The show, episode by episode

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet Personal Finance

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…

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

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

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

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

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

What Couples Miss When Going Down to One Income

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

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

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

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

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

Free Tools to Earn More Rewards Points on Online Shopping, Dining, and Rideshares

Beyond Willpower: Building Financial Systems That Work for Your Brain

Stop Worrying About Your Financial Advisor and Start Finding the Right One

$10,000 Lands in a Teen's Account — Here's What to Do First

Prime Day Tips and Reddit's Brutally Honest Money Confessions

Umbrella Insurance, Coverage Gaps, and What a $483 Bar Tab Taught Us About Money

SpaceX’s Biggest IPO in History and Funding a $117K Life Change

Feel Organized and Less Anxious About Money: The Sinking Fund System Explained

The Affordable Home You Overlooked and the Investment Tax Trap You Need to Prepare For

Robinhood Gold Card: Is 3% Cash Back Worth the Waitlist and Membership Fee?

How to Put $200K to Work and The Truth About Generational Spending

Renting vs Buying A Home (When You're A High Earner)

Financial Resilience in a Shaky Economy and What a Perfect Credit Score Gets You

Budget Rehab: How to Stop Paying Only Interest and Make Real Progress on Credit Card Debt

Why Middle Class Budgets Are Cracking and How to Use Travel Points Before They Devalue

Money Lessons From Our Moms and How to Budget With an HSA on a High-Deductible Plan

Is College Worth It in 2026? Plus, How to Split Solo 401(k) Contributions to Save More

Mrs. Dow Jones's New Rules for Getting Rich, Plus How to Combine Finances After Marriage

Spring Homebuying in 2026 and the Case for Never Paying Off Your Mortgage

Pet Insurance vs Savings Account and the APR vs APY Rules That Could Save You Cash

USPS’ Cash Crisis Hits More Than Your Mailbox, Plus The Debt Settlement Trap to Avoid

AI in the Home Buying Process: What Works, What Doesn't, and When to Call an Expert

Is Your Portfolio Ready for Energy Price Swings? Plus, Tackling Debt on a High Income

What Does "Rich" Really Mean? Reddit's Personal Finance Questions, Answered by the Nerds

What Warflation Costs You and Whether a Short-Term Rental Beats Investing Your Home Sale Proceeds

Budget Rehab: How to Optimize Your Savings Goals When You've Already Paid Off All Your Debt

What AI Gets Wrong About Your Money and What a New Study Reveals About Credit Card Debt

Car Leasing vs. Buying: Hidden Fees, Dealer Agendas, and When to Buy Your Leased Car

Are Corporate Investors Wrecking Housing? Plus How to Date Without Wrecking Your Budget

Talking Taxes With a Tax Professional: What's New in 2026 and How to Navigate Filing Season

Why Credit Report Errors Are Harder to Fix and How to Prepare for Involuntary Early Retirement

Points and Miles vs Cash Back: Pick a Credit Card That Matches Your Spending

Does Your Retirement Portfolio Match Your Values? Plus: Apple’s New MacBook Neo

Frugal Fatigue Is Real: How to Stop Saving Burnout and Start Spending on Purpose

Will Your Streaming Bill Jump? Plus, How to Pick a Budgeting App You’ll Actually Use

The “Commingled Purchase” Problem That Budget Apps Don’t Warn You About

Tariff Uncertainty After Supreme Court Decision and Budgeting With Sinking Funds

Home Insurance Rate Increases and Psychological Traps That Are Costing You

Are Index Funds Still Diversified? Concentration Risk and a Top-Heavy Market

Bilt Card 2.0 and the Points Math: What’s a “Good” Return in 2026?

Split-Expense Planning for Couples and the Winter Homebuying Advantage

Long-Term Care Costs: Medicaid vs Private Pay, Plus Talking Money While Dating

Prediction Market Betting Hype and Self-Employment Taxes You Don’t Want to Miss

Impulse Spending Fixes and PSLF Choices When You’re in Grad School

Are You Too Late for the Gold Rush? Plus: A Retirement Rule That Might Be Broken

Tax Season Scams and Identity Theft Red Flags, Plus a 401(k) and IRA Rollover Lightning Round

How to Balance Career Opportunity and Cost of Living (Plus: ChatGPT Ads Could Change How You Spend)

Banking in 2026: Best Banks to Consider and How to Avoid the Worst Fees

Insurance in 2026: Best Auto, Home, Life, and Pet Insurance Picks—Plus a Wake-Up Call on Credit Card Debt

Credit Cards in 2026: Big Card Changes Are Rolling Out — Here’s What to Re-evaluate Now

Housing in 2026: Home Prices and Rates Are in Flux. Time to Make Your Move?

Investing in 2026: Fix Your Allocation Before the Next Market Swing

How to Build Better Money Habits in 2026

Ditch Your Money Trauma So You Can Live an Abundant Life (with Shannah Game)

Managing Money in Your Marriage and How to Build Wealth Without a Side Hustle

Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being

How the 2008 Financial Crisis Changed Wall Street (The Big Short Companion Podcast from Against the Rules)

2025’s Money Year in Review and Travel Card Moves To Make Now

Strengthen Your 2026 Financial Plan and Optimize TSP and 403(b) Accounts for Heirs

Life’s Big Buys: Travel Splurges and When to Cut Retirement Savings for a Home Down Payment

Understanding 2026 Housing Pressure Points and Finding Your “Enough” Number for Retirement

Master Multiple Credit Cards Without Tanking Your Credit Score (Plus: Giving Tuesday Tips)

Fix Emotional Spending Habits with Feel-Good Finance and Learn How to Manage Finances Post-Job Loss

Outsmart Black Friday Hype and Tackle Credit Card Debt with a Budget Reset

Thanksgiving Savings You’ll Actually Notice and Tax Filing Tips for Common Law Couples

Generational Wealth Built from Scratch and an Emergency Fund on a Deadline

IRA Conversion Strategies and Reading Economic Signals During a Shutdown

First-Generation Wealth Building and the Truth About Stablecoin Yields

Open Enrollment 2026: How to Choose Dental, Vision, Life and Disability (Plus: When to Refinance a Home)