How to Overcome Common Psychological Financial Mistakes: Framing, Loss Aversion, and the Gambler’s Fallacy

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast

Learn how to control your behavioral economics biases and whether it’s ever worth it to use a credit repair service.

00:58 Behavioral Economics Biases: How can you master the psychology behind your financial decisions? Are credit repair services really worth the investment? Hosts Sean Pyles and Sara Rathner discuss behavioral finance biases to help you understand the psychological factors that influence your financial choices, including loss aversion, framing, and the gambler’s fallacy, also known as the Monte Carlo fallacy or the fallacy of the maturity of chances. They share tips and tricks on matching investments with your time frame and risk tolerance, resisting the influence of framing on your choices, and avoiding frequent checks on market fluctuations.

10:14 Today’s Money Question: NerdWallet credit writer Amanda Barroso joins Sean and Sara to answer a listener’s question about credit repair services. They explain the purpose and costs of credit repair services, the red flags that indicate a scam, and how you can manage your credit yourself effectively for free. They also tackle the pressing question of whether credit repair services can actually improve your credit score. Their conversation explains strategies for DIY credit repair, the importance of identifying and disputing inaccuracies on credit reports, and the role of credit counseling agencies for personalized financial planning.

In their conversation, the Nerds discuss: financial psychology, credit repair services, behavioral finance, credit score, credit health, financial decisions, investment strategies, credit bureaus, credit report, risk tolerance, financial goals, money management, credit repair companies, credit repair scams, Daniel Kahneman, loss aversion, credit improvement, credit counseling, credit repair costs, DIY credit repair, financial biases, credit repair tips, financial success, wealth management, behavioral biases, credit report disputes, credit repair agencies, framing effect, credit utilization, portfolio performance, negative information credit, financial planning, and managing credit.

To send the Nerds your money questions, call or text the Nerd hotline at 901-730-6373 or email [e-mail].

Like what you hear? Please leave us a review and tell a friend.