PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan is joined by Phil Lempert, aka the “Supermarket Guru.” Phil is a longtime industry analyst, the former food trends editor for the Today show, and author of books such as Healthy, Wealthy & Wise. John and Phil discuss what consumers can do to save money on groceries without sacrificing nutrition or making life miserable. </p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-card-for-groceries">Best Credit Cards for Groceries</a> </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/b/how-to-save-money-on-groceries/150226">How to Save Money on Groceries</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/b/how-to-budget-for-groceries/147681">How to Budget for Groceries  </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/b/grocery-shopping-on-a-budget/154328">15 Tips for Grocery Shopping on a Budget </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/budgeting">Budgeting Tools </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/spending-tracker">Expense Tracker </a></li> </ul> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-49926da8-7fff-21ac-1ed3-74ae09a41de9">If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a <a href="https://wallethub.com/upgrade">WalletHub Premium subscription</a>. You can get a personalized debt repayment plan, along with budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, identity protection and more.  </strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan is joined by Dr. Mohammad Niamat Elahee, a professor of International Business at Quinnipiac University. John and Dr. Elahee discuss what consumers should expect from gas prices in the coming weeks and months, as well as ways listeners can save at the pump. With everything going on in the world, this information will definitely come in handy.  </p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-gas-credit-cards">Best Gas Credit Cards</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/b/how-to-save-money-on-gas/154725">How to Save Money on Gas</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards-for-gas-and-groceries">Best Credit Cards for Gas and Groceries</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/budgeting">Budgeting Tools</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/spending-tracker">Expense Tracker</a></li> </ul> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-4e253abb-7fff-7fc7-a45b-c75ded40e362">If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a <a href="https://wallethub.com/upgrade">WalletHub Premium subscription</a>. You can get a personalized debt repayment plan, along with budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, identity protection and more. </strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan is joined by Dr. Luke Erickson, a Personal Finance Extension Specialist at the University of Idaho and President of the Idaho Financial Literacy Coalition. John and Dr. Erickson discuss some underrated ways people can build credit history, along with some common misconceptions about the credit building process and the real-world value of having a good credit score. </p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cs/how-to-build-credit/20579">How to Build Credit </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards-to-build-credit">Best Credit Cards for Building Credit</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/rent-reporting">WalletHub Rent Reporting </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-builder">WalletHub Phone & Utility Reporting </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/free-credit-score">Free Credit Score, Updated Daily</a> </li> </ul> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-d775c9db-7fff-ac7b-a38a-cc1788f04440">If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a <a href="https://wallethub.com/upgrade">WalletHub Premium subscription</a>. You can get a personalized debt repayment plan, along with budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, identity protection and more.  </strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Brett House, a Professor of Economics at Columbia Business School, talk about how a 10% cap on credit card interest rates would affect consumers and the economy. John and Brett discuss the winners and losers of a 10% rate cap, along with other ways to address affordability concerns. </p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/credit-card-landscape-report/24927">Credit Card Landscape Report</a> </li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-card-rates">Best Credit Card Rates</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/0-apr/">Best 0% APR Credit Cards </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-balance-transfer-credit-cards">Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards </a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-card-calculator">Credit Card Payoff Calculator</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/what-is-a-good-apr-for-a-credit-card/42759">What Is a Good APR for a Credit Card?</a></li> <li dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/historical-credit-card-interest-rates/25577">Historical Credit Card Interest Rates</a></li> </ul> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-8c361e30-7fff-ae0d-1940-f225d38b9960">If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a <a href="https://wallethub.com/upgrade">WalletHub Premium subscription</a>. You can get a personalized debt repayment plan, along with budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, identity protection and more.  </strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Lauren Weatherford, an associate professor at West Virginia University Extension, talk about how to get through Valentine’s Day without overspending…or putting your relationship in jeopardy. John and Lauren discuss the best ways to celebrate on a budget, how to cost-effectively impress your significant other, and major mistakes to avoid. If you have love in your life but not enough money to go around, this V-Day edition of Pennywise is for you!  </p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards">Best Credit Cards of 2026</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/valentines-day-survey/57387">Valentine’s Day Spending Survey </a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/answers/cc/which-jewelry-stores-credit-cards-are-best-2140689004/">Best Jewelry Store Credit Cards </a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/valentines-day-facts/10258">Valentine’s Day Facts</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/best-and-worst-cities-for-valentines-day/10056">Best Places to Celebrate Valentine’s Day</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/free-gift-ideas/28663">Free Gift Ideas</a></p> </li> </ul> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-1a58643a-7fff-a415-bfef-4106813b2418">You could also give your Valentine a <a href="https://wallethub.com/upgrade">WalletHub Premium subscription</a> this V-Day. After all, things like budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, and identity protection are gifts that keep on giving.  </strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Professor Jeffry Haber of Iona University discuss how to go about choosing the right credit card to apply for. John and Jeffry cover what different types of applicants should look for, what pitfalls to avoid, and the best offers to apply for in 2026. John also breaks down WalletHub’s editors picks.</p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards">Best Credit Cards of 2026</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-cash-back-credit-card">Best Cash Back Credit Cards</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-travel-credit-cards">Best Travel Credit Cards</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/starter/">Best Credit Cards for Beginners</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/bad-credit/">Best Credit Cards for Bad Credit</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-balance-transfer-credit-cards">Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards </a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/what-credit-card-should-i-get/41761">How to Choose a Credit Card</a></p> </li> </ul> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-a00dfa2f-7fff-654a-08fe-61f22a284e1b">You can also use WalletHub’s <a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/budgeting">budgeting</a> and <a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/spending-tracker">expense tracking</a> tools to keep your credit card spending in check. </strong><strong>Information about offers is accurate as of 1/14/2026.</strong><strong id="docs-internal-guid-a00dfa2f-7fff-654a-08fe-61f22a284e1b"><strong id="docs-internal-guid-843f5202-7fff-f603-c30e-c1708d225eb6"> </strong> </strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Professor Nicole Hickson discuss how to get your money right in 2026. Whether you’re making a financial New Year’s resolution or just determined to make 2026 more prosperous than the past, there are steps you can take to improve your financial performance, save more money, reduce stress, and afford to treat yourself once in a while! John and Nicole will give you the gameplan for success. Plus, John answers a recent listener question. </p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/new-years-financial-resolutions-survey/69652">New Year’s Financial Resolutions Survey</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/blog/financial-new-years-resolutions/9202">16 Financial Resolutions for 2026</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/budgeting">WalletHub Budgeting Tools </a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards">Best Credit Cards for 2026</a></p> </li> </ul> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-b880c093-7fff-d471-7d3f-c8b6ca1d5cc5">You can <a href="https://wallethub.com/upgrade">sign up for a WalletHub account </a>to get personalized credit-improvement advice, rent and bill reporting, budgeting and expense tracking tools, identity theft insurance, and much more.  </strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Dr. Jessica G. Zeiss from Ball State University discuss the best ways to go about getting a credit card. It might seem like a simple topic, but there’s a lot more that goes into choosing the right credit card and actually getting approved than most people realize. John and Dr. Zeiss cover the process of getting a credit card from start to finish, highlighting money-saving strategies to use as well as costly pitfalls to avoid. They also talk about why getting a credit card is so important to achieving overall financial success and how many credit cards you should have. John answers some of your questions, too.</p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: </p> <ul> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/what-credit-card-should-i-get/41761">How to Choose a Credit Card</a></p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/how-to-apply-for-a-credit-card/25512">How to Apply for a Credit Card</a> </p> </li> <li dir="ltr" aria-level="1"> <p dir="ltr" role="presentation"><a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/cc/how-to-get-a-credit-card/19573">How to Get Approved for a Credit Card</a></p> </li> </ul> <p>You can <a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/compare">compare credit card offers</a> on WalletHub to find the best card for your needs. You can also reference WalletHub’s editors’ picks for the best credit cards for <a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards-to-build-credit">building credit</a>, <a href="https://wallethub.com/best-rewards-credit-cards">rewards</a>, <a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/0-apr/">0% APR</a> and more. </p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Luke Powers discuss the latest trends in charitable giving, how listeners can make the biggest impact with their contributions, and strategies for avoiding scams. With the burden of inflation, high debt levels, and an uncertain job market, many people feel like they can’t afford to give back, and charitable organizations are struggling to get enough funding. But if you make the right moves, you can still make the world a better place, even with limited funds. We’ll help with that by covering the best charities by category, organizations to avoid and much more. John answers some of your questions, too.</p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: <a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/charity/">Best Charity Credit Cards</a> & <a href="https://wallethub.com/charity-calculator/">Charity Calculator</a> </p> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-d0053f77-7fff-3b87-0cb5-2cfa58bfb681">To find the best charities overall and by category, check out SmileHub's picks for the year’s <a href="https://smilehub.org/blog/best-charities/97">best charities to donate to</a>.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Adam McCann discuss the dangers of so-called “deferred interest” and how to avoid becoming a victim this holiday shopping season and beyond. John and Adam explain what deferred interest is and how it works, detail when you’re likely to encounter it, and provide tips for how to deal with it, plus ideas for safer alternatives. This financing trick is a lot more common and costly than most people realize, so it could really pay off to learn the ins and outs of this scheme. In addition, John answers some of your questions.</p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: <a href="https://wallethub.com/credit-cards/0-apr/">Best 0% APR Credit Cards</a> & <a href="https://wallethub.com/best-budget-apps">Best Budget Apps</a> </p> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-5c662c44-7fff-c5c2-7457-2070d6b65dce">To find the best way to pay for your shopping trips, both during the holidays and throughout the year, check out WalletHub's picks for the <a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards-for-shopping">best credit cards for shopping</a>.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan discusses the importance of having an emergency fund and how to build one with Adam McCann, a personal finance writer with WalletHub who is an expert on credit cards and budgeting. John and Adam define what an emergency fund actually is, explore the risks that come with not having one, and provide practical tips for saving more, funding different savings goals, and keeping everything straight. Budgets are tight these days, and you never know when an emergency expense will crop up, so you’ll be glad you listened! John also answers listener questions.</p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: <a href="https://wallethub.com/best-budget-apps">Best Budget Apps</a> & <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/b/how-to-save-money/88886">How to Save More Money</a></p> <p><strong id="docs-internal-guid-e43e30a2-7fff-9af1-eca8-b4d7814c629a">To find the best home for your emergency fund, check out <a href="https://wallethub.com/best-savings-accounts">WalletHub's picks for the best savings accounts</a>.</strong></p>

<p dir="ltr">In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan discusses money-saving holiday shopping tips with Chip Lupo, a personal finance writer with WalletHub who is an expert on credit cards and budgeting. They discuss the holiday shopping forecast and the things people can do to maximize their merriment without putting their financial plan in jeopardy. You can even get a few pointers for whipping up holiday cookies on the cheap from a state fair winner! Plus, John answers a listener question and more.</p> <p dir="ltr">More on this episode from WalletHub: <a href="https://wallethub.com/best-credit-cards-for-shopping">Best Credit Cards for Holiday Shopping</a> &<a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/free-gift-ideas/28663"> Low-Cost Gift Ideas</a></p> <p>To start budgeting for the holidays, check out <a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/budgeting">WalletHub's budgeting tools</a>.</p>

<p>In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan breaks down the keys to successful budgeting with Milvionne Chery, a budget expert and personal finance writer with WalletHub. They discuss the most important steps for budgeters to take, what's holding people back the most, what people can do to keep things simple, options for more advanced techniques, and more. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">More on this episode from WalletHub: <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/b/how-to-budget/25889">How to Make a Budget </a>& <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/b/budgeting-tips/16897">Top Budgeting Tips</a></p> <p>To start budgeting better, check out <a href="https://wallethub.com/premium/budgeting">WalletHub's budgeting tools</a>.</p>

<p>In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Chip Lupo, a writer and analyst for WalletHub, as they explore the evolving landscape of tipping in America. With 75% of Americans feeling that tipping has spiraled out of control, they dive deep into the cultural implications and the new norms surrounding gratuity in various service sectors. Chip shares insights on the traditional tipping percentages for services like dining, hair salons, and delivery, while also addressing the growing trend of tipping at self-service kiosks and other unexpected places.</p> <p>Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of when and how much to tip, including guidelines for different service scenarios. They also discuss the ethical concerns surrounding tipping as a potential substitute for fair wages, prompting listeners to consider their own tipping practices and the pressures associated with them. Chip emphasizes the importance of tipping for good service while also acknowledging the discomfort that can arise when service falls short.</p> <p>For more insights on tipping trends and best practices, check out WalletHub's extensive resources on personal finance.</p> <p>Show notes created with assistance from <a href="https://headliner.app/">https://headliner.app</a></p>

<p>In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by NerdWallet personal finance expert Kim Palmer to tackle the dual challenge many American couples face: financing a wedding while pursuing homeownership. As costs continue to rise, they discuss practical do's and don'ts that can help newly engaged couples navigate these financial hurdles effectively.<br>Listeners will learn about the shifting demographics of first-time homebuyers, with the median age now at 38, and strategies for building a house fund instead of opting for traditional wedding gifts. Kim shares insights on the importance of avoiding credit card debt when financing wedding expenses, emphasizing that it's crucial to minimize financial burdens post-wedding.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">More on this episode from Nerdwallet- <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/first-homes-and-weddings-have-never-been-more-expensive-heres-how-to-afford-both">First Homes and Weddings</a></p> <p>For more insights, check out NerdWallet's comprehensive resources on financing weddings and homeownership.</p> <p>Show notes created with assistance from <a href="https://headliner.app/">https://headliner.app</a></p> <p> </p>

<p class="MsoNormal">In this insightful episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona sits down with WalletHub's financial expert, Adam McCann, to tackle a common question: how much should you budget for clothing in 2025? As clothing prices continue to rise, Adam breaks down the average annual spending on apparel, revealing that households typically spend around $1,945 on clothing each year. However, he emphasizes that this figure can vary widely based on personal needs and lifestyle.<br>Listeners will discover practical tips for saving money on clothing, including the importance of shopping during sales, utilizing coupons, and understanding the difference between 'needs' and 'wants' in their wardrobe. Adam also discusses the benefits of investing in quality pieces that last longer, as well as savvy shopping strategies like buying off-season and exploring thrift stores or community clothing swaps.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Additionally, the episode covers the advantages of using the right credit cards for clothing purchases, highlighting how rewards and cashback options can maximize savings. Adam stresses the importance of managing credit wisely to avoid interest charges that can negate savings from rewards.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">More on this story- <a href="https://wallethub.com/answers/b/how-much-to-budget-for-clothes-1000639-2140880921/"><strong>How Much to Budget for Clothes in 2025</strong></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal">For more insights on budgeting and saving, check out WalletHub's resources at <a href="https://wallethub.com/">WalletHub</a>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Show notes created with assistance from <a href="https://headliner.app/">https://headliner.app</a></p>

<p>In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona teams up with tax expert John Kiernan, Managing Editor at WalletHub. John shares essential last-minute tax tips for the 2025 filing season. As the deadline approaches, they emphasize the importance of filing a return regardless of your ability to pay, explaining the significant penalties associated with failing to file. Listeners will learn about the IRS's direct file program and how to utilize free resources for tax assistance, especially for those facing financial challenges.<br>The conversation also covers strategies for managing tax payments, including the benefits of using credit cards wisely to earn rewards while settling tax obligations. They delve into disaster relief for those in FEMA-designated areas and the advantages available for taxpayers in these situations, such as extended filing deadlines and deductions for personal property losses.<br><br>For more insights and resources, check out WalletHub's budgeting features to get your finances in shape.</p> <p>More on this story- <a href="https://wallethub.com/edu/t/tax-tips/2932">Countdown to Tax Day: WalletHub’s Tax Tips for 2025</a></p> <p>Show notes created with assistance from headliner.app</p>