NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast NerdWallet Personal Finance

Discover how many people lie on insurance applications and the potential consequences you face when you do so.

Is it okay to lie on your insurance application? What are the consequences if you do? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the findings from a recent NerdWallet survey revealing how many Americans admit to intentionally providing inaccurate information on their insurance applications and delve into the generational and gender differences in attitudes toward this behavior. Learn why people justify these lies and the potential legal and financial repercussions of being dishonest on your insurance forms.

Then, they break down the latest money headlines, starting with a promising decline in delinquencies reported by VantageScore. They also discuss the IRS expanding its free filing software program and how a recent decline in grocery store prices could affect your bottom line.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: insurance fraud, lying on insurance applications, insurance rates, saving money on insurance, insurance applications, insurance deception, financial honesty, life insurance, auto insurance, consumer debt, debt delinquencies, credit score, personal loans, credit card debt, IRS free filing software, Direct File, tax preparation, inflation, grocery prices, lowering grocery costs, Aldi discounts, Target discounts, Amazon Fresh discounts, financial news, insurance industry, high-risk hobbies insurance, marijuana habits insurance, insurance consequences, consumer finance, financial tips, money management, credit health, tax filing season, insurance coverage, 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 handy tips you probably didn’t know about credit cards and why paying off loans could actually lower your credit score.
00:35 Credit Card Tips: What are some helpful credit card tips? Can paying off your student debt negatively affect your credit score? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss insider credit card tips to help you understand our options when shopping for and using credit cards. They begin with tips and tricks on navigating interest rate changes, maximizing reward points, limits on applying for new credit cards, and how you can strategically upgrade or downgrade your credit cards. 
6:00 Listener Conversation: Xay from Minnesota joins Sean and Sara to discuss the end of their student loan journey and ask questions about the impact on their credit score as they plan to finance a new car. The Nerds dive deep into how paying off a loan might affect your credit score and share strategies to manage credit card debt for better credit utilization. They provide practical tips on building and maintaining a strong credit score, including the benefits of secured credit cards and credit builder loans. They also share strategies for car shopping, including loan pre-approval and considering a mix of new and used vehicles.
NerdBuild is a credit-building loan designed for those with no or low credit history. Just set your automatic monthly payments and watch your credit score climb. Learn more at https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/how-to-build-credit 
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In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: credit card interest rates, credit scores, student loans, credit card debt, auto loans, financial tips, credit card hacks, credit utilization, credit card points, loan pre-approvals, car loans, paying off student loans, credit card interest rates, credit builder loans, NerdBuild, credit card signup bonuses, credit card companies, how to manage credit card debt, credit limit, Federal Reserve, credit score simulator, debt to income ratio, credit mix, car shopping, product change, loan rates, financial goals, side hustles, credit report, credit score calculation, budget calculator, credit builder loan, car financing, credit union, and mix of credit.
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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Author Jake Cousineau explains why it’s important to teach interest and budgeting to students — and how to learn as an adult.
How can you understand complex personal finance topics as an adult? 
What strategies can young people use to achieve financial independence? 
Personal Finance Nerd Kim Palmer talks to Jake Cousineau, author of How to Adult: Personal Finance in the Real World, about the significance of personal finance education and the intricacies of interest rates to help you understand the impact of financial decisions on your future. They begin with a discussion of the importance of teaching personal finance to high school students, with tips and tricks on budgeting, investing, and managing credit. Then, they discuss the impact of APR on loans, the long-term financial effects of interest rates on major purchases, the financial impact of having a good or bad credit score, and the transformative power of automated savings and index fund investments.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: personal finance, investing, budgeting, financial literacy, credit score, compound interest, index funds, retirement savings, student loans, APR, financial education, wealth building, financial independence, automated savings, money management, financial health, financial planning, loan repayment, interest rates, saving for the future, debt management, financial freedom, budgeting pitfalls, financial knowledge, credit management, financial wisdom, financial illiteracy, personal finance books, managing money, smart budgeting, housing costs, transportation costs, food budgeting, and financial confidence.
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 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.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.