NerdWallet's SmartMoney Podcast

People who invest in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies need to be ready for a wild ride. Values can soar and plunge, plus there’s no guarantee you’ll get your money back. Cryptocurrency is more of a gamble than an investment, and shouldn’t be more than a small portion of your overall portfolio. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.

Getting your retirement account squared away is just one of the many tasks facing the newly unemployed, but it’s an important one. Rolling the money into an IRA could be the best choice, particularly if your former employer isn’t allowing the new “coronavirus hardship withdrawals.” As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.

It used to be easy for people with good credit scores to get 0% balance transfer offers. As lenders pull back, those with credit card debt may need alternative plans to deal with their balances. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.

Being a first-time homeowner can be daunting, especially in a pricey market like Southern California. Chris Browning of the Popcorn Finance podcast has questions about what to expect, and he turns to the Nerds for some answers. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.

Most American adults are eligible for government relief checks of $1,200, but many are still waiting for their money — plus the usual advice about what to do with a windfall doesn’t apply in a crisis. Sean and Liz discuss how to find out where your payment is and put it to the best use. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373. And visit www.nerdwallet.com/podcast for more info on this episode.

Don’t stop with your closets. Spring cleaning your finances can be just as satisfying, not to mention more lucrative. Whip your budget into shape, check your credit and make sure your investments are on track. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

You were expecting a tax refund — but wound up owing money. Changing tax laws and the gig economy mean many taxpayers who traditionally got money back are now having to pay. Sean and Liz help a reader navigate paying a tax bill, as well as steps for avoiding a tax bill next year. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

The economic stimulus package gave millions of student loan borrowers some important breaks, but people are confused about what they are and what they have to do. Sean and Liz get the scoop from student loan nerd Ryan Lane. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

Nauseating drops in the stock market can be hard to endure, but most of us should try to do just that -- and even invest more, if we can. If you need the money within five years or you’re losing sleep, though, you might need to get at least some of your portfolio to safer ground. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

The coronavirus pandemic has scrambled people’s travel plans and their budgets. Here are the most important things to know now about emergency funds, spending plans and travel in the coming months. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

Mortgage rates dropped and then soared, making life difficult for people who wanted to refinance and buy homes. Mortgage and real estate Nerd Holden Lewis explains why that happened and what the future may bring. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

The economic impact of the novel coronavirus and the COVD-19 disease it causes is likely to be profound. Sean and Liz discuss how to cope with the potential financial fallout. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

Unexpected credit scores drops are the worst -- especially when you’re trying to do everything right. Sean and Liz dig into the details of how credit scores work to help a reader whose scores dived seemingly without reason. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

Many first-time home buyers wonder how to save for a down payment and where to put the money while they’re saving. Sean and Liz talk to mortgage and real estate authority Holden Lewis about the options. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.

Want to get the most points from your travel credit card, but don't know where to start? We've got you covered. In this episode, Sean and Liz talk with travel Nerd Sara Rathner, who offers up her insider tips about how to get the most points from your travel. And if you want to become a savvy traveler but don't care about travel credit cards, we've got tips for you, too. As always, send us your money questions! Email podcast@nerdwallet.com or call or text the NerdHotline at 901-730-6373.