PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips

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 to get enough funding. But if you make the right moves, you can still make the world a better place, even with limited funds. We’ll help with that by covering the best charities by category, organizations to avoid and much more. John answers some of your questions, too.

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. This financing trick is a lot more common and costly than most people realize, so it could really pay off to learn the ins and outs of this scheme. In addition, John answers some of your questions.

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 savings goals, and keeping everything straight. Budgets are tight these days, and you never know when an emergency expense will crop up, so you’ll be glad you listened! John also answers listener questions.

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 holiday cookies on the cheap from a state fair winner! Plus, John answers a listener question and more.

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. 

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 the traditional tipping percentages for services like dining, hair salons, and delivery, while also addressing the growing trend of tipping at self-service kiosks and other unexpected places.

Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of when and how much to tip, including guidelines for different service scenarios. They also discuss the ethical concerns surrounding tipping as a potential substitute for fair wages, prompting listeners to consider their own tipping practices and the pressures associated with them. Chip emphasizes the importance of tipping for good service while also acknowledging the discomfort that can arise when service falls short.

For more insights on tipping trends and best practices, check out WalletHub's extensive resources on personal finance.

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 demographics of first-time homebuyers, with the median age now at 38, and strategies for building a house fund instead of opting for traditional wedding gifts. Kim shares insights on the importance of avoiding credit card debt when financing wedding expenses, emphasizing that it's crucial to minimize financial burdens post-wedding.

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 that this figure can vary widely based on personal needs and lifestyle.
Listeners will discover practical tips for saving money on clothing, including the importance of shopping during sales, utilizing coupons, and understanding the difference between 'needs' and 'wants' in their wardrobe. Adam also discusses the benefits of investing in quality pieces that last longer, as well as savvy shopping strategies like buying off-season and exploring thrift stores or community clothing swaps.

Additionally, the episode covers the advantages of using the right credit cards for clothing purchases, highlighting how rewards and cashback options can maximize savings. Adam stresses the importance of managing credit wisely to avoid interest charges that can negate savings from rewards.

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 file program and how to utilize free resources for tax assistance, especially for those facing financial challenges.
The conversation also covers strategies for managing tax payments, including the benefits of using credit cards wisely to earn rewards while settling tax obligations. They delve into disaster relief for those in FEMA-designated areas and the advantages available for taxpayers in these situations, such as extended filing deadlines and deductions for personal property losses.

For more insights and resources, check out WalletHub's budgeting features to get your finances in shape.

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 categorize expenses, saving precious time and effort in the budgeting process.
The conversation delves into how AI can analyze spending patterns, alert users to unusual expenses, and even help automate savings by identifying manageable amounts to set aside. There are also tips on utilizing AI chatbots, with occasional review, as virtual financial assistants, providing instant advice and insights.