NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast NerdWallet Personal Finance

Learn how to negotiate for a higher salary and better benefits when you get a job offer. Plus: Tips for boosting your earning potential.

What are the best ways to negotiate for a higher salary? 
How can you elevate your earnings and overall compensation package? 

Hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson discuss strategies for increasing your income and negotiating for a raise to help you understand how to navigate salary discussions confidently and effectively. Alana speaks with Catherine Tinsley, Raffini Professor of Management at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, about who should make the first offer, how to leverage market data, and the challenge of overcoming emotional hurdles. They also discuss the benefits of changing jobs for higher salary potential, practical advice on boosting your earning potential, and why understanding power dynamics and perceived expertise could help you come out ahead in your next negotiation.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: salary negotiation, negotiation tactics, boost earnings, salary raise tips, new job offer negotiation, making the first offer, leveraging market data, non-monetary benefits, workplace negotiations, power dynamics, preparing for negotiations, managing emotions, marginalized group challenges, increasing income strategies, transparent salary discussions, job offer components, vacation time negotiation, remote work negotiation, company equity negotiation, continuing education negotiation, making the first salary offer, external labor market information, practical negotiation strategies, salary transparency, mutual problem solving, negotiation confidence, salary benchmarks, transparent salary data, anchoring in negotiation, power in negotiations, emotional hurdles negotiation, interdependence in negotiation, negotiation preparation, asking for a raise, and leveraging outside offers.

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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Hear different perspectives on how to pay off debt — and when to stop paying off debt to focus on investing your money.

When should you prioritize investing over paying off debt? What are different debt payoff methods to help you become debt-free? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola and NerdWallet debt writer Tiffany Curtis answer a listener’s question about balancing debt payoff and investing. They start by breaking down the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods of paying off debt, then delve into the pros and cons of investing while paying off debt.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: debt repayment, debt snowball method, debt avalanche method, debt-free life, loan repayment, high-interest car loans, mortgage repayment, strategic repayment, debt payoff strategies, investing vs. debt payoff, loan payoff methods, interest rates, small victories, analytical approach to financial decisions, financial personality, debt motivation, high-interest loans, loan prioritization, mortgage loans, car loans, investment vs. debt, debt repayment tips, debt payoff journey, financial goals, debt payoff plan, interest to investment, financial trajectory, and long-term financial 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 how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to enhance your job and income prospects with tips from LinkedIn’s Andrew McCaskill.

What are recruiters looking for on LinkedIn? What’s the best way to optimize your LinkedIn profile? Hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson discuss LinkedIn optimization and professional growth to help you understand how to leverage the platform for career success. They begin with a discussion of LinkedIn optimization, with tips and tricks on highlighting essential skills, sharing engaging content, and maintaining regular engagement on the platform. Then, Andrew McCaskill, a senior director and career expert at LinkedIn, joins the show to discuss maximizing job opportunities on LinkedIn. He discusses the surprising benefits of setting up job alerts, nurturing professional connections, and using relevant keywords to enhance visibility in recruiters' searches. In their conversation, they also delve into crucial aspects of career growth and safety on LinkedIn, including how to identify red flags for job scams, understand companies' commitments to diversity and inclusion, and have open conversations about salary transparency. 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: LinkedIn optimization, job search, professional networking, income boost, career growth, LinkedIn profile, job alerts, recruiter tips, LinkedIn insights, skills summary, career advancement, professional connections, salary transparency, job scams, LinkedIn features, profile keywords, hard skills, soft skills, diversity and inclusion, resume optimization, salary negotiation, Glassdoor, Elpha, job applications, AI tools, cover letters, LinkedIn engagement, professional visibility, career potential, job referrals, LinkedIn safety, LinkedIn content, wage estimates, LinkedIn job hunting, LinkedIn networking, career decisions, compensation conversation, job market, and LinkedIn profile photos.

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 to navigate Amazon Prime Day deals, track prices, and avoid overspending with expert shopping strategies and tools.

Are Amazon Prime Day deals truly worth it, or are they just savvy marketing tactics? Hosts Anna Helhoski and Sara Rathner explain how consumers can identify genuine bargains amidst the sea of discounts. NerdWallet writer Tommy Tindall joins them to discuss the evolution of Prime Day from its inception in 2015 to its current status as a major shopping event, shedding light on the difference between list prices and typical prices to help listeners make more informed purchasing decisions. They begin with a discussion of the significance of price tracking tools, offering tips and tricks on leveraging CamelCamelCamel and Keepa, maintaining skepticism toward discounts, and understanding dynamic pricing patterns.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: Amazon Prime Day, Prime Day deals, online shopping tips, genuine bargains, price tracking tools, Amazon marketing tactics, avoiding inflated discounts, making smarter buying decisions, online shopping pitfalls, Prime Day strategy, list prices vs typical prices, skepticism in online deals, price history tracking, dynamic pricing, Amazon price drops, Walmart sales, Target sales, cashback apps, Black Friday in July, Amazon competitors, Best Buy sales, overspending traps, necessary purchases, back-to-school deals, tech gadgets, Amazon devices, Echo deals, Kindle Fire deals, Apple product deals, electronics discounts, noise-canceling headphones, baby gear deals, toy discounts, Dyson vacuum sales, kitchen gadgets, and Amazon essentials.

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 salary negotiation and investing strategies and how they can be especially helpful for women facing unique personal finance challenges.

What financial challenges do women uniquely face? How can people find financial peace in a stressful world? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner share some “money hot takes” before turning the conversation towards addressing the unique financial hurdles women face. HerMoney podcast host Jean Chatzky joins Sean to discuss the impact of the gender pay gap and caregiving responsibilities on women's financial security, the strengths women bring to investing, and practical strategies for negotiating better salaries and investing confidently. 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: finances for women, financial empowerment, personal finance, financial education, investing for women, employee benefits, health insurance, paid sick leave, financial literacy, caregiving responsibilities, financial confidence, investing strategies, retirement savings, salary negotiation, financial partnerships, financial peace, money management, budgeting tips, financial opportunities, women investors, financial planning, systemic barriers, the gender pay gap, financial prudence, financial security, trading frequency, financial independence, long-term planning, financial stress, financial wellness, high-interest debt, and emergency funds.

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.

Discover career growth strategies to boost your income, including negotiating raises, and navigating promotions 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.