NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Learn how to optimize debit and credit cards abroad, avoid fees, and maximize rewards for stress-free international travel.

What are the best ways to use debit and credit cards while traveling internationally? What are best practices for avoiding fees and maximizing card benefits abroad? Hosts Sean Pyles and Meghan Coyle discuss strategic card usage and essential financial tips for international travel to help you understand how to enjoy a seamless and cost-effective travel experience. They begin with a discussion of the importance of preparing for holiday travel, with tips and tricks on carrying multiple credit cards for redundancy, avoiding pitfalls of cash advances, and the benefits of traveling during off-peak times.

Then, travel Nerd Craig Joseph joins Meghan to discuss practical tips for managing credit cards and currency while traveling internationally. They discuss the advantages of using cards for their rewards and protections, the necessity of charging in local currency to avoid conversion fees, and obtaining local currency before departure to minimize ATM and currency exchange fees. This episode offers a comprehensive guide to help your international travels stay financially savvy and stress-free.

Check out NerdWallet’s roundup of the 16 Best Travel Credit Cards of September 2024: https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/travel

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: international travel tips, using credit cards abroad, debit card tips for travel, avoiding ATM fees abroad, holiday travel finances, travel expert tips, maximizing card rewards, charging in local currency, obtaining local currency, avoiding cash advances, minimizing travel costs, financial savvy travel, travel currency tips, holiday travel tips, travel spending strategies, travel card usage, credit card protections, travel rewards cards, international spending tips, foreign transaction fees, ATM fees abroad, travel planning, stress-free travel, travel stories, travel anecdotes, off-peak travel benefits, travel points, local currency tips, avoiding travel pitfalls, credit card tips, international travel guide, travel with multiple cards, safe travel tips, RFID protection, trip delay insurance, and lost luggage protection.

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 the key differences between sports betting and investing, plus tips for managing the financial risks of gambling.

How is sports betting different from investing in the stock market? What are the financial risks and benefits of sports betting versus stock market investing? Hosts Tess Vigeland and Anna Helhoski dive into the booming sports betting industry, examining the legal landscape, growing popularity, and potential risks. Investing Nerd Sam Taube joins the conversation to break down the key differences between sports betting and investing, highlighting the consistency of returns in investing and the addictive potential of short-term speculation and expanding on the financial and psychological dynamics that separate gambling from more strategic, long-term financial decisions. Then, Tess and Anna cover recent key financial headlines, including a rise in retail sales as holiday shopping ramps up, the Federal Trade Commission's new "click-to-cancel" rules for subscriptions, and the Department of Education’s decision to penalize the student loan servicing company MOHELA, the Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority.

4 Free Budgeting Templates & Excel Spreadsheets https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/finance/free-budget-spreadsheets-templates

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: sports betting, investing, stock market, gambling vs investing, financial risks, long-term investing, sports betting addiction, sports gambling, investing tips, gambling addiction, stock market returns, financial habits, betting apps, investment strategies, sports betting apps, sports betting vs investing, gambling laws, investment risks, sports betting industry, responsible gambling, betting odds, stock market growth, financial returns, and risk management.

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 how presidential policies on tariffs, immigration, and prices can impact your everyday expenses like groceries and gas.

What can a president actually do to lower prices and fight inflation? Can campaign promises really impact your wallet, or are they just political hot air? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss presidential policies and how they affect everything from the cost of gas to your grocery bill to help you understand the real impact of political decisions on your finances. They begin with a discussion of inflation, with tips and tricks on understanding how inflation is measured, what drives price hikes, and what role the president plays in influencing it.

Then, Anna talks to Derek Stimel, an associate professor of teaching economics at UC Davis, about the economic implications of tariffs and immigration policies. They discuss how tariffs raise the price of imported goods, how immigration impacts labor costs and wages, and what these political policies mean for your everyday purchases.

Stay up to date on the latest financial news by visiting NerdWallet’s Financial News Hub: https://www.nerdwallet.com/h/news/financial-news

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: inflation, gas prices, grocery prices, presidential policies, price gouging, campaign promises, tariffs, housing prices, lowering inflation, food costs, how presidents affect inflation, impact of tariffs, rising prices, how to reduce inflation, economic policy, cost of living, presidential election impact on economy, Federal Reserve, interest rates, macroeconomics, energy costs, labor costs, wages, supply chain issues, grocery store prices, price hikes, government spending, immigration policies, taxes, high inflation causes, price control, real estate market, debt and inflation, how tariffs work, price increases, affordable housing, consumer prices, cost of goods, natural gas prices, economic recession, and job market trends.

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 how checking your bills can prevent you from overspending, how to manage a raise and how to build wealth early.

01:14 This Week in Your Money: Sean Pyles and Liz Weston discuss how you can prevent overspending by double-checking all your bills and share how doing so saved Sean more than $100 on just a single bill. They also discuss some surprising ways bills can demonstrate that you’re getting shortchanged.

07:58 Today’s First Money Question: Smart Money co-host Sara Rathner helps Sean and Liz answer a listener’s question about how to prioritize spending and saving after a significant salary increase. The hosts dive into the 50/30/20 budget, how to combat the temptation of “lifestyle creep” that comes with entering a new income bracket, and methods for setting financial goals and establishing a path to meet them. They also look at how to prioritize debt repayment and retirement savings when you're in your 40s or 50s and your budget may be more stretched.

24:07 Today’s Second Money Question: Personal finance Nerd Kim Palmer joins Sean and Liz to answer a question from a 16-year-old listener about how to get an early start on setting up a bright financial future. Kim discusses options for starting to save early, the time value of money and when it may be worth considering switching banks.

In their conversation, Sean and Liz discuss: bills; automatic bill pay; medical expenses; prioritizing spending and saving; credit card rewards points; budgeting; managing lifestyle changes; reaching financial goals; time as a monetary resource; fractional shares; compounding interest; emergency funds; retirement planning; money management; and budgeting, investing, and building wealth for teenagers.

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 how to negotiate for a higher salary and better benefits when you get a job offer. Plus: Tips for boosting your earning potential.

What are the best ways to negotiate for a higher salary?

How can you elevate your earnings and overall compensation package?

Hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson discuss strategies for increasing your income and negotiating for a raise to help you understand how to navigate salary discussions confidently and effectively. Alana speaks with Catherine Tinsley, Raffini Professor of Management at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, about who should make the first offer, how to leverage market data, and the challenge of overcoming emotional hurdles. They also discuss the benefits of changing jobs for higher salary potential, practical advice on boosting your earning potential, and why understanding power dynamics and perceived expertise could help you come out ahead in your next negotiation.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: salary negotiation, negotiation tactics, boost earnings, salary raise tips, new job offer negotiation, making the first offer, leveraging market data, non-monetary benefits, workplace negotiations, power dynamics, preparing for negotiations, managing emotions, marginalized group challenges, increasing income strategies, transparent salary discussions, job offer components, vacation time negotiation, remote work negotiation, company equity negotiation, continuing education negotiation, making the first salary offer, external labor market information, practical negotiation strategies, salary transparency, mutual problem solving, negotiation confidence, salary benchmarks, transparent salary data, anchoring in negotiation, power in negotiations, emotional hurdles negotiation, interdependence in negotiation, negotiation preparation, asking for a raise, and leveraging outside offers.

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.