NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast NerdWallet Personal Finance

Hear different perspectives on how to pay off debt — and when to stop paying off debt to focus on investing your money.

When should you prioritize investing over paying off debt? What are different debt payoff methods to help you become debt-free? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola and NerdWallet debt writer Tiffany Curtis answer a listener’s question about balancing debt payoff and investing. They start by breaking down the debt snowball and debt avalanche methods of paying off debt, then delve into the pros and cons of investing while paying off debt.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: debt repayment, debt snowball method, debt avalanche method, debt-free life, loan repayment, high-interest car loans, mortgage repayment, strategic repayment, debt payoff strategies, investing vs. debt payoff, loan payoff methods, interest rates, small victories, analytical approach to financial decisions, financial personality, debt motivation, high-interest loans, loan prioritization, mortgage loans, car loans, investment vs. debt, debt repayment tips, debt payoff journey, financial goals, debt payoff plan, interest to investment, financial trajectory, and long-term financial planning.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Learn how to optimize your LinkedIn profile to enhance your job and income prospects with tips from LinkedIn’s Andrew McCaskill.

What are recruiters looking for on LinkedIn? What’s the best way to optimize your LinkedIn profile? Hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson discuss LinkedIn optimization and professional growth to help you understand how to leverage the platform for career success. They begin with a discussion of LinkedIn optimization, with tips and tricks on highlighting essential skills, sharing engaging content, and maintaining regular engagement on the platform. Then, Andrew McCaskill, a senior director and career expert at LinkedIn, joins the show to discuss maximizing job opportunities on LinkedIn. He discusses the surprising benefits of setting up job alerts, nurturing professional connections, and using relevant keywords to enhance visibility in recruiters' searches. In their conversation, they also delve into crucial aspects of career growth and safety on LinkedIn, including how to identify red flags for job scams, understand companies' commitments to diversity and inclusion, and have open conversations about salary transparency. 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: LinkedIn optimization, job search, professional networking, income boost, career growth, LinkedIn profile, job alerts, recruiter tips, LinkedIn insights, skills summary, career advancement, professional connections, salary transparency, job scams, LinkedIn features, profile keywords, hard skills, soft skills, diversity and inclusion, resume optimization, salary negotiation, Glassdoor, Elpha, job applications, AI tools, cover letters, LinkedIn engagement, professional visibility, career potential, job referrals, LinkedIn safety, LinkedIn content, wage estimates, LinkedIn job hunting, LinkedIn networking, career decisions, compensation conversation, job market, and LinkedIn profile photos.

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 to navigate Amazon Prime Day deals, track prices, and avoid overspending with expert shopping strategies and tools.

Are Amazon Prime Day deals truly worth it, or are they just savvy marketing tactics? Hosts Anna Helhoski and Sara Rathner explain how consumers can identify genuine bargains amidst the sea of discounts. NerdWallet writer Tommy Tindall joins them to discuss the evolution of Prime Day from its inception in 2015 to its current status as a major shopping event, shedding light on the difference between list prices and typical prices to help listeners make more informed purchasing decisions. They begin with a discussion of the significance of price tracking tools, offering tips and tricks on leveraging CamelCamelCamel and Keepa, maintaining skepticism toward discounts, and understanding dynamic pricing patterns.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: Amazon Prime Day, Prime Day deals, online shopping tips, genuine bargains, price tracking tools, Amazon marketing tactics, avoiding inflated discounts, making smarter buying decisions, online shopping pitfalls, Prime Day strategy, list prices vs typical prices, skepticism in online deals, price history tracking, dynamic pricing, Amazon price drops, Walmart sales, Target sales, cashback apps, Black Friday in July, Amazon competitors, Best Buy sales, overspending traps, necessary purchases, back-to-school deals, tech gadgets, Amazon devices, Echo deals, Kindle Fire deals, Apple product deals, electronics discounts, noise-canceling headphones, baby gear deals, toy discounts, Dyson vacuum sales, kitchen gadgets, and Amazon essentials.

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 about salary negotiation and investing strategies and how they can be especially helpful for women facing unique personal finance challenges.

What financial challenges do women uniquely face? How can people find financial peace in a stressful world? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner share some “money hot takes” before turning the conversation towards addressing the unique financial hurdles women face. HerMoney podcast host Jean Chatzky joins Sean to discuss the impact of the gender pay gap and caregiving responsibilities on women's financial security, the strengths women bring to investing, and practical strategies for negotiating better salaries and investing confidently. 

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: finances for women, financial empowerment, personal finance, financial education, investing for women, employee benefits, health insurance, paid sick leave, financial literacy, caregiving responsibilities, financial confidence, investing strategies, retirement savings, salary negotiation, financial partnerships, financial peace, money management, budgeting tips, financial opportunities, women investors, financial planning, systemic barriers, the gender pay gap, financial prudence, financial security, trading frequency, financial independence, long-term planning, financial stress, financial wellness, high-interest debt, and emergency funds.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Discover career growth strategies to boost your income, including negotiating raises, and navigating promotions and mentorship.

What are some of the best ways to increase your income? 
What are strategies for negotiating a higher salary and excelling in your current role? 

Hosts Sean Pyles and Alana Benson discuss career growth techniques and salary negotiation strategies to help you understand how to maximize your earnings and achieve financial stability. They begin with a discussion of the importance of increasing your income rather than solely focusing on cutting expenses, breaking down the long-term financial difference that seemingly small increases in your income can make over the course of your career. 

Then, “The Job Doctor” Tessa White joins Alana to discuss how to excel in your current role and position yourself for promotions and raises within an organization. They discuss the necessity of understanding the true expectations of your role, measuring your contributions through tangible metrics and effectively communicating your value to your organization. Additionally, they explore the importance of informal mentorship and how to enhance your skills by observing and learning from those who excel in specific areas.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: career strategies, income potential, salary negotiation, financial stability, career growth, job market, financial future, career success, career advancement, career coaches, raise negotiations, job offers, informal mentorship, skill enhancement, job promotion, financial goals, earnings increase, career metrics, value proposition, workplace visibility, career mentors, market value, career coach, industry experience, job stability, promotion strategies, income jump, salary bump, corporate growth, financial planning, income investment, and company red zones.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email podcast@nerdwallet.com.

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Discover how to align education with job market demands, tackling underemployment and economic stagnation in “middle skills” jobs.

What are “middle skills” and why are they in high demand? What are the economic implications of misalignment between middle skills credentials and job market demands? Hosts Sean Pyles and Anna Helhoski discuss the misalignment in the labor market concerning middle skills credentials and the impact of place-based policies on local economies to help you understand the complexities and challenges in securing middle skills jobs. They begin with a discussion of the misalignment between middle skills credentials and local job markets, with tips and tricks on recognizing high-demand fields, avoiding oversaturated programs, and the importance of aligning education with job market needs.

Then, Anna speaks with Zach Mabel, one of the co-authors of “The Great Misalignment,” a new report from Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce. He discusses the challenges of place-based policies and their impact on middle skills training disparities. They discuss the racial and ethnic disparities in accessing middle skills programs, the funding challenges faced by public community colleges, and the importance of strategic alignment between educational programs and labor market demands to improve job placement and economic outcomes. Sean and Anna then break down the latest money headlines, including monthly job figures, a federal judge temporarily stopping the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on corporate non-compete agreements, and a new report from the Federal Trade Commission on pharmacy benefit managers.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: future-proofing, middle skills jobs, job market demands, economic challenges, workforce insights, local economies, middle skills training, labor market alignment, education and job market, underemployment, economic stagnation, blue-collar jobs, business degrees, general studies degrees, place-based policies, racial disparities, ethnic disparities, community colleges, funding obstacles, job placement, economic outcomes, employment figures, corporate non-compete agreements, labor market, job credentials, associate degrees, trade schools, technical colleges, underproduction, credential overproduction, job openings, low-paying jobs, economic mobility, urban-rural divide, institutional employer partnerships, post-college movement patterns, free tuition programs, non-compete clauses, PBMs, the FTC, and middle skills providers.

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.