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Houston-based sommelier and restaurateur June Rodil shares her journey from an immigrant kid decoding American culture through Babysitters Club books to becoming a hospitality visionary redefining what it means to serve with empathy. She opens up about fitting in, parental pressure, what Waffle House and Olive Garden taught her about hospitality, and the quiet refuge she finds beneath the covers when the world gets too loud. Learn more at: https://www.foodandwine.com/tinfoil-swans-podcast-s3-ep30-june-rodil-and-the-cove-beneath-the-comforter-11850897 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…
NerdWallet’s trusted finance journalists answer real-world money questions to help you make smarter financial decisions with confidence. Each episode dives deep into topics like budgeting, saving, investing, home buying, and credit cards, cutting through misinformation to bring you clear, actionable advice backed by thorough research. By the end of every episode, you’ll have the latest financial insights and the tools you’ll need to manage your money wisely, build wealth, and plan for life’s ...
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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…
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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 eme…
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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…
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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 …
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Open Enrollment 2026: How to Choose Dental, Vision, Life and Disability (Plus: When to Refinance a Home)
37:23
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…
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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 e…
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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 yo…
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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…
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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? Hos…
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Learn how to choose term vs whole life insurance and calculate your coverage so your family stays protected. How much life insurance do you really need? Which is smarter, term or whole life? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss recent smart, fun, and dumb spending to spark a quick audit of your own money habits, then pivot to right-sizing …
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Learn how to plan for surprise bills and what to ask about a home’s past so your budget and buying feel stress free. Do sellers have to disclose deaths, crimes or “hauntings” in a home? How can you budget for irregular expenses without daily tracking? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola open a spooky episode with housing Nerds Holden Lewis and Ka…
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Learn how your habits and the cash and cards in your wallet reveal your money mindset, then learn how to know when it’s time to quit your job. What amount of cash should you keep on hand? Should you “quiet quit” or make a clean break from your job? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss everyday wallet decisions and career change trade-offs …
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What Fewer Earnings Reports Could Mean for Investors and How to Teach Kids About Money (Video Episode)
39:55
In this special video episode, learn what proposed stock market rule changes could mean for your portfolio and how to grow your teen’s money skills. Will corporate earnings reports soon shift from quarterly to twice a year? And what could new rules about day trading mean for everyday investors? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola team up with sen…
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In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth and special guests eat spicy wings and share hot takes on saving versus investing, inflation, crypto, and when to trade up for an electric vehicle. When should you prioritize investing over traditional savings? How do you know when to keep repairing your car versus trading it in for something new, l…
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In this special video episode, Sean and Elizabeth give each other a “budget rehab,” revealing their own budgets to help you fix yours. How can you feel more in control of your spending? How can you plan for irregular expenses like credit card annual fees or surprise bills? In this video episode, hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola give each other…
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In a special presentation of Smart Travel, learn what your points and miles are really worth in 2025 — and why the answer might change how you book travel. Should you take a $650 flight voucher or 32,500 miles? How much are your points and miles actually worth? Smart Travel hosts Sally French and Meghan Coyle break down the latest NerdWallet valuat…
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Learn how to prepare for a government shutdown and where to put $600 a month after building your emergency fund. What happens in a federal government shutdown? Where should you put $600/month after funding an emergency cushion? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the looming shutdown before answering a listener’s question about where to a…
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Learn how to prepare your finances for fall and support aging parents who have limited retirement savings. How can you check in on your finances this fall? What’s the best way to help parents with little savings retire? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explain how you can give yourself a fall financial check-in before they answer a listener’s …
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The Fed Just Cut Rates — Here’s How to Make the Most of It (Plus: How to Freeze Your Credit)
28:51
Learn how the Fed rate cut impacts loans and savings, then find out when to freeze your credit and how to do it fast. What does a Federal Reserve rate cut mean for your wallet? Should you freeze your credit if an internet provider runs a soft pull? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off this episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski to …
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Learn if digital wallets make you overspend and how simple habits can help you stay on budget. How do you start money conversations that actually help? Do mobile wallets make you overspend? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss intentional money conversations and the psychology of paying by phone vs. card vs. cash to help you control spendi…
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Learn how to think about AI stocks and decide if now’s the time to buy a car, including how to choose between 48- and 60-month loans. Are AI stocks in a bubble? Should you buy a car now or wait? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss AI-driven market euphoria and today’s car-buying math to help you understand how to balance risk in your inve…
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Learn how to build a simple estate plan and lend or repay family money without hurting your relationships. What’s the first thing to do when creating an estate plan? What’s the smartest way to handle loans between friends or family? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola break down estate-planning basics like wills, revocable trusts, living wills/ad…
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Learn when a refi saves money and how target-date funds work, including fees and when to pick a later fund year. What exactly is a target-date fund, and when should you move your date? How do you know if now is a good time to refinance a house? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mortgage refinancing and target-date funds to help you unde…
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Find out when it’s worth splurging on kitchen gear and how to switch banks without losing your financial footing. What kitchen tools are actually worth the money? Is switching to an online bank really worth the hassle? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the value of investing in high-quality kitchen gear and what to consider when moving …
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Before cohabiting, how do you talk about finances without conflict? Plus: the global forces pushing up your coffee and tea bill. Why are your daily coffee, tea, or matcha drinks costing more? What financial conversations should you have with your partner before signing a lease together? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explore rising beverage …
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Learn about banking blacklists and how to decide when sign-up bonuses are worth your time and money. Why might you get denied when trying to open a new bank account online, even if all your information is correct? When are bank account sign-up bonuses really worth pursuing? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explain how banks verify identities, …
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Budget Rehab: Can a Family Rebuild Their Emergency Fund and Still Afford the Life They Want?
34:26
The Nerds debut a new Budget Rehab segment, dissecting a real family’s budget to reveal strategies for saving more, investing smarter, and managing lifestyle costs. Plus: tariffs’ role in rising auto insurance. Why are auto insurance premiums continuing to climb, and what do tariffs have to do with it? How can a real family adjust their budget to m…
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Learn how to cut prescription costs and prepare for steep health insurance hikes if ACA tax credits expire. How can you make prescription drugs more affordable? What can you do if subsidies in the Affordable Care Act expire and health insurance costs spike? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss rising prescription costs and looming changes …
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Is tapping your home equity ever a smart way to reset your finances? One listener’s story reveals what to weigh before selling. Should you sell your house to wipe out credit card debt and start over? What are the hidden trade-offs when using home equity to eliminate debt? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola talk with a listener navigating $55,000…
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Stop Living by One-Size-Fits-All Budgets — and Paying for One-Size-Fits-All Financial Advice
37:23
Understand how to assess when financial advisor fees are worth it and how to rethink personal finance rules that don’t serve you. What are the different financial advisor fees, and how can you decide if they’re worth it? Do you need to follow traditional budgeting and debt payoff rules to be financially successful? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ay…
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Understand how new tariffs may hit your wallet and whether premium credit card fees are still worth it. What do new U.S. tariffs mean for prices on everyday goods and cars? What should you consider when choosing a premium travel credit card? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the latest economic indicators and the changing landscape of c…
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New job, more income — now what? Hear how one listener is managing his Roth IRA, health savings account, high-yield savings, and more. Is it smart to use a Roth IRA like a savings account? How should you prioritize your money across savings, debt, and retirement after getting a higher-paying job? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola answer a liste…
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Does Medical Debt Impact Your Credit Score? And How Much Do You Really Need To Save for a Home
36:27
How to protect your credit from medical debt and choose the right way to save for a home down payment. How does medical debt affect your credit score? What accounts can you use to save for a house down payment? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the recent reversal of a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau rule that would have removed me…
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Learn how to dodge scams to protect your money, then understand how to compare robo vs. traditional investment risks. What should you do if your credit card is compromised in a scam? Are robo-advisors riskier than traditional brokerage accounts? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss how to spot and respond to identity theft and dig into how…
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Housing Market in Flux: Should You Buy Now Before Prices Shift? (Plus: How Teens Can Build Credit)
36:18
Find out where the housing market's headed and how to help your teen build smart credit habits early. Is now a smart time to buy a home or should you wait for mortgage rates to drop? What’s the best way to help your teenager build credit before college? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola explore these questions to help you make confident financi…
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Budget better for group trips and explore if savings bonds still deserve a spot in your long-term investment plan. How do you plan a trip with friends without blowing your budget — or your relationships? Are savings bonds a smart way to invest in your kids’ future? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the emotional and financial dynamics o…
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SALT Cap Raised, Clean Energy Credits Ending: Adapt Your Finances to the “Big, Beautiful Bill”
30:10
Learn what the One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for your taxes, benefits, and financial planning. Then, understand how to adapt to living on disability insurance. What tax changes are coming from the federal budget bill? Can you save money while living on disability? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola unpack the latest legislative changes to hel…
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Smart Planning Sessions: Go “Work Optional” and Move Retirement Funds Penalty-Free (Plus: Your Midyear Money Check-In)
38:13
In this month’s Smart Planning segment, a financial advisor discusses how to transfer retirement funds penalty-free and how to adopt a “work optional” mindset. How can you check in on your financial progress halfway through the year? What steps do you need to follow to move your Roth IRA from a robo-advisor to a self-directed platform without payin…
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Buy Now, Pay Later Comes at a Price: Credit Score Risks You Need to Know (Plus: $124k Windfall Tips)
32:53
Understand how Buy Now, Pay Later financing options affect your credit and learn smart strategies for using a six-figure inheritance wisely. How does Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) affect your credit score? What’s the smartest way to invest or use an unexpected inheritance? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the evolving credit implications o…
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Learn how to approach Amazon Prime day without blowing your budget and hear how you can start to understand the emotions that might be driving your spending. What are the best ways to take advantage of big sales like Amazon Prime Day but still stay on track with your budget? How can you get a handle on emotional spending and the guilt that comes wi…
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How to Retire Early and Live Abroad: Your Guide to Making FIRE Last (Plus: 2025 Gas Prices Explained)
35:56
Learn how to navigate gas prices this summer, then hear how to make your money work after retiring early and moving abroad. What’s going on with gas prices this summer? How can early retirees turn their savings into income abroad? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss gas price trends and smart investment options for early retirees to help …
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Learn how to reset spending habits after emotional setbacks and protect yourself from job scams that cost real money. How do you reset your money goals after emotional setbacks? How do you avoid job scams that steal your savings? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss mindful spending and scam recovery to help you stay in control of your fin…
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Get tips to reclaim your time from the “infinite workday,” then learn how to build retirement savings as a stay-at-home parent. How do you reclaim your time in an always-on work culture? How can stay-at-home parents keep building retirement savings? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the rise of the “infinite workday” and answer a listen…
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Your Housing Questions Answered: Down Payments, Mortgage Recasting, and Buying in Tough Markets
34:08
Explore strategies to strengthen your finances and get smart answers to common home buying and mortgage questions. When you're looking to buy your next home, should you pay off your current mortgage or save more for a down payment? How does mortgage recasting work? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola answer several questions from listeners about …
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Are You Saving Enough in 2025? What the Data Says About Falling Short (Plus: Where to Keep Conservatorship Funds)
25:18
Learn whether you’re saving enough money in 2025. Then, learn where to keep conservatorship funds to safely earn interest. What is the average American saving in 2025? Where can you keep conservatorship funds to earn interest? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola tackle a listener’s question about how to grow savings when managing a conservatorshi…
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In this month’s Smart Planning segment, a financial advisor discusses how to build a smarter debt payoff plan without sacrificing long-term financial goals. What’s the smartest way to make progress on credit card debt when budgeting alone isn’t cutting it? When can debt consolidation tools actually make your situation worse? Hosts Sean Pyles and El…
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Learn how to use AI to boost your career and finances — plus, what to do when debt consolidation tanks your credit score. How can you use AI to stay competitive in your career and manage your money better? What should you do when debt consolidation tanks your credit score? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss the rapid rise of generative A…
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Learn how to negotiate higher pay and choose between Roth vs. traditional retirement accounts with confidence. How can you negotiate for a raise in an uncertain economy? Should you invest in a Roth or traditional retirement account? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss career strategies and retirement planning to help you maximize your ear…
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Learn how to keep calm and carry on with smart money moves and car buying plans amid tariffs, market swings, and rising prices. Should you buy a car now or wait — even if prices are expected to rise? How can you navigate the financial noise of today’s economy without losing your cool? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss coping with econom…
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Reset your vacation budget and learn about the real work it takes to manage a rental property as a new or aspiring landlord. How can you get back on budget after overspending on vacation? What should you know before turning a home into a rental property? Hosts Sean Pyles and Elizabeth Ayoola discuss navigating the financial aftermath of travel and …
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