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Smart Money podcast

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How to get more joy while giving to good causes. Also in the news: How a financial therapist can help shift your money mindset, a new episode of the Smart Money podcast on making your dream life, and 6 options for when you buy now and can’t pay later.

How to Get More Joy While Giving to Good Causes
Research shows that spending money on others is more likely to make us happy.

How a Financial Therapist Can Help Shift Your Money Mindset
A financial therapist can help you challenge your money fears and make progress in your investing journey.

Smart Money Podcast: Making Your Dream Life
Sean and Liz chat with travel Nerd Sam Kemmis about how he made his dream life possible.

6 Options for When You Buy Now and Can’t Pay Later
If you’ve taken on more buy now, pay later debt than you can handle, here are some options for easing the burden.

Tuesday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Inflation can spell disaster for some 40% of Americans. Also in the news: 5 reasons why ‘Shoulder Season’ is the best time to travel, a new episode of the Smart Money podcast on paying for college, and how a strong college application remains possible even with transcript gaps.

Inflation Can Spell Disaster for Some 40% of Americans
As of December, prices across all goods and services had risen more in a single year than they had in nearly 40 years.

5 Reasons Why ‘Shoulder Season’ Is the Best Time to Travel
Smaller crowds and better deals make the not-quite-offseason a great time to travel.

Smart Money Podcast: How Nerds Choose the Best, and Paying for College
NerdWallet’s Content team leader explains how Best-Of Award winners are chosen and why you can trust our picks.

Transcript Gaps? A Strong College Application Remains Possible
Show colleges the best version of yourself, but also know admissions officers have adapted their expectations.

Friday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: This year, resolve to leave no gift card unused. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on saving for your dream retirement, how to have the wedding you want for less, and comparing car insurance rates.

This Year, Resolve to Leave No Gift Card Unused
Most gift cards are spent within a year, but billions of dollars remain unspent and about 1% to 2% of gift card dollars typically go unused.

How to Have the Wedding You Want for Less
When planning a wedding, there’s pressure to create a perfect event. But you can still have the day of your dreams with a wedding budget of any size.

Smart Money Podcast: Saving for Your Dream Retirement
Budgeting pro Marissa Lyda talks with Sean and Liz about saving and how she’s made a full-time job out of YouTube.

Compare Car Insurance Rates
The NerdWallet guide to finding the best car insurance rate

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: How a financial therapist can help shift your money mindset. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on new money resolutions and strategizing debt payoff, how to attract busy contractors to your home remodel, and saving for what makes you feel good in 2022.

How a Financial Therapist Can Help Shift Your Money Mindset
A financial therapist can help you challenge your money fears and make progress in your investing journey.

Smart Money Podcast: New Money Resolutions, and Strategizing Debt Payoff
This week’s episode starts with a conversation about how to craft and achieve your money resolutions in the new year.

How to Attract Busy Contractors to Your Home Remodel
Patience, planning and a good referral can help homeowners stand out to contractors for home remodel projects.

Save for What Makes You Feel Good in 2022
Expenses that don’t put a roof over your head, but do provide joy, rejuvenation and other hard-to-quantify benefits are worth saving for, too.

Thursday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: What the No Surprises Act means for your medical bills. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on buying your dream house, the January mortgage rate forecast, and 5 steps to reach your money goals in 2022.

What the No Surprises Act Means for Your Medical Bills
The No Surprises Act bans surprise medical bills for emergency services and unexpected out-of-network providers.

Smart Money Podcast: Buying Your Dream House
Sean and Liz chat with Nerd Elizabeth Renter about how she bought her dream house.

Mortgage Outlook: Rates May Stand Still in January
January mortgage rates forecast.

5 Steps to Reach Your Money Goals in 2022
With inflation and economic uncertainty clouding 2022, shoring up your finances this month can feel even more urgent.

Monday’s need-to-know money news

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Today’s top story: Student loan pause is extended. Also in the news: A new episode of the Smart Money podcast on what our listeners accomplished this year, 6 Instagram tips for small-business owners, and for young adults, building credit starts now.

Student Loan Pause is Extended
Payments will resume May 2nd.

Smart Money Podcast: What Our Listeners Accomplished This Year, Part 2
This week’s episode continues our celebration of our listeners’ money wins in 2021.

6 Instagram Tips for Small-Business Owners, by Small-Business Owners
Learn how to build an effective small-business Instagram strategy that takes up minimal time.

For Young Adults, Building Credit Starts Now
Building your credit while you’re young will pay off in the future, and it may be easier than you think.