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NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

NerdWallet Personal Finance
Budgeting
Personal Finance
Investing
Tariffs
Financial Planning
Retirement Planning
Life Insurance
Inflation
Debt Management
Credit Cards
Open Enrollment
Housing Market
Credit Card Debt
Artificial Intelligence
Nerdwallet
Credit Scores
Savings
Identity Theft
Emergency Fund
Health Insurance

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 i... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes642Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
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Artwork for NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Latest Episodes

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 the episode ends? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola check back in wit... more

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 before leaving your job to start a business? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth ... more

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? How do you rebuild when child support and rent are already eating up half your i... more

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 hyperscale AI data center moves in nearby? Senior news writer Anna Helhoski join... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Kim Palmer
Finance expert specializing in divorce finance
NerdWallet
Episode: When Marriage Ends: How to Protect Your Assets, Update Your Estate Plan, and Survive the Costs
Anna Hylhowsky
News colleague at NerdWallet
NerdWallet
Episode: It's Not Too Late: How to Reset Your Money Habits at 50
Chanelle Bessette
Banking nerd
NerdWallet
Episode: Stop Guessing and Start Comparing: Is One Bank Enough for Everything?
Christine Hargrove
Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Director of the Love and Money Center at University of Georgia; financial therapist specializing in ADHD and finances
University of Georgia
Episode: Beyond Willpower: Building Financial Systems That Work for Your Brain
Ander Jinkola
Host of Your Next Dollar; guest on this episode discussing wealth-building for high earners
Your Next Dollar
Episode: Introducing Your Next Dollar: Money Management for High Earners
Meghan Coyle
Travel expert, co-host of Smart Travel (NerdWallet sister podcast)
NerdWallet
Episode: Why Middle Class Budgets Are Cracking and How to Use Travel Points Before They Devalue
Erin Elisa
Data writer at NerdWallet, expert on college cost study
NerdWallet
Episode: Is College Worth It in 2026? Plus, How to Split Solo 401(k) Contributions to Save More
Haley Sachs
Author, Mrs. Dow Jones, and personal finance influencer
Author, Future Rich Person
Episode: Mrs. Dow Jones's New Rules for Getting Rich, Plus How to Combine Finances After Marriage
Taylor Mitchell
Social media content creator
Self-employed / Social media creator
Episode: Pet Insurance vs Savings Account and the APR vs APY Rules That Could Save You Cash

Hosts

Sean Pyles
Host of NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast; CFP practitioner; focuses on budgeting, personal finance, and consumer guidance.
Elizabeth Ayoola
Co-host and facilitator; provides money-management perspectives and hosts segments with experts.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 1.7k ratings
  • Self Employed

    I feel like this podcast largely ignores self-employed people. You talk a lot about employment, matching and free money but self-employed people over 50 who are way way way behind seem to be an afterthought.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    whateverstupidyelp
    United States24 days ago
  • Please calm down.

    I was excited for the new podcast, your next dollar, but the hosts voice and energy level was completely overwhelming. I felt like I was being yelled at for 25 minutes. There’s no way I can listen to this podcast on a regular basis until he starts drinking decaf.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    whateverstupidyelp
    United States3 months ago
  • Interesting show

    I enjoy this show. I like hearing the real life scenarios. I’d like to hear more from families with multiple older children and families close to retirement, as well as Canadian perspectives. Thanks!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kawartha6
    Canada3 months ago
  • Surprisingly enjoyable

    I’ve become a recent listener, and really enjoy this podcast! I would categorize myself as someone who makes a very modest income, and has generally been pretty careful in what I choose to spend it on. I don’t necessarily feel like I was educated in how to optimize my earnings, plan, and really have my money work for me. In what I’ve listened to, this podcast does a great job of giving me small doses of financial knowledge to set myself up a little more clearly on my financial path. I’m surpris... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    H00sier10
    United States3 months ago
  • Don't count on 8% returns

    Working can indeed be boring, but without compounding and growth you might not be able to save enough to retire.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Interested bystander
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Balanced discussions that connect personal finance to current events.
Appreciated for data-driven, accessible explanations of complex topics.
Ads and sponsor reads can feel heavy to some listeners; content remains useful.
Relatable hosts with clear finance insights.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#22
United States/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#107
United States/Business
Apple Podcasts
#27
Indonesia/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#39
Philippines/Business/Investing
Apple Podcasts
#116
Indonesia/Business
Apple Podcasts
#130
China/Business/Investing

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is an Annual Fee Travel Card Worth It? A Guide for Occasional Flyers
Q: What's the single most important question to ask before choosing a travel rewards card?
The most important question is whether the card's benefits are easy to justify given your travel frequency and spending; if you fly Delta regularly and check bags, a Delta card may pay for itself, otherwise a general travel card with broad perks like Chase Sapphire Preferred may offer more flexible value.
Sinking Fund Methods That Actually Work, Plus The Hidden Cost of AI Data Centers
Q: Any suggestions for those who put all expenses on a rewards card and want to optimize points while keeping sinking funds?
Allocate one credit card to each major spending bucket (bills, travel, groceries, etc.), then connect the appropriate savings or checking accounts to those cards. Pay off each card from its linked account. Regularly review spending to ensure funds are allocated correctly and avoid cross-account overdrafts. This credit-card-forward method can simplify management while preserving rewards.
Sinking Fund Methods That Actually Work, Plus The Hidden Cost of AI Data Centers
Q: Thanks for covering sinking funds, but when it's time to pay, how do you manage that? If everything is going on the same credit card, do you then have to be mindful to transfer funds to the account that pays the credit card?
There are three main payment approaches. The single account method uses one fund-connected account to pay the credit card and then transfers to fund-specific accounts as expenses occur. The multi-account method connects all savings and checking accounts directly to their respective credit cards to avoid frequent transfers. The hybrid approach keeps a primary set of accounts linked to cards (usually three) and occasionally transfers between them to cover expenses, balancing simplicity with organization.
It's Not Too Late: How to Reset Your Money Habits at 50
Q: What should David focus on first to change his habits at 50?
Automate savings into clearly defined buckets, set up catch-up contributions for retirement accounts, and build a clear goal for retirement to guide spending decisions.
Stop Assuming Payment Plans Are a Debt Trap and Start Doing the Math
Q: What are the biggest pros and cons of these plans?
Pros include convenience and earning rewards on the purchase; cons include potential fees, risk of debt traps, and impact on overall balance and minimum payments; crucial to consider total cost and spending behavior.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

What is NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Listeners tune in for practical, data-driven personal finance guidance across a broad range of topics—from budgeting and saving to investing, homebuying, and credit card strategies. Episodes frequently pair macroeconomic context with hands-on, actionable tips, host Q&As, and guest experts to illustrate real-world decisions—whether maximizing travel rewards, weighing the forever mortgage, or evaluating college value in a changing landscape. A notable strength is the consistent use of research-backed insights and accessible explanations, with episodes often featuring guests from NerdWallet and independent experts to ground discussions in data and practical planning. A distinguishing trait is the blend of thoughtful budgeting mindset discussio... more

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Which podcasts are similar to NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast:

1. Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
2. Money Girl
3. Money Guy Show
4. The Personal Finance Podcast
5. Becker’s Healthcare Podcast

How many episodes of NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast are there?

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast launched 9 years ago and published 642 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast?

Recent guests on NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast include:

1. Kim Palmer
2. Anna Hylhowsky
3. Chanelle Bessette
4. Christine Hargrove
5. Ander Jinkola
6. Meghan Coyle
7. Erin Elisa
8. Haley Sachs

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