NerdWallet’s Smart Money Podcast

Episode: 2025’s Money Year in Review and Travel Card Moves To Make Now
Date: December 15, 2025
Hosts: Sean Pyles, CFP® & Elizabeth Ayola
Guests: Sally French & Megan Coyle (Smart Travel hosts)

Episode Overview

In this episode, the hosts reflect on the top personal finance stories of 2025—covering topics like tariffs, stock market volatility, interest rates, the housing and rental markets, and their financial mindsets. The second half dives deep into travel credit card strategies, with a real-life credit card consulting session for daily host Elizabeth Ayola. The episode is packed with insights on managing financial uncertainty, maximizing card benefits, and making data-driven decisions about credit cards.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 2025 in Review: Personal Finance Wrap-Up

[02:48 – 19:17]

Tariffs and Their Ripple Effects

• 2025’s dominant economic buzzword was “tariffs.”
  • “It’s like a couple years back, everyone kept saying the word unprecedented. I feel like tariffs is the equivalent of that in 2025...”
    – Sean Pyles [05:09]
• Tariffs caused uncertainty, a temporary dip in the stock market, and influenced Fed policy.
• Direct impact on consumers:
  • Example: “My wig lady hiked up her prices because of apparently tariffs.”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [06:21]
  • Surprise import fees, like a $250 tariff bill on a Dutch coat.
• Strategies for navigating higher costs:
  • Using cash back cards for groceries and store loyalty programs.
  • Diligent fridge-checks pre-shopping: “Why do I have 10 onions?...”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [08:04]

The Historic Stock Market Crash

• S&P 500 saw a 12% drop over two days ($6.6 trillion lost), driven by tariff drama—but rebounded quickly.
• Lesson: Don’t panic-sell, focus on long-term investing and diversification.
  • “If people sold stocks after the initial drop, then they would have lost all that money...”
    – Sean Pyles [09:19]
• Both hosts were unbothered due to long-term horizons and diversified portfolios.

Housing Market: Stuck Between Renting and Buying

• Buyers still priced out due to high costs and stagnant rates.
• “Especially with...hikes in property taxes and insurance on homes, it’s kind of cemented my decision to stay a renter for now.”
  – Elizabeth Ayola [12:24]
• Good news: Slight buyer’s market—typical home sold for 1.5% under asking, and national rents dipped 1%.
• “I’m absolutely sending this episode to my landlord so that she can reduce my rent by 1%”
  – Elizabeth Ayola [14:04]

General Economic Sentiment & Resilience

• Despite rising costs, many feel either jaded or cautiously optimistic—often depending on job stability.
• 63% expect 2026 to be better, but most expect higher prices.
• “I just try to focus on what I could control, and that’s my own personal finances. And I think that helps me not to get too down...”
  – Elizabeth Ayola [16:35]

Interest Rates and High-Yield Savings

• 2025 brought long-awaited Fed rate cuts, but high-yield savings APYs dropped.
• Hosts recommend shopping around for better rates:
  • “Gone are the glory days of 5% APYs.”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [18:41]

Top 5 Stories Recap

1. Tariffs and inflation
2. Stock market crash and rebound
3. Housing market malaise
4. Consumer and job market anxiety
5. Interest rate cuts and implications for borrowers/savers

2. Credit Card Deep Dive: Do You Need All Those Travel Cards?

[22:16 – 50:44]

Elizabeth’s Credit Card Lineup

• Cards:
  • American Express Blue Cash Preferred
  • Amex Platinum
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve
  • Citi American Airlines (lounge version)
  • TJ Maxx Card (no fee)
• Combined annual fees: close to $2,000 [32:20]

Should You Ditch Some Cards? A Card-by-Card Consult

Led by Sally French & Megan Coyle (Smart Travel podcast hosts)

Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795/year):

• $300 travel credit (easy to use)
• Dining, Uber, StubHub, Apple TV, Peloton credits
• Lounge access—a big value-add for Elizabeth
• “You’re paying close to $2,000 in annual fees for your credit card.”
  – Sally French [32:20]
• Finding: Elizabeth is able to get enough value via credits and points, especially with frequent travel/lounges.

Amex Platinum ($895/year):

• $600 in Fine Hotels & Resorts credits
• $200 airline fee credit (less useful since Elizabeth now only carries on)
• $180 Uber Cash (Uber Eats)
• $400 Lululemon, Saks credits, and various dining and streaming credits
• She uses Uber credits, likes the potential of Lululemon.
• Lounge access (Centurion, Delta Sky Club, etc.), which she highly values:
  • “I am not the person who likes to get to my flight five minutes before. I get there two to three hours before so I can get a drink, get a margarita, get a meal, and relax.”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [40:13]
• Finding: Justifies annual fee for Elizabeth’s lifestyle.

Citi AAdvantage Mastercard (Lounge version, $~500/year):

• Elizabeth doesn’t use checked bags and no longer prefers AA lounges over Centurion/Chase.
• “That might be the weakest link.”
  – Elizabeth Ayola [43:32]
• Recommendation: Close/cancel this card and keep the miles, as they stay in her AA account.

Amex Blue Cash Preferred ($95/year):

• 6% cash back on US supermarkets (up to $6,000 spend).
• With $500/month at supermarkets, she justifies annual fee.
• “I have started trying to do that to see if I can maximize the benefit.”
  – Elizabeth Ayola [45:26]
• Note: Ensure most spending qualifies (supermarkets, not big-box stores).

TJ Maxx Card:

• $0 annual fee.
• No harm in keeping (long average account age, occasional use).

Strategy for Managing Multiple Card Benefits

• Track credits to maximize annual value (“expiring things” tracking document).
• Mental energy is a factor—if managing benefits feels stressful, it’s ok to cut back.
• “My mental energy of managing whether or not I use my Uber credit is not worth paying this annual fee. That I do think it is okay to not pay annual fees for these cards for your sanity.”
  – Sally French [49:24]

Future Card Moves

• Consider switching the AA card to a United card, since Houston is a United hub.
• Opt for cards with lower annual fees unless lounge access is highly valued.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On coping with uncertainty:

  • “I just try to focus on what I could control, and that’s my own personal finances.”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [16:35]

• Reflecting consumer anxiety:

  • “When I talk with a lot of my friends about their money...a lot of folks fall somewhere between jaded and nihilistic...”
    – Sean Pyles [14:49]

• Keeping perspective on investing:

  • “You know, the last point you made...reminds me also of the importance of diversification.”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [10:38]

• On lounge happiness:

  • “I am a lounge girly. I love a lounge.”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [34:12]

• On credit card management:

  • “Some people say ‘I’ll never pay an annual fee.’ You’re talking to two people who also pay $2,000 a year in fees.”
    – Sally French [32:40]

• Airport etiquette hot take:

  • “First class should have a Do Not Disturb or Do Not Talk To Me sign...you ruined my upgrade experience because you would not be quiet.”
    – Elizabeth Ayola [51:06]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Personal finance year in review begins: [02:41]
• Tariffs and inflation discussion: [05:03]
• Stock market crash and rebound: [08:11]
• Housing market and renting experience: [11:53]
• General economic sentiment & jobs: [14:49]
• Interest rate cuts & high-yield savings: [18:24]
• Recap of top stories: [19:17]
• Listener money questions intro: [19:35]
• Travel card deep-dive begins: [22:16]
• Full card consult (Elizabeth's wallet): [30:07]
• Chase Sapphire Reserve benefits: [34:08]
• Amex Platinum benefits: [37:01]
• Citi AA card weak link: [43:27]
• Cash back maximization discussion: [45:00]
• Strategy recap & advice: [48:28]
• Airport etiquette hot take: [51:06]

Episode Tone and Style

• Conversational, witty, and honest: Hosts share humor, personal anecdotes, and candid admissions about their own finances and credit card strategies.
• Practical and data-driven: Frequent calculations on benefits vs. fees, mental checklists, and friendly debate over the “right” financial moves.
• Supportive and relatable: No judgment, focus on individualized decisions, acknowledgment of real-world financial stress.

Key Takeaways

• 2025 was another topsy-turvy economic year for individual consumers—tariffs, inflation, and volatility dominated the narrative, but knowledge and planning were powerful tools for stability.
• In maximizing travel credit card rewards, understand your lifestyle, closely track benefits, and don’t be afraid to trim annual fees—especially if you’re not using all perks.
• Economic uncertainty persists, but staying focused on personal control, budgeting, and strategic use of financial tools can help you thrive.

For personalized advice, the hosts encourage listeners to call the NerdWallet hotline or email their money questions for a future episode.