New Year Money Moves: Tips for Hitting the Ground Running in 2026

New Year Money Moves: Tips for Hitting the Ground Running in 2026

Author: Lee Enterprises December 29, 2025 Duration: 41:21

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Professor Nicole Hickson discuss how to get your money right in 2026. Whether you’re making a financial New Year’s resolution or just determined to make 2026 more prosperous than the past, there are steps you can take to improve your financial performance, save more money, reduce stress, and afford to treat yourself once in a while! John and Nicole will give you the gameplan for success. Plus, John answers a recent listener question. 

More on this episode from WalletHub: 

You can sign up for a WalletHub account to get personalized credit-improvement advice, rent and bill reporting, budgeting and expense tracking tools, identity theft insurance, and much more. 


Ever feel like your financial goals and your desire to explore the world are constantly at odds? PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips digs into that very tension, offering a practical and surprisingly optimistic look at how to manage your money while still funding your adventures. Hosted by Lee Enterprises, this podcast moves beyond dry financial advice, weaving together conversations about smart investing, everyday budgeting, and the cultural richness that travel brings. Each episode introduces you to a different financial expert with actionable strategies, but the focus remains on real-life application-how a solid investment today can mean a memorable trip tomorrow, or how understanding local economies can deepen your travel experiences. You’ll hear discussions that connect market trends to personal savings plans, and thoughtful segments on how the places we visit shape our perspective on value and community. It’s a blend of street-smart finance and genuine curiosity about the world, designed for anyone who believes building wealth shouldn’t mean staying put. Tune in for a fresh take that makes financial planning feel less like a restriction and more like the key to unlocking meaningful experiences, all within a budget that makes sense for you.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

PennyWise: Personal Finance & Travel Tips
Podcast Episodes
Tips for when to book holiday travel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:48
While it may still be early fall, the time to figure out your holiday travel is here. From flights to hotel stays to finally taking that trip to Europe to visit the Christmas markets, travel costs can add up. On the late…
Tips to stay safe from financial scams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:01
It seems like every day there's a new warning about financial scams circulating, with the scammers getting more and more creative. Many people think that it could never happen to them, and then they find themselves on th…
Tips for keeping solo travel financially friendly [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:33
Want to travel around but don't have a travel buddy? Traveling alone can come with single surcharges and not having someone to share costs with can make solo travelers blow through their budgets quickly. On the latest ep…
5 tips to avoid overspending when scrolling social media [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:51
From curated ads to influencers showcasing the newest, hottest items it is impossible to escape ads on social media, and it's never been easier to purchase these items. But how can you stay on top of trends without overs…
Creative ways to cut your energy costs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:22
With record-setting temperatures across the United States, home energy bills are skyrocketing. On the latest episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona talks with Elizabeth Ayoola of NerdWallet about changes people can make…
How to manage car payments you can't make [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:23
Things are tight right now for many Americans. If you find yourself among the growing number of car owners unable to make a car payment on time, there are steps you can take to get back on track and minimize any financia…
6 tips for planning summer travel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:16
Who knew that summer vacations could be so much work? On the latest episode of PennyWise, host Nat Cardona talks with Sally French of NerdWallet about her top 6 tips for summer travel. Nerdwallet explains tips for bookin…
Nine of the most charming airports in America for your consideration [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:18
Flying isn't always the most enjoyable part of a vacation and some of the biggest airports in America can challenge even the most patient traveler. But not every airport has to cause frustration. There are a lot of small…