Afleveringen
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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 Century ROAD to Housing Act. It’s a nearly 400-page bill designed to ease the national housing shortage by cutting federal red tape around permitting, expanding small-dollar mortgages, limiting large institutional investors from buying more single-family homes, and creating incentives — not mandates — for local governments to build more housing, including manufactured homes and accessory dwelling units.
Then, Sean and Elizabeth are joined by credit cards Nerd and NerdWallet spokesperson Sara Rathner to help a listener named Emma decide how to pay off a large purchase without draining her savings. They walk through how to compare the fees on a credit card issuer's payment plan against your card's regular APR, how these plans differ from third-party buy now, pay later services, and whether either option can help — or hurt — your credit score.
Locked Out: 3 Outdated Myths About Manufactured Homes: https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news/locked-out-manufactured-homes-affordable-housing-crisis
Best 0% APR Credit Cards of July 2026: https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/zero-percent
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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 explore the tension people in service-oriented careers often feel when it comes to building personal wealth, including which strategies could help you earn more without abandoning your mission. They also discuss which financial tools — from retirement plans designed for public-sector workers to ways of investing that align with your values — could help you grow wealth while staying true to what you stand for. Plus: an accountability update from Sean and Elizabeth on their January goals.
Find out what ESG investing could look like for your portfolio with our beginner's guide: https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/learn/esg-investing
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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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 up-and-coming Rove Miles program could help you stack rewards on top of your credit card earnings. They also cover airline dining programs, brand partnerships with Uber, Lyft, and Starbucks, and the aggregator Cashback Monitor so you can see at a glance which portal offers the best rate for any retailer.
Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:
Bilt Blue Card: Complex Housing Rewards, Modest Everyday Ones
Bilt Obsidian Card: Fine for Foodies, Complex for Housing
Bilt Palladium Card: Rewards on Housing Are Almost Secondary
American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits
American Express Gold Card Review: Friendly for Foodies, Families
Resources discussed in this episode:
Credit Card Transfer Partners At a Glance
The Capital One Shopping Portal Is Changing How I Book Travel
The Guide to Rove Miles
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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 of Love and Money Center at the University of Georgia. She specializes in ADHD and finances, and talks through some of the ways that people struggle with financial tasks and suggests strategies to bring structure to this area of life.
Some of the tips they share include setting reminders, creating a system so that you don’t feel overwhelmed throughout a process, and finding resources that can help you each step of the way.
Resources discussed in this episode:
Find a CFA near you
AnnualCreditReport.com
Savvy Ladies
Foundation for Financial Planning
VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)
National Disability Institute
Financial Planning Association
AFC Directory
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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. They explore why more than 1 in 4 victims now face two or more simultaneous identity incidents, how device compromise differs from the scams most people think to watch for, and whether AI is already making identity crimes harder to detect and resolve.
Do financial advisors have a built-in conflict of interest that could be costing you money? Sean is joined by co-host Elizabeth Ayoola and NerdWallet Wealth Partners CEO Ryan Sterling to tackle a listener’s question about whether they should hire a financial advisor. They dig into how different advisor fee structures — from AUM (assets under management) percentages to flat-fee plans, hourly rates, and commissions — create different kinds of conflicts, what the fiduciary standard actually guarantees (and what it doesn't), and what red flags could signal that an advisor's priorities aren't aligned with yours.
Learn more about working with a financial advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners: https://nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart
How to Prevent Identity Theft: Warning Signs, Protection Services and More https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/how-to-prevent-identity-theft
Read the ITRC's 2026 Trends in Identity Report: https://www.idtheftcenter.org/post/2026-trends-in-identity-report-hacked-devices-overtake-scams
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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 a large sum as gifts after a life milestone. They dig into the biggest mistakes families make when a windfall hits, how to start the money talk in a way that actually sticks, and which financial tools and accounts could give your kid a head start on building wealth far earlier than most adults ever do.
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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 into Prime Day deals and the latest on American consumers’ financial resilience. They discuss which product categories could be worth purchasing during Amazon Prime Day and competing retailer sales, how AI-powered price history tools are changing the shopping experience, and what NerdWallet's June Consumer Financial Resilience Index score reveals about how confident Americans feel about their finances as they get ready to shop.
Then, host Sean Pyles, CFP®, joins Elizabeth to break down five candid personal finance posts from Reddit. They explore why a Redditor earning $250,000 a year feels broke after lifestyle creep took hold, what the concept of hedonic adaptation could mean for your own spending habits, how “chubby FIRE” factors into the real-world complexities of early retirement and dating, what kinds of decisions led millionaires to lose everything they'd built, and how to break free from the money comparison trap when someone in your circle has $20 to $50 million in AI startup equity.
What to Buy (and Skip) on Prime Day 2026: https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/learn/what-to-buy-on-prime-day-2026
Explore the NerdWallet Consumer Financial Resilience Index: https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/financial-resilience-index
Subscribe to our podcast’s free email newsletter for bonus content and more from our hosts at https://smartmoney-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/
Reddit posts discussed:
250k a Year and Broke, 4 Years Ago I Made 120k And Was Happier
CPI Just Came in At 3.8
Dating After FIRE
Ex-Millionaires of Reddit, what made you lose all your money?
How to Get Out of Money Comparison
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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 listener’s question about umbrella coverage: what it actually is, how it layers on top of your existing home, auto, and renters policies, what umbrella insurance won't cover, and how to figure out whether your current assets and policy limits leave you exposed.
Then, Elizabeth shares money lessons she took away after she and a friend accidentally racked up a $483 bar tab, including handling financial mistakes with grace and the secret power of forgiving yourself.
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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 Elizabeth Ayoola to break down the latest AI IPO news. They discuss what makes SpaceX's offering the largest public offering ever, what the historical track record of IPOs says about buying in at the opening price, and a quietly consequential change to index fund inclusion rules that could leave passive investors with a far bigger stake in mega-cap AI companies than they anticipated. They also explain what direct indexing is and how it could give you more control over what lands in your portfolio.
How do you manage your money when you're leaving a career to spend up to three years in graduate school with no income? Sean and Elizabeth tackle a listener's detailed, multi-part question about funding a $117,000 occupational therapy doctorate. They explore whether a Roth IRA conversion could be a smart way to capitalize on low-tax years before graduation, what the new federal student loan borrowing caps under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act mean for graduate students' funding plans, how deferring an existing $17,000 in student debt could play out over time, and what to weigh before earning money on the side while in school.
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Sign up for MoneyNerd, NerdWallet's free weekly newsletter, for tips on watching the 2026 World Cup for free: https://moneynerd-nerdwallet.beehiiv.com/
What Is the New Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) for Student Loans? https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/learn/what-is-the-new-repayment-assistance-plan-rap-for-student-loans
Direct Indexing: What It Is, How It Works https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/learn/direct-indexing
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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 earmarking money for a specific goal feels different from keeping one lump sum, how to choose between high-yield savings accounts, money market accounts, and CDs, and the common pitfalls that can stall your progress before the system even gets off the ground.
Best High-Yield Savings Accounts of June 2026: Up to 4.03% https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/best/high-yield-online-savings-accounts
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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 homes could offer a real path to homeownership for buyers priced out of the traditional market. They dig into how modern manufactured homes have changed, why the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is drawing renewed attention to an obscure chassis rule from 1976, and what you need to know about financing, appreciation, and whether these homes are finally having their rebrand moment.
Then, investing and taxes editor Bella Avila helps answer a listener's question about how to handle a growing tax bill from investment income. They discuss how taxable accounts can trigger unexpected tax bills, how to decide between adjusting your W-4 and making estimated tax payments, and why strategies like stashing money in a HYSA or CD might not work out the way you'd hope.
During this episode, data cited about manufactured home relocation rates was attributed to the Pew Research Center. The correct attribution is The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Locked Out: 3 Outdated Myths About Manufactured Homes https://www.nerdwallet.com/mortgages/news/locked-out-manufactured-homes-affordable-housing-crisis
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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-rate cash back on all purchases, 5% back through Robinhood's travel portal, and the ability to redeem rewards as a deposit into a Robinhood brokerage account. They dig into who the card could work for (and who it definitely isn't right for), how the required Robinhood Gold membership factors into the value equation, what the card's high APR could mean for your rewards if you carry a balance, and how the ongoing waitlist came to exist and how long it could last.
They also walk through how to weigh this card against alternatives like the Chase Freedom Flex, Capital One Savor, Wells Fargo Active Cash, and Chase Sapphire Preferred, to help you figure out which card might deliver the most value for your spending habits and financial goals.
Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:
5 Things to Know About the Robinhood Gold Card
Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year
Chase Sapphire Preferred Review: Strong Option for Travel Rewards
American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits
Chase Freedom Flex: Multiple Bonus Rewards in One Card
Capital One Savor Review: Foodie-Focused Rewards, for No Annual Fee
Wells Fargo Active Cash Card Review: 2% Cash Back With a Bonus
Fidelity Rewards Visa Review: 2% Back for Your Nest Egg
Citi AAdvantage Executive Review: Your Key to the Club
5 Things to Know About BMW Credit Cards
5 Things to Know About the T.J. Maxx Credit Card
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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 Survey data spanning decades of American spending. They explore why housing costs follow a U-shaped curve that could hit hardest in retirement — not just in young adulthood — why the real expense of owning a car isn't the car payment, and how healthcare spending could triple as a share of your income in your later years, just as earnings begin to decline.
When is having $200,000 in savings actually working against you? Sean and Elizabeth welcome Kat from Virginia, who has maxed out her 401(k), opened 529 accounts for her kids, and accumulated $200,000 in cash — but is too anxious to touch any of that cash. Joined by Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, they dig into how financial anxiety develops, how to determine the right size for your emergency fund, and what steps could help you move from hoarding cash to building real long-term wealth.
NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an affiliate of NerdWallet Inc. NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management. Learn more at nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart
Data: Massive Survey Shows How Generations Spend Money https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/studies/generational-spending-CES
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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.
Follow Your Next Dollar on your favorite podcast app: https://play.megaphone.fm/mzdq8dj_trg1b0mlqpvhsq
Reaction video 1: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yv3twR9m_Tg
Reaction video 2: https://www.tiktok.com/@steven/video/7601133303608921366
Interested in working with a financial advisor? Visit nerdwalletwealthpartners.com
NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC (NWWP) is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. The content presented by NWWP on its Your Next Dollar podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice to any person. The views, strategies, examples, and figures discussed are intended to be general in nature, subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and may not be suitable for every individual. Any hypothetical illustrations used are for educational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee or prediction of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. NWWP's investment advisory services are only offered where NWWP and its representatives are registered. Before making any financial decision, seek advice from a qualified investment, tax, or legal professional.
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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 dig into a new Fed analysis of U.S. household financial wellbeing. They discuss why wellbeing has declined for young adults, low-income families, and Black adults even as headline economic data stays relatively stable, what a shifting labor market means for workers' confidence, and what NerdWallet's new Financial Resilience Index could reveal about the gap between feeling in control of your money and actually being prepared for a financial shock.
What does a perfect 850 credit score actually get you — and is it even worth chasing? Sean and Elizabeth are joined by NerdWallet personal finance writer Amanda Barroso to answer a question about reaching the credit score mountaintop. They discuss where the real "good enough" threshold sits, how to build a healthier relationship with your score, and what habits could help you reach — and maintain — a score that actually works in your favor.
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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 nerdwalletwealthpartners.com
NerdWallet Wealth Partners LLC (NWWP) is a SEC registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training, nor does it constitute an endorsement by any securities regulator. The content presented by NWWP on its Your Next Dollar podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as personalized investment, tax, or legal advice to any person. The views, strategies, examples, and figures discussed are intended to be general in nature, subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions and may not be suitable for every individual. Any hypothetical illustrations used are for educational purposes only and do not represent a guarantee or prediction of future results. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal, and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. NWWP's investment advisory services are only offered where NWWP and its representatives are registered. Before making any financial decision, seek advice from a qualified investment, tax, or legal professional.
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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%. They walk through her real budget, including nearly $2,000 in rent, close to $1,200 in monthly transportation costs, and significant childcare expenses, to understand why her spending outpaces her income. They also explore what options could realistically help her make progress, from nonprofit credit counseling and debt management plans to whether a free bankruptcy consultation might be worth her time before committing to any path.
Read our roundup of best Debt Settlement Companies: https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/best-debt-settlement-companies
Learn more about National Debt Relief:
https://www.nationaldebtrelief.com/
Read through NerdWallet's guide to the best strategies for whittling down what you owe, depending on how much debt you have: https://www.nerdwallet.com/personal-loans/learn/pay-off-debt
Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
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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 increasingly slipping from the top of the K to the middle of the E, what new data reveals about families struggling to afford basic necessities in their own metro areas, and how spending patterns are shifting as essential costs eat up more of each paycheck.
Then, how can you actually make travel points work for a real trip without burning them on the wrong redemption? Sean and Elizabeth are joined by Meghan Coyle, co-host of NerdWallet's Smart Travel podcast, to walk through the smartest ways to use airline miles and hotel points. They discuss how to calculate whether points or cash is the better deal for any booking, why hotel points and airline miles aren't created equal, what happens when you transfer points speculatively, and creative ways to keep earning points without picking up another credit card.
Card benefits, terms and fees can change. For the most up-to-date information about cards mentioned in this episode, read our reviews:
Best Travel Credit Cards of May 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/best/travel
Atmos Rewards Summit Card: Perks as Unique as They Are Valuable https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/atmos-rewards-summit
Atmos Rewards Ascent Review: Well Worth $95 a Year https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/alaska-airlines-credit-card
American Express Platinum Review: Top-Notch Lounge Access, Big Credits https://www.nerdwallet.com/credit-cards/reviews/american-express-platinum
Is a Bilt Credit Card Worth It? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/bilt-mastercard
Resources discussed in this episode:
'K-Shaped' Economy Is Giving Way to an 'E-Shaped' Divide https://www.nerdwallet.com/finance/news/e-shaped-economy
How Much Are Travel Points and Miles Worth in 2026? https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/airline-miles-and-hotel-points-valuations
Points and Miles vs. Cash Calculator https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/calculator-should-you-book-a-flight-with-cash-or-miles
The Best Award Travel Search Tool for 2026 https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/best-award-travel-search-tool
Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
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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 pressure to keep up with influencers and other parents, the costly belief that core childhood memories can be bought, the role allowances play in helping kids feel the weight of their own money, and what becoming a parent reveals about long-term saving.
How do you budget for healthcare when your employer switches you to a high-deductible plan and bills are coming in faster than you can build up your HSA? Sean and Elizabeth are joined by personal finance writer Kate Ashford to answer a question from a listener whose routine doctor visit ballooned from a $30 quote to nearly $500 out of pocket. They dig into the triple tax advantages of HSAs, the math behind comparing high-deductible and traditional coverage, why the first year on an HDHP can feel especially brutal, and what to do when medical expenses outpace your savings.
Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header
To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [email protected].
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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 explore why most Americans say the federal student loan system feels broken even as they still see college as worthwhile, the rising appeal of the trades, how AI is shifting the way teens think about majors and careers, and what new borrowers could expect from the federal repayment options rolling out July 1.
Then, Ryan Sterling, wealth advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners, joins Sean and Elizabeth to help answer a listener's question about how to split solo 401(k) contributions between the employer and employee sides of the account to maximize retirement savings. They discuss how solo 401(k)s differ from standard workplace plans, how to think about the contribution split if you also have a W-2 job, when traditional versus Roth contributions could make more sense, how solo 401(k)s stack up against SEP IRAs, the investment flexibility you could gain through a brokerage-based plan, and the common mistakes business owners make when trying to maximize retirement savings.
NerdWallet Wealth Partners, LLC is an affiliate of NerdWallet Inc. NerdWallet Wealth Partners is a fiduciary online financial advisor, offering low-cost, comprehensive financial advice and investment management. Learn more at nerdwalletwealthpartners.com/smart
Read NerdWallet's 2026 high school grad analysis here: https://www.nerdwallet.com/student-loans/studies/high-school-grad-analysis
Want us to review your budget? Fill out this form — completely anonymously if you want — and we might feature your budget in a future segment! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScK53yAufsc4v5UpghhVfxtk2MoyooHzlSIRBnRxUPl3hKBig/viewform?usp=header
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.
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