NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast NerdWallet Personal Finance

Learn why randomly choosing individual stocks can beat expert investing strategies — and what that means for your portfolio.

Can random stock picks outperform Wall Street professionals? What kind of portfolio returns can low-cost index investing drive? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the astonishing results of a dart-throwing experiment by Wall Street Journal columnist Spencer Jakab and his team, which pitted random stock selections against high-profile hedge fund picks. The hosts explore this intriguing setup and its outcomes, offering actionable insights into the power of simple, low-cost index funds and ETFs over expensive investment managers. Their insights are intended to offer a better understanding of the practicality of low-cost index funds, the importance of maintaining a diversified portfolio, and the pitfalls of frequent market adjustments.

Then, Sean and Anna delve into the latest financial headlines, including findings from the Federal Reserve's Economic Well-Being of US Households report for 2023, April’s drop in home sales, and Google Flights adding Southwest Airlines fares to its search results.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: index funds, investment strategies, stock market, ETFs, dart-throwing experiment, investing tips, low-cost investing, financial wellbeing, active vs. passive investing, hedge funds, portfolio diversification, The Wall Street Journal, stock picks, investment success, random stock selection, economic well-being, smarter investing, outperforming the pros, investment managers, A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel, stock listings, mutual funds, stock performance, financial journalists, retirement savings, financial stress, household income, emergency expenses, high mortgage rates, affordable housing, home sales, previously owned homes, Google Flights, Southwest Airlines, travel expenses, airfare comparison, financial education, money management, financial planning, investment portfolio, stock market analysis, market adjustments, investment risks, and diversification benefits.

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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Are credit card rewards points more valuable than cash back? This special presentation of All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins features deep dive into credit cards, with a focus on cash back versus points. Chris goes deep on strategies for every spending category and shares his analysis of how to optimize points vs. cash back for the best return on investment.
All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins is a podcast about optimizing all aspects of your life, from travel to money to health to work and more. Chris is a life hacker who has saved millions by breaking down every aspect of life. And on his show, he teaches you all the tactics, tricks and tips you need to upgrade your life, money, and even travel.
Get more financial ideas by listening to All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more about all the Hacks with Chris Hutchins: https://www.allthehacks.com/

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