NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Student debt cancellation may be on the horizon. But a new generation of graduates is set to take on another load of burdensome debt. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk with NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter about her new report on the debt high school graduates may face — and how they can mitigate it. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how to get past the money baggage in their relationship and manifest an exceptional financial future together. To send the Nerds your money questions, email a voice memo to [email protected]. You can also leave a voicemail or text us on Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 8:20 Money Question segment: 8:21 - 28:08 Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traveling to Japan can be both expensive and intimidating — but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of our Nerdy Travel Diaries series, NerdWallet travel writer Sam Kemmis shares how he crafted a vacation in Tokyo that included both luxury amenities and cost-saving travel hacks. 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

Crypto is coming to 401(k) accounts. Should you add it to your portfolio? And which crypto is the best to invest in right now? In this episode, Liz and Sara discuss how to think about investing in crypto, including how to understand which type will help you reach your financial goals. 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 - 8:56 Money Question segment: 8:57 - 22:41 Also, we have a callout for parents who listen to Smart Money. We are working on a new series about the cost of child care, and we want to know: How are you paying for child care? Where does it fit in your budget? And have you had to make sacrifices to make these costs work? Leave a voicemail on the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373, or email a voice memo to [email protected]. Tell us how you're making child care costs work for you and your family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Travel Nerds know how to get the most from any trip — whether they’re staying in a luxury hotel on credit card points or finding the best airfare. To kick off this Nerdy Travel Diaries series, NerdWallet travel writer Sally French shares how she saved money on a trip to New Mexico for a weightlifting meet. One tip? Make sure you know where your credit card points have the most value. 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

Shopping at small businesses may offer more benefits than you know, including access to exclusive deals and insider information. To start this episode, Sean and Liz talk about the benefits of shopping at small businesses. Then they answer a listener’s money question about whether switching to a hybrid vehicle is a smart financial move right now. 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 - 10:14 Money Question segment: 10:15 - 31:07 Also, we have a callout for parents who listen to Smart Money. We are working on a new series about the cost of child care, and we want to know: How are you paying for child care? Where does it fit in your budget? And have you had to make sacrifices to make these costs work? Leave a voicemail on the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373, or email a voice memo to [email protected]. Tell us how you're making child care costs work for you and your family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Maxing out a 401(k) is a great step toward saving for retirement, but have you ever thought about front-loading your plan? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Liz Weston talk with investing Nerd Alana Benson about the pros, cons and potential pitfalls of front-loading your employer-sponsored retirement plan. Sean and Liz also talk about how to protect your privacy from companies that want to (literally) track your every move. 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

Is student loan cancellation the key to liberating those crushed under burdensome debt, or a potentially-ineffective political ploy? In this two-part Nerdy Deep Dive into student loans, Sean and student loans Nerd Anna Helhoski explore how taking on huge amounts of student debt has become the norm in America. They also discuss what’s shifting now in today’s student debt conversation. In Part 2, we speak with two experts — each falling on one side of the student debt cancellation debate. 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

Wedding season is picking up steam. Are you — and your budget — ready? To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how you can save money attending weddings this year. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about the risks of going with the mortgage lender your real estate agent recommends. 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 - 10:57 Money Question segment: 10:58 - 30:35 Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Also, we are running a sweepstakes ahead of our new Nerdy Book Club series. You can enter for a chance to win Paco de Leon’s book “Finance for the People: Getting a Grip on Your Finances” by emailing [email protected] with the subject "Book Sweepstakes” during the Sweepstakes Period, which ends at midnight PST on April 20, 2022. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, ZIP code and phone number. Check out our book club page for more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Student loans are a tool, as well as a dreaded financial reality, for most Americans who attend college. In this two-part Nerdy Deep Dive into student loans, Sean and student loans Nerd Anna Helhoski explore how taking on huge amounts of student debt has become the norm in America. They also discuss what’s shifting now in today’s student debt conversation. In Part 1, we trace the origins of student loan debt and how college got so expensive. 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

With spring in the air, money tasks might be the last thing on your mind. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about three easy tasks to knock out so you can have your money on track while you go enjoy the warmer weather. Then they answer a listener’s question about different ways to take care of their debt. Some routes can save you time and money — others can make a difficult situation worse. 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 - 9:14 Money Question segment: 9:15 - 25:54 Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Also, we are running a sweepstakes ahead of our new Nerdy Book Club series. You can enter for a chance to win Paco de Leon’s book “Finance for the People: Getting a Grip on Your Finances.” by emailing [email protected] with the subject "Book Sweepstakes” during the Sweepstakes Period, which ends at midnight PST on April 20, 2022. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, ZIP code and phone number. Check out our book club page for more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The windfall of a tax refund can be a boon to your savings, help fund a vacation — and more. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about different ways to use your tax refund and why you might have to wait awhile for yours. Then they answer a listener’s money question about whether pet insurance is worth the cost. 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 - 10:27 Money Question segment: 10:28 - 30:25 Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Also, we are running a sweepstakes ahead of our new Nerdy Book Club series. You can enter for a chance to win Paco de Leon’s book “Finance for the People: Getting a Grip on Your Finances.” by emailing [email protected] with the subject "Book Sweepstakes” during the Sweepstakes Period. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, ZIP code and phone number. Check out our book club page for more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Reserve is raising interest rates. To explore what it means for you, Sean kicks off this episode with a roundtable discussion about how the rate hike could affect mortgages, day-to-day finances and credit cards. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how making family members (or friends, for that matter) authorized users on your credit cards can help them boost their credit. 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 - 13:49 Money Question segment: 13:50 - 26:30 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Going from a two-income household to a one-income household is not solely a financial challenge. But this change also creates opportunities to strengthen your relationship and set clear expectations. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz discuss how to manage finances in a one-income household. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s money question about using HSAs and FSAs. Both can cover health care expenses, but only one can be used as an investment vehicle. 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 - 10:09 Money Question segment: 10:10 - 20:39 Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Also, we want to hear from you for an upcoming series about student loans. What would it mean for your life and your finances if your student loans were erased? Or if you’ve already had your debt forgiven, tell us what that did for you. To let us know, please leave a voicemail on the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373 or email a recorded voice memo to [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to save $100K by your mid-20s? Just ask Tori Dunlap, founder of the blog Her First $100K and the “Financial Feminist” podcast. In this episode, Sean interviews Tori about how she got to where she is today, the lessons she learned along the way and her advice for you to make the most of your finances. 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

Gas, groceries and just about everything else are getting more expensive. Sean and Liz share tips for protecting your purchasing power, including cutting expenses and using a savings account that earns interest at the rate of inflation. Then they answer a listener’s question about whether saving for retirement is worthwhile in the face of the climate crisis and other calamities. 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 - 12:16 Money Question segment: 12:17 - 27:47 Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Also, we want to hear from you for an upcoming series about student loans. What would it mean for your life and your finances if your student loans were erased? Or if you’ve already had your debt forgiven, tell us what that did for you. To let us know, please leave a voicemail on the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373 or email a recorded voice memo to [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Selling your house right now might sound like a great way to inject unnecessary stress into your life. But it could also be very lucrative, if you do it right. To start this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how and why you might want to sell your house. Then they answer a listener’s money question about how to manage fees on investment accounts. 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 - 16:11 Money Question segment: 16:12 - 29:13 Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taxes: You’ve got questions about ‘em, and we’ve got answers. On this episode, Sean and Liz answer a number of listener money questions about filing taxes this year, including how to navigate capital gains, when to hire a tax pro and knowing what you owe. Sean and Liz also discuss how to reduce your tax obligation through credits and deductions. 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. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 9:45 Money Question segment: 9:46 - 26:49 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lifestyle creep — where your growing expenses outpace salary increases — can deflate your budget and prevent you from building wealth. To start this episode, Nerds Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk about how to determine if you’re succumbing to lifestyle creep and how to be more intentional about your money, while still enjoying the finer things in life. Then Sean and Liz Weston answer a listener’s three-part question about whether to pay off student loans while they’re paused, what to do with their savings and how to find the best deals when booking travel. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. If you like what you hear, please leave a review and tell a friend. We appreciate it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Taking charge of your own financial education can help you get ahead and avoid classic money mistakes. In this episode, personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer talks with money author and educator Bola Sokunbi about her book, “Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth.” Sokunbi discusses how her mom taught her about money growing up, financial mistakes she made and learned from, and why she says it’s so important to have a side hustle. 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

Where you bank can have a big impact on your community. To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about the benefits of credit unions, including how they can offer lower rates on loans and higher rates on savings accounts — while keeping your money local. Then Sean and occasional co-host Sara Rathner answer a listener’s money question about how to get into the housing market. 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. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 3:46 Money Question segment: 7:08 - 24:30 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has the recent stock market shakiness left you feeling jittery? To start off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about how you can manage your anxiety — and your portfolio — in moments of volatility. Turns out, sometimes doing nothing is the best thing you can do. Then they answer a listener’s money question about buying a car in 2022, including when the market might calm down a little. 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. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 10:36 Money Question segment: 10:37 - 27:44 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A no-spend month can help you reset your money habits and save cash. To start this episode, Sean and Liz kick off their no-spend month challenge and talk about how you can craft a plan that works for your lifestyle and budget. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to earn more money while raising kids. 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. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 9:07 Money Question segment: 9:08 - 28:41 Also, we are running a sweepstakes ahead of our new Nerdy Book Club series. You can enter for a chance to win Bola Sokunbi's book "Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth" by emailing [email protected] with the subject "Book Sweepstakes” during the sweepstakes period. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, ZIP code and phone number. Check out our book club page for more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Knowing what you want from your life and your money is one thing. Actually knowing how to make it happen is another. In this episode, Sean and Liz interview Andrew DaCosta, a pilot who has sky-high ambitions, but needs some help to get them off the ground. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Enjoying the podcast? Please take a minute to rate and review. We appreciate it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding (and paying for) COVID tests is overly complicated. This episode, Sean and occasional co-host Sara Rathner start off by talking about how you can navigate getting COVID tests right now. They also talk about avoiding COVID testing scams. Then Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about how to reverse a credit score drop. 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. Timestamps: This Week in Your Money segment: 0:00 - 8:49 Money Question segment: 8:50 - 24:40 Also, we are running a sweepstakes ahead of our new Nerdy Book Club series. You can enter for a chance to win Bola Sokunbi's book "Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth" by emailing [email protected] with the subject "Book Sweepstakes” during the Sweepstakes Period. Include the following information: your first and last name, email address, zip code and phone number. Check out our book club page for more info. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living in a van, traveling the country and working wherever you want might sound like an odd dream, but that’s the life NerdWallet travel writer Sam Kemmis designed for himself. To continue our series about financial dreams, Sean and Liz talk with Sam about his experience and his tips for making your dream life. 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

Sifting through financial products can be a pain. That’s where NerdWallet comes in. Our Nerds just released the 2022 Best-Of Awards so you can find the best products for your money goals. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk with the head of the NerdWallet Content team, Hanah Cho, about how you can make the most of the Best-Of Awards and how NerdWallet maintains editorial independence. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to pay for college. 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

Vacations across the world, spending quality time with your friends and family and — most importantly — not being obligated to work a 9-to-5 job: Your retirement is supposed to be about freedom. Getting to that point takes time, money and focus. To continue our series about financial dreams, Sean and Liz talk with personal finance YouTuber Marissa Lyda about how she plans to save in 2022 for her dream retirement. They also discuss how she’s made a full-time job out of YouTubing. 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

It’s not too late to make your money resolutions for the new year. To kick off the episode, Sean and Liz discuss why you might want to take time to detail what you want out of your money in 2022. They also give tips to help you achieve your goals. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how to balance paying off debt while achieving other financial goals like saving for a down payment on a house. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Enjoying the podcast? Please take a minute to rate and review. We appreciate it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What would you do to buy your dream house? Move across the country? Maybe even purchase it sight unseen? That’s exactly what one Nerd did. To kick off our series about financial dreams, Sean and Liz talk with a Nerd who bought her dream house. They also discuss how you can buy your dream home, including preparing your finances and mindset for such a big purchase. 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

This episode, Sean and Liz share their tips for saving at the pump, including how the way you drive and when you get gas can make a difference. Then they answer a listener’s money question about saving for retirement if your access to a 401(k) or Roth IRA is limited. This is an episode from our archives. 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

As 2021 comes to a close, we are continuing our celebration of what our listeners accomplished with their money in 2021. Sean and Liz discuss mortgage refinancing, paying down credit card debt, the benefits of scheduling a day for money tasks and more. 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

Did you buy a house in 2021? Maybe you got a new job or finally hit a big savings goal. We encouraged our listeners to brag about what they did with their money this year — and so many answered the call that we made two episodes out of it. Sean and Liz also share what they accomplished in 2021. 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

The best time to start building wealth was yesterday. The second best time is today. This episode, Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how to start building wealth early. Before they get into that, Sean and Liz discuss how to counter today's uncertainty. Focusing on the fundamentals and tapping your support system can help. 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 - 9:47 Money Question segment: 9:48 - 20:29 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Question your bills. Otherwise, you might be paying more than you need to for things like healthcare, car insurance and even bar tabs. To start off this episode, Liz and Sean talk about how to scrutinize your bills. Then they answer a listener’s money question about how to manage their finances after getting a big raise, including balancing saving for retirement and paying down debt — and how to avoid lifestyle creep. 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 - 7:42 Money Question segment: 7:43 - 24:50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Traveling during the holidays can be a drag, but it doesn’t have to be. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about recent trends in holiday travel. They also discuss how they are approaching holiday travel and how to get back in the swing if you’re a little rusty. Then they answer a listener’s money question about how to find the right financial advisors for their needs. Seeking qualified experts is only one part of the puzzle — you should also search for financial advisors who put your interests first. 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 - 13:08 Money Question segment: 13:09 - 32:18 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, Liz starts off by talking with credit card Nerd Sara Rathner about how to manage a big expense on a credit card — including how to earn the most points and avoid paying interest. Then Sean joins Liz to answer a listener’s question about overcoming money guilt. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s your plan for holiday shopping this year? To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about NerdWallet’s latest holiday shopping report, which explores how shoppers are navigating — and paying for — this unusual holiday season. They also discuss how they’re approaching shopping this year. Then they answer a listener’s question about retirement account options for self-employed workers. While these workers have a number of options to explore, the choice that is best for them may depend on how many employees they have. 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: 0:00-12:01 Money Question segment: 12:02-23:11 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your money doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. To start off this episode, Liz Weston and occasional co-host Sara Rathner discuss the benefits of being boring with your finances. Then, Liz and co-host Sean Pyles answer a listener’s question about whether to make a will, including why setting it up isn’t as complicated — or time consuming — as you might think. 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: 0:00-10:12 Money Question segment: 10:13-29:07 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With crypto back in the news, you might be tempted to climb aboard the hype train. To start this episode, Liz and Sean talk through 3 questions you should ask yourself before jumping into the world of crypto. Then, Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how to improve their credit with the goal of buying a house, including whether a balance transfer credit card would help. 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: 0:00-7:51 Money Question segment: 7:52-23:08 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scammers are cooking up new ways to swindle your money from you. Two of their tactics this year? Social media ads and hyper-targeted emails. To start this episode, Sean and Liz talk about scams shoppers might encounter this holiday season and how to avoid them. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to pay off $200,000 in student loans. They also touch on the likelihood of student loan forgiveness and recent changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. 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: 0:00-8:34 Money Question segment: 8:35-25:23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know the right way to manage your credit? To kick off this episode, Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner dig into a few common credit myths — and how people can confidently raise their credit. Then Sean and Sara answer a listener’s money question about how to get a grip on their budget with an irregular income. 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: 0:00-9:15 Money question segment: 9:16-24:40 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With supply chain issues and uncertainty about whether classes will be in person, virtual or a hybrid, back-to-school shopping this year poses unique challenges. To start this episode, Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner give the Nerds’ favorite tips for how to save when buying school supplies. Then Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about how to break bad money habits. 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

If you’re jumping into the housing market, know what you’re getting yourself into. This episode, Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner talk with NerdWallet data writer Liz Renter about her new home buying report, including how first-time home buyers should navigate the market. Then Sean and Liz Weston answer a listener’s question about how to buy a house with a partner when you’re not married. To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More Americans are job hunting, but more are falling for job scams, too. Liz and Sean talk about how to spot and avoid scams in the job market right now. Then they answer a listener’s question about the best way to max out a Roth IRA. 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

It’s a matter of when — not if — you have a money crisis. No matter your financial circumstance, preparing for an emergency can help you make smart moves under pressure. This episode Liz and Sean talk with Washington Post personal finance columnist Michelle Singletary about how to manage a money crisis and how her experience as a Black woman informs her writing. 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

An important deadline looms for getting health insurance on the ACA exchanges. Liz and Sean discuss what you should know, even if you already have health insurance. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to find the best rates (and coverage) when shopping for car insurance. 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

Credit reporting is flawed. Liz and Sean discuss what the issues are and how they can be fixed. Then they answer a number of listener questions back to back in a lightning round of money questions, including managing taxes while working remotely and how to find a high yield savings account. 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

Inflation is on the rise, as your budget has surely noticed. This episode, Sean talks with investing Nerd Alana Benson about what’s happening and what it means for your finances. Then Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about the potential risks of going with a smaller mortgage lender. 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

Rising gas prices got you down? On this episode, Sean and Liz break down how you can save at the pump, including how to find the best prices and how to manage your fuel efficiency. Then they answer a listener's question about 401(k) contribution limits. Visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How are your 2021 money goals coming along? Now that we’re halfway through the year, Sean and Liz talk about how to do a check-in on what you want from your money this year. Then they answer a listener’s question about how to manage their finances abroad, including how to save money on conversion rates and using credit cards strategically. 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