PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Professor Nicole Hickson discuss how to get your money right in 2026. Whether you’re making a financial New Year’s resolution or just determined to make 2026 more prosperous than the past, there are steps you can take to improve your financial performance, save more money, reduce stress, and afford to treat yourself once in a whi...

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Dr. Jessica G. Zeiss from Ball State University discuss the best ways to go about getting a credit card. It might seem like a simple topic, but there’s a lot more that goes into choosing the right credit card and actually getting approved than most people realize. John and Dr. Zeiss cover the process of getting a credit card from start...

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Luke Powers discuss the latest trends in charitable giving, how listeners can make the biggest impact with their contributions, and strategies for avoiding scams. With the burden of inflation, high debt levels, and an uncertain job market, many people feel like they can’t afford to give back, and charitable organizations are struggling...

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Adam McCann discuss the dangers of so-called “deferred interest” and how to avoid becoming a victim this holiday shopping season and beyond. John and Adam explain what deferred interest is and how it works, detail when you’re likely to encounter it, and provide tips for how to deal with it, plus ideas for safer alternatives...

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan discusses the importance of having an emergency fund and how to build one with Adam McCann, a personal finance writer with WalletHub who is an expert on credit cards and budgeting. John and Adam define what an emergency fund actually is, explore the risks that come with not having one, and provide practical tips for saving more, funding different savi...

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan discusses money-saving holiday shopping tips with Chip Lupo, a personal finance writer with WalletHub who is an expert on credit cards and budgeting. They discuss the holiday shopping forecast and the things people can do to maximize their merriment without putting their financial plan in jeopardy. You can even get a few pointers for whipping up holid...

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan breaks down the keys to successful budgeting with Milvionne Chery, a budget expert and personal finance writer with WalletHub. They discuss the most important steps for budgeters to take, what's holding people back the most, what people can do to keep things simple, options for more advanced techniques, and more. 

More on this episode fro...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Chip Lupo, a writer and analyst for WalletHub, as they explore the evolving landscape of tipping in America. With 75% of Americans feeling that tipping has spiraled out of control, they dive deep into the cultural implications and the new norms surrounding gratuity in various service sectors. Chip shares insights on th...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by NerdWallet personal finance expert Kim Palmer to tackle the dual challenge many American couples face: financing a wedding while pursuing homeownership. As costs continue to rise, they discuss practical do's and don'ts that can help newly engaged couples navigate these financial hurdles effectively.
Listeners will learn about the shifting demographi...

In this insightful episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona sits down with WalletHub's financial expert, Adam McCann, to tackle a common question: how much should you budget for clothing in 2025? As clothing prices continue to rise, Adam breaks down the average annual spending on apparel, revealing that households typically spend around $1,945 on clothing each year. However, he emphasizes tha...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona teams up with tax expert John Kiernan, Managing Editor at WalletHub. John shares essential last-minute tax tips for the 2025 filing season. As the deadline approaches, they emphasize the importance of filing a return regardless of your ability to pay, explaining the significant penalties associated with failing to file. Listeners will learn about the IRS's direct f...

In this episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona engages with WalletHub's personal finance writer, Milvionne Chery Copeland, to explore the innovative world of AI budgeting tools. As artificial intelligence continues to permeate our daily lives, Milvionne explains how these tools can revolutionize the way we manage our finances. Listeners will learn about the benefits of using AI to automatically track and c...

In this enlightening episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona welcomes NerdWallet's senior writer, Holden Lewis, to debunk the common myth surrounding down payments for home buying. Many potential homeowners believe that a hefty 20% down payment is a necessity, but Holden clarifies that this isn't the case. The discussion addresses the financial pressures faced by first-time homebuyers, including interest rates a...

In this informative episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona sits down with WalletHub's financial writer, Adam McCann, to discuss the rising costs of groceries and how different states are faring in terms of food expenses. With grocery prices increasing over 25% since 2019, Adam shares insights from WalletHub's latest study that reveals which states spend the most and least on groceries. Listeners will learn that...

In this engaging episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by Milvionne Chery Copeland, a personal finance writer at WalletHub, to explore the fascinating dynamics of budgeting across various cities in the U.S. As many individuals continue to face financial challenges, Nat and Milvionne dive into the cities with the best and worst budgeters and uncover the strategies that set successful budgeters apart.<...

In this engaging episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona is joined by NerdWallet's travel expert, Sally French, to explore the evolving landscape of vacation rentals. As family travel needs shift towards larger accommodations, the episode delves into the emergence of hotel-affiliated vacation rentals that are challenging traditional platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Sally discusses how major hotel brands such as H...

In this enlightening episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona engages with WalletHub's managing editor, John Kiernan, to tackle the essential topic of emergency funds. With many Americans feeling unprepared for unexpected expenses, especially amidst rising inflation, John provides valuable insights into the importance of building a financial safety net.
Listeners will discover the alarming statistics from Wall...

In this insightful episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona welcomes NerdWallet's Sarah Rathner to discuss the intriguing findings from the 2024 American Household Credit Card Debt Status Study. As we transition into 2025, Nat and Sarah reflect on the financial landscape of 2024, a year that appeared promising on the surface but felt challenging for many consumers. They delve into the paradox of rising economic i...

In this informative episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona sits down with Chip Lupo, a credit card writer for WalletHub, to explore the vital topic of credit freezes. As the importance of maintaining a good credit score becomes undeniable, Chip offers a comprehensive guide on how to protect your credit and identity through the strategic use of credit freezes.
Listeners will gain insights into the process of ...