NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Learn how to take advantage of seasonal housing market trends and enjoy travel credit card rewards — even in small cities.

1:03 This Week in Your Money: Seasonal housing market trends can have a big impact on homebuying (or selling!), which is why NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter joins today’s episode to discuss the latest patterns. She talks with hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston about the fluctuating trends of home prices, inventory and sales, with a focus on how they’ve shifted over the past few years — including with the impact of the pandemic. They discuss how rising interest rates may influence the housing market in 2023 when it comes to prices, inventory and homeownership feasibility. The Nerds evaluate the pros and cons for buyers and sellers in the second half of 2023, including potential benefits of larger down payments and shorter mortgages.

10:57 Today’s Money Question: Travel Nerd Sam Kemmis joins Sean and Liz to answer a listener’s question about how to maximize the benefits of travel credit cards, particularly for those based in smaller cities with limited amenities. They discuss the perceived value of airport lounge access, when it makes sense to use points instead of paying cash and how to maximize benefits when flying out of smaller airports. They also offer insights into how to approach airline loyalty, and they wrap up the discussion by sharing their personal tips for traveling through small airports and small towns.

25:19 Takeaway Tips: In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: seasonal housing market trends, home prices, housing inventory, homebuying, home sales, mortgage loan interest rates, homeownership, the real estate market, travel credit card rewards, small airports, maximizing credit card benefits, travel tips, airport lounge access, frequent flyer miles, and buying flights with points instead of cash.

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 an inside look into strategies and pitfalls of the high-risk, high-reward world of day trading.

Hosts Sean Pyles and Andy Rosen discuss the high-stakes world of day trading and shed some light on your statistical chances of finding success. Then, Andy welcomes seasoned traders Sierra Smith and Michael Sincere to the podcast to share their perspectives. They pull back the curtain on Sierra's typical trading morning, break down concepts like options trading, and highlight the rollercoaster ride of market highs and lows.

They also discuss the profound role of social media in day trading, the importance of discipline and emotional control, and the potential pitfalls and real challenges in day trading. Drawing from their personal experiences, they shed light on how they’ve learned to take profits quickly, prevent losses from spiraling, and maintain a realistic perspective on potential returns. 

In this conversation, you’ll hear about: day trading; options trading; market highs and lows; social media influencers; emotional control; cashing out; taking profits and alleviating losses; researching the stock market; and understanding and making 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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Uncover actionable tips for ensuring your money is working for you, and how to plan for resuming student loan payments.

01:28 This Week in Your Money: Learn how to conduct a midyear financial check-in with help from hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston, who offer practical advice for reassessing your financial situation and getting back on track. They discuss strategies to save on car insurance and cell phone plans and stress the importance of securing the best rates for savings accounts. They also discuss the benefits of conducting a tax projection, looking back at past financial resolutions, and preparing for the holidays early to avoid financial stress.

08:28 today’s Money Question: Student loan Nerd Eliza Haverstock joins Sean and Liz to answer a listener’s question about the upcoming resumption of student loan payments after more than three years and nine forbearance extensions. The Nerds discuss the challenges that many borrowers face, particularly with the upcoming end of the deferred interest period. They discuss the implications of withdrawing 401(k) money to make student loan payments and provide insights into the pros and cons of making lump sum payments versus paying off loans over time. They also share details around income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, including the new SAVE plan, and discuss other options such as the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

24:21 Takeaway Tips: In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: midyear financial check-ins, financial resolutions, saving on car insurance, cell phone plans, savings accounts, tax projections, student loan repayments, the end of the deferred interest period for student loans, the new income-driven repayment (IDR) plan, student loan balances, standard loan repayment plans, student loan forgiveness, the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, budgeting, credit counseling, financial wellness and 401(k) withdrawals.

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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Discover the risks and rewards of active investing, and when to consider calling in professionals for trading decisions.

If you’re ready to take your investing game to the next level, then listen as NerdWallet’s Sean Pyles and Andy Rosen discuss the ins and outs of advanced investing strategies. They tackle the topic of autonomy over your investments, examining the rewards and risks that come with managing your own portfolio. They discuss how to assess your risk tolerance so you can make more informed decisions, then introduce some of the diverse strategies people use to invest.

Sean and Andy then demystify the world of active trading and explain how paper trading can help you test your investing skills without risking any of your hard-earned money. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of the motivations and potential outcomes of active trading, no matter what types of investments you’re considering making.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: investing strategies; technical analysis; advanced investing; day trading; swing trades; exchange-traded funds (ETFs); risk tolerance; active trading; DIY investing; professional financial management; portfolio allocation; robo-advisors; index funds; trading risks and rewards; buying stocks; paper trading; commodities; and when to consider working with an investment advisor.

Please take our listener survey at https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey to help us improve the show! Survey participants will be automatically entered into our Smart Money Podcast Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card when you complete and submit the survey form. The Sweepstakes period is from June 19, 2023, to August 7, 2023. Limit One (1) Entry per person. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Read the Official Rules for more details.

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 Nerdy tips to plan a Disney vacation without going broke, and how to choose a retirement plan when self-employed.

01:08 This Week in Your Money: Unlock the magic of making your next Disney vacation more affordable with insider tips from travel Nerd Sally French. She joins hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to unveil the secrets behind experiencing Disneyland and Disney World on a budget, from strategic hotel choices to the types of tickets you might want to avoid. Plus: The Nerds discuss the value of early entry benefits, share their hot takes on whether Genie+ tickets are worth the splurge and explore methods for saving money on food and souvenirs.

13:00 Today’s Money Question: Investing Nerd June Sham joins Sean and Liz to answer a listener’s question about how to manage retirement plans and quarterly taxes as a self-employed professional. The Nerds go deep into 401(k) contribution limits, mega backdoor Roth 401(k) and IRA plans and SEP, or simplified employee pension, plans. You’ll discover money-saving strategies, understand when it’s important to budget for quarterly taxes and learn when you might need a tax professional to keep your finances in check.

29:04 Takeaway Tips.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: Disney vacations; theme park tips; early entry benefits; Genie Plus tickets; Disney World and Disneyland hotels; how to avoid long lines; retirement plans; backdoor Roth IRAs; solo 401(k) plans; quarterly taxes; money-saving strategies; budgeting; simplified employee pension plans; using tax professionals; and maxing out retirement accounts.

Please take our listener survey at https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey to help us improve the show! Survey participants will be automatically entered into our Smart Money Podcast Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card when you complete and submit the survey form. The Sweepstakes period is from June 19, 2023, to August 7, 2023. Limit One (1) Entry per person. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Read the Official Rules for more details.

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 the implications of adding authorized users to credit cards, and how to plan retirement so your money lasts.

01:40 Today’s first Money Question: A listener asks whether it’s a good idea to help a friend or family member build credit by adding them as an authorized user on your credit card. Credit expert Bev O’Shea joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to discuss the risks and benefits of adding authorized users, including the impact it can have on a person’s credit profile, the conditions under which it might be unfavorable and how many people a credit card holder can add as authorized users.

13:35 Today’s second Money Question: Sean and Liz turn their attention to the complex world of retirement planning. They discuss methods for evaluating whether you've saved enough for retirement, common pitfalls to avoid and why it's key to consult with a fee-only financial planner. The discussion digs deep into critical decisions around Medicare and Social Security and how to manage them effectively, how to ensure your retirement funds last and the impact of inflation on retirement plans.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: credit card authorized users; credit management; credit profiles; financial planners; retirement planning; Medicare; Social Security; retirement funds; inflation; health insurance; filing bankruptcy; and retirement savings.

Please take our listener survey at https://nerdwallet.com/survey to help us improve the show! Survey participants will be automatically entered into our Smart Money Podcast Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card when you complete and submit the survey form. The Sweepstakes period is from June 19, 2023 to August 7, 2023. Limit One (1) Entry per person. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Read the Official Rules for more details.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, then please vote for us in the 18th Annual People's Choice Podcast Awards! Register at https://podcastawards.com and find “NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast” in the Business category. Voting in other categories is optional. We appreciate it!

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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Keep your money safe by spotting student loan scams, then learn how to cover child care costs without going into debt.

01:02 This Week in Your Money: Hear a student loan scammer’s actual voicemail, which hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston dissect line by line to give you a better understanding of scammers’ manipulative strategies and pressure tactics. Sean and Liz will also share practical advice about how to safeguard yourself and your loved ones against these scams and tips for how to plan your budget for when student loan payments resume later in 2023.

09:15 Today’s Money Question: Personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer helps Sean and Liz answer a listener question about the financial challenges associated with sending two children to day care full time, despite both parents having six-figure salaries. They suggest different budgeting approaches parents may want to consider when planning for child care costs, and Kim shares the trade-offs she has made in her own life to afford child care. The Nerds also discuss the risks of using a home equity line of credit to fund day care, the potential hazards of lifestyle creep and the implications of becoming a stay-at-home parent to offset child care costs.

22:03 Takeaway Tips.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: student loan scammers; financial scams; keeping your FSA ID safe; budgeting for parents; retirement savings; lifestyle creep; the 50/30/20 budget strategy; managing household expenses; when to consider a home equity line of credit (HELOC); budgeting shortfalls; and child care costs.

Please take our listener survey at https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey to help us improve the show! Survey participants will be automatically entered into our Smart Money Podcast Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card when you complete and submit the survey form. The Sweepstakes period is from June 19, 2023, to August 7, 2023. Limit One (1) Entry per person. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Read the Official Rules for more details.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, then please vote for us in the 18th Annual People's Choice Podcast Awards! Register at https://podcastawards.com and find “NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast” in the Business category. Voting in other categories is optional. We appreciate it!

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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Learn ways to handle your debt, including some options you might not know about. And find out how pet insurance works, how much it costs and ways to budget for pet care.

01:14 Today’s first Money Question: Personal finance Nerd Tommy Tindall joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to discuss alternative ways to pay off debt when you can’t get a personal loan. The Nerds discuss credit counseling, debt management plans and when it may make sense to declare bankruptcy. They analyze the pros and cons of each and discuss the potential effects on credit scores. If you've ever wondered when it may make sense to use a debt management plan or when bankruptcy might be a better option, this episode has got you covered. 

17:04 Today’s second Money Question: Is pet insurance worth it? Co-host Sara Rathner joins Sean and Liz to answer that question by breaking down how pet insurance works, what to consider when selecting a plan and when you may want to consider it for your furry (or feathery, or scaly) friends. They also discuss the costs of different levels of coverage, the impact of your pet's age on insurance costs and how to budget for anticipated medical expenses. 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: debt-to-income ratio; debt snowball and debt avalanche payoff methods; credit scores; credit counseling; declaring Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy; debt settlement; pet insurance premiums; preexisting conditions; dental cleanings; and pet emergency funds.

Please take our listener survey at https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey to help us improve the show! Survey participants will be automatically entered into our Smart Money Podcast Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card when you complete and submit the survey form. The Sweepstakes period is from June 19, 2023, to August 7, 2023. Limit One (1) Entry per person. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Read the Official Rules for more details.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, then please vote for us in the 18th Annual People's Choice Podcast Awards! Register at https://podcastawards.com and find “NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast” in the Business category. Voting in other categories is optional. We appreciate it!

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

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

Learn pro tips for shopping on social media so you don’t overspend, and smart strategies for investing your spare cash.

00:48 This Week in Your Money: Get equipped with practical tips to shop smart on social media platforms and stay vigilant against overspending. Personal finance Nerd Kimberly Palmer joins hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston for a Nerdy look at how your social media feed may be leading you to spend more money than you should. You’ll learn about useful browser extensions to help you compare prices, a reminder to check customer reviews and how the setting and a false sense of urgency can lead people to spend too much money and perhaps share too much personal information.

 8:26 Today’s Money Question: Investing Nerd Sam Taube joins Sean and Liz to answer a listener’s question about how to invest extra money currently sitting in a high-yield savings account. The Nerds take a deep look into the importance of emergency funds and how to set realistic financial goals, offering practical advice on starting your own emergency fund and discussing how your cost of living can influence the amount you should consider saving. They also explain how using online banks can make savings goals more tangible, before they switch gears and dive into the vast world of investment options, including the mutual funds, exchange traded funds, individual stocks, high-interest savings accounts and money market accounts.

23:53 Takeaway Tips.

In their conversation, Sean and Liz discuss: social media shopping; influencer marketing; price comparison shopping; how to read customer reviews; smart shopping browser extensions; limited time offers; options for investing spare cash; emergency funds; cost of living adjustments; online bank savings buckets; short-term and long-term financial goals; money market savings accounts; money market mutual funds; CDs; and splurging.

Please take our listener survey at https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey to help us improve the show! Survey participants will be automatically entered into our Smart Money Podcast Sweepstakes for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card when you complete and submit the survey form. The Sweepstakes period is from June 19, 2023 to August 7, 2023. Limit One (1) Entry per person. No purchase necessary to enter or win. Odds of winning will be determined by the number of eligible entries received. Read the Official Rules for more details.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, then please vote for us in the 18th Annual People's Choice Podcast Awards! Register at https://podcastawards.com and find “NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast” in the Business category. Voting in other categories is optional. We appreciate it!

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

Learn how to avoid overspending on investing and brokerage fees, and get smart about how to choose a financial advisor.

01:55 Today’s First Money Question: Investing Nerd Alana Benson joins Sean Pyles and Liz Weston to demystify brokerage fees and explain how you can reduce the fees you’re paying on investment accounts. They discuss the types of brokerage fees and how they can impact your investments. 

13:53 Today’s Second Money Question: The Nerds walk through the process of choosing the right financial advisor for your needs. They explain the qualifications and expertise of various financial advisors and what to consider when selecting one, including how to spot red flags. They also discuss the importance of estate planning and power of attorney, and they offer ideas for how you can manage your money independently if you prefer a DIY approach. 

In their conversation, Sean and Liz discuss: brokerage fees; investment advisors; 401(k) fees; index funds; exchange-traded funds (ETFs); mutual funds; trade commissions; expense ratios; assets under management; hourly fees; retainers; red flags; fiduciaries; enrolled agents; estate planning; power of attorney; robo-advisors; certified financial planners (CFPs) versus certified public accountants (CPAs); accredited financial counselors; tax advisors; rebalancing accounts; and professional money management.

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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