In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Luke Powers discuss the latest trends in charitable giving, how listeners can make the biggest impact with their contributions, and strategies for avoiding scams. With the burden of inflation, high debt levels, and an uncertain job market, many people feel like they can’t afford to give back, and charitable organizations are struggling to get enough funding. But if you make the right moves, you can still make the world a better place, even with limited funds. We’ll help with that by covering the best charities by category, organizations to avoid and much more. John answers some of your questions, too.

More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Charity Credit Cards & Charity Calculator

To find the best charities overall and by category, check out SmileHub's picks for the year’s best charities to donate to.

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan and guest Adam McCann discuss the dangers of so-called “deferred interest” and how to avoid becoming a victim this holiday shopping season and beyond. John and Adam explain what deferred interest is and how it works, detail when you’re likely to encounter it, and provide tips for how to deal with it, plus ideas for safer alternatives. This financing trick is a lot more common and costly than most people realize, so it could really pay off to learn the ins and outs of this scheme. In addition, John answers some of your questions.

More on this episode from WalletHub: Best 0% APR Credit Cards & Best Budget Apps

To find the best way to pay for your shopping trips, both during the holidays and throughout the year, check out WalletHub's picks for the best credit cards for shopping.

In this episode of PennyWise, host John Kiernan discusses the importance of having an emergency fund and how to build one with Adam McCann, a personal finance writer with WalletHub who is an expert on credit cards and budgeting. John and Adam define what an emergency fund actually is, explore the risks that come with not having one, and provide practical tips for saving more, funding different savings goals, and keeping everything straight. Budgets are tight these days, and you never know when an emergency expense will crop up, so you’ll be glad you listened! John also answers listener questions.

More on this episode from WalletHub: Best Budget Apps & How to Save More Money

To find the best home for your emergency fund, check out WalletHub's picks for the best savings accounts.