NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

• What Home Sellers Can Legally Hide and How to Master Irregular Bills

  Learn how to plan for surprise bills and what to ask about a home’s past so your budget and buying feel stress free. Do sellers have to disclose deaths, crimes or “hauntings” in a home? How can you budget for irregular expenses without daily tracking? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola open a spooky episode with housing Nerds Holden Lewis and Kate Wood to break down which states require sellers to reveal a home’s dark history, when they don’t, and how to protect yourself as a buyer. They unpack how to check local laws, research an address, and talk with neighbors so you can make confident choices — and avoid creepy surprises. Then, Sean and Elizabeth answer listener Alyssa’s question about managing expenses that change (or don’t come up at all) from month to month. They share practical ways to plan ahead for costs like home maintenance, credit card fees, childcare, pet care, and car repairs — without tracking every penny. Learn how to build flexible savings buckets, automate deposits, and keep lifestyle creep in check so your budget finally feels steady. 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: haunted house disclosure laws, seller disclosure death in house, stigmatized property, California real estate law, Alaska disclosure rules, Massachusetts disclosure requirements, Minnesota property laws, South Dakota home sale rules, Kentucky real estate disclosure, house history search, property value and crime, neighborhood research before buying, state disclosure differences, how to check a home’s history, due diligence when buying a home, buyer protection strategies, homebuyer checklist, surprise home costs, unpredictable expenses, annual fees planning, sinking funds, budgeting system, flexible savings account, automated transfers, pay yourself first, lifestyle creep management, household budget balance, high income budgeting, financial organization, saving for irregular costs, long-term financial planning, and how to do a monthly money check-in. 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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• Feeling Burned Out? How to Know When to Quit Your Job — and What to Do First

  Learn how your habits and the cash and cards in your wallet reveal your money mindset, then learn how to know when it’s time to quit your job. What amount of cash should you keep on hand? Should you “quiet quit” or make a clean break from your job? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss everyday wallet decisions and career change trade-offs to help you understand how everyday money habits and major career choices can strengthen your financial stability. They begin with a candid, “What’s in Your Wallet?” segment, revealing what they keep close and providing some tips and throughs on keeping a small emergency cash stash, rotating rewards cards wisely, and avoiding risky wallet habits like storing everything in your car. Then, Tess Vigeland, Smart Money producer and author of Leap: Leaving a Job with No Plan B to Find the Career and Life You Really Want, joins Sean and Elizabeth to help answer a listener’s question about whether they should quit their job or simply “quiet quit.” They discuss building a “freedom fund” before quitting, ways to reduce workload without burning bridges, the realities of healthcare and benefits if you leave your job, how today’s labor market affects timing, and why giving yourself reflection time can clarify your next step. Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews: American Express Gold Card Review: Dining Rewards Royalty https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-premier-rewards-gold  American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/reviews/credit-cards/american-express-platinum  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: quiet quitting, emergency fund, freedom fund, how much cash to keep at home, what to keep in your wallet, wallet organization, travel credit cards, cashback card strategy, debit vs credit, remote work burnout, career change planning, leave a job without plan b, how to quit without burning bridges, lateral move vs new job, reduce workload tips, using AI at work, outsource repetitive tasks, referral risk when underperforming, healthcare after quitting, benefits when changing jobs, real estate license costs, FIRE financial independence retire early, savings goals at 29, HSA spending, high deductible health plan, emergency cash vs card, labor market trends, employee engagement Gallup, identity beyond work, partner concerns about quitting, building a freedom fund timeline, cash vs digital payments, keeping cards safe, rotating cards for categories, smart travel rewards use, backup plan before quitting, burnout signs, and when to leave a job. 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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• What Fewer Earnings Reports Could Mean for Investors and How to Teach Kids About Money (Video Episode)

  In this special video episode, learn what proposed stock market rule changes could mean for your portfolio and how to grow your teen’s money skills. Will corporate earnings reports soon shift from quarterly to twice a year? And what could new rules about day trading mean for everyday investors? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola team up with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and investing lead writer Sam Taube to break down how potential SEC rule changes could reshape the stock market. They explore the pros and cons of less frequent earnings reports, what research shows about long-term investing behavior, and how easing day-trading limits might open doors for some investors — while raising risks for others. They also share practical ways to interpret earnings data, stay focused on long-term goals, and avoid emotional trading. Then, Sean and Elizabeth meet with listener Essa in-person to discuss how to teach kids money skills at home. They cover options for approaching allowances and savings goals (e.g., Greenlight), building credit safely via authorized-user setups or secured cards, and turning lessons into hands-on practice with simulations and budgeting tools. Essa shares what’s been working in her household so far and gets suggestions on how to introduce new money concepts to her kids. The Nerdy Investor by NerdWallet is a monthly email briefing for investors who want to stay informed about what’s happening in the world of money: https://nerdwalletinvesting.substack.com/about  Get matched with a financial advisor for free using NerdWallet Advisors Match: https://nerdwalletadvisors.com/match  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: SEC rule change 2025, Trump administration stock market changes, FINRA margin requirements, quarterly earnings cycle, semiannual financial reporting, stock market volatility trends, P/E ratio meaning, price to earnings ratio formula, long-term investor behavior, day trading regulation, PDT minimum balance, $25,000 day trading rule, margin trading risks, investor protection rules, stock market research studies, dot-com crash lessons, European Union earnings rules, financial disclosure requirements, investing newsletter signup, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission updates, FINRA proposal 2025, retail investor access, beginner investing risks, youth financial literacy, teaching kids about credit, financial education apps for students, Bite of Reality app, Next Gen Personal Finance platform, EverFi money games, Financial Times Uber game, teen debit cards, compound interest examples, high-yield savings comparison, 401k matching concept, family money discussions, allowance systems for children, and parent-daughter investing ideas. 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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• Watch the Nerds Sweat It Out: Hot Wings Meet Hot Money Takes (Video Episode)

  In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth and special guests eat spicy wings and share hot takes on saving versus investing, inflation, crypto, and when to trade up for an electric vehicle. When should you prioritize investing over traditional savings? How do you know when to keep repairing your car versus trading it in for something new, like an EV? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola share their zestiest financial takes over hot wings, blending financial insights with fiery fun. NerdWallet YouTube creator Stephen Smith joins them in-person at NerdWallet HQ in Scottsdale, AZ, for a lively discussion which, like the hot sauce, gets eye-wateringly spicy. They debate whether saving in a checking account makes sense, how high-yield savings stack up against inflation, and whether the U.S. dollar could one day be backed by cryptocurrency. They also dig into why consumer debt is so easy to rack up, including the rise of Buy Now, Pay Later for everyday purchases. Then, listener Sandra joins the in-person conversation with Sean and Elizabeth as they discuss whether she should keep repairing her Acura or buy a new EV. They explore repair costs versus new car payments, the impact of high-yield savings rates, trade-in timing, and refinancing considerations. The episode wraps with practical insights on how to balance financial security with lifestyle goals like travel, education savings, and staying debt-free. Get matched with a financial planner for free using NerdWallet Advisors Match: https://nerdwalletadvisors.com/match  Smart Money is a finalist for TWO Signal Awards! Please take a moment to vote for us here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/individual-episodes/genre/money-finance  https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/shows/genre/money-finance  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: Bitcoin reserve currency, dollar backed by crypto, consumer debt in America, Buy Now Pay Later pros and cons, Klarna food delivery, Klarna at Chipotle, financing gas with BNPL, credit card debt cycle, checking account interest rates, financial literacy for kids, trust fund for children, custodial accounts for kids, Acura MDX, car repair costs, car repair vs new car cost, average car payment 2025, EV tariffs 2025, zero APR car financing, mortgage refinance break-even, 529 vs Roth IRA rollover, saving for college vs high-yield savings, passing down a car to kids, luxury vehicle maintenance costs, average miles per year US drivers, opportunity cost of buying a car, travel vs new car decision, and financial security vs lifestyle goals.. 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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• Budget Rehab: What Our Hosts’ Spending Reveals About Smarter Money Moves (Video Episode)

  In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth give each other a “budget rehab,” revealing their own budgets to help you fix yours. How can you feel more in control of your spending? How can you plan for irregular expenses like credit card annual fees or surprise bills? In this video episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola give each other a “budget rehab” to reveal how they really manage their money — and how you can apply the same strategies to your own finances. But first, they’re joined by NerdWallet senior writer Anna Helhoski to discuss new NerdWallet survey findings about money stress and what steps you can take to alleviate it. They discuss why money stress hits some groups harder than others and share practical tips for easing the pressure. Then, Sean and Elizabeth present a personal “Budget Rehab” segment where they analyze each other’s real numbers while sitting eye to eye at NerdWallet HQ. Sean shares how he balances rental income, savings, and splurges, while Elizabeth maps her freelance income, high savings rate, and family priorities. Together, they highlight the pros and cons of tactics like setting up multiple savings buckets, trimming recurring costs, maxing out tax-advantaged accounts, and planning ahead for annual fees and surprise expenses. Smart Money is a finalist for TWO Signal Awards! Please take a moment to vote for us here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/individual-episodes/genre/money-finance  https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2025/shows/genre/money-finance  Want the cheapest prepaid phone plan that still fits your phone service needs? Read NerdWallet’s article on the best cheap cell phone plans: https://www.nerdwallet.com/p/best/finance/cheap-cell-phone-plans  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: money anxiety, reduce financial stress, generational money differences, Gen Z money habits, Millennial money habits, Gen X finances, Baby Boomer finances, grocery inflation, high food prices, emergency savings, build emergency cushion, debt payoff strategies, debt snowball vs avalanche, credit card debt payoff, homeownership vs renting, housing costs, mortgage vs rent, rental affordability, HSA benefits, high-deductible health plan, maxing out 401k, brokerage account investing, saving for car replacement, sinking fund examples, subscription audit tips, lower utility bills, cheaper phone plan, cutting cell phone costs, donating to charity, values-based spending, overspending triggers, budget burnout, financial literacy gaps, improve financial confidence, setting financial goals, FIRE movement, early retirement savings, family budgeting, and teaching kids about money. 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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