NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Inflation is affecting a lot more than the price of groceries. It’s also presenting financial opportunities — if you know where to look. In this episode, we share a discussion about how you can leverage inflation for your benefit while minimizing its negative effects on your finances.

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 Supreme Court is getting closer to dashing or fulfilling folks’ dreams of student debt cancellation. This week, the justices heard arguments that will determine the fate of some 40 million student loan borrowers.

In this Money News episode of the podcast, Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski talk about what happened, which way the court might be leaning and what it means for you.

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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Airbnb used to be a go-to option for fun, one-of-a-kind lodging. Then the cleaning fees started stacking up. Are Airbnbs worth it anymore, or are hotels the better route to go? In this episode, host Sean Pyles talks with travel Nerd Sam Kemmis about how to decide between an Airbnb and a hotel.

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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Tax season is in full swing. And this episode, we’re taking on popular questions, including when you’re fine filing on your own — and when you might want to hire help. We also discuss why so many Americans who are eligible to file their taxes for free end up paying anyway. 

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 - 11:36 

Money Question segment: 11:37 - 36:45 

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Being the victim of identity theft can be traumatic, especially when your own mother is the perpetrator.

In this episode, personal finance Nerd Kimberly Palmer talks with Axton Betz-Hamilton, author of “The Less People Know About Us: A Mystery of Betrayal, Family Secrets, and Stolen Identity.” Betz-Hamilton talks about her experience being the victim of familial identity theft and shares tips on how to protect your identity — and how to recover if you are a victim. 

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 time for some money hot takes. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz share their (maybe unpopular) opinions about personal finance topics. Sean goes off about why buy now, pay later loans aren’t all they’re cracked up to be. And Liz shares her thoughts on how the credit bureaus can fix the way they handle your data. 

Then they answer a listener’s money question about when you might have too many credit cards — and what to do about it if you do. 

Also, we want to hear how your life — and your money — changed since the COVID pandemic began three years ago. Whether you bought a house, had a life changing epiphany or your life is more or less the same, share your story with us for an episode we're working on. Leave a voicemail or text Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].

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There are many ways for Black women and mothers to invest to build wealth for their families. Choosing the one that fits best can be a challenge, especially when you have competing priorities. In this episode, we explore different methods to invest, including various retirement accounts and 529 college savings accounts, and how to decide whether to save for yourself or your children when money is tight.

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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At a certain point in your relationship, merging your finances can feel like a natural step … or not.

To start this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk about why combining your finances with a partner isn’t always a great idea. Then Sean is joined by Nerds Liz Weston and Kim Palmer to answer a listener's question about how to manage multiple credit card accounts when merging finances.

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 - 16:14

Money Question segment: 16:15- - 32:51

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Sometimes anger is the best response to finding out you’ve been deprived of an opportunity. The steps you take from there may require research – and trade-offs.

In this episode of our “Color of Wealth” series, personal finance Nerd Elizabeth Ayoola talks with Dasha Kennedy, founder of the financial advocacy group The Broke Black Girl, about how to balance emotions and building wealth.

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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This month the Supreme Court will hear cases to decide the fate of those hoping for federal student debt cancelation. 

In this Money News episode of the podcast, hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski give you the rundown on those cases — including whether debt cancellation is likely to be upheld and when you might have to restart payment on your student loans.

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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