A recession is imminent. Or, maybe it isn’t? News stories about looming recession can feel incessant, only for the economic turmoil to never materialize. To start off this episode, Sean and Sara talk about how to cut through the noise and focus on improving your financial life. 

Then Sean and Sara talk with a listener, Lauren, who’s deciding whether to pull back from her retirement savings to pay down her mortgage faster. 

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

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 8:39 

Money Question segment: 8:40 - 30:52

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Do you really need money to be happy? Or is money the reason you’re unhappy? Either way, chances are your relationship to money and happiness is a little, well, messy. 

To kick off this Nerdy deep dive into money and happiness, Sean talks with happiness experts Gretchen Rubin and Robert Puff to understand what happiness really means. Then Sean talks with Morgan Housel, author of “The Psychology of Money,” about where money and happiness intersect.

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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It’s officially spring, which means it’s time to bust out the duster, broom — and your bank account logins. To start this episode, Sean and Sara talk about how you can do a little financial spring-cleaning. Then they answer a listener’s question about paying off different debts, like taxes and credit cards. 

Want the Nerds to answer your money question? Call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:34

Money Question segment: 10:35 - 27:04

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The travel Nerds have all sorts of opinions on when to get to the airport ahead of a flight, what sorts of upgrades or perks are most valuable to them — and of course, whether to check or carry on a bag. In this episode of Smart Money, the travel Nerds answer some lightning-round questions on their takes.

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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The banking system has been feeling less than stable lately. But how worried should you really be? To start this episode, Sean and Sara discuss the concern. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener question about how to choose between an online and a traditional bank. 

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

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 6:21 

Money Question segment: 6:22 - 25:13 

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So you’re deep in the points game (or want to be). Are you better off focusing your points earning and spending efforts on one brand, or diversifying your points? This episode, Sean talks with travel Nerd Elina Geller about which is better and why. 

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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The rates on certificates of deposit have shot up over the past year. But are CDs really a good option, especially when high-yield savings accounts are offering similar yields? Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss.

Then Sean and Liz Weston talk with a listener about how to manage a life-changing financial windfall.

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

Timestamps:

This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 6:33

Money Question segment: 6:34 - 30:44

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Travel credit cards can help you score the vacation of your dreams on points alone. But are they worth the hassle of playing the points game? In this episode of the “This or That” travel series, Sean talks with travel Nerd Sally French about why travel cards are worth the hype — and when a cash-back card might be the better option.

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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The COVID-19 pandemic upended the world — and our finances. The tumult created a lot of opportunity and angst in its wake. In this episode, Sean hosts a roundtable discussion about how COVID-19 changed the way we manage and talk about money.

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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You’ve got a trip coming up. Should you use cash or points to book your travel and lodging? In this episode, Sean Pyles talks with travel writer Meghan Coyle about when you might want to use cash — and when points are your best bet.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices