NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

• Tap to Pay, Tap to Overspend? Mobile Wallet Traps and Money Conversations That Pay Off

  Learn if digital wallets make you overspend and how simple habits can help you stay on budget. How do you start money conversations that actually help? Do mobile wallets make you overspend? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss intentional money conversations and the psychology of paying by phone vs. card vs. cash to help you control spending and feel better about your money habits. Joined by Shari Rash, host of Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, they begin with a discussion of money talk made easier, with tips and tricks on opening with neutral topics like grocery prices, identifying your first money memory, and swapping shaming language for neutral phrasing. Then, personal finance nerd Kate Ashford joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss whether paying by phone changes what you spend. They discuss why “payment coupling” can dull the pain of spending, guardrails to curb impulse buys (fun-money caps, 24-hour waits, no saved cards), and where cash, credit cards, mobile wallets, and envelope-style budgeting apps (like YNAB and Goodbudget) fit for security and self-control. Does Using a Credit Card Make You Spend More Money? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/credit-cards/credit-cards-make-you-spend-more  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: mobile payments, Apple Pay, Google Pay, digital wallet security, overspending, impulse buying, cash vs credit card, payment coupling, behavioral finance, pay by phone vs card, cash stuffing, envelope method, ynab, goodbudget, budgeting apps, grocery budget tips, price per ounce shopping, money mindset, first money memory, financial check-ins, unsubscribe from promo emails, wait 24 hours before buying, fun money budget, online shopping guardrails, biometric authentication, credit card fraud protection, cashless venues, spending guardrails, budgeting limits, talking about money with partner, how to start money conversations, rising grocery prices, neutral money language, feeling rich vs being rich, allocate money for joy, mobile wallet pros and cons, tap to pay risks, and how to curb impulse shopping. 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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• AI Stocks May Be in a Bubble, and Car Prices Could Rise Soon — Here’s What to Know

  Learn how to think about AI stocks and decide if now’s the time to buy a car, including how to choose between 48- and 60-month loans. Are AI stocks in a bubble? Should you buy a car now or wait? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss AI-driven market euphoria and today’s car-buying math to help you understand how to balance risk in your investments and make a cost-smart auto purchase. Joined by NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski and investing writer Sam Taube, they begin with a discussion of whether AI stock valuations resemble the late-’90s dot-com era, with tips and tricks on reading signals like index P/E ratios, building diversification beyond a single index fund, and using “lazy portfolios” or robo-advisors to stay balanced. Then, auto Nerd Shannon Bradley joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss the 2025 car market and financing choices. They discuss what stable-but-high prices mean for timing a purchase (and how tariffs could push prices higher), how much to put down and when negotiation is realistic, and choosing between 48- vs 60-month terms if you expect to pay a loan off early. You’ll also hear practical pointers on pre-qualification vs. pre-approval, checking Kelley Blue Book and Edmunds pricing, avoiding prepayment penalty surprises, and a reminder to consider tax implications if you plan to clear an auto loan with pension income. Mentioned in this episode: Lazy Portfolios: How to Diversify with Just a Few Funds Best Robo-Advisors: Top Picks for 2025 Car Shopping? The ‘Big, Beautiful Bill’ May Change What You Pay Estimate your monthly car loan payment and total cost with NerdWallet’s auto loan calculator. Adjust car price, term, rate and down payment to find the best fit for your budget. https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/auto-loan-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: AI bubble, Nvidia market cap, are AI stocks overvalued, Nasdaq 100 PE ratio, S&P 500 concentration, diversification strategy, lazy portfolio, robo-advisor comparison, bond allocation, international index fund, how to invest during AI boom, dot-com bubble vs AI, used car prices 2025, average new car price KBB, car tariffs impact on prices, is now a good time to buy a car, negotiating car price, Kelley Blue Book vs Edmunds, 48 vs 60 month auto loan, auto loan interest cost, prequalification vs preapproval, hard credit inquiry car loan, prepayment penalty auto loan, auto loan calculator, refinance auto loan rules, when to buy previous model year car, dealer incentives low APR, end of month car deals, pension to pay off car, car loan term strategy, tariffs and carmakers losses, Edmunds used car average price, S&P 500 exposure to AI, best Robo advisors list, and lazy portfolio examples. 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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• Estate Planning Made Simple and How to Handle Family Loans

  Learn how to build a simple estate plan and lend or repay family money without hurting your relationships. What’s the first thing to do when creating an estate plan? What’s the smartest way to handle loans between friends or family? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down estate-planning basics like wills, revocable trusts, living wills/advance healthcare directives, and durable powers of attorney — tools that can ensure your wishes are carried out and help your loved ones avoid probate. They also share when to update your documents, how beneficiary designations can override your will, and three simple to-dos to get started without feeling overwhelmed. Then, mortgage and student loans writer Kate Wood joins Sean and Elizabeth to answer a listener’s question about paying a loan back to her parents. They explore how family loans and lending circles work, why it’s important to put agreements in writing (and when notarizing helps), and the impact informal loans can have on your credit. They also weigh different ways to set money aside, comparing high-yield savings accounts with taxable brokerage accounts invested in ETFs and considering timelines, growth potential, and tax trade-offs. 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: estate planning, will vs trust, revocable trust, living will, durable power of attorney, healthcare proxy, advance healthcare directive, probate explained, beneficiary designation vs will, update beneficiaries after marriage, how often to update a will, intestate meaning, avoid probate, family loan agreement, lend money to family safely, informal lending, lending circle, saving circle, notarized loan contract, pros and cons of family loans, protect relationships when lending money, credit score and informal loans, high-yield savings accounts, taxable brokerage accounts, ETF basics for beginners, repaying parents for college, fiduciary roles in estate planning, power dynamics of lending to friends, writing a repayment schedule, when to use a trust for minors, and retitling assets into a trust. 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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• Why Refis Are Spiking and How to Optimize Your 401k Target-Date Fund for Long-Term Growth

  Learn when a refi saves money and how target-date funds work, including fees and when to pick a later fund year. What exactly is a target-date fund, and when should you move your date? How do you know if now is a good time to refinance a house? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgage refinancing and target-date funds to help you understand how to quantify savings on a refi and how to set (and adjust) an age-appropriate retirement glide path. To kick off the episode, NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins with mortgages and student loans writer Kate Wood and mortgage reporter Holden Lewis to break down why refis are spiking even without fresh Federal Reserve cuts, who’s most likely to benefit right now, and how markets (not just the Fed) drive daily mortgage rate moves. They begin with a discussion of rate-and-term vs. cash-out refinancing, with tips and tricks on calculating your breakeven point, using the ~0.75 percentage-point rule-of-thumb for potential savings, and factoring in 2% to 6% closing costs and how long you’ll stay put. Then, investing Nerd June Sham joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss target-date funds. They discuss how glide paths work (to vs. through retirement), when to push your target year if you’ll work longer, and how fees compare with index funds/ETFs, plus contribution frameworks (10% to 15% of income vs. the “80% replacement” rule) and why many hands-off investors value auto-rebalancing despite higher expense ratios. A listener case study (age 35, 2055 fund) highlights how to revisit your target date in the decade before retirement, how to read a fund’s glide path, and why staying invested and consistent often matters more than chasing perfect timing. 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 this episode, the Nerds discuss: mortgage refinance, refinance calculator, mortgage rates today, breakeven point refinance, cash-out refinance, HELOC vs cash-out, refinance closing costs, when to refinance, refinance vs home equity loan, bond market and mortgage rates, Federal Reserve and mortgage rates, target-date fund, best target-date funds, target-date fund glide path, to vs through glide path, 401k target-date fund, change target-date fund year, 2055 target-date fund, target-date fund fees, expense ratio comparison, ETF vs mutual fund, index funds S&P 500, retirement contribution 10 to 15 percent, 80 percent income replacement rule, taxable brokerage vs 401k, annuity vs staying invested, debt consolidation with home equity, credit card APR vs mortgage rate, divorce refinance requirements, stay-or-sell breakeven analysis, and refinance eligibility 2025. 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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• Smart Buying Tips from Your Mama’s Kitchen and How to Change Banks Wisely

  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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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