NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast NerdWallet Personal Finance

Brittney Reynolds explains how sharing her finances publicly on social media helped her get out of debt and develop a new community.
What are the benefits of sharing your finances publicly? 
How is social media changing the way people talk about money? 
Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the rise of financial transparency on social media and its impact on community building to help you understand the power of vulnerability in achieving financial freedom. 
Sean speaks with Brittney Reynolds, who candidly shared her journey of getting out of debt to her audience on TikTok, where she currently has more than 90,000 followers. They discuss the trend of people publicly sharing their financial journeys on social media platforms like TikTok, with tips and tricks on reducing debt shame, fostering supportive online communities, and navigating the pressures of content creation post-debt payoff. They also discuss the sense of class solidarity that comes from such vulnerability and how the online community champions transparency and authenticity in the pursuit of managing money.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: personal finance, social media, financial freedom, credit card debt, debt repayment, community building, financial transparency, financial journey, money management, budgeting, saving money, debt payoff, financial struggles, credit card interest, financial openness, class solidarity, online communities, digital storytelling, financial shame, managing money, debt-free, personal finances, financial exposure, brand deals, influencer marketing, savings goals, money taboos, social media influence, money secrecy, financial vulnerability, financial authenticity, and financial solidarity.
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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Writer, producer, and actor Felicia Day shares her financial journey working in Hollywood, with tips for managing your budget when gigs are inconsistent.
What Is Your Time Worth?
How do you value your time outside of work? 
How can you manage finances in an unpredictable career like acting? 
Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the concept of time valuation to help you understand how to balance personal worth against income. They begin with a discussion of time valuation, offering insights on the average hourly value people place on their time, the impact of this valuation on life decisions and assessing the value of unpaid personal tasks. 
06:10 Interview with Felicia Day
Sean speaks with Felicia Day about the financial strategies she employed to maintain an unstable career in Hollywood. They tackle topics such as frugal habits, the significance of diversifying one's portfolio for career longevity and aligning creative passions with financial stability. Plus: How to understand the financial education that you may have received even without having ever been given a formal financial education.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: Hollywood finances, managing finances, acting career, freelancing lifestyle, financial strategies, financial acumen, Hollywood journey, value of time, budgeting tactics, work-life balance, career growth, financial stability, creative careers, personal well-being, professional satisfaction, financial security, generational differences, personal time investment, freelancing finances, unstable careers, diversifying skills, frugality, budgeting skills, theoretical mathematics, content creation, business acumen, media industry, creative fulfillment, career shifts, entrepreneurial leaps, work-life harmony, managing a budget, career resilience, and skills diversification.
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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Learn how the recent Supreme Court ruling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) affects your finances.

How does the CFPB protect consumers? Why does the recent CFPB court decision matter? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the recent Supreme Court decision that upheld the CFPB’s funding structure, explaining its significance and what it means for consumer protections. They also explain the history and function of the CFPB, including its role in consumer finances, and provide actionable insights on how you can leverage its resources to resolve financial issues, including how to file a complaint with the CFPB. Plus: the broader implications of the Supreme Court ruling for other federal agencies. 

Then, Sean and Anna cover the latest money headlines, including the Dow Jones hitting 40,000 for the first time, the current state of gas prices ahead of Memorial Day weekend, and new pricing transparency laws for cruises.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: CFPB Supreme Court ruling, payday loans, financial regulation, consumer rights, financial protection, Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, credit card regulations, overdraft fees, Federal Reserve funding, mortgage complaints, student loan complaints, CFPB investigations, consumer complaints, financial watchdog, financial industry regulation, CFPB funding, payday lending rule, consumer finance, financial laws, debt relief, financial accountability, credit card late fees, mortgage protection, loan regulations, financial crisis response, banking regulations, consumer advocacy, credit card complaints, loan complaints, financial enforcement, financial industry oversight, and consumer protection laws.

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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“Krazy Coupon Lady” Joanie Demer shares couponing tactics and how coupons work to help you outsmart rising costs even in today’s digital marketplaces.
How can you use coupons to help you afford everyday essentials? 
Are digital deals and loyalty programs the same as using coupons? 
Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the thrill of couponing and the evolution of coupon strategies to help you understand how to combat rising living costs effectively. Joanie Demer, one half of the duo known as the Krazy Coupon Ladies, joins Sean to share the basics of couponing, with tips and tricks on buying in bulk for long-term savings, the continued relevance of coupon circulars and the shift from paper to digital couponing. 
They discuss leveraging rebate apps like Ibotta and Fetch Rewards, the potential of store loyalty programs, and how a hypothetical future “universal barcode” would change coupon use. Plus: insights on coupon accessibility, the latest legislative attention to couponing practices and how to overcome the challenge of incorporating new habits into an already busy life.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: extreme couponing, couponing strategies, how to save money, digital coupons, budgeting tips, grocery savings, savvy shopping, thrifty living, deal hunting, budget-friendly shopping, how coupons work, discount codes, shopping deals, store loyalty programs, frugal shopping, coupon apps, maximizing savings, money-saving tips, inflationary pressures, coupon accessibility, coupon skepticism, coupon circulars, buying in bulk, universal barcode, manufacturer discounts, coupon stacking, and brand loyalty.
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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Learn how the strength of the US dollar impacts your finances, as well as its ramifications on the US and global economies.

What does it mean to have a strong dollar? Who benefits the most from a strong US dollar? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the implications of a strong dollar on both domestic and global economies. They interview Cris deRitis, deputy chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, to demystify what a strong dollar means beyond its impact on travelers, along with what will happen if the dollar continues to become stronger.

Then, Sean and Anna explore recent headlines, including major airlines’ resistance to transparent fee disclosures and record-breaking travel projections for Memorial Day weekend. They also discuss consumer discontent with credit card rewards programs, shedding light on hidden fees and devalued rewards.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: strong dollar, airline fees, credit card rewards, money news, global economy, domestic economy, travel impact, economic insights, airline transparency, travel fees, currency strength, dollar value, monetary policy, Federal Reserve, travel tips, consumer finance, economy analysis, finance trends, airline industry, vacation planning, personal finance, currency valuation, money management, economic stability, international travel, financial headlines, economic updates, financial education, and economic trends.

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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Learn how to build a financial safety net to conserve your wealth and the ins and outs of investing in index funds.
How can you build financial resilience to protect yourself from life's economic curveballs? 
How do index funds work, and what should you consider when choosing one?
Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how you can use elements of financial planning to minimize risk exposure. They offer tips and tricks for financial risk mitigation, including the importance of establishing an emergency fund, understanding the value of disability insurance, and the sometimes overlooked role of community support. 
Then, investing writer Alieza Durana joins Sean and Sara to help answer a listener’s question about how to choose different types of index funds. They explain different fund management styles, how to evaluate expense ratios and investment returns, and considerations for choosing the right index fund based on individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: emergency funds, index funds, financial planning, insurance, investment strategies, expense ratios, disability insurance, economic crises, financial resilience, ETFs, mutual funds, financial goals, risk management, strategic financial planning, investing in index funds, investment decisions, emergency savings, income protection, financial stability, community support, financial safety net, safeguarding income, investment vehicles, financial savvy, asset allocation, investment returns, market performance, tax efficiency, investment minimums, financial well-being, financial risks, sector focus, financial education, retirement savings, economic recovery, cost management, investment objectives, and investment growth.
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.