NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Get fall-ready with budgeting tips and strategies for diversifying your investment portfolio to achieve financial goals.

How can you reset your finances for fall and prepare for the holiday season? Can you grow an undiversified investment portfolio by $28,000 over seven years without additional contributions? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss seasonal budgeting and investment diversification to help you understand how to effectively manage your money during the fall season and optimize your investment strategies for long-term growth. They begin with a discussion of preparing your finances for fall, with tips and tricks on reviewing your summer spending, adjusting savings goals for the holidays, and early holiday planning.

Then, Smart Money cohost Elizabeth Ayoola joins Sean and Sara to help answer a listener’s question about how they can diversify their investment portfolio to reach a savings goal of $28,000 over four years. They discuss the importance of mitigating risks through diversification, real-life cautionary tales of emotional attachment to investments, and the complexities of assessing stock performance. 

Use NerdWallet’s free investment calculator to estimate how much your investments or savings will compound over time, based on factors like how much you plan to save or invest, your initial deposit and your expected rate of return: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/investment-calculator 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: fall financial strategies, smart portfolio management, resetting your finances, mastering investment diversification, smart investing tips, fall financial check-up, portfolio diversification, preparing your wallet for autumn, investing wisely, seasonal budgeting, creating a balanced portfolio, assessing financial goals, holiday season financial planning, estimating investment growth, long-term portfolio growth, familiarity bias, emotional attachment to investments, stock performance assessment, avoiding investment pitfalls, financial success, fall budgeting tips, early holiday planning, holiday travel arrangements, financial stability, open enrollment, healthcare options, beneficiary designations, and retirement accounts.

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 expert tips and tricks for saving money on holiday travel booking, from the best time to book to when you should use rewards points.

When should you book your holiday travel? How can you save money on travel during the busiest travel season? Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle talk to travel rewards Nerd Sam Kemmis about how to save money when booking holiday travel, with tips and tricks on using companion fares, the optimal time to book holiday flights, and understanding the fine print of airline programs. They also discuss the challenges and benefits of standby flights, the value of subscribing to flight deal newsletters, and the advantages of using credit card points and transferring them to partner airlines. By exploring these topics, the hosts aim to provide listeners with actionable advice to make holiday travel more affordable and less stressful.

Check out NerdWallet’s roundup of the 16 Best Travel Credit Cards of September 2024: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/travel 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: holiday travel tips, budget travel, travel savings, cheap flights, holiday travel deals, affordable holiday travel, companion fares, Alaska Airlines, credit card points, holiday airfare, hotel deals, flight deal newsletters, Thanksgiving travel, flexible travel plans, standby flights, holiday travel booking, holiday travel strategies, travel on a budget, holiday travel expenses, holiday season travel, slashing travel costs, save money on travel, holiday travel flexibility, travel credit cards, international travel deals, Google Flights, spontaneous travel options, travel savings tips, avoiding holiday travel costs, affordable festive getaways, cheaper holiday trips, holiday travel experiences, travel rewards programs, and holiday flight deals.

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 why the economy feels worse than the data suggests, and what the latest jobs report means for interest rates.

Why do people feel negative about the economy even when the data says it’s doing well? How could upcoming changes to interest rates affect your personal finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski dive into the latest job market data and discuss why it’s so hard to tell whether the economy is doing well or not. Joined by NerdWallet Senior Economist Elizabeth Renter, they unpack the mixed messaging in headlines, explain why consumer sentiment doesn’t always align with economic data, and give an inside look into what the latest numbers mean for the future of interest rates. If you’ve ever wondered why good numbers sometimes still feel bad, then this episode is for you. 

After their deep dive into the economy, Sean and Anna break down the latest money headlines, including Apple's newest product unveilings, why you may want to think twice before upgrading your gadgets, and how more people are joining the ranks of 401k millionaires.

Are you on track for your golden years? NerdWallet’s retirement calculator can help you make a plan to reach your savings goals: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/retirement-calculator 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: economic data, consumer sentiment, jobs report, interest rates, Federal Reserve, inflation, economic news, job market, 401k savings, Apple product launch, unemployment rate, stock market, economic growth, recession, financial planning, personal finance, retirement savings, labor market, wage growth, inflation rates, money management, federal interest rates, Apple iPhone, economic forecast, economic trends, money headlines, and job growth.

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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A certified financial planner offers a listener actionable advice to help him save for a big move while maintaining financial stability.

NerdWallet Advisors is no longer accepting new clients, and will be closing its financial planning business as of December 20th, 2024.

How much should you save before you move to a new city? How can you reach your savings goals while also spending on your lifestyle? Recording in-person from a studio in Chicago, host Sean Pyles sits down with Magda Doemeny, a certified financial planner with NerdWallet Advisors, to host an actual financial planning session with a listener. Jim, a 36-year-old nonprofit worker, joins them to share his aspirations of moving to a higher cost-of-living area without a job lined up. Magda advises him on how much money in living expenses he should consider saving before making the move, the practicality of high-yield savings accounts, and the benefits and limitations of using a Roth IRA for a down payment, among other practical strategies for reaching his goals while maintaining financial stability.

NerdWallet Advisory LLC, dba NerdWallet Advisors, is an SEC-registered investment advisor and wholly owned subsidiary of NerdWallet Inc. The advice provided in this episode of Smart Money was for illustrative purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice specific to your personal facts or circumstances.

In their conversation, you’ll hear about: smart financial planning, major life transitions, certified financial planners, financial stability, dream relocation, higher cost of living, Roth IRA for a down payment, high-yield savings accounts, budgeting tips, saving for relocation, emergency savings, long-term financial health, actionable financial strategies, transportation costs, retirement savings adjustments, financial goals, balancing life changes, moving to San Diego, cost of living, clear financial goals, financial risks, increasing income, trimming expenses, side gigs, prioritizing savings goals, healthcare coverage costs, affordable financial planning, financial plan, setting financial goals, car purchase planning, and moving expenses.

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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Get insider tips for stress-free holiday travel, from booking strategies to maximizing credit card points and more.

What’s the best way to avoid stress when traveling during the holidays? Is it better to book with points when you’re traveling for the holidays? Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss the challenges of holiday travel and share effective booking strategies to help you understand how to navigate the busiest travel days with ease and efficiency. Travel Nerd Sally French joins them to discuss common holiday travel hurdles, including the benefits of early morning flights, the advantages of extending holiday trips to avoid peak travel days, and strategies for using travel points and rewards effectively during the holidays. They also explore the perks of lounge access, the efficiency of TSA PreCheck, and clever ways to use travel points during peak seasons.

Check out NerdWallet’s roundup of the 16 Best Travel Credit Cards of September 2024: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/travel 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: holiday travel tips, stress-free holiday travel, best time to book flights, maximize credit card points, TSA PreCheck benefits, lounge access perks, avoid flight cancellations, early morning flights, busiest travel days, holiday staycation, travel strategies, Southwest flight credits, holiday travel chaos, extend holiday trips, travel trends 2024, holiday travel season, travel points usage, travel delays, layover tips, airline reliability, Google Flights alerts, avoiding holiday crowds, booking smarter, record-breaking travel, holiday flight booking, travel tips and tricks, avoiding holiday rush, sentimental holiday travel, Thanksgiving travel tips, Christmas travel tips, booking refundable flights, holiday travel planning, navigating TSA lines, airport lounge benefits, travel rewards strategies, flying on holidays, travel stories, and 2024 holiday travel outlook.

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 about new real estate commission rules and how they impact home buyers, sellers, and the future of agent fees.

How will real estate commissions work following the National Association of Realtors settlement? What do post-NAR rules mean for home buyers and sellers? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski break down the new real estate commission rules that recently came into effect following a landmark lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors. Holden Lewis, NerdWallet’s home and mortgage expert, joins the discussion to explain the recent changes, what they mean for the industry, and how they could affect your next real estate transaction.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: real estate commissions, real estate commission rules, real estate agent fees, real estate commission changes, buyer's agent commission, seller's agent commission, real estate lawsuits, real estate settlement, real estate market changes, commission negotiations, buying a house, selling a house, real estate commission lawsuit, MLS rules, real estate industry news, real estate trends, real estate legal changes, commission rules, real estate commissions explained, real estate agent compensation, new real estate laws, and real estate regulations.

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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Writer, producer, and actor Felicia Day shares her financial journey working in Hollywood, with tips for managing your budget when gigs are inconsistent.

What is your time worth?

How do you value your time outside of work? 

How can you manage finances in an unpredictable career like acting? 

Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the concept of time valuation to help you understand how to balance personal worth against income. They begin with a discussion of time valuation, offering insights on the average hourly value people place on their time, the impact of this valuation on life decisions and assessing the value of unpaid personal tasks. 

06:10 Interview with Felicia Day

Sean speaks with Felicia Day about the financial strategies she employed to maintain an unstable career in Hollywood. They tackle topics such as frugal habits, the significance of diversifying one's portfolio for career longevity and aligning creative passions with financial stability. Plus: How to understand the financial education that you may have received even without having ever been given a formal financial education.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: Hollywood finances, managing finances, acting career, freelancing lifestyle, financial strategies, financial acumen, Hollywood journey, value of time, budgeting tactics, work-life balance, career growth, financial stability, creative careers, personal well-being, professional satisfaction, financial security, generational differences, personal time investment, freelancing finances, unstable careers, diversifying skills, frugality, budgeting skills, theoretical mathematics, content creation, business acumen, media industry, creative fulfillment, career shifts, entrepreneurial leaps, work-life harmony, managing a budget, career resilience, and skills diversification.

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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Understand how first-gen Americans can achieve financial success with tips for balancing cultural obligations and wealth-building strategies.

How can first-generation Americans grow their wealth and protect their money? How can you set financial boundaries with family and friends while staying committed to your long-term financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Kim Palmer discuss the unique financial challenges faced by first-generation Americans and immigrant families to help you understand strategies for achieving financial independence. They begin with a discussion of tips and tricks on managing dual financial pressures of supporting oneself and one's parents and breaking cycles of poverty through self-compassion and financial education.

Jannese Torres, host of the personal finance podcast Yo Quiero Dinero, joins Kim to discuss the importance of building a strong financial support network tailored to individual needs. They discuss strategies for identifying trustworthy financial advisors, setting and maintaining financial boundaries with family and friends, and gracefully declining costly invitations in favor of ensuring long-term financial success. This episode is essential listening for anyone navigating cultural and familial obligations while striving for financial independence.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: financial success, first-generation Americans, wealth building strategies, Jannese Torres, mastering money, immigrant families, navigating financial challenges, first-gen success, building wealth, immigrant stories, financial freedom, new Americans, supporting family, financial goals, empowering immigrant communities, financial literacy, actionable advice, cultural responsibilities, retirement savings, breaking cycles of poverty, self-compassion, financial stability, culturally competent education, financial trauma, financial support network, trustworthy advisors, financial boundaries, costly events, long-term financial success, multiple income streams, personal finance, and money beliefs.

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 how the National Public Data breach could affect you and what actions you can take after a major data breach occurs.

What should you do after a major data breach? How can you secure your data from unscrupulous data brokers? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the alarming security breach at National Public Data with investigative journalist Bob Sullivan, exploring the implications of the breach and providing actionable tips on how to protect your personal information from future threats.

Then, Sean and Anna discuss the latest money headlines, including Fed interest rates, the turbulent real estate market’s challenges posed by high mortgage rates and rising home prices, and the antitrust lawsuit against RealPage for alleged price-fixing in the rental market. 

Use NerdWallet’s “How much house can I afford?” calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/how-much-house-can-i-afford/calculate-affordability 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: National Public Data breach, Social Security number protection, credit monitoring, interest rate cut, Fed interest rates, housing market trends, mortgage rates, home affordability, real estate market, rent increase, rental market, antitrust lawsuit, financial security, cybersecurity, credit score impact, data protection, mortgage tips, home buying tips, housing prices, RealPage lawsuit, rental software, property management, interest rate prediction, inflation impact, homeownership, financial planning, identity theft, security breach, class action lawsuit, credit report, credit freeze, housing market forecast, fed policy, real estate tips, housing affordability, mortgage rates 2024, and rental prices.

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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A CFP helps a listener turn financial anxiety into actionable steps for budgeting, investing, and achieving financial peace of mind.

NerdWallet Advisors is no longer accepting new clients, and will be closing its financial planning business as of December 20th, 2024.

How can you be more comfortable spending money? What are strategies for combating financial anxiety? Host Sean Pyles sits in on a live financial planning session where Magda Doemeny, a certified financial planner from the NerdWallet Advisors platform, gives a listener (also named Sean) specific advice to reduce anxiety around their finances (advice given on behalf of Nerdwallet Advisors, not NerdWallet). They begin with a discussion of Sean's personal financial journey before Magda offers tips and tricks on setting clear short to medium-term goals, compartmentalizing savings to reduce stress, and understanding the risks and rewards of investing. She recommends actionable steps for helping him enjoy his money more without needing to stress over where every dollar is spent.

​​NerdWallet Advisory LLC (dba NerdWallet Advisors) is an SEC-registered investment advisor, and wholly owned subsidiary of NerdWallet, Inc. The advice provided in this episode of Smart Money was for illustrative purposes only and not intended as financial or investment advice specific to your personal facts or circumstances.

This discussion covers: financial anxiety, financial peace of mind, financial planning session, budgeting strategies, investing tips, asset portfolio, certified financial planner, managing finances, financial goals, retirement planning, financial security, financial management, smart investing, wealth building, financial discipline, savings accounts, financial communication, financial relationships, college tuition, home down payments, financial stability, financial relaxation, money management, anxiety about money, achieving financial goals, budgeting and investing, financial goals and relationships, financial goal-setting, financial reassurance, financial stress, and disciplined financial planning.

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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