PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan is joined by airline industry expert Blaise Waguespack to discuss what’s next for budget travelers in the wake of Spirit Airlines’ collapse. Blaise is a professor at Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University in Florida, focusing on airline marketing and service quality measurement. He and John discuss the remaining budget airline options, money-saving strategies for cost-conscious vacationers, and more. If you need the cheapest flight possible, give this episode a listen.   More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Airlines of 2026 Best Airline Credit Cards  Best Frequent Flyer Programs  How to Travel on a Budget  If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a WalletHub Premium subscription. You can get personalized credit-improvement help, budgeting tools, identity protection and more. And if you want to find the best financial products, always add “WalletHub” to your search!    

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. More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Charity Credit Cards & Charity Calculator  To find the best charities overall and by category, check out SmileHub's picks for the year’s best charities to donate to.

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. More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Budget Apps & How to Save More Money To find the best home for your emergency fund, check out WalletHub's picks for the best savings accounts.

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 from WalletHub: How to Make a Budget & Top Budgeting Tips To start budgeting better, check out WalletHub's budgeting tools.

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. More on this episode from Nerdwallet- First Homes and Weddings For more insights, check out NerdWallet's comprehensive resources on financing weddings and homeownership. Show notes created with assistance from https://headliner.app  

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. More on this story- Countdown to Tax Day: WalletHub’s Tax Tips for 2025 Show notes created with assistance from headliner.app

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 and living costs, which can make homeownership seem unattainable.Listeners will discover that conventional loans can require a lot less down, while FHA loans offer nearly unbeatable opportunities for first-time homebuyers. This episode is packed with practical advice and reassurance for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the home buying process. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/mortgages/data-down-payment  Show notes created with assistance from https://headliner.app