average income peaks, the changing ratio of spending to income, and how generational differences in housing, healthcare, and food expenditures reflect larger economic trends. Enter your monthly after-tax income into NerdWallet's free budget calculator to create a suggested budget: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/nerdwallet-budget-calculator Then, Tess and Anna touch on key money headlines from the week, including updates to IRS tax brackets and deductions for 2025, the CFPB’s action against Apple and Goldman Sachs over Apple Card customer service failures, and the 50th anniversary of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, which gave women the right to access credit without a man’s signature. In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey, generational spending habits, income-to-spending ratio, peak earning years, fixed income for retirees, healthcare spending by generation, food spending across generations, retirement savings trends, Gen Z spending habits, baby boomer financial challenges, millennials saving for retirement, housing costs by generation, transportation spending, food away from home trends, discretionary spending, debt in retirement, social security income, average income by age group, and generational wealth. 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.

    15 min
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NerdWallet’s objective finance journalists answer real-world questions empowering you to make smarter decisions with your money and help your finances thrive. The Nerds are your resource to make the most of your personal finances, while cutting through the clutter and misinformation of today’s economic news and advice. You’ll get clarity on strategies to help you build your wealth, invest wisely, shop for financial products, and plan for major life events. By the end of each episode, you’ll feel smarter and more informed to make the most of your finances. Future You will thank you. Join hosts Sean Pyles, Sara Rathner, and other expert Nerds as they discuss everything personal finance, including: - Credit cards: credit card rewards, different types of credit cards, credit card annual fees - Investing and retirement: investment strategies, retirement planning, financial independence, investing in the stock market, money market accounts, financial strategies, mutual funds, short-term bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Roth IRA investing, robo-advisors, retirement savings - Personal finance: budgeting methods, emergency funds, paying off debt, frugal living, money management tips, wealth accumulation, money habits, cultivating a money growth mindset, debt-free living, financial resources, budgeting apps and browser extensions, avoiding scams, tax bills, financial success and financial stability - Banking: high-yield saving accounts, online banking, credit unions - Loans: student loans, home equity loans, HELOC, student loan forgiveness - Home: mortgage interest rates, homebuying, home improvement projects, homeowners insurance - Insurance: travel insurance, pet insurance, auto insurance, home insurance You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

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