NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Learn how to set up a sinking fund system that puts your savings on autopilot and helps you reach your goals.

What if the key to hitting your financial goals isn't just saving more, but saving smarter? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola dig into the sinking fund system, a strategy of separate, named savings accounts each tied to a specific purpose. They explore the psychology behind why earmarking money for a specific goal feels different from keeping one lump sum, how to choose between high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs, and the common pitfalls that can stall your progress before the system even gets off the ground.

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of June 2026: Up to 4.03% https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/best/high-yield-online-savings-accounts 

Subscribe to our podcast’s free email newsletter for bonus content and more from our hosts at https://smartmoney-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/ 

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

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Learn whether manufactured homes could be your path to homeownership and how to get ahead of a tax bill from your investments.

Could a decades-old federal rule be standing between you and an affordable home? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news editor Rick VanderKnyff, along with mortgage writers Abby Badach Doyle and Kate Wood, to explore whether manufactured homes could offer a real path to homeownership for buyers priced out of the traditional market. They dig into how modern manufactured homes have changed, why the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is drawing renewed attention to an obscure chassis rule from 1976, and what you need to know about financing, appreciation, and whether these homes are finally having their rebrand moment.

Then, investing and taxes editor Bella Avila helps answer a listener's question about how to handle a growing tax bill from investment income. They discuss how taxable accounts can trigger unexpected tax bills, how to decide between adjusting your W-4 and making estimated tax payments, and why strategies like stashing money in a HYSA or CD might not work out the way you'd hope.

During this episode, data cited about manufactured home relocation rates was attributed to the Pew Research Center. The correct attribution is The Pew Charitable Trusts. 

Locked Out: 3 Outdated Myths About Manufactured Homes https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news/locked-out-manufactured-homes-affordable-housing-crisis 

Subscribe to MoneyNerd, our podcast’s weekly email newsletter, at https://moneynerd-nerdwallet.beehiiv.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

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

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Learn whether Robinhood Gold Card's 3% cash back and investing perks are worth the waitlist and membership cost.

Is the Robinhood Gold Card the rare credit card that could put your rewards directly to work in a brokerage account? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by NerdWallet credit card writer Melissa Lambarena to examine what makes this card stand apart: an uncapped 3% flat-rate cash back on all purchases, 5% back through Robinhood's travel portal, and the ability to redeem rewards as a deposit into a Robinhood brokerage account. They dig into who the card could work for (and who it definitely isn't right for), how the required Robinhood Gold membership factors into the value equation, what the card's high APR could mean for your rewards if you carry a balance, and how the ongoing waitlist came to exist and how long it could last. 

They also walk through how to weigh this card against alternatives like the Chase Freedom Flex, Capital One Savor, Wells Fargo Active Cash, and Chase Sapphire Preferred, to help you figure out which card might deliver the most value for your spending habits and financial goals.

Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: 


5 Things to Know About the Robinhood Gold Card 


Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year


Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards


American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits 


Chase Freedom Flex: Multiple Bonus Rewards in One Card 


Capital One Savor Review: Foodie-Focused Rewards, for No Annual Fee


Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Review: 2% Cash Back With a Bonus


Fidelity Rewards Visa Review: 2% Back for Your Nest Egg


Citi AAdvantage Executive Review: Your Key to the Club


5 Things to Know About BMW Credit Cards


5 Things to Know About the T.J. Maxx Credit Card

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And you can find other NerdWallet newsletters at https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/news/newsletter-signup

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

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

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Learn what generational spending data reveals and what to do when fear is keeping $200K in savings from growing.

What do the stereotypes about each generation's finances actually get wrong? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off the episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet data writer Kurt Woock, who breaks down a new study analyzing federal Consumer Expenditure Survey data spanning decades of American spending. They explore why housing costs follow a U-shaped curve that could hit hardest in retirement — not just in young adulthood — why the real expense of owning a car isn't the car payment, and how healthcare spending could triple as a share of your income in your later years, just as earnings begin to decline.

When is having $200,000 in savings actually working against you? Sean and Elizabeth welcome Kat from Virginia, who has maxed out her 401(k), opened 529 accounts for her kids, and accumulated $200,000 in cash — but is too anxious to touch any of that cash. Joined by Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, they dig into how financial anxiety develops, how to determine the right size for your emergency fund, and what steps could help you move from hoarding cash to building real long-term wealth.

NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an affiliate of NerdWallet Inc. NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management. Learn more at nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart 

Data: Massive Survey Shows How Generations Spend Money https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/generational-spending-CES 

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

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

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Learn what really goes into the rent versus buy decision beyond comparing your mortgage to a rent check.

In this special episode, Your Next Dollar host Andrew Giancola walks through a step-by-step total cost of ownership framework to help you weigh the real numbers behind renting versus buying a home. Then, he reacts to two videos that take very different sides of the rent versus buy debate.

Follow Your Next Dollar on your favorite podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/mzdq8dj_trg1b0mlqpvhsq 

Reaction video 1: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yv3twR9m_Tg 

Reaction video 2: https://www.tiktok.com/@steven/video/7601133303608921366 

Interested in working with a financial advisor? Visit nerdwalletwealthpartners.com

NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC (NWWP) is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. The content presented by NWWP on its Your Next Dollar podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice to any person. The views, strategies, examples, and figures discussed are intended to be general in nature, subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and may not be suitable for every individual. Any hypothetical illustrations used are for educational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee or prediction of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. NWWP's investment advisory services are only offered where NWWP and its representatives are registered. Before making any financial decision, seek advice from a qualified investment, tax, or legal professional.

Want us to review your budget on Smart Money? 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

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices