NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast NerdWallet Personal Finance

As a freelancer or gig worker, how can you make sure you get paid on time? In this special presentation of Working from Slate Podcasts, hosts Ronald Young Jr. and June Thomas talk money, finances, and getting paid as a freelancer in a tough economy. They recount their own frustrating experiences with not getting paid on time and offer tips on how avoid those situations.

Listen to Working wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more at https://slate.com/podcasts/working

Understand why the current housing market is so challenging, how people can afford to buy a home, and what’s next for interest rates.

How are people able to afford to buy a home in the current housing market? When will houses be affordable again? Hosts Anna Helhoski and Tess Vigeland (filling in for Sean) discuss the current state of the housing market with NerdWallet home and mortgages expert Holden Lewis, exploring factors such as high mortgage rates, slow home sales, and high prices. They explore the various factors that have made homebuying so difficult and what potential buyers can do to navigate this tough market.

Then, they break down the latest money headlines, including student loan forgiveness being blocked in two states, the IRS running into customer service issues, and a new California law that will add financial literacy to high school curriculums.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: the housing market, mortgage rates, homebuying tips, real estate trends, home insurance, first-time homebuyers, high mortgage rates, home affordability, real estate market, mortgage rates 2024, housing market forecast, home prices, real estate investment, housing market trends, property market, home insurance costs, homebuying guide, home sales, buying a home, home ownership, housing crisis, real estate tips, home insurance, mortgage trends, real estate news, home equity, mortgage rates today, real estate market forecast, housing market analysis, real estate market trends, home buying tips, and mortgage loan tips.

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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Get a breakdown of the hottest tips from Smart Money this year, including wealth-building strategies and managing money in relationships. 

How can you make your money work for you? 

What’s the best way to save on group travel? 

Host Sean Pyles presents some of the most impactful conversations we’ve had on Smart Money in order to help you make better decisions about your finances.

00:54 30-Day Money Cleanse: NerdWallet’s Kim Palmer talks to Ashley Feinstein Gerstley, author of The 30-Day Money Cleanse, to help you understand how small changes can make a significant impact on your financial health. They begin with a discussion of the financial cleanse, with tips and tricks on aligning spending with personal values, creating lasting habits in 30 days by using a method that has saved others an average of $950 over 30 days — without feeling deprived. 

05:19 Wealth Building Strategies: NerdWallet’s Kim Palmer and Alana Benson discuss investment strategies and tax planning to help you understand how to navigate your financial journey effectively. They discuss investment strategies, with tips and tricks on understanding different investment accounts like 401(k)s and IRAs, leveraging compound interest, and the importance of starting investments early. 

11:54 Group Travel Deals: What are the best strategies for using travel points and credit cards to your advantage when planning group trips? NerdWallet’s Meghan Coyle and Erin Hurd discuss the nuances of booking flights for groups, including how to navigate seat selection fees and what it means to earn status with an airline as part of your credit card rewards.

16:49 Money and Relationships: Host Elizabeth Ayoola interviews Rianka Dorsonville, a self-employed certified financial planner, about critical questions to consider before embarking on your entrepreneurial journey. 

22:04 Vivian Tu on Building Wealth: How do you talk about money with your romantic partner? Personal finance journalist and podcaster Nicole Lapin joins NerdWallet’s Sean Pyles to talk about the delicate balance of finance in friendships and romance. 

In this episode, the Nerds discuss: financial wellness, saving strategies, money habits, wealthy future, financial success, building wealth, group travel, financial cleanse, travel hacks, emergency fund, compound interest, 401k benefits, tax advantages, family travel, elite status, seat selection fees, travel credits, self-employed budgeting, money mindsets, entrepreneurs, financial planning, sustainable saving habits, increasing income, investment accounts, financial stability, money stress, conscious spending, intentional finances, financial reset, basic economy, airline partnerships, premium travel credit cards, side hustles, and retirement planning.

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 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.