
NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
NerdWallet’s trusted finance journalists answer real-world money questions to help you make smarter financial decisions with confidence.
Each episode dives deep into topics like budgeting, saving, investing, home buying, and credit cards, cutting through misinformation to bring you clear, actionable advice backed by thorough research.
By the end of every episode, you’ll have the latest financial insights and the tools you’ll need to manage your money wisely, build wealth, and plan for life’s milestones. Future You will thank you.
Join hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, Elizabeth Ayoola, and other expert Nerds as they answer your biggest money questions and share strategies to help you build wealth and reach your financial goals, including:
– Investing: Advanced investment strategies, integrating ETFs and mutual funds into a diversified portfolio, tax-efficient retirement planning, understanding Roth IRA conversions, and navigating robo-advisors.
– Credit Cards: Top credit cards for travel rewards and luxury perks, balance transfer strategies, maximizing credit card points, and optimizing credit card usage to boost your credit score.
– Personal Finance: Advanced budgeting tips, building generational wealth, creating effective savings plans, managing high-income expenses, and developing a strong money growth mindset.
– Home: Smart strategies for homebuying in competitive markets, leveraging home equity loans and HELOCs, refinancing for long-term savings, first-time homebuying tips, and budgeting for major home improvements.
If you’re searching for the best personal finance podcasts or want practical knowledge to make smarter money decisions, then follow NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast.
You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like: Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl,Money Guy Show, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth.
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Episodes (51)

401(k) vs. Brokerage Account: Which Is Better for Retirement Savings? Plus, the National Debt Explained
Learn about the U.S. national debt and how it impacts economics and what options to explore if your employer-offered 401k plan seems limiting.
What exactly does it mean when you read about the...

How to Build Wealth Right Now and How Couples Can Align on Financial Goals
Learn the truth behind myths about building wealth, plus hear from a couple looking to align on financial goals and values.
Can you build wealth without starting a business? How can couples figure...

How to Get Ready for a Recession and Choose Enough Car Insurance
Learn how to prepare for a possible recession and make sure your car insurance coverage is enough to protect your finances.
What should you do to get ready for a recession? How much car insurance...

From Broker to Budget: How to Buy or Sell a Home in 2025
Learn how to budget for a mortgage, compare lenders, and prep for home buying or selling in today’s changing housing market.
How can you shop smart for a mortgage and pick the right broker or...

Managing the Job Market and Your Parents’ Finances: Tips for the Sandwich Generation
Learn how to juggle finances for aging parents and kids, plus what the latest labor market data means for your wallet.
How do you navigate the financial challenges of caring for aging parents while...

How to Budget for Trips: When to Book and How to Avoid Hidden Fees
Learn how to budget for travel, save on flights, and maximize credit card rewards for your next trip.
How can you budget and save money for travel? How can you maximize credit card rewards and travel...

What to do When Groceries Cost More and Retirement Feels Out of Reach
Learn why tariffs are driving up prices and how you can still save money. Plus, how to catch up on retirement savings if you started late.
How will new tariffs impact your grocery bill and...

Can AI Really Manage Your Money? Plus: The Truth About Roth Conversions
Learn how AI can help you budget, invest, and build financial knowledge. Then, get expert insights on Roth conversions.
How can AI help you manage your money? What do you need to know about Roth...

How Tariffs Could Impact Your Retirement and What to Know for 2025 Taxes
Learn how to respond to market volatility, the risks of private credit investing, and key tax updates for 2025.
Should you adjust your 401(k) amid uncertain market conditions? How do you decide...

How to Get Your Finances Ready for a Crisis and Tackle Debt Smarter
Learn how to prepare financially for uncertain times and balance debt payoff with saving for emergencies and retirement.
How much emergency cash should you keep on hand? Should you focus on paying...

Egg Prices, Greenwashing, and Smarter Ways to Invest
Learn what’s causing egg prices to rise so dramatically, then explore ethical investing and how to manage savings wisely.
Are ESG investments really as ethical as they claim to be? What’s the...

Behavioral Finance Mistakes That Hurt Your Portfolio and What “Good” Returns Look Like
Learn how behavioral biases impact your investments and what a “good” return from your portfolio looks like.
How do behavioral biases affect your investing decisions? What kind of returns should you...

Welcome to NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are here to answer your biggest financial questions and help you take control of your money.
On NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast, our trusted finance...

Marriage and Money Myths — and Why the Economy Feels 'Off'
Understand the financial pros and cons of marriage, from taxes to credit scores, and how it impacts your future.
Is the economy as bad as people think it is? How does your spouse’s credit and debt...

Why Traditional Budgeting Fails and What’s Missing from Your Money Plan
Learn how values-based spending can help you curb impulse buys, avoid financial blindspots, and rethink your money habits
How can you stop impulse spending? How do you know if you’re making good...

Cross-Country Moving Tips and What a CFPB Shutdown Could Mean for You
Learn what a CFBP shutdown could mean for consumers, plus how to financially manage a cross-country move — including whether to rent or sell your home.
What happens if the CFPB is shut down? Should...

Debt in the Dating World and Retirement Planning for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners
Learn how debt affects dating, plus expert advice on retirement planning for business owners navigating succession and savings.
When does debt become a red flag in the dating world? How can business...

Will New Tariffs and Tax Rules Cost You? (Plus: Travel Rewards & Roth IRA Tips)
Get the latest on tariffs, federal spending and the CFPB shake-up — plus answers to your travel credit card and Roth IRA questions.
What tariffs has President Trump implemented? What’s the best...

Introducing Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways, a NerdWallet Podcast
Do you need a vacation from planning your vacation? Before you budget, learn how to get the most out of your travel dollars with Smart Travel, debuting Wednesday, February 12.
NerdWallet’s trusted...

The Price Isn’t Right: How to Stop Overspending and Stay Debt-Free
Break free from debt cycles and rethink your spending habits with tips on no-buy challenges and financial therapy.
How can you stop falling into a cycle of paying off debt, only to rack it back up...

Is It Time to Leave Your Job? Tips for Smart Moves and Strategic Growth
Learn how to decide if it’s time to change jobs or careers and understand how to strategize before you make a big career move.
How do you know if it’s time to leave your job? What steps should you...

Rising Insurance Costs and Choosing the Best Savings Account for Your Money
Learn how rising climate risks impact home insurance costs and compare high-yield savings against money market accounts.
How can you protect your home and finances as climate disasters increase?...

2025 Real Estate Trends: What Homebuyers and Sellers Need to Know
Learn how to navigate the 2025 housing market with tips for buyers and sellers facing high rates, prices and tight inventory.
What steps can you take to buy a home in a high-rate market? How can you...

The Best Financial Products of 2025 and Investing in Collectibles
Learn how to pick the best financial tools for investing, mortgages, and travel rewards to meet your personal goals.
What are the best financial tools for investing, mortgages, and travel rewards in...

Simple Steps to Budget Better and Manage Credit With Confidence
Learn how to create an effective budget and manage credit responsibly to build a strong financial foundation for 2025.
How can you create a budget that works for you? What are the best ways to use...

Disaster-Resistant Finances: What to Do Before and After Catastrophes
Learn how to prepare financially for natural disasters with practical tips on planning, saving, and post-disaster recovery.
How can you financially prepare for a natural disaster? What should you do...

What to Know About Managing Money Before Traveling or Living Abroad
Learn actionable strategies to tackle credit card debt and ways to manage your money while traveling or living abroad.
How can you manage your money while living abroad? What are the best strategies...

From Meme Stocks to Index Funds: A 2025 Investing Guide
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:
Learn how to balance risk and reward in your investments, rebalance your portfolio,...

Stop Scrolling, Start Saving: Better Habits and Budgets for 2025
Learn how to budget irregular income, set sustainable financial goals, and curb mindless spending for a better 2025.
How do you create a budget when you're paid in large, irregular chunks of income?...

Regret Less, Save More: How to Make Smarter Money Moves in 2025
Learn how to tackle financial regrets, set achievable money goals, and make 2025 your best year financially.
How can you avoid repeating your biggest financial regrets this year? What are simple...

Live Financial Planning Session: Expert Budgeting and Spending Tips
Hear an actual financial planning session where a CFP advises a listener on transforming her budget and spending habits.
Magda Doemeny, a certified financial planner from the NerdWallet Advisors...

Net Worth and Chill: How Your Wealth Measures Up and Vivian Tu’s Tips for Financial Success
Learn how to assess your net worth, compare it wisely, and build a financial strategy to meet your long-term goals.
What is net worth, and how do you calculate it? How can you use it as a tool to...

Deck the Bills: Smart Spending and Credit Tips for the Holidays
Learn how to avoid holiday shopping pitfalls and quickly improve your credit, with ideas for restoring your credit.
How can you avoid overspending during the holidays? How can you can help your...

Crush Debt or Grow Investments? How to Make the Best Choice for You
Learn how to tackle credit card debt, build savings, and decide between debt payoff and investing for financial growth.
How can you pay off credit card debt faster and smarter? When should you...

Swindled or Safe? Improve Your Scam Awareness and Protect Your Finances
Learn how financial scammers exploit emotions and how you can protect your finances from their latest tactics.
How can you protect your money from online scams? What steps can you take to safeguard...

End-of-Year IRA Fixes Before Tax Time: Roth Contribution and Correction Strategies
Discover how to embrace “lazy” money management, maximize Roth IRA contributions and fix over-contribution mistakes.
How can you passively grow your money? What should you do if you over-contribute...

Cash or Mortgage? Navigating Home Equity and Title Agency Shopping
Learn how to think about major homebuying decisions like shopping for title agencies, managing home equity, and when to buy a house with cash.
How do you choose the right title agency for your home...

Buy Now, Regret Later? Decoding BNPL and Layaway Payment Plans
Learn the pros and cons of layaway and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) and how to choose the best option for holiday shopping.
What is the difference between layaway and Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)? Which...

Smart Mortgage Strategies: From Refinancing to HELOC
Learn how to refinance your mortgage, manage credit card debt, and navigate home equity with practical tips and strategies.
When is the right time to refinance a mortgage? How can you use a HELOC or...

How You Could Grow $26K to $44K in 7 Years: Smart Strategies to Try
Learn how to diversify investments, leverage tax-advantaged accounts, and set realistic goals for long-term financial growth.
How can you diversify your investment portfolio and reduce risk? What...

Tariff Talk: What Trade Policies Could Mean for Your Budget
Learn how tariffs affect prices, inflation, and manufacturing, plus tips to prepare for potential new economic changes.
What are tariffs, and how do they affect your wallet? What would...

Travel Smart, Give Smart: Southwest Companion Pass and Charitable Giving Strategies
Learn how to maximize Southwest Companion Pass benefits and how to plan effective charitable giving to make your donations count.
How can you get and use the Southwest Companion Pass? What’s the...

From Eggflation to Ghost Jobs: Roasting 2024’s Biggest Financial Turkeys
Celebrate 2024’s Financial Turkeys as we spotlight the year's biggest money blunders and share tips to avoid them yourself.
Why are grocery prices so high in 2024? What are ghost jobs and how do...

Santa’s New Helper: How AI Can Help You Wrap Up Your Holiday Shopping
Learn how AI tools can help you brainstorm personalized gift ideas, compare options, and simplify your holiday shopping.
How can AI help you save time and money? Should you trust AI for gift-giving...

Boost Your Income and Career: Negotiating Salary, Navigating Promotions and More
Discover career growth strategies to boost your income, including negotiating raises, and navigating career growth and mentorship.
What are some of the best ways to increase your income?
What are...

Maximizing Employer-Provided Perks: A Guide to Your Benefits
Understand employer-provided benefits, from dental and vision coverage to more unique perks like legal assistance.
In the third and final episode of our special series on open enrollment, hosts Sean...

Prediction Markets Let You Bet on Just About Anything — But There Are Risks
Learn how prediction markets work, the legal gray areas in which they operate, and how they could be regulated in the future.
What are prediction markets like PredictIt, Polymarket and Kalshi, and...

Online Banking vs Neobanks: Understand FDIC Safety and Protect Your Money
Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions. In this episode:
Learn how to distinguish neobanks from traditional banks, understand FDIC insurance,...

Preparing for Worst-Case Scenarios: Choosing the Right Insurance Policy to Protect Your Income
It's open enrollment season, and a great time to explore coverage options to protect your income, such as life insurance and disability insurance.
Hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss the...

Navigating Life Insurance Choices: Investing, Variable Policies, and Financial Growth
Explore life insurance as an investment tool, understand variable and infinite banking, and consider complex insurance choices.
What’s the right life insurance policy for you? What is “infinite...

Trump’s Economic Playbook: Get Clarity on Inflation, Taxes, and More
Learn how Donald Trump's economic plans could influence inflation, taxes, and your finances as he prepares to enter a second term in office.
How will Donald Trump's economic policies affect...
About this Podcast
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