Advertise on podcast: PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan discusses early holiday shopping trends with guest Carl-Philip Ahlbom, an assistant professor of marketing at Florida State University. John and Dr. Ahlbom cover where shoppers can expect to find the best deals, how to adjust for inflation, and the best ways to save money in the current retail landscape.   More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Credit Cards for Shopping  Early Holiday Shopping Survey (2026) 8 Holiday Shopping Tips for 2026 – Give More & Spend Less 14 (Nearly) Free Gift Ideas for the Holiday Season  Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses  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 discusses Fed rate hikes with guest Abhi Gupta from the Budget Lab at Yale University, who previously worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. John and Abhi talk about why normal people should care about Fed rate changes and how to keep a hike from derailing your finances. More on this episode from WalletHub: Fed Rate Hike Probability & Analysis Debt Statistics for 2026 Best Balance Transfer Credit Cards Best Debt Consolidation Loans    Best High-Yield Savings Accounts  Best Expense Tracker Apps 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 discusses when it makes sense to pay high credit card fees. In some cases, paying a fee can actually help you save more money overall. But if you’re not careful, it can bleed your wallet dry. Learn how to walk that tightrope to extra savings.    More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Premium Credit Cards Best Rewards Credit Cards Right Now    How to Choose a Credit Card for Rewards in 2026  Key Things to Know About Credit Card Fees (2026)  How Much Americans Pay in Credit Card Interest and Fees (2026)  WalletHub CardAdvisor: Get Personalized Credit Card Recommendations 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 discusses the value of identity theft insurance and cyber insurance with guest Dr. Daniel W. Woods, a Lecturer in Cybersecurity at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Informatics. Daniel studies the U.S. identity/cyber insurance markets closely and has published some very interesting research about these types of coverage. John and Daniel discuss how effective the insurance is, who needs it, and more.   More on this episode from WalletHub: Identity Theft Insurance: $1 Million in Coverage  Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2026 Lost Wallet Assistance: Avoid Hassle & Identity Theft  Identity Theft Statistics (2026)  States Most Vulnerable to Identity Theft & Fraud  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 discusses how to save on streaming with guest Adam Zeis, Managing Editor of The Streamable, the leading authority on the cord-cutting revolution. The Streamable helps users navigate the maze of streaming services, live TV bundles, and related tech. John and Adam talk about the best ways to save on streaming, services that help you stream on a budget, the best credit cards for streaming savings and more.  More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Credit Cards for Streaming Services of 2026 What is the Best Credit Card for Hulu?  Which Credit Card Gives a Netflix Discount?  Subscription Manager: Keep Track of Recurring Bills  How Much to Budget for Entertainment  Budget Better With WalletHub  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 discusses how to choose the right bank accounts with guest Kevin Boucher, chief communications officer and strategy officer for Operation HOPE, an organization dedicated to finding “new and innovative ways to promote financial literacy for all.” John and Kevin talk about the ideal banking setup, the most common mistakes people made when picking a bank account, and more.  More on this episode from WalletHub: How to Open a Checking Account Best Bank Accounts Right Now Best High-Yield Savings Accounts  Close Your Account & Switch Banks: The Breakup Guide Best Bank Account Bonuses       Banking Landscape Report  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 discusses how to save on back-to-school shopping with guest Roxanna Caldwell, aka MamiCouponz on your socials. Roxanna is “just a mama who loves saving money,” and she’s passionate about helping others do the same. John and Roxanna talk about their favorite money-saving tips for back-to-school shoppers, including the best stores to visit, plus the biggest money-wasters people should avoid and more.  More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Back-to-School Credit Cards for 2026 Back-to-School Shopping Survey Best Credit Cards for Students States With the Best Schools  Back-to-School Sales-Tax Holidays 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 discusses the key elements of identity theft protection with a pair of experts who have a ton of experience protecting consumers: Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, and William Kresse, aka Professor Fraud.  Before taking the helm of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims and educating the public, Eva worked with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office and the San Diego Better Business Bureau. William is an Associate Professor at Governors State University and the former Director of the Center for the Study of Fraud and Corruption. He’s also a Certified Fraud Examiner and a former Chicago Election Commissioner. They provide valuable advice on how to keep your identity safe and what to do if some fraud sneaks past your defenses.  More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Identity Theft Protection Services of 2026 Identity Theft Insurance: $1 Million in Coverage  Identity Theft: What It Is, How It Happens & the Best Protection 6 Steps You Should Take Following Identity Theft  Bank Account Monitoring: Keep Your Cash Safe  Lost Wallet Assistance: Avoid Hassle & Identity Theft  Address Change Monitoring: Keep Your Mail Safe  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 is joined by Professor Anthony Dukes to discuss whether it makes sense to join a warehouse club in search of savings amidst inflated prices at supermarkets, department stores, gas stations and pretty much everywhere else. Anthony is the Robert E. Brooker Chair in Marketing at the USC Marshall School of Business, Co-Director of the school’s Initiative on Digital Competition, and Associate Editor of the journal Management Science. He and John cover the benefits and drawbacks of warehouse clubs, who should and should not join one, and other money-saving strategies for shoppers. If you need a new way to save, give this episode a listen and maybe join the club.   More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Credit Cards for Warehouse Clubs Best Credit Cards for Groceries Costco Credit Card Costco Business Credit Card  BJ’s Credit Card  Sam's Club Credit Card 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 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 is joined by guest Stacie Rihl to discuss how to go about buying your first home. Stacie hosts the “Your First Home” podcast and helps connect first-time homebuyers with the right real estate agents. She has also worked as both a real estate agent and a loan officer for a mortgage company, so she’s the perfect person to coach us through the home-buying process. John and Stacie discuss how to prepare before you even start shopping for a home, tips for navigating an expensive, competitive market, common mistakes to avoid and more.   More on this episode from WalletHub: Compare Mortgage Rates Mortgage Calculator Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers Rent or Buy Calculator How to Save for a House  Best Home Improvement Credit Cards  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 is joined by guest Brian Bastin to discuss how to buy a car without breaking the bank. Brian spent 14 years as a general manager and minority operating partner of Mercedes-Benz of Palm Beach, and he is the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Program Director at Keiser University’s Flagship Campus, where he teaches automotive management and finance. He’s the perfect person to teach us how to navigate the car-buying process with minimal stress and maximum savings. John and Brian discuss how to prepare before you visit the car lot, how to deal with the sales team, and much more.   More on this episode from WalletHub:  Compare Car Loan Rates Car Affordability Calculator  Car Lease or Buy Calculator  Best Credit Cards for Buying a Car  Credit Score Needed to Buy a Car  New vs. Used Cars  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 is joined by Dr. Nancy McGehee, a professor of hospitality and tourism management at Virginia Tech. John and Nancy discuss how to save money on summer travel, from when to book to what common mistakes you should avoid making. If you want to travel this summer but you’re working with a tight budget, these tips and tricks could make the difference.  More on this episode from WalletHub:  How to Travel on a Budget Budget Family Travel Tips Best Summer Destinations  Most Fun Cities  Best Travel Credit Cards Best Travel Awards If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a WalletHub Premium subscription. You can get a personalized debt repayment plan, along with budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, 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 is joined by Dr. Michael Lynn, a professor of consumer behavior and marketing at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, an expert on tipping, and author of the new book “The Psychology of Tipping: Scientific Insights for Services Customers, Workers, and Managers.” John and Dr. Lynn discuss how tipping has expanded over the years and what listeners can do to reward good service while protecting their finances.  More on this episode from WalletHub:  WalletHub Tipping Survey  How Much Should You Tip? Best Credit Cards for Dining  Tip Validator Budgeting Tools  If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a WalletHub Premium subscription. You can get a personalized debt repayment plan, along with budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, 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 is joined by Dan Ariely, a professor of business administration at Duke University, a founding member of the Center for Advanced Hindsight, the co-founder of several companies, and the author of several books including “Dollars and Sense: How We Misthink Money and How to Spend Smarter.” John and Dan talk about what people can do to save hundreds of dollars in just a few weeks, hoping to help ease the burden on folks during this affordability crisis. In other words, this could be a very valuable listen.  More on this episode from WalletHub:  How to Save Money: 23 Tips for Everyday Savings How to Save Money on Groceries How to Save Money on Gas  Household Budgeting Guide  Budgeting Tools  Expense Tracker  If you want to take your finances to the next level, sign up for a WalletHub Premium subscription. You can get a personalized debt repayment plan, along with budgeting tools, credit-improvement help, identity protection and more.