NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

• Budget Rehab: Can a Family Rebuild Their Emergency Fund and Still Afford the Life They Want?

  The Nerds debut a new Budget Rehab segment, dissecting a real family’s budget to reveal strategies for saving more, investing smarter, and managing lifestyle costs. Plus: tariffs’ role in rising auto insurance. Why are auto insurance premiums continuing to climb, and what do tariffs have to do with it? How can a real family adjust their budget to meet their financial goals? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola debut a new Budget Rehab segment, where they take a hands-on approach to evaluating a listener’s finances. But first, they’re joined by senior news writer Anna Helhoski and insurance Nerd Andrew Hurst to unpack the forces driving auto insurance costs higher in 2025. They discuss how tariffs on imported parts, inflation, and more expensive claims are putting pressure on premiums—and what drivers can do to find competitive rates in a shifting insurance market. Then Sean and Elizabeth are joined by Garrett, a listener who receives the first “Budget Rehab” on Smart Money. They walk through his family’s finances step by step, from a stretched grocery bill and drained emergency fund to the challenges of saving while raising a young child. The conversation covers how Garrett and his wife can rebuild their financial cushion after buying a new car, prepare for the possibility of living on one income, and expand retirement savings through tools like IRAs and solo 401(k)s. Along the way, they highlight practical strategies for balancing wants and needs while still leaving room for joy in the family budget. Inspired to navigate your finances with an advisor? Use NerdWallet Advisors Match to find vetted professionals today at https://www.nerdwalletadvisors.com/match  NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management: https://nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/  Rates for auto and homeowners insurance have been on the rise. NerdWallet's here to help consumers navigate those changes: https://www.nerdwallet.com/insurance/data#auto-insurance  Use NerdWallet’s free retirement calculator to check your progress, see how much retirement income you'll have and estimate how much more you should save: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/retirement-calculator Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: budget rehab, household budget planning, how to use 50/30/20 budget, family budget with one income, rebuild emergency fund, self-employed budgeting tips, budgeting for stay at home parents, budgeting for a baby, how to save on groceries, Costco vs Trader Joe’s groceries, reducing travel expenses, retirement savings for self-employed, IRA contribution limits, rising auto insurance costs 2025, auto insurance tariffs, car insurance premiums 2025, supply chain car parts, reinsurance premiums, weather-related claims auto insurance, social inflation insurance, state auto insurance increases, and comparing car insurance rates. 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

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• How to Pay Less for Your Prescriptions and Brace for a Health Insurance Shake-Up

  Learn how to cut prescription costs and prepare for steep health insurance hikes if ACA tax credits expire. How can you make prescription drugs more affordable? What can you do if subsidies in the Affordable Care Act expire and health insurance costs spike? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss rising prescription costs and looming changes to health insurance premiums to help you find ways to save and protect your budget. Joined by Dan Weissmann, host of the podcast An Arm and a Leg, they begin with a discussion of the structural problems in the U.S. prescription drug system, with tips on comparing prices across pharmacies, using discount programs like GoodRx, and checking for manufacturer coupons. Then, personal finance Nerd Kate Ashford joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss how ACA premium tax credit changes could impact your wallet. They explore strategies such as comparing marketplace plans carefully, shifting to different tiers of coverage, considering employer-based insurance, and preparing for open enrollment. They also highlight the risks of going uninsured, ways to use preventive care benefits to save money, and why America’s healthcare system ended up so tied to employment. Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: prescription drug costs, how to save on prescriptions, GoodRx, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs, pharmacy benefit managers, drug manufacturer coupons, ACA subsidies, ACA premium tax credits, Affordable Care Act healthcare costs, ACA marketplace plans, health insurance open enrollment, formulary, health insurance tiers, high deductible health plan, bronze vs silver plan ACA, health savings account, ACA premium increases, ACA subsidies expiring, ACA tax credits 2025, how to compare health insurance plans, employer sponsored health insurance, self-employed health insurance options, preventive care coverage, avoiding medical debt, risks of going uninsured, Vermont ACA costs, ACA premium increase by state, ACA cost saving strategies, how to check if prescriptions are covered, negotiating prescription costs, medical bankruptcy risk, Medicare and Medicaid differences, US vs UK healthcare costs, ACA income thresholds, ACA marketplace eligibility, losing ACA subsidies impact, choosing an ACA plan, and ACA open enrollment dates. 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

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• What Happens When You Trade Your Home for a Debt-Free Start?

  Is tapping your home equity ever a smart way to reset your finances? One listener’s story reveals what to weigh before selling. Should you sell your house to wipe out credit card debt and start over? What are the hidden trade-offs when using home equity to eliminate debt? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with a listener navigating $55,000 in debt while managing a rental property, weighing whether a sale could lead to long-term stability or a missed opportunity. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski shares insights from her conversation with Erin El Issa, a senior data writer at NerdWallet, about a new report on back-to-school spending, including actionable tips for saving money on school supplies amid inflation, tariffs, and social pressures. Then, Sean and Elizabeth answer a listener’s question about whether selling their home is the right move to eliminate $55,000 in debt and build a fresh financial start. They explore how to evaluate the trade-offs between long-term equity and short-term relief, model future cash flow with or without rental income, and factor in tax consequences from withdrawing retirement funds or timing a home sale. Take the Smart Money Podcast Listener Survey 2025 and enter to win a prize! https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey  Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header What You’ll Learn in This Episode 💰 Home sale decision-making – When selling your house to pay off debt could make sense 📊 Equity vs. cash flow – Weighing long-term property growth against short-term relief 🏠 Rental income trade-offs – How to model your budget with or without tenant payments 📅 Timing the sale – Why the tax year matters if you’re selling a home and cashing out retirement funds ⚖️ Debt payoff strategies – How debt management plans compare to bankruptcy 🧠 Emotional factors – Balancing financial logic with peace of mind and lifestyle goals 🔄 Financial reset planning – Steps to prepare for your next home purchase after paying off 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Stop Living by One-Size-Fits-All Budgets — and Paying for One-Size-Fits-All Financial Advice

  Understand how to assess when financial advisor fees are worth it and how to rethink personal finance rules that don’t serve you. What are the different financial advisor fees, and how can you decide if they’re worth it? Do you need to follow traditional budgeting and debt payoff rules to be financially successful? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola answer a listener’s question about how to navigate financial advisor fees. But first, personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer joins the show to share her conversation with Dana Miranda, author of You Don’t Need a Budget, about why certain traditional budgeting frameworks may not be the right fit for everyone. Dana offers tips on experimenting with spending plans, prioritizing comfort over rigid rules, and how to reframe emergency funds as tools for opportunity, not just crisis. Then, Sean and Elizabeth welcome James Bashall, financial advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners, to answer a listener’s question about financial advisor fees, from AUM-based and fixed-fee models to fiduciary vs. suitability standards. They explain what high and low fees look like, what credentials to look for in an advisor, and when paying a premium might actually bring peace of mind (or not). Take the Smart Money Podcast Listener Survey 2025 and enter to win a prize! https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey  NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management: https://nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/  Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: financial advisor fees, when are financial advisor fees worth it, fiduciary vs suitability standard, how much does a financial advisor cost, AUM fee structure, fee-based vs fee-only advisors, how to hire a financial advisor, certified financial planner vs financial advisor, financial advisor credentials CFP, what is a fiduciary, what is AUM, robo advisor vs human advisor, average financial advisor fee, high financial advisor fees, passive vs active investing, index funds vs mutual funds, how to choose a financial advisor, budgeting rules that don’t work, 50/30/20 budget rule, Dana Miranda budget book, alternative to emergency fund, comfort fund vs emergency fund, financial triage, how to compare financial advisors, intuitive spending, what is intuitive spending, understanding investment fees, best financial advisor structure, how to spot hidden advisor fees, shopping for a financial advisor, emotional benefits of financial planning, and pros and cons of robo advisors. 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

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• Here’s What Tariffs Could Cost You (Plus: Downgrade or Ditch Your Premium Card?)

  Understand how new tariffs may hit your wallet and whether premium credit card fees are still worth it. What do new U.S. tariffs mean for prices on everyday goods and cars? What should you consider when choosing a premium travel credit card? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the latest economic indicators and the changing landscape of credit card perks to help you understand how today’s macroeconomics and personal finance decisions intersect. Joined by news Nerds Anna Helhoski and Rick VanderKnyff, the team unpacks key insights from recent federal data drops. They begin with a discussion of the latest tariffs and economic reports, with tips and tricks on understanding how import duties impact consumer prices, why inflation could be on the rise again, and how job growth revisions may affect consumer sentiment.  Then, credit card Nerd Melissa Lambarena joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss whether high-fee premium cards still deliver value. They cover how reward structures are changing, when it makes sense to downgrade instead of cancel, and how opening or closing a card affects your credit score. Take the Smart Money Podcast Listener Survey 2025 and enter to win a prize! https://nerdwallet.com/podsurvey  Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: Chase Sapphire Reserve Makes Big Changes: Higher Fee, New Rates, More Perks https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-reserve-overhaul-june-2025  Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-sapphire-preferred  Chase Freedom Unlimited Review: A Potential One-Card Solution https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/chase-freedom-unlimited  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum  5 Things to Know About the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite Credit Card https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/5-things-to-know-about-the-bank-of-america-premium-rewards-elite-credit-card  Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: tariffs 2025, credit card downgrade effects, new credit card impact on credit score, consumer inflation trends 2025, unemployment report July 2025, core PCE inflation rate, job growth revisions BLS, credit card rewards explained, travel credit card comparison, high annual fee credit cards, credit card utilization ratio, closing credit card and credit score, 2025 economic outlook, de minimis exemption 2025, trade war impact on consumers, credit card strategy during inflation, interest rates and consumer debt, credit card perks vs cost, credit card churn risks, emergency fund importance 2025, how tariffs raise consumer prices, July 2025 consumer sentiment, credit card reward program changes, and economic uncertainty and spending. 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

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