NerdWallet’s trusted finance experts answer real-world money questions to help you make smarter financial decisions with confidence.
Each episode dives deep in...
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? Should you choose a high-yield savings account or a money market account? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss rising home insurance costs and how to evaluate savings options to make informed financial decisions. First, they welcome home insurance Nerd, Caitlin Constantine, to discuss skyrocketing home insurance premiums in the wake of climate-related disasters, and share tips on shopping for competitive rates, raising deductibles responsibly, and understanding your policy’s exclusions and limitations.
Then, savings expert Margarette Burnette joins Sean and Sara to break down the differences between high-yield savings accounts and money market accounts. She explains key distinctions, compares pros and cons, and shares practical tips on maximizing your savings.
Compare homeowners insurance quotes using NerdWallet’s free tool: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/home-insurance-quotesÂ
NerdWallet's list of the best high-yield savings accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/high-yield-online-savings-accountsÂ
NerdWallet's list of the best money market accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/money-market-accountsÂ
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: home insurance costs, rising insurance premiums, climate disasters insurance, lowering home insurance premiums, high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, money market vs high yield, flood insurance, insurance in wildfire zones, climate change impact on insurance, California home insurance, savings account tips, saving for emergencies, insurance deductibles, renters insurance costs, homeowners insurance increases, how to shop for insurance, emergency fund accounts, FDIC insurance, money market mutual funds, savings accounts explained, financial preparedness for disasters, best savings accounts 2024, smart insurance tips, financial impact of climate change, how to reduce insurance costs, flood insurance necessity, investment vs savings, interest rates on savings accounts, climate change financial impact, practical savings advice, emergency savings strategies, comparing savings products, pros and cons of money market accounts, and home insurance in high-risk areas.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
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25:29
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 prepare your home to sell for the best price? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss how buyers and sellers can navigate the 2025 housing market despite high rates, tight inventory and rising home prices. NerdWallet mortgage reporter Holden Lewis joins the episode to share tips for buyers, including how to get pre-approved for a mortgage, the importance of budgeting for rising homeowners insurance premiums, and why timing the market is risky. He also shares smart strategies for sellers, including the value of curb appeal, documenting recent repairs, and how professional staging and photography can make a home stand out. Plus: Learn about broader housing trends, like the impact of "rate lock-in" on inventory, the connection between Federal Reserve policies and mortgage rates, and how changes to real estate agent commission rules are affecting buyers.Â
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: housing market 2025, home buying tips, selling a house, mortgage rates 2025, real estate trends, rate lock-in, pre-approval mortgage, homeowners insurance costs, house affordability, first-time homebuyers, housing inventory shortage, real estate commissions, Fed and mortgage rates, buying a house in high rates, preparing to sell a home, home staging tips, home prices, real estate commission changes, real estate agent fees, home selling strategies, 2025 real estate forecast, Zillow stalking, housing market challenges, tips for house hunters, real estate market tips, and real estate pricing trends.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
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23:50
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 2025? Should you invest in collectibles like designer handbags? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss top-rated financial tools for achieving your money goals and what to consider when investing in non-traditional assets. They begin with a discussion of NerdWallet’s 2025 Best-Of Awards, in which NerdWallet’s team of experienced finance writers and editors researched more than 1,000 financial products and narrowed them down to just one winner per category to make it easier for you to choose what’s best for you. Investing Nerd Sam Taube and mortgage Nerd Holden Lewis join Sean and Sara to share what they chose as the best product in their areas of expertise and why, offering tips and tricks on finding the right investment platform, understanding mortgage rates, and maximizing travel rewards.
Then, investing Nerd Alana Benson joins Sean and Sara to discuss the pros and cons of investing in collectibles like designer purses, coins, or Magic: The Gathering cards. They explore how collectibles fit into a diversified portfolio, the hidden costs of holding physical assets, and when it makes sense to sell.Â
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: best financial tools 2025, top travel credit cards, best mortgage lenders, Fidelity investment app, collectibles as investments, investing in designer bags, mortgage rates 2025, credit card rewards, Chase Sapphire Preferred benefits, how to choose a mortgage lender, Roth IRA rollover tips, U.S. Bank mortgage review, expense ratio explained, travel credit card insurance, long-term investing strategies, investing in purses, switching brokerage accounts, tax implications for collectibles, building a diversified portfolio, Fidelity ZERO funds, and financial tools for travel.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
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27:47
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 credit cards responsibly? NerdWallet personal finance expert Kim Palmer joins host Sean Pyles to discuss budgeting strategies and smart credit management to help you build a strong financial foundation for 2025. They begin with a discussion of budgeting, with tips and tricks on choosing the right budgeting method, tracking expenses effectively, and overcoming common pitfalls like unexpected expenses.
Then, Sean and Kim discuss credit card management and how to use credit responsibly. They explore the importance of monitoring transactions, strategies for avoiding overspending, and tips for keeping your credit utilization low to protect your credit score. They wrap up their conversation by sharing actionable advice for managing debt and improving your credit health over time.
Enter your monthly after-tax income into NerdWallet’s free budget calculator to create a suggested 50/30/20 budget: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/nerdwallet-budget-calculatorÂ
Here are NerdWallet's picks for the best budgeting apps, broken down by what works best for different needs: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/best-budget-appsÂ
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to budget effectively, creating a budget, 50/30/20 rule, zero-based budgeting, cash stuffing, best budgeting apps, credit card tips, responsible credit card use, credit utilization, how to manage credit, credit card debt help, financial planning, credit score improvement, debt payoff methods, snowball method, avalanche method, NerdWallet app, best apps for budgeting, income tracking, expense tracking, managing credit card debt, avoiding overspending, building credit, financial goals 2025, smart financial habits, credit score tips, common credit card mistakes, planning a budget, household budgeting, monthly budgeting tips, using credit wisely, and setting financial goals.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
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25:22
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 to recover financially afterward? Host Sean Pyles and NerdWallet insurance writer Caitlin Constantine discuss the financial impact of climate change and share actionable strategies to prepare for and recover from natural disasters. They begin with practical tips for disaster preparedness, including creating a home inventory, saving for emergencies, and understanding insurance coverage.Â
Then, Kate Bulger, senior director of business development for nonprofit financial counseling agency Money Management International, joins Caitlin to discuss post-disaster recovery strategies. They explore how to work with insurance companies, access FEMA and other financial assistance programs, and avoid common scams in the aftermath of disasters.Â
Where to turn when a natural disaster upends your finances: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/where-to-turn-when-a-natural-disaster-upends-your-financesÂ
What is FEMA and what can it do for you? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-is-femaÂ
To stay informed about how the Los Angeles fires and other developing news events could impact your wallet, follow NerdWallet’s financial news hub: https://www.nerdwallet.com/h/news/financial-newsÂ
In this episode, the Nerds discuss: disaster preparedness, financial disaster recovery, home inventory checklist, how to prepare for natural disasters, emergency savings tips, disaster insurance, FEMA disaster assistance, post-disaster financial aid, saving for emergencies, how to avoid disaster scams, natural disaster financial planning, insurance coverage for disasters, disaster loans, flood insurance tips, tornado financial preparation, wildfire emergency planning, disaster recovery strategies, financial counseling after disasters, emergency cash reserve, how to protect finances in disasters, Small Business Administration disaster loans, keeping financial records safe, Project Porchlight, natural disaster credit card tips, budgeting for disasters, disaster financial checklist, avoiding insurance scams, rebuilding finances after disasters, climate change financial impacts, emergency financial preparedness, disaster recovery centers, handling financial trauma, managing finances after a flood, and disaster readiness tips.
NerdWallet’s trusted finance experts 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®, Sara Rathner, 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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