NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

• From Broker to Budget: How to Buy or Sell a Home in 2025

  Learn how to budget for a mortgage, compare lenders, and prep for home buying or selling in today’s changing housing market. How can you shop smart for a mortgage and pick the right broker or lender? How do you budget for a home purchase? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgage shopping and home affordability to help you understand how to make informed, strategic choices when buying or selling a home. Joined by Jonathon Haddad, president of Next Door Lending, and Kate Wood, NerdWallet mortgage expert, they cover how brokers work, what to look for in a lender, and how to avoid common pitfalls when comparing loan offers. They begin with a conversation with Jonathon Haddad about the benefits of using a mortgage broker, how much money borrowers could save, and key questions to ask when shopping for a loan. Then, Kate Wood helps answer a listener’s question about selling a home in 2025, including tips on agent commissions and how market shifts could affect sellers. They discuss how to budget for a down payment, what expenses first-time homebuyers often overlook, and how to know if you’re financially ready to buy.  If you’re ready to find the right mortgage with expert guidance every step of the way, get started today at https://www.nerdwallet.com/prequalify/m/mortgage-experts/lp1  Here’s what mortgage brokers are and how to find one: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/how-to-find-a-mortgage-broker See how far your homebuying budget could take you with NerdWallet’s home affordability calculator: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/how-much-house-can-i-afford  First-time home buyer programs by state: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/first-time-home-buyer-programs-by-state  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to find a mortgage broker, mortgage broker vs lender, mortgage broker fees, best way to shop for a mortgage, how to compare mortgage lenders, mortgage broker savings, mortgage loan estimate tips, choosing a mortgage broker, home buying budget calculator, how to budget for a house, down payment assistance programs, closing costs for first time home buyers, private mortgage insurance, how to prepare for buying a home, home buying tips 2025, first time home buyer loans, FHA loan down payment, conventional loan down payment, va loan down payment, usda loan down payment, home buying closing costs, real estate agent commission 2025, how to sell your house, how to choose a real estate agent, realtor commission changes 2025, selling a house in 2025, how to budget for home maintenance, moving costs when buying a house, first time home buyer help, what credit score do you need for a mortgage 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.

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• Managing the Job Market and Your Parents’ Finances: Tips for the Sandwich Generation

  Learn how to juggle finances for aging parents and kids, plus what the latest labor market data means for your wallet. How do you navigate the financial challenges of caring for aging parents while raising kids? How should the job market impact your financial decisions? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down the realities of the sandwich generation and the latest labor market trends shaping Americans’ financial outlook. They begin with a discussion of how economic sentiment differs from reality, exploring new data on job security, wage growth, and job seekers' frustrations. Senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet economist Elizabeth Renter join to discuss how people’s perceptions of the labor market compare to actual employment data and why younger workers feel the impact of job market shifts more acutely. Then, NerdWallet Medicare authority and certified senior advisor (CSA)®  Kate Ashford joins to tackle the financial challenges of managing aging parents’ finances while also raising children. They discuss essential conversations to have with loved ones, strategies for handling medical and long-term care costs, and the importance of estate planning and power of attorney. Read NerdWallet’s new report looking at our perception of how things are relative to what they really are: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/labor-market-sentiment  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: managing parents’ finances, sandwich generation financial planning, how to care for aging parents financially, power of attorney for parents, how to talk to parents about money, estate planning for parents, best way to pay for long-term care, Medicare vs Medicaid long-term care, financial help for caregivers, how to manage caregiving costs, labor market trends 2025, job market outlook 2025, job market for Gen Z, wage growth vs inflation, worker sentiment survey, hiring trends 2025, job security in 2025, financial stress of caregiving, balancing kids and elderly parents, generational wealth planning, how to talk to family about money, financial stress and mental health, caregiving while working full-time, and budgeting for multi-generational households. 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.

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• How to Budget for Trips: When to Book and How to Avoid Hidden Fees

  Learn how to budget for travel, save on flights, and maximize credit card rewards for your next trip. How can you budget and save money for travel? How can you maximize credit card rewards and travel points to help lower trip costs? Hosts Meghan Coyle and Sally French discuss budgeting strategies and travel rewards to help you plan smarter for your trips. They begin by sharing new data that might impact your budget for spring break travel, give some highlights of new airport lounges that opened in Las Vegas and Philadelphia, and discuss a change coming to the Uber app that could affect you if you’re traveling abroad. Then, they dig into some options for setting a travel budget, with tips on estimating costs using Google Flights, creating a dedicated travel savings fund, and planning ahead for rising airfare prices. Meghan and Sally also explore some of the ways you can leverage credit card perks and travel rewards to stretch your budget even further.  Resources discussed in this episode: LAS Centurion Lounge Review Capital One Lounge Las Vegas: Hits the Jackpot with Food and Drinks What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into Chase Lounges, And Where Are They Located? Best No Foreign Transaction Fee Credit Cards The Best Days to Book a Flight and When to Fly Best High-Yield Savings Accounts  The Best Travel Credit Card Welcome Bonus Offers Right Now In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: travel budget, how to save money for travel, best travel credit cards, travel points and miles, airline rewards, Google Flights price alerts, budgeting for flights, cheap flights, best time to book flights, credit card travel perks, Southwest Companion Pass, travel savings account, airfare inflation, high-yield savings for travel, vacation budget, flexible travel dates, how to maximize travel rewards, best hotel rewards programs, credit card sign-up bonuses, when to use travel points, credit cards with no foreign transaction fees, airline lounge access, how to get cheap last-minute flights, and unexpected travel expenses.

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• What to do When Groceries Cost More and Retirement Feels Out of Reach

  Learn why tariffs are driving up prices and how you can still save money. Plus, how to catch up on retirement savings if you started late. How will new tariffs impact your grocery bill and big-ticket purchases? Is early retirement an option if you’re behind on retirement savings? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss rising costs due to tariffs and strategies for catching up on retirement savings. They’re joined by NerdWallet senior news writer Anna Helhoski, who leads a conversation with personal finance writers Kim Palmer and Amanda Barroso about the latest trade developments and their effects on consumer prices. They begin with a discussion on tariffs, explaining which everyday items — like groceries, gas, and electronics — are likely to get more expensive, how these price hikes trickle down to domestic goods, and why panic-buying may not be the best response.  Then, Amy, a listener in Wisconsin, joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss retirement planning after starting savings later in life. They explore realistic ways to build a retirement nest egg, including catch-up contributions, rethinking lifestyle costs, and alternative approaches to the FIRE movement — AKA financial independence, retire early.  Here’s how to find out how much you should save for retirement: https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/how-much-to-save-for-retirement User NerdWallet’s retirement calculator to find out if you’re on track to save enough for retirement: https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/retirement-calculator  Learn about the FIRE movement (financial independence, retire early): https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/financial-independence-retire-early  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: tariffs 2025, grocery prices rising, grocery price inflation, how tariffs affect prices, consumer goods tariffs, grocery savings tips, meal planning apps, best grocery list apps, grocery price hikes, food inflation 2024, how to save on groceries, price increase on imported goods, China tariffs, Mexico tariffs, Canada tariffs, retirement savings strategies, how to catch up on retirement savings, Barista FIRE, early retirement strategies, how to invest for retirement, retirement savings at 50, compound interest retirement, financial planner retirement, Roth IRA vs 401k, employer 401k match, best investments for retirement, late starter retirement plan, retirement planning mistakes, financial independence, cost of living in retirement, how to retire abroad, and expat retirement planning. 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.

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• Can AI Really Manage Your Money? Plus: The Truth About Roth Conversions

  Learn how AI can help you budget, invest, and build financial knowledge. Then, get expert insights on Roth conversions. How can AI help you manage your money? What do you need to know about Roth conversions? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the rise of AI-powered financial tools and break down the pros and cons of using AI for budgeting, financial education, and investing research. They explore how generative AI, budgeting apps, and robo-advisors can assist with personal finance tasks but also highlight potential risks that come with using the technology, like misinformation and algorithmic bias. Then, investing Nerd Sam Taube joins Sean and Elizabeth to discuss Roth conversions, including how they work, when they make sense, and what tax implications to consider. They cover how to estimate taxes on a conversion, the impact of the pro-rata rule on backdoor Roth IRAs, and strategies to avoid tax complications. Whether you’re curious about AI-driven financial tools or weighing a Roth conversion, this episode provides the insights you need to make smarter money decisions. What Is a Robo-Advisor and Is One Right for You? https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/what-is-a-robo-advisor  Federal Income Tax Calculator and Refund Estimator 2024-2025 https://www.nerdwallet.com/calculator/tax-calculator  NerdWallet’s roundup of the best financial advisors: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/investing/financial-advisors  In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: how to use AI for budgeting, AI investing tools, robo-advisors, AI for financial planning, AI stock research, how to use ChatGPT for money management, generative AI and finance, Roth conversion taxes, Roth IRA conversion rules, Roth IRA tax implications, backdoor Roth IRA, pro rata rule Roth conversion, traditional IRA vs Roth IRA, Roth conversion strategy, Roth conversion tax brackets, when to do a Roth conversion, backdoor Roth IRA step by step, Roth IRA withdrawal rules, best robo-advisors, AI stock picking, AI for retirement planning, how to avoid taxes on Roth conversion, investing with AI, and AI vs human financial 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.

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