Learn how to spot and avoid online scams, including imposter scams, investment scams, phishing, vishing and smishing. How can you protect yourself from financial scams?  What steps should you take if you fall victim to one of these schemes?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the pressing issue of online frauds and strategies for safeguarding personal finances to help you avoid falling prey to digital tricksters. They begin with a discussion of recognizing and avoiding various scams,...

Learn why homeowners insurance costs are rising, tactics to find affordable coverage, and how to know if you have enough. Why are homeowners insurance costs rising? How can you tell if you have enough insurance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the factors behind rising home insurance premiums, from climate change-induced disasters to inflation’s impact on repair costs. They’re joined by Caitlin Constantine, an insurance editor at NerdWallet, who breaks down the details. She...

Learn how to control your behavioral economics biases and whether it’s ever worth it to use a credit repair service. 00:58 Behavioral Economics Biases: How can you master the psychology behind your financial decisions? Are credit repair services really worth the investment? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss behavioral finance biases to help you understand the psychological factors that influence your financial choices, including loss aversion, framing, and the gambler’s fallacy, also...

Explore how to protect yourself from identity fraud, understand its emotional toll and learn fraud recovery steps. How can you protect yourself from identity theft and fraud?  What steps should you take if you become a victim of financial fraud?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner delve into the unsettling world of identity theft and fraud prevention to help listeners safeguard their finances and wellbeing. They begin with a discussion on the various facets of identity theft, with tips and...

Unlock insights on vacation spending to leverage summer travel trends, and dive into the latest employment report.  Planning to travel this summer? In this episode of NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the world of summer travel. They discuss the key findings from NerdWallet’s 2024 Summer Travel Report, revealing insights into Americans’ vacation plans and expected spending. NerdWallet travel rewards expert Sally French joins them to dissect the...

Get a comprehensive breakdown of strategies for buying, selling, and improving homes in our homeowners lightning round. 00:42 This Month’s Nerdy Question: What’s the best thing you spent your money on this month? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner kick off a new segment by sharing some of their recent purchases, in a new segment designed to encourage you to think about your consumption habits. 08:24 Today’s Money Question: Should you shop around for a title agency? What are the pros and cons...

Learn how to protect your identity from theft and fraud by understanding how criminals are exposing authentication flaws. How can you protect yourself from identity theft and financial scams?  What steps should you take if your identity has been compromised?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the pervasiveness of identity theft and practical defense strategies to help you safeguard your financial well-being. They begin with a discussion of protecting yourself from identity theft, with...

Explore the latest on inflation, employment, and growth trends, and what it means for the future of the US economy. How is the economy doing right now and what does it mean for inflation, growth, and jobs? What do recent credit card settlement news and updates on inflation rates mean for your finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the current state of the economy, dissecting the latest data on inflation, growth, and employment. Joined by NerdWallet data journalist Elizabeth...

Learn to maximize retirement savings with tax diversification by balancing your Roth and traditional IRA contributions. 00:27 This Week in Your Money: What are expense ratios? How do you decide between a Roth and traditional 401(k)? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss understanding investment terms and retirement account options and strategies to help you understand how to make more informed and beneficial financial decisions. They begin with a new segment called Nerdy Vocab, in which...

Explore the ins and outs of planning a cruise, from choosing the right trip to coordinating on-board activities. What are the benefits of booking a group cruise for your friends and family?  What amenities do cruises offer that could make travel easier for you and your group?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss how to choose and book the best cruise to help you understand the logistics of planning a group vacation at sea. They begin with a discussion of the advantages and drawbacks of...

Neera Tanden, domestic policy advisor to President Biden, discusses the fight against junk fees impacting college students. What hidden “junk fees” are college students facing? How is the Biden Administration addressing fees to make higher education more affordable? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the Biden Administration's recent efforts to combat junk fees in colleges, from financial products marketed to students like credit cards and bank accounts to textbook costs and unused...

Learn the truth behind common credit score myths and get a better understanding of digital wallet privacy and security. 00:51 This Week in Your Money: Do you need to carry a credit card balance in order to maintain a good credit score? Does checking your credit score hurt your credit? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner debunk common credit score myths to help you understand the realities of your credit health. They offer valuable insights into how carrying a balance affects your credit score,...

Get savvy about car rental services, pros and cons of RV rentals and navigating public transportation when traveling. What are the best transportation options when traveling with a group?  When is it worth it to rent a car?  NerdWallet’s Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss group transportation options and public transportation strategies to help you understand how to move your squad around efficiently and economically. They begin with a discussion of various modes of transportation, with...

Discover how a historic change in the way real estate agents are paid could impact prices for home buyers and sellers. Will housing costs become cheaper under new real estate commission rules? How will the recent settlement by the National Association of Realtors impact home buyers and sellers? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the details of the $418 million settlement by the National Association of Realtors, discussing its potential implications on the home buying and selling...

“Your Rich BFF” Vivian Tu explains how to adopt a millionaire’s mindset and shares key strategies for building wealth. How do wealthy people think about building wealth? What career choices can lead to a faster increase in income? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss spring financial planning and wealth-building strategies to help you understand how to effectively grow your finances and navigate career advancement. They begin with a discussion of setting SMARTR financial goals for...

Discover tips and get answers to common questions for smooth group travel, from choosing accommodations to managing meals and costs for a successful trip. How can you find the perfect accommodations for group travel without overspending?  How can you split group expenses fairly?  NerdWallet’s Megan Coyle and Megan Lee discuss the ins and outs of group travel accommodations and the logistics of planning a group trip to help you understand how to orchestrate a seamless group vacation...

Understand the recent resurgence of cryptocurrency prices and what the future may have in store for crypto investments. Why did Bitcoin’s price go back up? Why are cryptocurrencies controversial? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the recent resurgence of cryptocurrency, particularly Bitcoin, after its dramatic fall in previous years. They discuss the factors behind Bitcoin's recent rally, including the upcoming blockchain reward halving and the approval of spot Bitcoin ETFs,...

Learn from others’ missteps in our new segment, “My Favorite Financial Mistake.” Plus: balancing paying debt vs. saving. 00:39 This Week in Your Money: What can you learn from making financial mistakes? Should you save and invest or pay off debt when you get a financial windfall? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner, along with their new co-host Elizabeth Ayoola, discuss turning financial blunders into learning opportunities to help you set up for future financial success. They begin with a...

Get expert tips on affordable group and family air travel, from maximizing points and rewards to booking the best flights and maximizing airline perks. How can you make group travel both enjoyable and affordable?  What are the best strategies for using travel points and credit cards to your advantage when planning group trips?  Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss the intricacies of group travel planning and the mastery of travel points and credit card perks to help you understand how to...

Understand how you may actually be able to save money on fast food thanks to “dynamic pricing.” What’s the difference between surge pricing and dynamic pricing? How can you take advantage of supply and demand timing for certain products and services? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski tackle the buzz around Wendy’s controversial new pricing strategy, dissecting the confusion surrounding surge pricing and clarifying Wendy’s actual plan of implementing dynamic pricing starting in 2025. They...

Learn about savvy grocery saving and expert tax filing tips to bolster your budget and ease tax season stress. 1:14 This Week in Your Money: How can you slash your grocery bills and still eat healthy foods amid rising costs? What’s new for this year’s tax season? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss saving money on groceries and simplifying tax filing to help you understand how to eat smart, save big, and conquer tax season with ease. They begin with a discussion of frugal grocery...

Discover how to revamp your finances with a 30-day money cleanse that aligns your spending with joy and personal values. How can you set a budget that aligns with your goals?  How can you optimize your spending to reduce waste?  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...

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona discusses the early rollout of $1.2B in student loan forgiveness and the future of debt relief. Why did the Biden administration accelerate student loan forgiveness by wiping away $1.2 billion in debt nearly six months ahead of schedule? How will eligible borrowers, especially those enrolled in the new income-driven repayment plan SAVE, be notified of this unexpected relief? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski explain the latest in student loan...

Learn how to utilize a tax advantaged 529 plan to help your or a friend’s children save for future education expenses. 00:57 This Week in Your Money: What are the risks of purchasing a home without an inspection? How can you plan for major expenses when healthcare providers can’t tell you how much their services will cost? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner share their hot takes on unexpected financial challenges, with tips and tricks on handling surprise expenses, understanding the importance...