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. 9 HR AGO

    Santa’s New Helper: How AI Can Help You Wrap Up Your Holiday Shopping

    Learn how AI tools can help you brainstorm personalized gift ideas, compare options, and simplify your holiday shopping. How can AI help you save time and money? Should you trust AI for gift-giving advice? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski explore how artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT can streamline holiday shopping. Joined by NerdWallet experts Amanda Barroso and Kurt Woock, they offer actionable tips for integrating AI into your shopping routine while staying cautious about its limitations. They discuss how AI can generate gift ideas tailored to your budget and preferences, provide practical starting points for decision-making, and even organize comparisons in easy-to-read formats. In addition to the AI discussion, Tess and Anna recap the latest financial headlines, including the upcoming Black Friday Amazon worker strikes, the surprising drop in Thanksgiving dinner costs this year, and a rise in existing home sales as mortgage rates decline.  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: holiday shopping, AI shopping tools, Black Friday shopping, shopping with ChatGPT, using ChatGPT for holiday gift ideas, AI gift recommendations, online shopping, Christmas shopping, holiday sales, AI-generated gift ideas, personalized gift ideas, AI holiday planning, smart shopping with AI, time-saving holiday tips, and AI-driven gift ideas. 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.

    19 min

  2. 2 DAYS AGO

    Boost Your Income and Career: Negotiating Salary, Navigating Promotions and More

    Discover career growth strategies to boost your income, including negotiating raises, and navigating career growth and mentorship. What are some of the best ways to increase your income?  What are strategies for negotiating a higher salary and excelling in your current role?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson discuss career growth techniques and salary negotiation strategies to help you understand how to maximize your earnings and achieve financial stability. They begin with a discussion of the importance of increasing your income rather than solely focusing on cutting expenses, breaking down the long-term financial difference that seemingly small increases in your income can make over the course of your career.  Then, “The Job Doctor” Tessa White joins Alana to discuss how to excel in your current role and position yourself for promotions and raises within an organization. They discuss the necessity of understanding the true expectations of your role, measuring your contributions through tangible metrics and effectively communicating your value to your organization. Additionally, they explore the importance of informal mentorship and how to enhance your skills by observing and learning from those who excel in specific areas. In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: career strategies, income potential, salary negotiation, financial stability, career growth, job market, financial future, career success, career advancement, career coaches, raise negotiations, job offers, informal mentorship, skill enhancement, job promotion, financial goals, earnings increase, career metrics, value proposition, workplace visibility, career mentors, market value, career coach, industry experience, job stability, promotion strategies, income jump, salary bump, corporate growth, financial planning, income investment, and company red zones. 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

  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    Maximizing Employer-Provided Perks: A Guide to Your Benefits

    Understand employer-provided benefits, from dental and vision coverage to more unique perks like legal assistance. In the third and final episode of our special series on open enrollment, hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss the various benefits that employers offer during open enrollment season aside from health insurance. Liz speaks with Amber Clayton (Society for Human Resource Management) about dental and vision coverage, long-term care insurance, pet insurance, legal assistance, adoption assistance, gym memberships, mental health benefits, and more.  They offer tips for preparing for open enrollment and provide statistics on how common it is for certain benefits to be offered. In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: employer-provided benefits, benefits packages, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), open enrollment season, dental coverage, vision coverage, ACA Marketplace, healthcare.gov, supplemental coverage, long-term care options, gym memberships, mental health benefits, employee benefits, pet insurance, in-network providers, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, financial planning, legal assistance, employee assistance programs, financial wellness, tuition assistance, adoption assistance, student loan reimbursements, 529 plan payroll deductions, company swag, free snacks, matching charitable contributions, and employee retention and recruitment. 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

  4. 20 NOV

    Prediction Markets Let You Bet on Just About Anything — But There Are Risks

    Learn how prediction markets work, the legal gray areas in which they operate, and how they could be regulated in the future. What are prediction markets like PredictIt, Polymarket and Kalshi, and how do they work? Is it legal to bet on elections in the United States? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski welcome Sam Taube, the writer of the Nerdy Investor email newsletter, to break down how event contracts operate, explore the legal gray areas of election betting, and discuss whether prediction markets are a smart financial move—or just gambling in disguise. Then, Tess and Anna break down this week’s money headlines, including the latest inflation figures and what they mean for interest rates, the CFPB’s plan to enforce new click-to-cancel subscription rules, and Spirit Airlines’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. In this episode, the Nerds discuss: how prediction markets work, betting on elections, event contracts explained, investing vs gambling, election betting legality, gambling vs investing, Commodity Futures Trading Commission, event contracts legality, prediction market regulation, prediction markets news, event contracts explained simply, and Consumer Price Index. 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

  5. 18 NOV

    Online Banking vs Neobanks: Understand FDIC Safety and Protect Your Money

    Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:  Learn how to distinguish neobanks from traditional banks, understand FDIC insurance, and get tips for affordable holiday hosting. What is the difference between a neobank and a traditional bank? Is my money safe in an online bank or neobank? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how to distinguish a neobank from a traditional bank and ways to safeguard your savings, helping you understand what to look for in financial institutions. But first, they begin with a discussion of affordable holiday hosting, with tips and tricks on hosting a potluck, budgeting for extra food, and setting boundaries with overnight guests. Then, NerdWallet banking expert Spencer Tierney joins Sean and Sara to discuss the ins and outs of online banks and neobanks. They discuss how FDIC insurance works, what to look for in a neobank’s fine print, and the potential risks of using a neobank. Check out this episode on your favorite podcast platform, including: Apple Podcasts Spotify NerdWallet stories related to this episode: 8 Best Online Checking Accounts of 2024 How to Open a Bank Account Online in 4 Steps Best Free Checking Accounts of 2024 Have a money question? Text or call us at 901-730-6373. Or you can email us at podcast@nerdwallet.com. To hear previous episodes, go to the podcast homepage.

    27 min

  6. 14 NOV

    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

  7. 13 NOV

    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

  8. 11 NOV

    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
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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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