Learn whether manufactured homes could be your path to homeownership and how to get ahead of a tax bill from your investments.

Could a decades-old federal rule be standing between you and an affordable home? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news editor Rick VanderKnyff, along with mortgage writers Abby Badach Doyle and Kate Wood, to explore whether manufactured homes could offer a real path to homeownership for buyers priced out of the traditional market. They dig into how modern manufactured homes have changed, why the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is drawing renewed attention to an obscure chassis rule from 1976, and what you need to know about financing, appreciation, and whether these homes are finally having their rebrand moment.

Then, investing and taxes editor Bella Avila helps answer a listener's question about how to handle a growing tax bill from investment income. They discuss how taxable accounts can trigger unexpected tax bills, how to decide between adjusting your W-4 and making estimated tax payments, and why strategies like stashing money in a HYSA or CD might not work out the way you'd hope.

Locked Out: 3 Outdated Myths About Manufactured Homes https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news/locked-out-manufactured-homes-affordable-housing-crisis 

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Learn whether Robinhood Gold Card's 3% cash back and investing perks are worth the waitlist and membership cost.

Is the Robinhood Gold Card the rare credit card that could put your rewards directly to work in a brokerage account? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by NerdWallet credit card writer Melissa Lambarena to examine what makes this card stand apart: an uncapped 3% flat-rate cash back on all purchases, 5% back through Robinhood's travel portal, and the ability to redeem rewards as a deposit into a Robinhood brokerage account. They dig into who the card could work for (and who it definitely isn't right for), how the required Robinhood Gold membership factors into the value equation, what the card's high APR could mean for your rewards if you carry a balance, and how the ongoing waitlist came to exist and how long it could last. 

They also walk through how to weigh this card against alternatives like the Chase Freedom Flex, Capital One Savor, Wells Fargo Active Cash, and Chase Sapphire Preferred, to help you figure out which card might deliver the most value for your spending habits and financial goals.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: 

5 Things to Know About the Robinhood Gold Card 

Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year

Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards

American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits 

Chase Freedom Flex: Multiple Bonus Rewards in One Card 

Capital One Savor Review: Foodie-Focused Rewards, for No Annual Fee

Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Review: 2% Cash Back With a Bonus

Fidelity Rewards Visa Review: 2% Back for Your Nest Egg

Citi AAdvantage Executive Review: Your Key to the Club

5 Things to Know About BMW Credit Cards

5 Things to Know About the T.J. Maxx Credit Card

Subscribe to Smart Money, our podcast’s weekly email newsletter, at https://smartmoney-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/

And you can find other NerdWallet newsletters at https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/news/newsletter-signup

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Learn what generational spending data reveals and what to do when fear is keeping $200K in savings from growing.

What do the stereotypes about each generation's finances actually get wrong? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off the episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet data writer Kurt Woock, who breaks down a new study analyzing federal Consumer Expenditure Survey data spanning decades of American spending. They explore why housing costs follow a U-shaped curve that could hit hardest in retirement — not just in young adulthood — why the real expense of owning a car isn't the car payment, and how healthcare spending could triple as a share of your income in your later years, just as earnings begin to decline.

When is having $200,000 in savings actually working against you? Sean and Elizabeth welcome Kat from Virginia, who has maxed out her 401(k), opened 529 accounts for her kids, and accumulated $200,000 in cash — but is too anxious to touch any of that cash. Joined by Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, they dig into how financial anxiety develops, how to determine the right size for your emergency fund, and what steps could help you move from hoarding cash to building real long-term wealth.

NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an affiliate of NerdWallet Inc. NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management. Learn more at nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart 

Data: Massive Survey Shows How Generations Spend Money https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/generational-spending-CES 

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Learn what really goes into the rent versus buy decision beyond comparing your mortgage to a rent check.

In this special episode, Your Next Dollar host Andrew Giancola walks through a step-by-step total cost of ownership framework to help you weigh the real numbers behind renting versus buying a home. Then, he reacts to two videos that take very different sides of the rent versus buy debate.

Follow Your Next Dollar on your favorite podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/mzdq8dj_trg1b0mlqpvhsq 

Reaction video 1: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yv3twR9m_Tg 

Reaction video 2: https://www.tiktok.com/@steven/video/7601133303608921366 

Interested in working with a financial advisor? Visit nerdwalletwealthpartners.com

NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC (NWWP) is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. The content presented by NWWP on its Your Next Dollar podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice to any person. The views, strategies, examples, and figures discussed are intended to be general in nature, subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and may not be suitable for every individual. Any hypothetical illustrations used are for educational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee or prediction of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. NWWP's investment advisory services are only offered where NWWP and its representatives are registered. Before making any financial decision, seek advice from a qualified investment, tax, or legal professional.

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To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

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Learn what new Fed data says about Americans' finances and whether a perfect 850 credit score is worth chasing.

What does the latest Federal Reserve data actually reveal about how Americans are holding up financially — and why do feelings and facts so often diverge? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet economist Elizabeth Renter to dig into a new Fed analysis of U.S. household financial wellbeing. They discuss why wellbeing has declined for young adults, low-income families, and Black adults even as headline economic data stays relatively stable, what a shifting labor market means for workers' confidence, and what NerdWallet's new Financial Resilience Index could reveal about the gap between feeling in control of your money and actually being prepared for a financial shock.

What does a perfect 850 credit score actually get you — and is it even worth chasing? Sean and Elizabeth are joined by NerdWallet personal finance writer Amanda Barroso to answer a question about reaching the credit score mountaintop. They discuss where the real "good enough" threshold sits, how to build a healthier relationship with your score, and what habits could help you reach — and maintain — a score that actually works in your favor.

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Meet Your Next Dollar, a new podcast from NerdWallet Wealth Partners. This is the podcast for you if you are a high earner learning how to build wealth, navigate money trade-offs, and spend on what you actually value.

Follow Your Next Dollar on your favorite podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/jl7ehvemqcmp-1_fkrov6a

Interested in working with a financial advisor? Visit nerdwalletwealthpartners.com

NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC (NWWP) is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. The content presented by NWWP on its Your Next Dollar podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice to any person. The views, strategies, examples, and figures discussed are intended to be general in nature, subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and may not be suitable for every individual. Any hypothetical illustrations used are for educational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee or prediction of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. NWWP's investment advisory services are only offered where NWWP and its representatives are registered. Before making any financial decision, seek advice from a qualified investment, tax, or legal professional.

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Learn how to tackle $25,000 in credit card debt and which payoff strategy could work best for your situation.

How do you get out of $25,000 in credit card debt when minimum payments aren't making a dent? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with listener Jessica, a Bay Area mom carrying three maxed-out credit cards with interest rates ranging from 11% to 24%. They walk through her real budget, including nearly $2,000 in rent, close to $1,200 in monthly transportation costs, and significant childcare expenses, to understand why her spending outpaces her income. They also explore what options could realistically help her make progress, from nonprofit credit counseling and debt management plans to whether a free bankruptcy consultation might be worth her time before committing to any path.

Read through NerdWallet's guide to the best strategies for whittling down what you owe, depending on how much debt you have: https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/pay-off-debt 

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Learn how the E-shaped economy is reshaping middle-class budgets and how to stretch travel points on real trips.

What does it really mean when economists say the U.S. economy has shifted from a K-shape to an E-shape, and where do middle-class households fit in this new picture? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with senior news writer Anna Helhoski about why middle-class earners are increasingly slipping from the top of the K to the middle of the E, what new data reveals about families struggling to afford basic necessities in their own metro areas, and how spending patterns are shifting as essential costs eat up more of each paycheck.

Then, how can you actually make travel points work for a real trip without burning them on the wrong redemption? Sean and Elizabeth are joined by Meghan Coyle, co-host of NerdWallet's Smart Travel podcast, to walk through the smartest ways to use airline miles and hotel points. They discuss how to calculate whether points or cash is the better deal for any booking, why hotel points and airline miles aren't created equal, what happens when you transfer points speculatively, and creative ways to keep earning points without picking up another credit card.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:

Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/travel 

Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Unique as They Are Valuable https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/atmos-rewards-summit 

Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/alaska-airlines-credit-card 

American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum 

Is a Bilt Credit Card Worth It? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/bilt-mastercard

Resources discussed in this episode:

'K-Shaped' Economy Is Giving Way to an 'E-Shaped' Divide https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/news/e-shaped-economy 

How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2026? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations 

Points and Miles vs. Cash Calculator https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/calculator-should-you-book-a-flight-with-cash-or-miles 

The Best Award Travel Search Tool for 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/best-award-travel-search-tool 

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Hear money lessons from NerdWallet moms and learn how to budget for healthcare on a high-deductible plan.

What does motherhood teach you about money? In honor of Mother's Day, hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola gather money lessons from NerdWallet moms — including Erin El Issa, Amanda Barroso, Kate Ashford, and Pamela de la Fuente — as well as from Sean's mom, Jeanne. They explore the pressure to keep up with influencers and other parents, the costly belief that core childhood memories can be bought, the role allowances play in helping kids feel the weight of their own money, and what becoming a parent reveals about long-term saving.

How do you budget for healthcare when your employer switches you to a high-deductible plan and bills are coming in faster than you can build up your HSA? Sean and Elizabeth are joined by personal finance writer Kate Ashford to answer a question from a listener whose routine doctor visit ballooned from a $30 quote to nearly $500 out of pocket. They dig into the triple tax advantages of HSAs, the math behind comparing high-deductible and traditional coverage, why the first year on an HDHP can feel especially brutal, and what to do when medical expenses outpace your savings.

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

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Learn what 2026 grads could borrow for college and how solo 401(k) contributions can build retirement wealth.

How much could it cost to go to college in 2026, and is a four-year degree still a smart financial move? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola dig into a new NerdWallet analysis of federal data with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet data writer Erin El Issa. They explore why most Americans say the federal student loan system feels broken even as they still see college as worthwhile, the rising appeal of the trades, how AI is shifting the way teens think about majors and careers, and what new borrowers could expect from the federal repayment options rolling out July 1.

Then, Ryan Sterling, wealth advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners, joins Sean and Elizabeth to help answer a listener's question about how to split solo 401(k) contributions between the employer and employee sides of the account to maximize retirement savings. They discuss how solo 401(k)s differ from standard workplace plans, how to think about the contribution split if you also have a W-2 job, when traditional versus Roth contributions could make more sense, how solo 401(k)s stack up against SEP IRAs, the investment flexibility you could gain through a brokerage-based plan, and the common mistakes business owners make when trying to maximize retirement savings.

NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an affiliate of NerdWallet Inc. NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management. Learn more at nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart 

Read NerdWallet's 2026 high school grad analysis here: https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/studies/high-school-grad-analysis 

Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header

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