Smart Money Podcast
Latest episode
The Price of Parenthood: What It Costs to Be a Parent
Becoming a parent is unavoidably expensive. But this is a financial decision that’s about a lot more than just money. To kick off our nerdy deep dive into the price of parenthood, Sean Pyles and Ronita Choudhuri-Wade talk about how much it costs to have a child, including the cost of raising one to adulthood. Read more ...
Special series: 'The Cost of Climate Change'
The Cost of Climate Change: The Big Picture
Climate change is going to have profound effects on our lives — including our money. To kick off this nerdy deep dive into climate change and finance, we explore how personal finances and economies could be affected by natural disasters. Then we talk about how to manage the emotional dread around climate change — and how to prevent it from bogging down your financial goals. Read more ...
The Cost of Climate Change: How to Protect Your Home From Disaster
If a natural disaster struck your home — whether you own or rent — would you be covered? Many consumers aren’t as protected as they might think. In this episode of our nerdy deep dive into how climate change affects your money, Sean and NerdWallet insurance editor Caitlin Constantine talk about how to really protect yourself when a big storm hits where you live. Read more ...
The Cost of Climate Change: Investing (and Banking) for a Greener World
You really want to effect change around climate issues? Put your money to work for you. In this episode of our nerdy deep dive into how climate change affects your money, we discuss ways your banking and investing choices can reflect your climate goals — and how to avoid greenwashing. Read more ...
The Cost of Climate Change: Preparing for the Worst
How would you recover if your life was upended by a huge disaster — a fire, hurricane or flood? Getting your affairs in order before a disaster hits — and knowing what help is available afterward — can help you recover faster and more fully. In this episode of our nerdy deep dive into climate change and your money, we talk about how to rebuild your finances after the worst happens.. Read more ...
Previous episodes
Making Hobbies Affordable, and Saving Money Priorities
Learn how to make your hobbies more affordable. Plus, decide what to save for first: An emergency, a house or retirement. Read more ...
More Money Hot Takes, and When to Leave Your Job
A lot of influencers peddle classes with guarantees of helping you become rich and successful. But are they legit — or just another moneymaking scheme? Sean has strong feelings about these classes, and he shares them in another round of Money Hot Takes. Then Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about when you should leave a job. Read more ...
Money and Happiness: Happiness for a Bargain
In this episode of our deep dive into money and happiness, we explore how much money you really need to be happy — and what it’s like to create a happy life where money plays a less important role. Read more …
Top Consumer Complaints, and Car Shopping in 2023
The car market has been a mess for … a while. Is now a better time to buy than a year ago? And how is the car market looking for the rest of the year? This episode, Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about car buying in 2023. And to kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about the issues and providers that consumers are complaining about the most. Read more ...
Why Moms Face a Pay Penalty — and What to Do About It
Becoming a mother can transform your life: providing a new sense of purpose, expanding your family and, potentially, limiting your earning power. In this episode, Sean and NerdWallet writer Amanda Barroso dig into the motherhood pay gap, including what it is, where it comes from and how to fix it. Read more ...
Your Social Security Benefits, and Tax Efficient Retirement Investing
Knowing how much you could get from Social Security is a big part of retirement planning. To kick off this episode, Sean and Liz talk about a new tool that can help you estimate your benefits. Then Sean and Sara answer a listener’s question about tax efficient investments for retirement accounts. Read more ...
Money and Happiness: What’s Happiness Really Worth?
To kick off this Nerdy deep dive into money and happiness, Sean talks with happiness experts Gretchen Rubin and Robert Puff to understand what happiness really means. Then Sean talks with Morgan Housel, author of “The Psychology of Money,” about where money and happiness intersect. Read more ...
Money News: What’s the Deal With ‘Junk Fees’?
You don’t have to be a Taylor Swift fan to feel like you’re being personally attacked by hidden fees and surcharges. These so-called junk fees can be unrelenting, but the tide may be changing. In this Money News episode, Sean talks with Anna Helhoski about the latest on junk fees and what you can do about them. Read more …
Money and Happiness: Uncover Your Money History
What is your first money memory? And how is it influencing your finances today? In this episode of our deep dive into money and happiness, Sean explores how you can dig into your financial history to build a happier — and more financially fruitful — future. Read more ...
Money and Happiness: Building (and Buying) Your Happiness
To round out this Nerdy deep dive into money and happiness, Sean talks with Dan Harris of “Ten Percent Happier;” University of California, Berkeley professor and host of “The Science of Happiness” podcast Dacher Keltner; and financial therapist Ashley Agnew. They explore what it means to define your own happiness and how you can use your money to build a happier life. Read more ...
How to (Really) Save on Groceries
Eating a plant-based diet doesn’t have to be expensive — or boring. In this episode, Nerds Sean Pyles and Kimberly Palmer talk with Toni Okamoto, author of “Plant-Based on a Budget Quick & Easy,” about how to save money on your groceries by making healthy, vegan meals. Read more ...
