How to Put $200K to Work and The Truth About Generational Spending

About this episode

The episode discusses generational spending data and strategies for effectively utilizing $200K in savings.

Learn what generational spending data reveals and what to do when fear is keeping $200K in savings from growing. What do the stereotypes about each generation's finances actually get wrong? Sean Pyles, CFP®, and Elizabeth Ayoola kick off the episode with senior news writer Anna Helhoski and NerdWallet data writer Kurt Woock, who breaks down a new study analyzing federal Consumer Expenditure Survey data spanning decades of American spending. They explore why housing costs follow a U-shaped curve that could hit hardest in retirement — not just in young adulthood — why the real expense of owning a car isn't the car payment, and how healthcare spending could triple as a share of your income in your later years, just as earnings begin to decline. When is having $200,000 in savings actually working against you? Sean and Elizabeth welcome Kat from Virginia, who has maxed out her 401(k), opened 529 accounts for her kids, and accumulated $200,000 in cash — but is too anxious to touch any of that cash. Joined by Ryan Sterling, CEO of NerdWallet Wealth Partners, they dig into how financial anxiety develops, how to determine the right size for your emergency fund, and what steps could help…

People in this episode

Hosts: Sean Pyles, Elizabeth Ayoola

Guests: Kat, Ryan Sterling

Topics covered

• generational spending
• financial anxiety
• wealth building
• savings
• consumer expenditure
• retirement planning

Keywords

• generational spending
• financial anxiety
• savings
• wealth management
• consumer expenditure
• retirement costs
• healthcare spending

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NerdWallet Wealth Partners, NerdWallet Inc.

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