NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast NerdWallet Personal Finance

Learn why estate planning is important even if you don’t own a lot of assets, along with when to ask for professional help.

Why is estate planning important? 
What happens to your assets when you die without an estate plan? 

Hosts Sean Pyles and Dalia Ramirez discuss the essential aspects of estate planning and the common misconceptions that often deter people from creating an estate plan. They begin with a discussion of the critical importance of having a will, with tips and tricks on keeping updated records, managing assets and understanding the role of a will in preventing lengthy probate processes.

Then, RK Law PC Managing Attorney Regina Kiperman joins Dalia to discuss various tools and strategies available for effective estate planning. They discuss the importance of clearly identifying witnesses in a will, the scenarios where hiring an attorney is essential, and the necessity of advance directives, power of attorney and healthcare proxies. The conversation features actionable advice on managing your will and advance directives, highlights the emotional and financial relief that estate planning can offer surviving family members, and encourages proactive steps to ensure peace of mind for loved ones.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: estate planning, securing your legacy, family future, will preparation, protecting assets, probate process, estate plan importance, managing assets, reverse mortgages, Medicaid trusts, key life events, baby estate plan, retiring estate plan, property multiple states, proper documentation, estate planning tips, DIY estate planning, getting professional legal help, emotional relief, financial relief, surviving family members, avoiding probate, asset distribution, wealth management, creating a will, updating records, healthcare proxies, power of attorney, advance directives, legal issues, estate planning misconceptions, affordable estate planning, tax planning, Medicaid planning, business succession planning, contesting a will, trust funding, self-proving affidavit, and witness identification.

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 about the financial impact of beauty expenses, societal pressures behind them, and tips for managing beauty-related costs.

Are beauty purchases worth the financial stress? How do beauty-related expenses impact our budgets? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the rising costs of beauty products, services, and procedures and how they are leading to financial stress and debt among Americans. They explore the results of a recent survey that highlight the financial strain these expenses can cause and provide actionable tips on managing these costs. They also discuss the societal pressures driving beauty spending, from social media influences to the concept of “pretty privilege.”

Then, Sean and Anna break down this week’s financial headlines, including the impending student loan forgiveness deadline, a drop in construction of new homes, and Thursday’s presidential debate.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: beauty expenses, financial stress, beauty products, budgeting tips, beauty procedures, debt management, beauty survey, societal pressures, beauty spending, financial impact, cosmetic procedures, beauty purchases, social media influence, pretty privilege, budgeting beauty, beauty-related debt, skincare costs, hair care expenses, beauty services, managing beauty costs, cosmetic surgeries, self-care economy, beauty budget, financial planning, beauty spending trends, personal finance, debt for beauty, beauty treatments, beauty industry, financial wellness, cosmetic expenses, beauty product costs, and money management.

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.

Beat the financial heat with fun summer savings tips and get mid-year financial check-up strategies for a stress-free season.
Summer Activity Guide: What free things can you do to have a fun summer? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss summer money-saving tips to help you understand how to balance fun and finances during the warm months. They begin with a discussion of budget-friendly summer activities, offering tips and tricks on utilizing public facilities like pools and tennis courts, attending free outdoor events, and organizing potlucks with friends. 
Mid-Year Money Check-in: How can a mid-year money check-in help your finances? Shannah Game, host of the podcast Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, joins Sean to discuss the importance and practicality of reviewing your finances this summer. They discuss overcoming emotional and mental blocks about money, practical exercises like "Rose, Bud, and Thorn" and the "Why, Where, What, and How" framework, and recognizing how emotions influence financial decisions. They also discuss tactics for setting small, manageable financial goals, the significance of community support, and how you can scrutinize every expense to ensure it aligns with your values and propels you toward your financial aspirations.
Learn more about Everyone’s Talkin’ Money: https://everyonestalkinmoney.com/ 
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: summer savings, financial check-up, money-saving tips, affordable summer fun, mid-year financial tune-up, money management tips, summer budget, financial health, emotional money management, small financial goals, community support, transparency in finances, public pools, free outdoor events, budget-friendly potlucks, hiking, public libraries, free museum admission, second-run theaters, car insurance shopping, checking beneficiaries, cell phone savings, internet savings, down payment savings, emergency savings, financial milestones, financial aspirations, financial progress, self-care, financial empowerment, money goals, summer activities, and affordable entertainment.
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.

Discover how to navigate financial uncertainty in a creative career with insights from a jazz saxophonist's personal journey.
How can creative professionals manage financial uncertainty in their careers? 
What are the essential financial strategies for artists dealing with fluctuating income?
Hosts Sean Pyles and Abby Badach Doyle discuss the financial challenges in creative careers and strategies for overcoming them to help you understand how to thrive financially while pursuing your passion. They begin with a discussion of the unique financial hurdles faced by musicians, artists and writers, with tips and tricks on managing unpredictable income, the importance of saving and maintaining mental health amidst financial instability. 
Then, jazz saxophonist Roger Romero joins Abby to discuss his personal journey to a full-time music career. They discuss the support systems needed for a successful creative career, the logistics of managing seasonal income and advice for aspiring artists who are considering full-time careers pursuing their passions. Romero's insights provide valuable lessons on building a supportive community, continuously learning and developing skills, and the importance of financial planning for long-term success. 
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: thriving in the arts, creative careers, music industry, financial stability, navigating income swings, student debt, pursuing passion, artistic ambition, financial balance, creative journey, performing and teaching, continuous learning, music gigs, financial planning, supportive community, building a reputation, managing unpredictable income, mental health, financial challenges, seasonal income, saving money, tax season, professionalism, creative fulfillment, careers in music, supportive family, engineering to music, odd jobs, wedding band gigs, social media networking, music production, gear investments, teaching music, networking in music, and financial unpredictability.
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.

Understand the evolving definition of inflation, potential changes to medical debt reporting and their impact on your finances.
Why does the consumer’s perception of inflation differ from the economist’s perspective?
How does this shift in understanding impact our economy?
Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski talk about the gap between how regular people and economists talk about inflation and what this means for consumers. Chief Financial Correspondent at Axios and host of the Slate Money podcast, Felix Salmon, joins the show to discuss as well.
Then, they explore the proposed Consumer Financial Protection Agency rule to keep medical debt off credit reports to help you understand how this could impact your credit score and financial well-being. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of the evolving definition of inflation, the potential changes to medical debt reporting, and how these shifts could influence your financial decisions.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: inflation, medical debt, credit report, cfpb rule, consumer price index, economic impact, wage growth, financial news, inflation rate, credit score, debt reporting, financial advice, consumer perception, financial literacy, personal finance, economic trends, credit reporting agencies, election impact, financial podcast, smart money, debt management, economic discourse, financial wellbeing, inflation growth, finance tips, debt relief, money management, credit agencies, wage inflation, credit rules, debt collection, financial insights, money news, medical bills, credit impact, financial planning, debt impact
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.

What drives Mathew Knowles, respected record executive, entrepreneur, author, public speaker, and father to Beyonce and Solange? This special presentation of the podcast Earn & Invest delves into what drove him to succeed and how drive has been both a positive and a negative in his life.
The Earn & Invest podcast features thought-provoking conversations intended to empower you to earn and invest wisely, shaping your future while making informed decisions today. Every Monday, wide-ranging panel discussions explore various financial topics, fostering engaging conversations that challenge conventional wisdom and provide fresh perspectives. On Thursdays, Earn & Invest features individual interviews that offer deep insights from experts who share their experiences and expertise. The show's goal is to equip you with the essential questions necessary to navigate a richer path towards not only financial independence but living a life full of purpose, identity, and connections.
Listen to Earn & Invest wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at https://www.earnandinvest.com/