NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast provides clear, actionable advice on personal finance topics such as budgeting, saving, investing, home buying, and credit cards. Hosted by trusted finance journalists, each episode answers real-world money questions to help listeners make smarter financial decisions. The show aims to cut through misinformation and offer research-backed insights for building wealth and planning life milestones.
Episodes
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 rate to a 50-year low — and what does it mean for the more than one million Americans aged 54 and up who are still looking for work? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by news colleague Rick VanderKnyff and Gary A. O
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 unpredictable to plan around? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola answer a question from a listener who is struggling to cover household bills because her spouse's income fluctuates week to week. They examine the financia
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 Sean Pyles, CFP© and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news writer Anna Helhoski and joined by data studies Nerd, Kurt Woock, to unpack why the price on the sign at the gas station doesn't tell the whole story about how gas pri
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 finances?
Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by banking Nerd Chanelle Bessette to answer a question about consolidating banking at one institution while also opening a joint account with a partner. They compare hybrid
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 overwhelming bipartisan support suddenly stall on the president's desk? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP©, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news writer Anna Helhoski, and mortgage writers Abby Badach Doyle and Kate Wood to unpack the 21st
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, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola tackle a question from a nurse who earns less than her peers by choosing to work at a public safety-net hospital and deliberately charges minimal fees to teach wilderness medicine to nonprofits. They exp
Free Tools to Earn More Rewards Points on Online Shopping, Dining, and Rideshares
Learn how to earn more points and miles on everyday shopping using portals, dining programs, and partner apps.
In a special holiday episode of Smart Money, we're bringing you our friends from the Smart Travel podcast, Sally French and Meghan Coyle, as they dig into online shopping portals, explaining how tools like Rakuten, airline-specific portals, hotel booking platforms like Gondola, and the u
Beyond Willpower: Building Financial Systems That Work for Your Brain
Learn how to approach finances if you or someone you know has been diagnosed with neurodivergency or had a brain injury.
Not everyone thinks in the same way, so what are some strategies for folks with neurodivergence or brain injuries to help them manage their finances? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by Dr. Christine Hargrove, clinical assistant professor and assistant director
Stop Worrying About Your Financial Advisor and Start Finding the Right One
Learn what financial advisor fee structures could mean for your wealth and how to find someone who won't sell you out.
What new threats are emerging for identity crime victims? Host Sean Pyles, CFP®, and news colleague Rick VanderKnyff are joined by Mona Terry, chief operating and programs officer of the Identity Theft Resource Center, to walk through the ITRC's 2026 Trends in Identity Report. Th
$10,000 Lands in a Teen's Account — Here's What to Do First
Learn what to do when your teen receives a windfall and how to balance saving, investing, and giving.
What's the smartest way to help your teenager manage $10,000 to $15,000 in unexpected cash — without turning the conversation into a lecture? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with personal finance Nerd Kate Ashford to answer listener Deb's question about her teen recently receiving
Prime Day Tips and Reddit's Brutally Honest Money Confessions
Learn what to buy and skip on Prime Day 2026 and Reddit’s lessons that reveal how a $250K earner can end up broke.
Is Prime Day actually a good deal this summer, and how financially resilient are American consumers right now? Host Elizabeth Ayoola is joined by news colleague Rick VanderKnyff, NerdWallet personal finance writer Tommy Tindall, and NerdWallet Senior Economist Elizabeth Renter to dig
Umbrella Insurance, Coverage Gaps, and What a $483 Bar Tab Taught Us About Money
Learn when umbrella insurance is worth buying and what a $483 bar tab can teach you about being an informed consumer.
When does umbrella insurance actually make sense for your finances? What happens if a lawsuit leaves you on the hook for more than your home or auto policy could cover? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by insurance nerd Caitlin Constantine to tackle a listen
SpaceX’s Biggest IPO in History and Funding a $117K Life Change
Learn what the AI IPO boom could do to reshape your index funds and how to fund years of grad school with no income.
With SpaceX set to debut as the biggest IPO in history — and OpenAI and Anthropic filing to follow — what does this landmark moment in the markets actually mean for your portfolio? Senior news editor Rick VanderKnyff and investing writer Sam Taub join hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and El
Feel Organized and Less Anxious About Money: The Sinking Fund System Explained
Learn how to set up a sinking fund system that puts your savings on autopilot and helps you reach your goals.
What if the key to hitting your financial goals isn't just saving more, but saving smarter? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola dig into the sinking fund system, a strategy of separate, named savings accounts each tied to a specific purpose. They explore the psychology behind why
The Affordable Home You Overlooked and the Investment Tax Trap You Need to Prepare For
Learn whether manufactured homes could be your path to homeownership and how to get ahead of a tax bill from your investments.
Could a decades-old federal rule be standing between you and an affordable home? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news editor Rick VanderKnyff, along with mortgage writers Abby Badach Doyle and Kate Wood, to explore whether manufactured ho
Robinhood Gold Card: Is 3% Cash Back Worth the Waitlist and Membership Fee?
Learn whether Robinhood Gold Card's 3% cash back and investing perks are worth the waitlist and membership cost.
Is the Robinhood Gold Card the rare credit card that could put your rewards directly to work in a brokerage account? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by NerdWallet credit card writer Melissa Lambarena to examine what makes this card stand apart: an uncapped 3% flat-rat
How to Put $200K to Work and The Truth About Generational Spending
Learn what generational spending data reveals and what to do when fear is keeping $200K in savings from growing.
What do the stereotypes about each generation's finances actually get wrong? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off the episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet data writer Kurt Woock, who breaks down a new study analyzing federal Consumer Expenditure Surve
Renting vs Buying A Home (When You're A High Earner)
Learn what really goes into the rent versus buy decision beyond comparing your mortgage to a rent check.
In this special episode, Your Next Dollar host Andrew Giancola walks through a step-by-step total cost of ownership framework to help you weigh the real numbers behind renting versus buying a home. Then, he reacts to two videos that take very different sides of the rent versus buy debate.
Fol
Financial Resilience in a Shaky Economy and What a Perfect Credit Score Gets You
Learn what new Fed data says about Americans' finances and whether a perfect 850 credit score is worth chasing.
What does the latest Federal Reserve data actually reveal about how Americans are holding up financially — and why do feelings and facts so often diverge? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet economist Elizabeth Renter to d
Introducing Your Next Dollar: Money Management for High Earners
Meet Your Next Dollar, a new podcast from NerdWallet Wealth Partners. This is the podcast for you if you are a high earner learning how to build wealth, navigate money trade-offs, and spend on what you actually value.
Follow Your Next Dollar on your favorite podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/jl7ehvemqcmp-1_fkrov6a
Interested in working with a financial advisor? Visit nerdwalletwealthpartne
Budget Rehab: How to Stop Paying Only Interest and Make Real Progress on Credit Card Debt
Learn how to tackle $25,000 in credit card debt and which payoff strategy could work best for your situation.
How do you get out of $25,000 in credit card debt when minimum payments aren't making a dent? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with listener Jessica, a Bay Area mom carrying three maxed-out credit cards with interest rates ranging from 11% to 24%. The
Why Middle Class Budgets Are Cracking and How to Use Travel Points Before They Devalue
Learn how the E-shaped economy is reshaping middle-class budgets and how to stretch travel points on real trips.
What does it really mean when economists say the U.S. economy has shifted from a K-shape to an E-shape, and where do middle-class households fit in this new picture? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with senior news writer Anna Helhoski about why middle-class earners are incr
Money Lessons From Our Moms and How to Budget With an HSA on a High-Deductible Plan
Hear money lessons from NerdWallet moms and learn how to budget for healthcare on a high-deductible plan.
What does motherhood teach you about money? In honor of Mother's Day, hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola gather money lessons from NerdWallet moms — including Erin El Issa, Amanda Barroso, Kate Ashford, and Pamela de la Fuente — as well as from Sean's mom, Jeanne. They explore the
Is College Worth It in 2026? Plus, How to Split Solo 401(k) Contributions to Save More
Learn what 2026 grads could borrow for college and how solo 401(k) contributions can build retirement wealth.
How much could it cost to go to college in 2026, and is a four-year degree still a smart financial move? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola dig into a new NerdWallet analysis of federal data with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet data writer Erin El Issa. They ex
Mrs. Dow Jones's New Rules for Getting Rich, Plus How to Combine Finances After Marriage
Personal finance influencer Mrs. Dow Jones breaks down what it really takes to build wealth. Then, learn how to combine finances with your partner.
What would you do differently today to make yourself wealthy in the future? Haley Sacks, the personal finance influencer known as Mrs. Dow Jones and author of the new book, Future Rich Person, joins hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola to di
Spring Homebuying in 2026 and the Case for Never Paying Off Your Mortgage
Is spring still the right time to buy a home, and does carrying a mortgage forever actually make more financial sense?
Before entering into the “forever mortgage” debate, hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola are joined by senior news writer Anna Helhoski and mortgage writers Abby Badach Doyle and Kate Wood to examine why 2026's spring housing market is falling short of expectations. The
Pet Insurance vs Savings Account and the APR vs APY Rules That Could Save You Cash
Learn when pet insurance is worth the cost and how APR and APY affect your loans and savings accounts.
Is pet insurance worth the monthly premium, or is a high-yield savings account the smarter play? Host Elizabeth Ayoola moderates an in-studio debate on whether pet insurance is a sound financial product or mostly an emotional purchase. Smart Money host Sean Pyles, CFP®, and NerdWallet social m
USPS’ Cash Crisis Hits More Than Your Mailbox, Plus The Debt Settlement Trap to Avoid
Can the post office survive its cash crisis, and is a debt relief program actually making your debt situation worse?
What does the USPS financial crisis mean for your everyday life? Senior news writer Anna Helhoski talks to Elena Patel, co-Director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, to unpack how the post office ended up at a critical financial juncture — and what service cuts, price hik
AI in the Home Buying Process: What Works, What Doesn't, and When to Call an Expert
Find out how AI tools can help navigate the home buying process and where human expertise still matters most.
Can AI help you buy a house with reliable information? What would you do if you had only ten years to live, received a $100,000 windfall, or lost your job with just one month of emergency savings? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with a NerdWallet colleague to unpack his jo
Is Your Portfolio Ready for Energy Price Swings? Plus, Tackling Debt on a High Income
Learn what rising oil prices mean for your investments and how to make savings work on a high income with heavy debt.
How worried should you be about oil market swings? With global energy prices reacting to geopolitical conflict, senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola to speak with NerdWallet investing writer Sam Taub about what rising crude oil means
What Does "Rich" Really Mean? Reddit's Personal Finance Questions, Answered by the Nerds
We discuss real Reddit posts that reveal how people actually think about wealth, financial breakups, frugal habits, idle cash, and 529 overfunding.
What does it mean to be “rich” in 2026? What can you learn about personal finance from scrolling Reddit? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola delve into Reddit’s most relatable money posts to explain what Reddit gets right and where the commenters l
What Warflation Costs You and Whether a Short-Term Rental Beats Investing Your Home Sale Proceeds
War is pushing everyday prices higher, and a listener wonders if a Utah vacation rental beats investing home sale proceeds.
What does the Iran war mean for the price of your groceries, your next flight, and everyday household goods? Is buying a short-term rental property a smart way to diversify your investment portfolio, or is it more risk than it's worth? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth A
Budget Rehab: How to Optimize Your Savings Goals When You've Already Paid Off All Your Debt
Learn how to budget an extra $1,000 a month when you already have no debt, a high savings rate, and multiple financial goals.
What do you do with extra money when you've already paid off all your debt and you're saving more than half your income? Why would a 26-year-old with $50K in assets still not feel financially safe? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola review listener Manny’s budget
What AI Gets Wrong About Your Money and What a New Study Reveals About Credit Card Debt
New research upends assumptions about credit card debt, and we explore what AI gets wrong about money.
Could you be making credit card debt worse without realizing it? Should you trust AI with your finances? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the pros and cons of using AI for financial guidance. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet writer Kurt Woock join th
Car Leasing vs. Buying: Hidden Fees, Dealer Agendas, and When to Buy Your Leased Car
When your lease ends, should you lease again, buy the car, or return it and walk away?
What is a car lease, and how do its true costs compare to financing? Sean Pyles, CFP®, Elizabeth Ayoola, and lead writer Shannon Bradley break down how car leases work — including money factors, residual values, mileage limits, and the acquisition fees dealers rarely tell you about. They also explore why leasin
Are Corporate Investors Wrecking Housing? Plus How to Date Without Wrecking Your Budget
Big investors aren’t wrecking housing the way you think they are, and dating on a budget could be more romantic than you think.
What role do corporate investors actually play in making homes unaffordable, and would banning them fix the problem? We examine the data behind one of housing’s most contentious debates with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and mortgage writers Abby Badach Doyle and Kate
Talking Taxes With a Tax Professional: What's New in 2026 and How to Navigate Filing Season
A tax expert breaks down what's new for the 2026 tax filing season and how to decide between a CPA and DIY software.
What do you actually need to know about filing your 2025 taxes? When is it actually worth hiring a CPA instead of going it alone? Hosts Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola sit down with Tom O'Saben, and enrolled agent and director of tax content for the National Association of T
Why Credit Report Errors Are Harder to Fix and How to Prepare for Involuntary Early Retirement
Learn how to prepare for early retirement and deal with credit report errors that won’t go away.
Why are credit report errors getting harder to fix? How do you prepare for retirement if you may have to stop working earlier than expected? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss early retirement planning to help you understand how to build a backup plan before an income shock forces your hand
Points and Miles vs Cash Back: Pick a Credit Card That Matches Your Spending
Learn how to choose your next credit card by weighing airline perks, annual fees, and simple cash back rewards.
How do you choose a credit card when the options feel endless? Should a family of four choose an airline credit card or a more flexible rewards card? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss travel rewards and everyday rewards to help you understand how to match a card to your real
Does Your Retirement Portfolio Match Your Values? Plus: Apple’s New MacBook Neo
Learn what chip shortages could mean for tech prices and how to align your target-date fund with your values.
Will chip shortages make laptops and phones more expensive? How can you make a Roth 403(b) target-date fund reflect your politics and values? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss values-based retirement investing to help you understand how to check what’s inside your portfolio an
Frugal Fatigue Is Real: How to Stop Saving Burnout and Start Spending on Purpose
Learn how to build a budget with room for fun so you can save money without guilt.
How can you save toward big goals without letting frugality turn into burnout? How do you stop shaming yourself for spending on fun? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola respond to a listener named Michael who’s skipping trips, staying in, and feeling guilty whenever they spend. Joined by personal finance writer K
Will Your Streaming Bill Jump? Plus, How to Pick a Budgeting App You’ll Actually Use
Find out what Paramount’s bid for Warner Bros. Discovery could mean for streaming, then learn how to pick a budgeting app you’ll actually use.
How do you pick a budgeting app that helps you see where your money goes? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss budgeting apps to help you understand how to track spending without making budgeting your second job. But first, news writer Rick Vander
The “Commingled Purchase” Problem That Budget Apps Don’t Warn You About
Discover simple rules that can cut budget tracking fatigue and still show you where your money goes.
How can you make a budgeting app reflect what you actually bought when one Costco or Target run covers five or 10 different categories? And how can you track those “commingled” purchases without spending your life itemizing receipts? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with personal finance
Tariff Uncertainty After Supreme Court Decision and Budgeting With Sinking Funds
Find out how tariffs may change prices and how to build sinking funds while saving for retirement.
What could the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling mean for the prices you pay and the next move on trade policy? How much should you set aside for sinking funds while you build an emergency fund and contribute to your 401(k)? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss sinking funds and savings priorit
Home Insurance Rate Increases and Psychological Traps That Are Costing You
Understand common money traps and what to do as homeowners insurance premiums rise across the country.
Your brain can be expensive. That’s why hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down three behavioral finance biases (loss aversion, herd mentality, and overconfidence) and how they can lead to costly spending and investing decisions.
Then, NerdWallet editor Caitlin Constantine joins to ans
Are Index Funds Still Diversified? Concentration Risk and a Top-Heavy Market
Learn how concentration risk can affect index funds and how 2026 catch-up contributions work.
Senior news writer Anna Helhoski and Ryan Sterling, a wealth advisor with NerdWallet Wealth Partners, break down stock market concentration risk and what it means for index fund diversification. Then, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola answer a listener’s question about 2026 catch-up contributions,
Bilt Card 2.0 and the Points Math: What’s a “Good” Return in 2026?
Find out if Bilt’s new credit cards are worth the hassle for earning points on rent or a mortgage.
In this special episode, NerdWallet travel writers and Smart Travel hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle dig into Bilt’s three new credit cards and a rewards system that now includes two currencies: Bilt Points and Bilt Cash. They walk through the big questions listeners have been asking, including w
Split-Expense Planning for Couples and the Winter Homebuying Advantage
Find out the best time to go home shopping and whether shared housing bills can affect your plans to retire together.
Should you buy a house in the winter or wait for spring? How can you split housing costs and plan for retirement when you and your partner are on different timelines? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss equitable money management for couples to help you understand how to
Long-Term Care Costs: Medicaid vs Private Pay, Plus Talking Money While Dating
Learn about money dealbreakers in dating, then how to plan ahead for assisted living and Medicaid costs.
First, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola dig into a new dating dealbreakers study with NerdWallet spokesperson and credit card writer Sara Rathner. They unpack why “financial infidelity” can feel like a relationship ender, what people are most likely to hide, and how to start money conve
Prediction Market Betting Hype and Self-Employment Taxes You Don’t Want to Miss
Learn how to plan for self-employment taxes and understand how savings interest can affect your tax bill.
How can sports betting apps affect your finances? How do you set up taxes for 1099 contract work? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss self-employment taxes to help you prepare for tax season and avoid surprises. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins them to discuss the
Impulse Spending Fixes and PSLF Choices When You’re in Grad School
Get ideas for spending less in February and learn how deferment affects Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) payments.
How can a month-long spending challenge reset your money habits? Should you keep paying student loans while in grad school if you’re close to Public Service Loan Forgiveness and planning a move? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss no-spend experiments and “friction”
Are You Too Late for the Gold Rush? Plus: A Retirement Rule That Might Be Broken
See what gold and silver highs mean and how to plan retirement spending without the 80% rule.
Is gold’s record run a sign you should buy? Do you really need 80% of your income in retirement? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss retirement income rules of thumb to help you understand how to estimate what you might spend after you stop working. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski
Tax Season Scams and Identity Theft Red Flags, Plus a 401(k) and IRA Rollover Lightning Round
Protect your identity from tax-season scams and learn when 401(k) and IRA rollovers make sense.
How do you roll over old 401(k)s and IRAs? And is a mega backdoor Roth worth the hassle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola answer listener questions about retirement account rollovers, including when consolidation can help and how to avoid common missteps. But first, they kick off Identity Theft Aw
How to Balance Career Opportunity and Cost of Living (Plus: ChatGPT Ads Could Change How You Spend)
Find out how AI shopping could tempt your budget and how to choose a city for a new career with confidence.
Is AI shopping about to turn your chatbot into a checkout line? How do you choose a medical residency program when an algorithm makes the final call? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss residency location trade-offs to help a listener understand what to prioritize during low-pay t
Banking in 2026: Best Banks to Consider and How to Avoid the Worst Fees
Find a bank that pays more, charges less, and keeps your money safe as rates adjust in 2026.
How do you choose the best bank when savings rates are falling and fees won’t quit? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss wealth inequality and retirement security to help you think bigger about what’s “normal” in personal finance. They begin with a rapid-fire hot takes segment, with their perspec
Insurance in 2026: Best Auto, Home, Life, and Pet Insurance Picks—Plus a Wake-Up Call on Credit Card Debt
Learn how to shop for cheaper insurance and escape rising credit card debt before it snowballs.
Is credit card debt becoming the new normal? How can you get the insurance coverage you need in 2026 without overpaying? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss insurance shopping to help you understand how to protect yourself at a price you can live with. But first, senior news writer Anna Helho
Credit Cards in 2026: Big Card Changes Are Rolling Out — Here’s What to Re-evaluate Now
Find out which credit cards shine in 2026 and how to avoid rising fees, APR surprises, and buy now, pay later (BNPL) traps.
How can you change your spending to better match your values? How do you choose the right credit card in 2026 as perks shift, fees rise, and “buy now, pay later” spreads? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss values-based spending and the credit card landscape to he
Housing in 2026: Home Prices and Rates Are in Flux. Time to Make Your Move?
Learn what 2026 might bring for mortgage rates, home prices, and affordability, plus smart steps to buy or refinance.
Will mortgage rates drop in 2026, and is it finally a good time to buy a home? How can you get your finances ready to buy or refinance, even if prices still feel out of reach? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgages and the housing market to help you understand wha
Investing in 2026: Fix Your Allocation Before the Next Market Swing
Start your 2026 investing strategy with smarter moves, fewer fees, and less stress when markets get rocky.
How should you invest in 2026 if tech stocks keep dominating the market? What’s a smart checklist for leveling up your investing this year? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss diversification and investing tools to help you grow your wealth with a plan you can stick to. Then invest
How to Build Better Money Habits in 2026
Learn how to tie your 2026 money goals to your values so you can stick with them all year.
How can you match your 2026 money goals to what you really care about? And how do you turn those goals into a plan you’ll actually follow? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss values-based money planning and goal-setting frameworks to help you build a realistic, meaningful financial plan for the
Ditch Your Money Trauma So You Can Live an Abundant Life (with Shannah Game)
Learn how to explore your money beliefs and take real steps toward saving and investing, even on a tight income.
What’s really behind your money habits? How can you build savings and invest if you’re not earning much? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss how your relationship with money shapes your financial behaviors and what you can do to change that narrative. Joined by Shannah Game,
Managing Money in Your Marriage and How to Build Wealth Without a Side Hustle
Learn the truth behind myths about building wealth, plus hear from a couple looking to align on financial goals and values.
Can you build wealth without starting a business? How can couples figure out what to do with extra money in their budget? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola share their “money hot takes” and then talk to a married couple about how they can better align on financial prior
Untangle Your Relationship with Money for Better Mental, Emotional, and Financial Well-Being
Learn how to navigate job loss and reshape your money mindset to feel more in control — emotionally and financially.
What should you do with your money after losing a job? How can you feel better about money and stop stressing about finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss managing job loss and improving your relationship with money to help you understand both the practical and emo
How the 2008 Financial Crisis Changed Wall Street (The Big Short Companion Podcast from Against the Rules)
Learn how Wall Street has changed since the 2008 financial crisis in this Smart Money special presentation of Against the Rules: The Big Short Companion.
Michael Lewis’ best-selling book The Big Short is now 15 years old, and the Oscar-winning movie based on it was released a decade ago. To mark the occasion, Lewis has narrated a new audiobook of The Big Short, and on The Big Short Companion from
2025’s Money Year in Review and Travel Card Moves To Make Now
Hear how 2025 money news hit your wallet and whether your travel cards are really pulling their weight.
How did 2025’s biggest money stories actually affect your wallet? How can you decide if your pricey travel credit cards are still worth it? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola recap the year in finance news to help you understand what the stories mean for your budget, savings, and plans for 2
Strengthen Your 2026 Financial Plan and Optimize TSP and 403(b) Accounts for Heirs
Learn how to prepare your money for 2026 and invest retirement savings you hope to leave to your family.
How do Americans feel about their money heading into 2026? How should you invest retirement accounts you don’t plan to spend so your family can benefit later? The Nerds discuss how to invest a seven‑figure nest egg in workplace retirement plans to help you understand how to balance risk, taxes
Life’s Big Buys: Travel Splurges and When to Cut Retirement Savings for a Home Down Payment
Learn how to shift savings between retirement and a home down payment without derailing your future.
How do you balance big life experiences with long-term financial goals? Is it smart to scale back retirement savings to buy a home sooner? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss wedding budgeting, honeymoon spending, and saving trade-offs to help you think through your own big-ticket plans.
Understanding 2026 Housing Pressure Points and Finding Your “Enough” Number for Retirement
See what 2026’s housing costs and mortgage rates might mean for your homebuying plans and learn when you can safely coast on retirement savings.
How is the housing market reshaping homebuying going into 2026? When can you stop saving for retirement and still feel confident about your future? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss Coast FI and long-term retirement planning to help you under
Master Multiple Credit Cards Without Tanking Your Credit Score (Plus: Giving Tuesday Tips)
Learn how to donate effectively for Giving Tuesday and juggle multiple credit cards without hurting your credit score.
How can you donate more intentionally on Giving Tuesday without blowing your budget? Does having multiple credit cards hurt your credit score? Hosts Elizabeth Ayoola and Sean Pyles discuss charitable giving and credit card management to help you support causes you care about whil
Fix Emotional Spending Habits with Feel-Good Finance and Learn How to Manage Finances Post-Job Loss
Learn how to navigate job loss and reshape your money mindset to feel more in control — emotionally and financially.
What should you do with your money after losing a job? How can you feel better about money and stop stressing about finances? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss managing job loss and improving your relationship with money to help you understand both the practical and emo
Outsmart Black Friday Hype and Tackle Credit Card Debt with a Budget Reset
Learn how to spot real Black Friday deals and reshape your budget with a step-by-step money makeover.
What should you watch for on Black Friday to avoid fake discounts? How can you reset your budget when debt and housing costs squeeze you? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss holiday shopping and budgeting to help you spend smarter without regrets. First, Amanda Barroso joins Elizabeth t
Thanksgiving Savings You’ll Actually Notice and Tax Filing Tips for Common Law Couples
Learn how to save on Thanksgiving dinner and decide if filing taxes jointly makes sense for common law couples.
How can you trim your Thanksgiving costs without skimping on the feast? Should common law spouses file taxes jointly or separately? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola dig into tax choices for couples to help you understand which filing status may fit your situation and what to weigh
Generational Wealth Built from Scratch and an Emergency Fund on a Deadline
Learn how first-generation earners build wealth and how to grow an emergency fund before a possible job loss.
How do first-generation earners start and protect generational wealth? How can you bulk up an emergency fund fast if layoffs are looming? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss first-generation wealth building and how to build an emergency fund. Elizabeth first welcomes Grace Van
IRA Conversion Strategies and Reading Economic Signals During a Shutdown
Discover how current economic data affect you and decide if a Roth or Traditional IRA is the most appropriate option for your retirement savings.
What’s happening with layoffs and the economy right now? How should you be thinking about the data used to determine the economy's health, and what does it mean for your personal finances? Hosts Elizabeth Ayoola and Sean Pyles discuss non-traditional fi
First-Generation Wealth Building and the Truth About Stablecoin Yields
Learn how first-generation wealth builders create financial freedom and what stablecoins could mean for your savings.
How do you build wealth when you’re the first in your family to be able to do so? And can stablecoins really out-earn your savings account? Host Elizabeth Ayoola and Sean Pyles explore generational wealth-building and the myths and realities of stablecoins in a rapidly changing cr
Open Enrollment 2026: How to Choose Dental, Vision, Life and Disability (Plus: When to Refinance a Home)
Learn how to pick dental, vision, life, and disability coverage with confidence, and when refinancing a home can actually save you money.
Is now a good time to refinance your mortgage? Which open enrollment benefits are worth it this year? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk to an expert about the ins and outs of open enrollment in 2026. But first, news Nerd Anna Helhoski joins them to sha
Healthcare Open Enrollment Tips for 2026 and a Catch-Up Plan for Retirement
Learn how to pick the right health plan for your situation and build a stronger retirement even if you feel behind.
How do you choose the best health plan during open enrollment? What can you do to secure retirement if savings feel like they’re falling short? In the first of a two-part series, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down open enrollment decisions so you can protect your healt
How to Budget Better With Your Partner and Why Scam Calls Are Surging
Learn how to spot shutdown-era scams and build a budget that works even when you and your partner disagree.
How can you protect yourself from shutdown-era scams? How do you build a household budget when you and your partner see money differently? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola share strategies to figure out a household budget when you and your partner are not on the same page about how to
Big Event Budgeting and Credit Monitoring: What to Know Before You Swipe
Learn how to get and read your free credit reports and spot red flags so you can protect your score and money.
How do you set a realistic budget for a big life event without guilt? What’s the foolproof way to get and read your free credit reports? In this episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss wedding budgeting and credit monitoring to help you protect your finances. They open b
Invest or Pay Down Debt? Plus How to Save Big This Holiday Season
Learn how to handle holiday shopping in an increasingly expensive spending environment. Plus, lightning round insights around debt, investing, and savings goals.
How should you prepare for holiday shopping when tariffs and inflation are leading to higher prices? When should you prioritize paying off your mortgage versus investing in the market? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola welcome back
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