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NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet Personal Finance
NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
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5 of 506
  • Less Spending Power, More Debt? Navigate a Declining Dollar and Make Progress on Credit Card Bills
    Learn how a weakening U.S. dollar affects your wallet and how you can escape the cycle of never-ending credit card debt. Why is the U.S. dollar losing value and how does that affect day-to-day spending? How can you make progress on credit card debt that feels impossible to tackle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the value of the U.S. dollar and strategies to break free from credit card debt. Joined by NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski, they begin with a discussion of what’s behind the dollar’s recent decline, with tips and tricks on how it affects your travel budget, why prices may rise, and what to expect from currency exchange rates. Then, Sean and Elizabeth dig into a listener’s question about persistent credit card debt through a unique role-play segment. They discuss how to prioritize which card to pay down first, how to manage the emotional burden of debt, and ways to balance living your life while staying committed to repayment. If you've ever felt stuck with revolving debt or curious about how global trade policies might impact your wallet, this episode offers practical guidance and empathetic insights. Track your credit score, cash flow, net worth, and insurance for free using the NerdWallet app: https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/mobile-app  Debt Snowball Method: What It Is and How to Use It https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-is-a-debt-snowball  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: why the dollar is weakening, dollar value today, what affects dollar strength, how to track dollar index, USDX explained, how tariffs affect the dollar, U.S. dollar and inflation, dollar exchange rate travel, international travel exchange rate tips, how a weak dollar affects prices, adjusting your budget for inflation, credit card debt payoff tips, how to pay off credit card debt faster, credit card debt emotional toll, debt snowball vs avalanche, paying off high-interest cards, how to prioritize credit card debt, managing debt and lifestyle, balancing debt and enjoyment, debt payoff motivation, financial anxiety and debt, impact of Trump trade policy on dollar, Federal Reserve interest rates and the dollar, how investor confidence affects currency, fiat currency explained, weak dollar travel planning, credit card payoff challenges, credit card debt mental health, and making progress on credit card debt. 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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  • Michele Norris Shares Kitchen Must-Haves and the Nerds Break Down Switching Banks for Better Rates
    Find out when it’s worth splurging on kitchen gear and how to switch banks without losing your financial footing. What kitchen tools are actually worth the money? Is switching to an online bank really worth the hassle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the value of investing in high-quality kitchen gear and what to consider when moving your money to an online bank so you can make smarter, more intentional financial choices. They begin by speaking with Michele Norris, host of the podcast Your Mama’s Kitchen. She explains how you can align your purchases with your cooking habits — without falling for social media hype. Plus, they discuss how to think about home kitchen upgrades, including tips and tricks on choosing the right knife or stove, knowing when to skip premium brands, and avoiding aesthetic-driven purchases that don’t match your lifestyle.  Then, NerdWallet consumer banking editor Ruth Sarreal joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss how to evaluate whether switching banks makes sense. They explore how to compare rates and fees, keep your auto-payments organized, and transition smoothly without damaging your credit or missing a bill. NerdWallet’s roundup of the best online checking accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/online-checking-accounts  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: high yield savings account, switching banks, best kitchen appliances to buy, online-only banks, SoFi checking account, bank account switching process, best knives for home cooks, Vitamix vs Ninja blender, Le Creuset alternatives, when to splurge on appliances, budgeting for kitchen upgrades, online banks vs traditional banks, how to switch banks, ATM access with online banks, pros and cons of online banks, choosing a stove, best air fryer to buy, kitchen appliances worth the money, countertop appliances, instant pot storage, what to look for in a blender, managing multiple bank accounts, best checking accounts, how to avoid bank fees, how to transfer auto-payments, comparing bank APYs, personal finance for home cooks, financial planning for kitchen purchases, emotional value of kitchen gear, and sentimental kitchen items. 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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  • Strategies for Navigating Market Swings and Leveraging Home Equity Wisely
    Learn how to stay calm during market volatility and whether a HELOC or cash-out refi makes sense for your home reno goals. What should you do with your investments when the stock market is particularly volatile? What’s the difference between a HELOC and a cash-out refinance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss coping with market volatility as well as borrowing against home equity to help you understand how to navigate uncertainty and also make smart decisions about home renovations. First, NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski and investing writer Sam Taube offer different strategies for approaching recent market volatility, including tips for ignoring short-term investment noise, building financial resilience, and understanding how tariffs affect the economy. Then, NerdWallet mortgage writer Kate Wood joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss how to borrow against your home’s value. They discuss the pros and cons of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) and cash-out refinances, how to evaluate which option may suit your renovation goals, and strategies to avoid financial regret down the road. NerdWallet’s free HELOC calculator can help you figure out whether you could be eligible for a home equity line of credit—and how much you might be able to borrow: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/heloc-calculator  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: stock market volatility, what to do when the stock market drops, HELOC vs cash-out refinance, home equity loan pros and cons, how to fund home renovations, building financial resilience, emergency fund tips, tariffs and the stock market, inflation and investments, Fed interest rate policy, bear market meaning, market downturn tips, investing during volatility, how tariffs affect the economy, bond ladder strategy, best time for HELOC, home equity loan risks, saving for home renovation, California home prices, budgeting for renovations, mortgage and equity options, financial impact of home improvements, refinance or HELOC for renovations, Vanguard FTSE All-World Ex-US ETF, iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF, international stocks vs US stocks, when to use a cash-out refinance, credit card debt vs investing, student loans and home equity, home improvement timeline planning, setting renovation budgets, housing equity strategies, planning for college savings, market correction vs crash, coping with investment stress, and financial planning in uncertain times. 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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  • How To Have a Better Relationship With Money and Maximize Every Dollar
    Learn how to explore your money beliefs and take real steps toward saving and investing, even on a tight income. What’s really behind your money habits? How can you build savings and invest if you’re not earning much? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss how your relationship with money shapes your financial behaviors and what you can do to change that narrative. Joined by Shannah Game, host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money and author of Unraveling Your Relationship with Money, they begin with a discussion of how money beliefs form in childhood, how your body gives clues about financial stress, and how weekly “money dates” can help shift your mindset, spending, and long-term financial outcomes. Then, Katie, a listener navigating a career change and major life transition, joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss budgeting on a lower income and how to make progress on both emergency savings and retirement. They discuss how to build an emergency fund with irregular income, when and how to roll over 403(b) accounts into an IRA, and how to invest small amounts without feeling discouraged. The conversation also covers tools like the 50/30/20 budget and NerdWallet’s retirement calculator to help Katie — and listeners like her — build a path forward, even if they feel like they're starting late. Are you on track to save enough for retirement? Use NerdWallet’s free retirement calculator to check your progress, see how much retirement income you'll have and estimate how much more you should save: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/retirement-calculator  NerdWallet’s roundup of the best IRA accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/investing/ira-accounts  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to fix your relationship with money, money beliefs, financial trauma, budgeting on low income, how to start saving money, emotional spending, how to invest with little money, financial self-awareness, weekly money date, how much to save for emergencies, what is a 403b, 403b rollover to IRA, Roth IRA vs traditional IRA, how to track spending, how to set money goals, compound interest explained, how to save for retirement in your 30s, moving in with a partner finances, financial independence, personal finance for late starters, how to handle a career pivot financially, how to build an emergency fund, aligning spending with goals, how to start investing in your 30s, best IRAs for beginners, saving vs investing priorities, high-yield savings account, budgeting tools for beginners, financial planning on hourly wages, financial literacy basics, how to track expenses, how to make money habits stick, celebrating financial wins, how childhood affects money habits, somatic responses to money, financial therapy, how to stop money anxiety, 50/30/20 budget rule, NerdWallet retirement calculator. 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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  • Car Prices, Tariffs, and Trade-Offs: What to Know Before You Buy or Move Out
    Learn how tariffs could impact car prices and how to know when it’s OK to spend instead of save. Should you buy a car now before prices rise due to tariffs? When is it okay to stop saving aggressively and spend more? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss recent auto tariffs and navigating major money moves to help you understand how external events and internal goals shape your financial plan. Joined by NerdWallet news writer Anna Helhoski and auto writer Shannon Bradley, they begin with a discussion of auto tariffs, with tips and tricks on when to buy a car, how much prices might rise, and when, if ever, they might come down. Then, personal finance writer Amanda Barroso joins Sean and Elizabeth to help answer a listener’s question about shifting from a strict savings mindset to one that allows for spending with purpose. They discuss how to create a flexible budget, build credit before moving out, and define life goals that money can help achieve. NerdWallet’s free investment calculator will calculate how much your investments will grow based on your planned contributions, timeline, rate of return and compounding frequency: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/investment-calculator  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: auto tariffs 2025, car price increases, how tariffs affect car prices, used car prices 2025, new car tariffs, imported car taxes, car dealership pricing, buying a car before tariffs, Trump car tariffs, steel and aluminum tariffs, cost of imported vehicles, auto financing tips, how to build credit, authorized user credit, rent reporting services, when to stop saving money, how to enjoy money responsibly, 50/30/20 budget rule, financial goals in your 20s, when to move out of your parents’ house, financial independence early, investing vs life experiences, saving vs spending, credit score for renters, best time to buy a car, federal EV tax credit, retirement savings benchmarks, budgeting for rent, planning life around money, living intentionally with money, tracking net worth, and emotional spending habits. 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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About 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. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/
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