Investing · NerdWallet Personal Finance

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

by NerdWallet Personal Finance

#14 Investing
▼1 today #77 Business
▼1 today

NerdWallet’s trusted finance journalists answer real-world money questions to help you make smarter financial decisions with confidence. Each episode dives deep into topics like budgeting, saving, investing, home buying, and credit cards, cutting through misinformation to bring you clear, actionable advice backed by thorough research. By the end of every episode, you’ll have the latest financial insights and the tools you’ll need to manage your money wisely, build wealth, and plan for life’s milestones. And if you have questions for the Nerds, you can leave them a voicemail at 901-730-6373. Join hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, Elizabeth Ayoola, and other expert Nerds as they answer your biggest money questions and share strategies to help you build wealth and reach your financial goals, including: – Investing: Advanced investment strategies, integrating ETFs and mutual funds into a diversified portfolio, tax-efficient retirement planning, understanding Roth IRA conversions, and navigating robo-advisors. – Credit Cards: Top credit cards for travel rewards and luxury perks, balance transfer strategies, maximizing credit card points, and optimizing credit card usage to boost your credit score. – Personal Finance: Advanced budgeting tips, building generational wealth, creating effective savings plans, managing high-income expenses, and developing a strong money growth mindset. – Home: Smart strategies for homebuying in competitive markets, leveraging home equity loans and HELOCs, refinancing for long-term savings, first-time homebuying tips, and budgeting for major home improvements. If you’re searching for the best personal finance podcasts or want practical knowledge to make smarter money decisions, then follow NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast. You’ll love NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast if you like podcasts like: Planet Money, The Personal Finance Podcast, DIY Money, Afford Anything, How to Money, The Ramsey Show, Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, NPR’s Life Kit: Money, Popcorn Finance, Money Girl,Money Guy Show, Everyone’s Talkin’ Money, So Money with Farnoosh Tarabi, The Money with Katie Show, All the Hacks with Chris Hutchins, The Stacking Benjamins Show, MoneyWatch with Jill Schlesinger, or Your Money, Your Wealth. NerdWallet Compare, Inc. NMLS ID# 1617539 NMLS Consumer Access: http://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/

Chart trend

Position in the Investing chart (US), last 90 days.

#1#28#54JunJulAugSep

all-time peak

146

days in the top 3 since Nov 2024

Latest episodes

Showing 20 · updated from the feed

Budget Rehab: A Debt-Free Couple Plans for a Wedding, House and Baby (Plus: Inside Disaster Betting Markets)

Learn how a debt-free couple budgets for a wedding, a house and a baby, plus why disaster betting markets are booming. How much of a $20,500 monthly income could go towa

Sep 10
37 min

Seven Steps for Prioritizing Money as a High Earner (from Your Next Dollar)

Learn how high earners could prioritize their money across seven steps, from income growth to backdoor Roth strategies. Your Next Dollar host Andrew Giancola and NerdWal

Sep 7
44 min

How Get Rich Slowly's Founder Retired at 40. Plus, What Higher Bond Yields Mean for Savers

Learn how Get Rich Slowly creator JD Roth paid off $35,000 in debt and retired at 40. Then, learn what rising bond yields mean for savers and investors. Hosts Sean Pyles

Sep 3
40 min

Does a Pension Mean You're Set for Retirement? How to Know If You're Really on Track

Learn how to measure your retirement progress when you have a pension and figure out how much more you really need to save. How do you know if your pension actually has

Aug 31
36 min

Putting the "7% Rule" to the Test on a Real Mortgage. Plus, an Economist on Stubborn Food Prices

Learn whether the "7% rule" for prioritizing debt payoff over investing applies to your mortgage. Plus: why your grocery bill keeps climbing. Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and

Aug 27
37 min

How Homebuying Differs for LGBTQ+ People — and Tips for Any Buyer in a Tough Market

Learn how LGBTQ+ homebuyers navigate unique challenges and how anyone can compete in today's expensive housing market. What makes homebuying uniquely challenging for LGB

Aug 24
44 min

CFP vs. CPA vs. CFA: The Only One Most People Need

Which financial pro do you need: a CFP, CPA or CFA? Plus, an economist explains why "good" economic data doesn't always feel that way. Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizab

Aug 20
48 min

How to Balance Competing Financial Priorities When Everything Feels Urgent

Learn how to save for a home, pursue FIRE, and quiet money anxiety when every goal feels urgent at once. What does it really take to balance saving for a first home, bui

Aug 17
39 min

Going Back to Work Later in Life and Why the Housing Market Feels So Stuck

Learn why a 69-year-old retiree is returning to work and why homeowners are staying put in a stuck housing market. What happens when your nest egg doesn't grow fast enou

Aug 13
41 min

Where Are They Now? Five Smart Money Listeners on Job Loss, Debt, FIRE, and Life Moves

Learn how five Smart Money listeners changed their money situations after talking with us about tackling job loss, debt, FIRE, and life moves. What really happens after

Aug 10
28 min

What You Need to Know About Starting a Business Before You Quit Your Job

Learn how to manage your finances before starting a business. Plus: what's next for the rapidly growing prediction markets. What should you have in place financially bef

Aug 6
45 min

When Marriage Ends: How to Protect Your Assets, Update Your Estate Plan, and Survive the Costs

Learn how divorce can reshape your finances and what steps to take when legal fees and child support strain your budget. What does divorce mean for your financial life?

Aug 3
22 min

Sinking Fund Methods That Actually Work, Plus The Hidden Cost of AI Data Centers

Learn how data centers could be raising your utility bills. Plus: how to use a sinking fund strategy to pay your bills. What does it actually cost your community when a

Jul 30
31 min

Is an Annual Fee Travel Card Worth It? A Guide for Occasional Flyers

Learn how to decide if a travel card's annual fee is worth it and which card suits occasional flyers. What does it take for a travel credit card's annual fee to actually

Jul 27
38 min

What Couples Miss When Going Down to One Income

Learn how to budget for dropping to one income with a baby on the way. Plus: what's really happening to the 50+ workforce? What's driving the labor force participation r

Jul 23
35 min

Don't Let Inconsistent Income Derail Your Finances — or Your Relationship

Learn how couples can budget around inconsistent income and navigate the financial and emotional strain it can create. What can you do when your partner's income is too

Jul 20
32 min

It's Not Too Late: How to Reset Your Money Habits at 50

Can you really overhaul 50 years of money habits — and are the drivers paying the highest prices per gallon actually the ones hurting most from rising gas prices? Host S

Jul 16
36 min

Stop Guessing and Start Comparing: Is One Bank Enough for Everything?

Is it time to ditch multiple bank accounts for an all-in-one hybrid account — and how do you transition to joint accounts with a partner without making a mess of your fin

Jul 13
33 min

Stop Assuming Payment Plans Are a Debt Trap and Start Doing the Math

Learn what's in a rare bipartisan housing bill in Congress, then find out whether a credit card payment plan beats buy now, pay later. Why did a housing bill with overwh

Jul 9
41 min

Building Wealth Without Betraying Your Values: Tips for Mission-Driven Careers

Learn how to build wealth while staying true to your social values and choosing meaningful work over maximum pay. Can you be both wealthy and ethical? Hosts Sean Pyles,

Jul 6
35 min

Chart positions

Where NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 12, 2026).

#77 ▼ 1 Business US

#14 ▼ 1 Investing US

What listeners say

A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.

Thank you for educating, supporting, and guiding your listeners. Hosts are clear, crisp, and skilled in presenting useful, honest information. Well done episode by episode. Thank you for your hard work on this podcast!

NYTreview · Feb 2025

The hosts are likable and both seem to stay on topic which is great. This podcast is one of my go to for quick information. I may not agree with some of the guests but the other information is what keeps me coming back.

Rolo72forman · Jul 2024

Can’t believe I’m saying this about a podcast but it’s been life changing. It’s exactly the kind of warm, lighthearted, but also deep conversation I needed about a very loaded and complicated topic in my life. I’m learning so much. I have been able to implement my new knowledge right away by using the practical tips offered. Thank you to the amazing hosts.

bunnybreath · May 2024

I love the variety of featured people who give their input on the episodes topic. There’s always a relevant topic being talked about. Really useful for personal finance tips, and the episodes aren’t too long so I don’t get bored.

🉑©️ · Feb 2024

Very disappointed. Listen to quite a few episodes to see if it was just an anomaly. But the show overall is weak with financial advice. Some of the individuals that they have on try to act as if they are presenting something new that is just a rehash of other people. To the point that they copy the same phrases and terminology that other financial experts utilize on good shows. With so many other more powerful and useful shows and with limited time don’t waste your time listening to this podcast. When I listen to a financial podcast, I want good solid information and not politically correct platitudes.

Bulldwgs · Jan 2025

Sorry NerdWallet - I used to enjoy your show, but lately you have lost all credibility. Half of the last episode was a promotion for a credit card, not presented as an ad mind you, but in the same style as your financial advice segments. It was surreal, and cringey, to hear you plugging a credit card in the same manner as you discuss serious topics. Then there is the constant promotion of NerdWallet’s own rewards program. The actual interesting content has all been pushed to the last half of each show, and it’s no longer clear how unbiased this advice is now that paid promotions have been mixed in.

Zuzus_petals · Oct 2024

We strive to present a balanced view by showing a diverse range of reviews from Apple Podcasts.