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Welcome to NerdWallet’s Smart Money podcast, where we answer your real-world money questions.
This week’s episode starts with a discussion about student loan cancellation.
Then we pivot to this week’s money question from a listener who sent us this email:
“Hello, Nerds. I was hoping that you could do an episode that is like a finance 101. I turned 18 just a few months ago, and am now largely financially self-reliant and almost entirely responsible for myself and my own affairs. Now that I am in control of my own finances, I want to make smart decisions and start thinking ahead, but I don’t even know where to start. I opened a secured credit card last month at the suggestion of a money smart friend so I could start establishing credit. Right now, I only charge my cell service bill to that card and pay for all other expenses with my debit card. What other things should I be thinking about?
A bit more about my specific circumstance that might be helpful. My mother died in 2020, so I’m currently receiving survivors benefits from the Social Security Administration. I’m over 18, but will be in high school until May 2023. I also have some money saved up from summer jobs over the last five years. I have both a checking and…
