The Buck Starts Here: Recent Episodes
Gaby Lapera
The Buck Starts Here is a podcast from Credit Karma’s Editorial team about personal finance. Personal finances can be stressful and confusing, hopefully we can make it fun. Or at least maybe less stressful?
Either way, tune in to hear about some of the stuff you probably wish you’d learned in high school about money.
A balance transfer credit card may help you save money in interest. But before you apply for one of these cards and accept an offer, there are three key factors to consider. Senior Editor Eric Freeman and host Gaby Lapera break them down. To see if this type of card could save you money, check out our balance transfer calculator: https://www.creditkarma.com/calculators/i/balance-transfer-calculator
Student loans can be a roller coaster at the best of times. It’s been especially wild during the pandemic. Clint Proctor, Credit Karma writer, joins host Gaby Lapera to talk about COVID-19 federal student loan forbearance and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Learn more about options after federal student loan forbearance ends here: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/student-loan-debt-relief
Buy Now, Pay Later services are popping up all over the internet. As the holiday season approaches, Editor Erin Dunn and host Gaby Lapera chat about how BNPL works and some things folks might think about before using them. Read about different BNPL apps here: https://www.creditkarma.com/personal-loans/i/buy-now-pay-later-apps. Or learn more about Credit Karma’s BNPL survey results here: https://www.creditkarma.com/insights/i/buy-now-pay-later-missed-payments
Having cash on hand during an emergency can be the difference between weathering a storm and financial ruin. Editor Rebecca Moran and host Gaby Lapera talk about the basics of starting an emergency fund, the importance of saving and some saving strategies. Learn more about emergency funds here: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/emergency-fund-basics. And for unbanked folks looking for banking options, check out: https://joinbankon.org/accounts/.
The host of Popcorn Finance, Chris Browning, and Gaby Lapera chat about the worst financial advice they've received, and potential origin stories for each one.
You know how a lot of stores try to get you to apply for a credit card? Editor Eric Freeman chats with host Gaby Lapera about the pros and cons of retail store cards, with some meditations on meatballs and humanity along the way. Learn more about retail cards here: https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/i/are-retail-cards-easiest-credit-cards-to-get
Stephanie Hsu, Associate Director of Product Management - Auto, talks through the car buying process with host, Gaby Lapera. Want to learn more about buying a car? Read: https://www.creditkarma.com/auto/i/buying-first-car
Parent and Senior Copy Editor Amy Kalin discusses strategies she uses to help her child understand personal finance with host Gaby Lapera. Money management, recognizing emotions and thinking about relationships are intertwined in this episode. Want to jump start the process with an article on budgeting? Learn more: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/how-to-make-a-budget
Senior Researcher Charles Mander and host Gaby Lapera use data to understand how Americans’ personal finances were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, plus some things to look out for when assessing data claims. Want to see more of our news and data journalism stories? Check out: https://www.creditkarma.com/insights/i
Senior Editor Becky Moran and host Gaby Lapera discuss what you might want to consider when choosing a bank — such as location, types of products available, services, fees and customer service — to help ensure you reach your financial goals. Learn more about choosing a bank here: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/how-to-choose-a-bank
Credit Cards Editor Eric Freeman and host Gaby Lapera talk about travel credit cards. Are they worth it? How do you choose one? Also, we plumb Eric’s psychological depths with travel-related free word association. Learn more about cash back vs credit card points here: https://www.creditkarma.com/credit-cards/i/travel-rewards-vs-cash-back-credit-cards
Senior Copy Editor (and our favorite dad!) Brad Hanson joins host Gaby Lapera for a very special father’s day episode. Brad shares his thoughts on picking a financial and career path after high school or even later in life. Learn more about student loans here: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/student-loans-101
Podcast Host and Credit Karma Content Strategist Gaby Lapera and Editor Evelyn Pimplaskar discuss some of the fundamentals of credit scores, such as what they are, factors that can drive your scores up or down and strategies for improving them. Learn more about improving your credit scores here: https://www.creditkarma.com/advice/i/quick-tips-build-credit