Get answers to common questions that will allow you to maximize your credit card rewards points and avoid common point planning pitfalls with our Nerdy expert tips.
How can you travel more while spending less? 
How could changes in airline loyalty programs affect your travel plans? 
What are the benefits of co-branded airline or hotel credit cards versus flexible rewards cards? 
NerdWallet’s Sean Pyles and Erin Hurd dive deep into credit card rewards points, addressing a range of topics that will resonate with anyone eager to maximize their credit card points and travel perks. They discuss recent changes in airline loyalty programs, including Delta and Alaska Airlines, and explore the advantages and drawbacks of co-branded airline or hotel credit cards and the benefits of using flexible rewards cards.
They also present strategies for maximizing credit card sign-up bonuses while avoiding common mistakes that can lead to fewer rewards, and offer tips for how you can track and manage credit card points and perks. Sean and Erin also explain the pitfalls of carrying a balance on travel credit cards, the implications of credit card fees and surcharges at local stores, potential industry changes, such as interest rates and fee structures, and the potential impact of the Credit Card Competition Act on rewards programs.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: credit card points, travel rewards, personal finance, airline loyalty programs, Delta, Alaska Airlines, co-branded credit cards, flexible rewards cards, sign-up bonuses, spending traps, unused points, strategic spending, credit card portfolio, tracking perks, minimum spending requirements, bonus categories, carrying a balance, credit card fees, everyday purchases, travel booking, annual fees, credit card industry, interest rates, reward system changes, credit card perks, value of points, credit card bonuses, and the Credit Card Competition Act.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.
Show Note Links:
What Is the ‘Chase Trifecta’?
How to Maximize Rewards With the AmEx Trifecta

Saving Money with Credit Card Rewards Points: Travel, Cash Back and More

NerdWallet’s objective finance journalists answer real-world questions empowering you to make smarter decisions with your money and help your finances thrive.

The Nerds are your resource to make the most of your personal finances, while cutting through the clutter and misinformation of today’s economic news and advice. You’ll get clarity on strategies to help you build your wealth, invest wisely, shop for financial products, and plan for major life events.

By the end of each episode, you’ll feel smarter and more informed to make the most of your finances. Future You will thank you.

Join hosts Sean Pyles, Sara Rathner, and other expert Nerds as they discuss everything personal finance, including:

- Credit cards: credit card rewards, different types of credit cards, credit card annual fees

- Investing and retirement: investment strategies, retirement planning, financial independence, investing in the stock market, money market accounts, financial strategies, mutual funds, short-term bonds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), Roth IRA investing, robo-advisors, retirement savings

- Personal finance: budgeting methods, emergency funds, paying off debt, frugal living, money management tips, wealth accumulation, money habits, cultivating a money growth mindset, debt-free living, financial resources, budgeting apps and browser extensions, avoiding scams, tax bills, financial success and financial stability

- Banking: high-yield saving accounts, online banking, credit unions

- Loans: student loans, home equity loans, HELOC, student loan forgiveness

- Home: mortgage interest rates, homebuying, home improvement projects, homeowners insurance

- Insurance: travel insurance, pet insurance, auto insurance, home insurance

You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth.

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Learn how scammers deceive victims by using AI for voice cloning and learn how you can protect yourself from other AI-related fraud.
How can you protect yourself from AI-driven scams that target your finances? 
What new scams are happening as technology advances? 
Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the alarming use of AI in scams and the future of fraud to help you understand how to safeguard your personal security. They begin with a discussion of AI-driven voice scams, with tips and tricks on recognizing potential fraud, staying informed about scam tactics, and the importance of open discussion to empower against scammer tactics. 
Then, scam expert Bob Sullivan, author of “Stop Getting Ripped Off” and host of the podcast The Perfect Scam, joins Sean to discuss the broader implications of AI technology in scams. They discuss the potential for AI to personalize phishing attacks, the ease of creating convincing fake audio and the importance of skepticism in the face of unexpected calls. Plus, the need for technology companies to embed safeguards, the role of societal learning in approaching unexpected calls and the importance of verifying any financial requests you receive.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: AI scams, voice cloning, digital deception, phishing attacks, personal security, scam victims, artificial intelligence, fraud prevention, identity theft, technology-assisted scams, voice cloning technology, psychological impact of scams, safeguarding against scams, AI voice scam, digital defenses, personalized fraud, ethical technology, data privacy, scam awareness, voice replication, modern scams, voice imitation fraud, AI in criminal activities, big data and scams, combating scams, generative AI, scam prevention strategies, emotional toll of scams, technology and fraud, future of phishing, online vulnerabilities, deepfake technology, AI-enhanced phishing, scam resilience, scam reporting, technology safeguards, and scam detection.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

Overcome AI Fraud: Navigating Voice Cloning and Digital Scams

Learn how investors use artificial intelligence to make decisions. Plus: AI’s current capabilities and limitations in finance.

How does AI affect investment decisions? What are AI’s limitations in finance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski explore these questions and more with Sam Taube, an investing writer at NerdWallet, who shares insights on AI's role in investment research and stock selection. They break down the potential of AI-powered ETFs and mutual funds, including their performance trends and considerations for investors. They also discuss AI’s current capabilities and limitations in investing, how AI can streamline your investment research process when used correctly, and why caution and human oversight remain essential. 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: artificial intelligence investing, AI in finance, investing with AI, AI-powered funds, AI investment research, AI stock selection, limitations of AI in finance, AI and financial decisions, using AI for investing, AI in mutual funds, AI in ETFs, AI in the stock market, AI for investment analysis, AI and investment strategies, benefits of AI in investing, AI in financial services, AI in wealth management, AI and investment performance, risks of AI in investing, AI and market predictions, AI for portfolio management, AI and stock picking, AI investment tools, impact of AI on finance, AI for financial advisors, future of AI in investing, AI and asset management, AI and robo-advisors, AI and hedge funds, AI for investment recommendations, challenges of AI in finance, AI and investment banking, AI in retirement planning, AI for financial decision-making, AI in trading, AI for risk management, AI and wealth advisors, AI and investment analysis tools

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

Some Investors Are Using AI to Make Decisions. Should You?

Discover methods to achieve financial harmony in relationships and learn why fiduciary advisors are often considered trustworthy.
0:52 Sara’s Corner: How can couples equitably share the mental load of managing finances? Can you trust fiduciary financial advisors? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner begin with a discussion about the division of financial responsibilities among couples to help you understand how to create financial harmony in your relationship. 
12:18 Today’s Money Question: Elizabeth Ayoola joins Sean to explain how you can choose a financial professional to work with, starting with an in-depth look at different types of fiduciaries including Certified Financial Planners (CFPs), financial coaches, and financial therapists. They discuss the nuances of fiduciary compensation structures and explain how you can advocate for yourself when selecting a financial advisor to work with.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: financial planning, financial advisors, fiduciary, relationships and money, financial harmony, money management for couples, certified financial planners, financial literacy, financial responsibility, equal money responsibilities, financial trust, financial wellbeing, harmonious money management, shared financial responsibilities, financial abuse, emotional labor and finances, mental load of finances, managing finances as a couple, money questions, financial decisions, financial therapy, couples finances, navigating financial advisors, fiduciary trust, financial planning for couples, and financial responsibility in relationships.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

Money Management for Couples and the Benefits of Fiduciaries

Learn how to spot and avoid online scams, including imposter scams, investment scams, phishing, vishing and smishing.
How can you protect yourself from financial scams? 
What steps should you take if you fall victim to one of these schemes? 
Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss the pressing issue of online frauds and strategies for safeguarding personal finances to help you avoid falling prey to digital tricksters. They begin with a discussion of recognizing and avoiding various scams, with tips and tricks on spotting urgent money demands, identifying false emergencies and being wary of too-good-to-be-true investment opportunities. 
Then, Lisa Schifferle from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau joins Sean to discuss the alarming scale of scamming in America. They discuss the importance of sharing scam experiences, recognizing payment method red flags and the necessity of being vigilant with personal information. They offer insights into the dangers of unsolicited communications, sophisticated scamming operations, and essential steps for recourse if you've been scammed.
In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: online scams, cryptocurrency scams, identity theft, fraud protection, internet safety, cyber fraud, financial predators, digital deception, romance scams, phishing scams, vishing, smishing, pig butchering scams, safeguarding finances, tech support scams, scam awareness, investment scams, recouping lost funds, scam red flags, Consumer Sentinel, scam complaints, social media scams, wire transfer fraud, gift card scams, scam prevention, sharing scam stories, urgent message scam, fake family emergencies, financial loss, scam targets, elder scams, digital cons, and technology scams.
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.
Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

Understand and Avoid Financial Scams: Phishing, Vishing, Smishing and More

Learn why homeowners insurance costs are rising, tactics to find affordable coverage, and how to know if you have enough.

Why are homeowners insurance costs rising? How can you tell if you have enough insurance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski delve into the factors behind rising home insurance premiums, from climate change-induced disasters to inflation’s impact on repair costs. They’re joined by Caitlin Constantine, an insurance editor at NerdWallet, who breaks down the details. She shares actionable strategies for finding affordable coverage and navigating insurance challenges; insights into how to safeguard your home and budget; and tips for negotiating insurance rates and making informed decisions. Whether you’re a homeowner or renter, this episode provides insights into how to better manage insurance costs and understand the evolving risks of climate-driven financial challenges.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: homeowners insurance, rising premiums, insurance costs, climate change impact, home insurance rates, uninsured homeowners, insurance affordability, property protection, natural disasters, insurance coverage, cost of insurance, insurance trends, home insurance quotes, insurance inflation, insurance migration, home insurance policies, insurance challenges, home insurance tips, affordable insurance options, insurance availability, flood insurance, insurance shopping, insurance market trends, insurance industry, home insurance market, disaster insurance, car insurance, homeowners coverage, insurance premium factors, home insurance insights, and climate-related insurance costs.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.

Saving Money with Credit Card Rewards Points: Travel, Cash Back and More

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