NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

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 priorities to help you balance long-term goals with near-term costs. But first, senior news writer Anna Helhoski joins Sean and Elizabeth to unpack the Supreme Court decision limiting “reciprocal” tariffs tied to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) with Lourdes S. Casanova, senior lecturer at Cornell University’s SC Johnson College of Business. They dig into the big open questions the ruling raises, including what legal paths might still allow new tariffs, how trading partners and markets could respond, and what tariff refunds and lawsuits could mean for businesses and consumers. Then, Sean and Elizabeth discuss sinking funds and how to decide what percentage of your income to dedicate to them when you’re also trying to hit a retirement savings target. They cover what sinking funds are and why they’re useful, where to keep the money (and why a high-yield savings account often fits), and how to use frameworks like 50/30/20 and time horizon to choose between saving versus investing for specific goals. Best High-Yield Savings Accounts for February 2026: Up to 4.21% https://www.nerdwallet.com/banking/best/high-yield-online-savings-accounts  Are you on track to save enough for retirement? Use NerdWallet’s free retirement calculator to check your progress, see how much retirement income you'll have and estimate how much more you should save: https://www.nerdwallet.com/investing/calculators/retirement-calculator  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 podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 answer a listener's question about whether buying a home still makes sense as homeowners insurance premiums skyrocket and coverage gets harder to find in some areas. They dig into “escrow shock,” FAIR plans, why some homeowners go uninsured, and practical ways to plan for higher housing costs. Plus: what renters can and should protect with renters insurance. 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 podcast@nerdwallet.com. Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Sterling, a wealth advisor at NerdWallet Wealth Partners who guides clients on diversification and allocation. He explains concentration risk in index funds and how a few mega-cap stocks now dominate the market. Short takes cover historical parallels, how concentration can amplify swings, and practical ways to diversify beyond large-cap U.S. stocks.

A deep dive into Bilt 2.0’s three new cards and how housing rewards now split into points and cash. They walk through the new tiered math for rent and mortgage payments and when paying housing makes sense. The hosts compare Palladium, Obsidian and Blue to familiar travel cards and flag rollout glitches, redemption limits, and what to watch as terms evolve.

Claire, a listener who recently moved into her partner’s home and juggles shared bills and retirement plans. Kate Wood, mortgage writer and Nerd expert on seasonal market patterns. They discuss winter homebuying advantages, what snow can hide on inspections, timing preapprovals before spring, and fair ways to split housing costs and sync different retirement timelines.

Kate Ashford, a certified senior advisor who explains assisted living costs and payment models. Sara Rathner, a NerdWallet credit card writer who breaks down money dealbreakers and how to talk finances while dating. They discuss spotting financial red flags, rebuilding trust after financial infidelity, assisted living vs buy-in CCRCs, Medicaid basics, and practical planning moves for elder care.

Anna Helhoski, senior news writer covering personal finance and consumer issues, joins to discuss the rise of app-based sports betting and prediction markets. She explains how post-2018 legalization, in-game wagers, prop bets and nonstop ads changed the landscape. The conversation also covers tax basics for winnings and where to find help for gambling problems.

Kate Wood, lending expert on student loans, explains PSLF rules and repayment choices. Amanda Barroso, personal finance contributor, shares no-spend and low-spend tactics. They discuss month-long spending challenges, friction strategies to curb impulse buys, and whether to keep making loan payments during grad school to protect forgiveness eligibility.

James Bashall, COO and retirement planner who favors simulation-based strategies. Sam Taube, investing analyst who breaks down precious-metals markets. They discuss why gold and silver act as safe havens and what’s driving recent record highs. They compare physical metals versus ETFs and explore better ways to estimate retirement spending than the simple 80% rule.

Sam Taube, an investing expert on retirement accounts, joins to break down rollovers, target-date funds, and the mega backdoor Roth. They cover when consolidation makes sense and pitfalls to watch for. The conversation also highlights tax-season scams like phishing, smishing, fake sites, and practical steps to protect your identity.