NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

• Spend Smarter This Wedding Season: Travel, Tipping, and More, (featuring The Knot)

  Learn smart ways to budget for your wedding and how to navigate tipping expectations without overspending. What money lessons did you learn from your mom? How can you budget for a wedding without overspending — especially when your family is helping with costs? Sean and Elizabeth discuss the financial values we inherit and the realities of modern wedding planning to help you reflect on your own money habits and make smart spending decisions. They begin with a discussion about the money lessons they learned from their mothers, including the importance of saving consistently, using money to support joy and values, and balancing financial security with family priorities. Then, Lauren Kay, executive editor at The Knot, joins Sean and Elizabeth to answer listener Colleen’s questions about budgeting for her upcoming wedding. They explore how to prioritize spending when you're working with a fixed contribution from family, how to approach tipping vendors — especially when they own their own businesses — and which costs can easily catch you off guard. Whether you're in the middle of planning or just curious about the financial side of weddings, this conversation is packed with real talk and actionable insights. Download the free NerdWallet app to get help with your budgeting: https://click.nerdwallet.com/3687710914/smpc  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: wedding budget tips, how to budget for a wedding, wedding tipping guide, who to tip at a wedding, how much to tip wedding vendors, budgeting for wedding expenses, saving for a wedding, splitting wedding costs with parents, tipping wedding vendors who own a business, cost-effective wedding planning, prioritizing wedding spending, how to stay under wedding budget, budgeting for a honeymoon, wedding spreadsheet tips, wedding transportation etiquette, managing family wedding contributions, early retirement inspiration, financial values from parents, learning about money from mom, budgeting lessons from childhood, saving and spending balance, how to use money to bring joy, wedding cost in urban areas, budgeting for a reception, how to cut wedding costs, tips for affordable weddings, tipping musicians at weddings, wedding vendor contracts, tipping etiquette weddings, wedding planning checklists, and wedding planning tools from The Knot. 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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• How to Keep Your Credit Strong During Economic Shifts and Know If You’re Ready to Buy a Home

  Learn what rising delinquencies mean for your finances, plus how to decide if you're truly ready to buy your first home. What happens if you fall behind on your loan or credit card payments? How much do you actually need to buy a house? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss rising debt delinquencies and first-time homebuying realities to help you protect your credit and avoid costly financial missteps. Joined by NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski, they begin with a discussion of climbing delinquency rates across student loans, credit cards, auto loans, and government-backed mortgages, with tips and tricks on how to spot trouble early, prioritize which bills to pay first, and avoid risky quick-fix debt solutions. Then, mortgage Nerd Abby Badach Doyle joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss what it takes to buy a home for the first time. They discuss how much you actually need for a down payment, what to expect with closing costs, and smart alternatives to tapping your 401(k). You'll also hear the pros and cons of renting versus buying, why assembling a strong homebuying “squad” matters, and how to find down payment assistance that could make homeownership more realistic — even in today’s high-cost housing market. Use NerdWallet’s free home affordability calculator to see how far your homebuying budget could take you: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/how-much-house-can-i-afford  Learn how a first-time home buyer class can help you find grants, down payment assistance and a lower monthly payment: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/first-time-home-buyer-class  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: debt delinquencies, student loan default, FHA loan delinquency, auto loan delinquency, mortgage delinquencies, government loans vs conventional loans, student loan wage garnishment, rising credit card debt, prioritizing debt payments, what is PMI, down payment assistance programs, 401k loan for house, using IRA to buy home, renting vs buying a home, how much to put down on a house, closing costs explained, first time homebuyer loans, home affordability calculator, 28/36 rule mortgage, credit score for mortgage, PMI removal, VA loans, FHA loan requirements, USDA mortgage, best mortgage for first-time buyer, first-time homebuyer class, home buying on tight budget, mortgage broker vs lender, emotional readiness to buy a house, how to get rid of PMI, renting benefits, first-time homebuyer grants, how to avoid default, homebuying myths, home equity, and down payment myths. 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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• Smart Planning Sessions: When is it OK to Stop Saving? (Plus: Spring Cleaning Your Finances)

  In a new Smart Planning segment, a finance expert tackles retirement goals and savings questions with a listener. How can you gift savings bonds? When is it time to stop saving for retirement early? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola offer tips for “spring cleaning” your finances, including refreshing your budget, resetting your financial goals, updating your insurance and estate plans, and getting back on track if emotional spending crept up earlier this year. Then, they debut Smart Planning, a new segment where a registered financial advisor helps a listener tackle real-life money questions. In this session, Certified Financial Planner Barbara Ginty, host of the Future Rich podcast, talks with listener Kay about navigating the transition from saving to spending. They dive into how to know when you’ve saved enough to scale back at work, how to plan for rising medical costs in retirement, and how to gift savings bonds the right way. If you’ve ever wondered what financial freedom could look like after decades of diligent saving, this conversation is packed with insight. Inspired to navigate your finances with an advisor? Use NerdWallet Advisors Match to find vetted professionals today at https://www.nerdwalletadvisors.com/match  Track your budget and credit score on the NerdWallet app, and let the Nerds guide you toward your financial goals: https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/mobile-app  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: updating financial goals, savings bonds, how to gift savings bonds, budgeting tools, emotional spending, estate planning checklist, updating beneficiaries, Roth IRA contributions, SEP IRA contributions, dollar-cost averaging investing, semi-retirement planning, when to stop saving for retirement, how much to save for retirement by 55, Medicare vs Medicare Advantage, retirement healthcare costs, setting up travel insurance, travel insurance for seniors, Roth vs traditional IRA in retirement, retirement income planning, safe withdrawal rate, 4% rule retirement, and required minimum distributions.. 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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• Less Spending Power, More Debt? Navigate a Declining Dollar and Make Progress on Credit Card Bills

  Learn how a weakening U.S. dollar affects your wallet and how you can escape the cycle of never-ending credit card debt. Why is the U.S. dollar losing value and how does that affect day-to-day spending? How can you make progress on credit card debt that feels impossible to tackle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the value of the U.S. dollar and strategies to break free from credit card debt. Joined by NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski, they begin with a discussion of what’s behind the dollar’s recent decline, with tips and tricks on how it affects your travel budget, why prices may rise, and what to expect from currency exchange rates. Then, Sean and Elizabeth dig into a listener’s question about persistent credit card debt through a unique role-play segment. They discuss how to prioritize which card to pay down first, how to manage the emotional burden of debt, and ways to balance living your life while staying committed to repayment. If you've ever felt stuck with revolving debt or curious about how global trade policies might impact your wallet, this episode offers practical guidance and empathetic insights. Track your credit score, cash flow, net worth, and insurance for free using the NerdWallet app: https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/mobile-app  Debt Snowball Method: What It Is and How to Use It https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/what-is-a-debt-snowball  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: why the dollar is weakening, dollar value today, what affects dollar strength, how to track dollar index, USDX explained, how tariffs affect the dollar, U.S. dollar and inflation, dollar exchange rate travel, international travel exchange rate tips, how a weak dollar affects prices, adjusting your budget for inflation, credit card debt payoff tips, how to pay off credit card debt faster, credit card debt emotional toll, debt snowball vs avalanche, paying off high-interest cards, how to prioritize credit card debt, managing debt and lifestyle, balancing debt and enjoyment, debt payoff motivation, financial anxiety and debt, impact of Trump trade policy on dollar, Federal Reserve interest rates and the dollar, how investor confidence affects currency, fiat currency explained, weak dollar travel planning, credit card payoff challenges, credit card debt mental health, and making progress on credit card debt. 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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• Michele Norris Shares Kitchen Must-Haves and the Nerds Break Down Switching Banks for Better Rates

  Find out when it’s worth splurging on kitchen gear and how to switch banks without losing your financial footing. What kitchen tools are actually worth the money? Is switching to an online bank really worth the hassle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the value of investing in high-quality kitchen gear and what to consider when moving your money to an online bank so you can make smarter, more intentional financial choices. They begin by speaking with Michele Norris, host of the podcast Your Mama’s Kitchen. She explains how you can align your purchases with your cooking habits — without falling for social media hype. Plus, they discuss how to think about home kitchen upgrades, including tips and tricks on choosing the right knife or stove, knowing when to skip premium brands, and avoiding aesthetic-driven purchases that don’t match your lifestyle.  Then, NerdWallet consumer banking editor Ruth Sarreal joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss how to evaluate whether switching banks makes sense. They explore how to compare rates and fees, keep your auto-payments organized, and transition smoothly without damaging your credit or missing a bill. NerdWallet’s roundup of the best online checking accounts: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/banking/online-checking-accounts  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: high yield savings account, switching banks, best kitchen appliances to buy, online-only banks, SoFi checking account, bank account switching process, best knives for home cooks, Vitamix vs Ninja blender, Le Creuset alternatives, when to splurge on appliances, budgeting for kitchen upgrades, online banks vs traditional banks, how to switch banks, ATM access with online banks, pros and cons of online banks, choosing a stove, best air fryer to buy, kitchen appliances worth the money, countertop appliances, instant pot storage, what to look for in a blender, managing multiple bank accounts, best checking accounts, how to avoid bank fees, how to transfer auto-payments, comparing bank APYs, personal finance for home cooks, financial planning for kitchen purchases, emotional value of kitchen gear, and sentimental kitchen items. 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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