Home & Family Finance Radio
"It's your home; it's your money, it's your future."
We welcome you as a listener to Home & Family Finance Radio, a weekly one-hour program that
offers helpful information and advice on the consumer finance issues most important to you--retirement,
education, budgeting, buying a home, and much more! Each week we talk to money experts
from around the nation with an emphasis on what it all means to you, the average consumer.
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And we want to hear from you as well; email your questions to HFFradio@creditunion.coop
Home & Family Finance Radio airs Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Eastern on the Radio America network.
Home & Family Finance is presented by America’s Credit Unions and CO-OP Network, the national
credit union ATM network.
Archived Programs
06/07/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? Are We . . .Fuel Efficiency Tips for Your Summer Road Trip:
June 7, 2009 - Find out how many hundreds of dollars you can save at the gas pump by taking a quick quiz on the interactive
website, www.drivesmarterchallenge.org. Kateri Callahan, president of the Alliance
to Save Energy in Washington, DC, has great tips for planning your trip, maintenance tips and smart tips during your trip.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Making the Golden Years Golden: Sources of Information to Guide You In Making the Right Decisions for Living Better, Healthier,
Independently, and Stress Free :
June 7, 2009 - Practicing in New York, Dr. Eva Mor, an epidemiologist and specialist in gerontology and health-care management,
has a comprehensive guide to aging well. Her new book, and her web site, has a very useful state-by-state list of agencies and
organizations that provide assistance over a broad spectrum of needs. Care givers will also find this a helpful resource.
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The Spy in Your SmartPhone:
June 7, 2009 - George Orwell may not have dreamed this one! Yes, a SPY! And your SmartPhone (BlackBerry, etc) service provider
is in cahoots with marketers and ad agencies to find out as much as possible as they can about you with every key you strike, phone call
you make, and web site you visit. Why? To customize ads and messages you receive, based on the data they have stored on you. Worried about
your privacy? Feel vulnerable? Thinking, “What other reasons might any organization or company have in the future to develop a file on
me based on who I talk to or what I look for on the Internet?” Well, geez, seriously, do you think that’s really a problem? Amina
Fazlullah, a staff attorney specializing in media, technology, and digital consumer rights at the U.S. PIRG (Public Interest Research Group)
in Washington, DC, thinks there is plenty to be concerned about. U.S. PIRG and other consumer advocate organizations are asking the
government for increased oversight and disclosure of the uses of data mining.
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There’s Another Bernie Madoff After YOUR $$! Recession Puts You at Increased Risk of Being Duped by Pyramid/Ponzi Schemes:
June 7, 2009 - Sad, but true, crooks don’t lose their jobs, but maybe you have. Perhaps you have lost money in stocks, the
value of your home has plummeted or you find it harder and harder to meet your financial obligations. What you need is more money.
Well, hello “Work from Home” deal! Think you can spot a scam or have you just been offered a legitimate multi-level marketing job?
Sally Greenberg, the executive director of the National Consumers League in Washington DC, shares tips on what you should look for and
who you should contact if you’ve been approached to join, or have lost money to, a pyramid scheme. There’s more you won’t want to miss.
Don’t let desperate times lead you make desperate decisions about your money; that’s what the wolves at your door count on.
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Your Questions Answered:
June 7, 2009 - - Roof-top luggage carriers and gas mileage; income tax and your 401(k) contributions; and Fannie or Freddie—do
they hold your mortgage?
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05/31/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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REBROADCAST OF EARLIER SHOW
Five Tips If You Are Falling Behind On Car Payments:
May 31, 2009 - Times are tough and budgets feel the squeeze of higher prices for such things as food and gasoline. Surveys
show pay increases have not kept pace with rising costs. If you’ve been robbing Peter to pay Paul, and have trouble making your monthly
car note, guest Eric Hoffman, a spokesman for AWARE (Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics) in Washington, DC, has
solid advice that will help you keep your wheels.
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Intergenerational Wealth Planning: New Ways to Handle an Age Old Process:
May 31, 2009 - Estate planners and finance managers are using technology more frequently to convey clients’ wishes, messages
and intent to their heirs. Videotaping the clients’ message is one tool guest Eric Aanes, founder and president of Titus Wealth Management
in San Mateo and Larkspur, California, employs. Tape makes sure nothing is lost in its delivery and this personal message often has a
profound impact on those who receive it.
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Financial Fitness: More Than a Good Credit Score:
May 31, 2009 - The median amount of credit card debt individuals carry is $6,600 -- or 14 percent of the U.S. median household income
of $48,200 in 2006. Total U.S. consumer debt stands at $2,558 trillion dollars. In march (the most recent data available), the personal saving
rate in the United States was 0.2 percent of income -- a figure that easily could be negative if saving was financed by borrowing. Guest Brad
Stroh, co-founder and CEO of Bills.com in San Mateo, California, says Americans' collective financial IQ is
low, but individuals are starting to take responsibility for their financial future. Brad contends we're moving beyond just the credit score to
deeper knowledge and encourages
consumers to continue using the right financial practices.
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10 Techniques to Manage Your Personal Cost of Living:
May 31, 2009 - “We are totally in charge of our ''personal price index'', states Kathy Kristof, senior writer, Los Angeles Times.
Kathy shares 10 easy steps to improve your personal cost of living. Among these: appeal your property tax; shop for life insurance; and use
reward cards. That’s only three suggestions, so you’ll want to listen to the others. Kathy Kristof’s personal finance column appears in more
than 50 major newspapers (she was chosen to replace the legendary Sylvia Porter). Kathy is also the author of Investing 101, released just
this past week
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Your Email Questions Answered:
May 31, 2009 - Summer travel and identity theft; filing for bankruptcy—other choices: Your Questions Answered
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05/24/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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SPECIAL MEMORIAL DAY SHOW
Memorial Day
May 24, 2009 - Memorial Day stands for more than baseball, bar-b-ques, and the unofficial start of
summer. It is the day on which Americans honor the men and women of our Armed Forces who have died protecting
our country and its liberties. Tim Holbert, program director of the American Veterans Center in Arlington,
Virginia joins host Paul Berry to talk about the National Memorial Day Parade, absent for 70 years, in
Washington, DC.
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Department of Defense Financial Challenge Road Show
May 24, 2009 - The Department of Defense developed the Financial Challenge Road Shows to support
military installations’ existing personal financial programs by educating and providing additional resources
for all military members and families to improve their financial readiness. Two guests described the programs,
goals, curriculum and outcomes with host Paul Berry: Arty Arteaga, president, Defense Credit Unions Council,
Washington, DC; and U.S. Navy Commander David A. Julian, CDR OSD PR, director of the office of Personal Finance
and Transition, Department of Defense, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia.
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Money and Mobility a Publication for Military Personnel and Families
May 24, 2009 - The FINRA Foundation conducts a series of innovative programs to expand the saving
and investing knowledge of military servicemembers and their spouses. Money and Mobility is a resource especially
helpful to military servicemembers in making smart financial choices during a Permanent Change of Station (PCS)
move. Money and Mobility information is online, hard copies can be found on military bases or you can email guest
John Gannon, senior vice president for investor education and president of the FINRA Investor Education Foundation
with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), in Washington, DC, for a copy at
john.gannon@finra.org
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Troops Against Predatory Scams (TAP$).
May 24, 2009 - If you have ever seen a military base in the U.S., you will notice that situated in the
same neighborhood are pay day lenders, check cashers, rent-to-own stores, car title lenders, and other businesses
often described as predatory in their practices. Did you know that our servicemembers are one of the prime targets
of these companies that charge exorbitant interest rates? Andrew Roth, director of education and outreach with the
California Department of Corporations, based in Sacramento, leads the education program TAP$, which provides investor
protection information to military servicemembers, veterans and their families to help raise awareness about fraud and
scams aimed at the military, such as these predatory lending practices. TAP$ works with other agencies across the nation,
so similar services are available outside of California. Andrew explains the work of these groups and how you can find
assistance.
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Questions & Answers
May 24, 2009
What you should know BEFORE signing a lease to rent a home; subscription magazine scams; and HELP! I bought too much car—what to do?
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05/17/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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TAPED BEFORE A LIVE AUDIENCE AT THE GEORGIA CREDIT UNION AFFILIATES ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN SAVANNAH
Build a Savings Plan That’s Right For YOU
May 17, 2009 - When you are not yet a saver, getting started can seem daunting. Even the simplest questions
need answers before you take those first steps toward making saving a natural part of you life. Fortunately, Skye
Tyler, the education coordinator of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service in Savannah, Georgia, has answers to:
Why is it important to have savings? How much savings should I have? Where should I keep my savings? How can I save
money when money is already tight? Her answers will help you take your first step toward building a savings plan
that is right for you.
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What to Do If You Need Foreclosure Counseling or Debt Management and Credit Counseling
May 17, 2009 - “One of the first things to do is stop being embarrassed about needing help,” says John
Willis, president of the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Savannah, Georgia. To do nothing will not help.
Do not pay anyone first (or “up front”) before they provide any service. It could be a scam to take what little
money you do have. There are many organizations with free or low-cost help. The government has passed measures
this year to provide assistance with foreclosure counseling. There are approved counseling services listed for
your area on the site for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). John also sheds light on the
differences between debt settlement and debt management services, the benefits of debt management programs and
much more.
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Know These Signs of Foreclosure Rescue Scams and Credit Repair Scams
May 17, 2009 - – All together now, “If it sounds too good to be true . . .” The economic down-turn has
made more people vulnerable to criminals who promise to save your home from foreclosure or improve your credit
rating. They’re slick; they’re sweet-talkers. Don’t listen! They will have you pay them and you will get
nothing—nothing—for your money. Michael Liggins, a senior investigator and computer fraud specialist with the
Federal Trade Commission’s Atlanta, Georgia office, has heard and seen it all. Pay close attention to his advice
in this discussion with host Paul Berry. Michael says there is much you can do for yourself when you know where
the information is.
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Questions from audience
May 17, 2009
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05/10/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Credit Unions: Alternatives to Banks
May 10, 2009 - If you don’t know how great credit unions are after you listen to this interview with
Eric Porter, EVP Business Development and Marketing with Co-op Financial Services, listen one more time. These
member-owned and governed, not-for-profit financial cooperatives have a lot going for them—great service, low
to no fees, shared branching, check imaging, self-help kiosks, low to no fee ATMs. Eric will have you thanking
your lucky stars that Filene made that trip to India!
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Personal Finance for Military Families Booklet
May 10, 2009 - A colorful cover design beckons, “Pick me up!” From there, the reader is hooked and
rewarded with sound financial information on: strategies before deployment; financial fraud; investing for the
future; smart home-buying tactics; transition back to civilian life; and much more. This booklet was written by
Kim Lankford, author and contributing editor of Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine and columnist for
Kiplinger.com. It was also the project of Holly Petraeus, who heads up the Council of Better Business Bureaus’
BBB Military Line program. Both Kim and Holly are military spouses with firsthand knowledge of the financial
strategies, rules and resources for military families that are often very different from those for civilians.
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Tax Credits for Homeowners Making Energy-Efficient Home Improvements Extended Through 2010
May 10, 2009 - Ronnie Kweller, the deputy director of Communications with the Alliance to Save
Energy, in Washington, DC, knows if you’re going to take advantage of these tax credits, and make wise
selections of energy saving home improvement items, you’ll need some time to shop around. After all,
you want appliances or replacement windows that you’ll be happy with for many years. Don’t “buy in haste,
regret at leisure.” What do you need to do to receive this tax credit, how much might you receive and what
products are eligible? Ronnie explains that and more.
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Broadband: If You Build It, Will They Log On?
May 10, 2009 - Among the main reasons respondents to a 2008 Pew Internet and American Life Project survey
gave for not subscribing to broadband were that service fees and computers were unaffordable and that respondents
did not see Internet content as relevant to their lives. Investment in broadband has become part of the broader
discussion about President Obama's economic stimulus package. How easy will it be to increase the pool of broadband
subscribers or to encourage existing ones to upgrade their connection speeds? What can we say about the barriers
individuals face in adopting broadband at home? Will this recession affect the growth of broadband use? John Horrigan,
PhD, associate director for research for the Pew Internet & American Life Project, has studied broadband internet use
and shares his findings and opinions with host Paul Berry.
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Questions from audience
May 10, 2009 - Ways older workers can recoup significant investment losses; Truth-in-Lending Statements; Universal Design for Homes
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05/03/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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SPECIAL HOME & FAMILY FINANCE RADIO SHOW FROM THE OHIO CREDIT UNION LEAGUE ZENITH 09 CONFERENCE
Teen Entrepreneurs Starting Businesses
May 3, 2009 - With unemployment on the rise, many adults are accepting jobs traditionally held by younger
people, including teens. Teens are dusting off their thinking caps, rolling up their sleeves and starting niche
businesses – everything from making and selling barrettes to selling web-page designs online. Laura Busque, outreach
manager with the Ohio Credit Union League, discusses the growth and pitfalls of teen start-ups. There is an increase
in resources for teens, including universities opening entrepreneur centers, and of course, the terrific Biz Kid$
program on PBS. It’s the fun, fast-paced program designed to entertain, engage, and elevate middle school students’
knowledge about money.
Listen on-line or
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Home Mortgage Foreclosures—What YOU Can Do
May 3, 2009 - Jim Rokakis, Cuyahoga County (Cleveland area) Treasurer, recognized the perils of predatory
lending and took an early leadership role in combating the foreclosure crisis. Jim spearheaded passage of legislation
to attack the issue on many fronts, streamlining the foreclosure process for abandoned properties, and creating a
county land bank to facilitate economic and neighborhood development. He engaged in many similar endeavors and shared
his perspective with host Paul Berry. Jim not only talked about the causes and development of the home mortgage
debacle, he addressed what can be done going forward to make sure this crisis doesn’t happen again.
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Go Green--Save Money--Save the Planet
May 3, 2009 - Have you considered budgeting and tracking your energy usage. Bill Eger, energy manager
in the Office of Sustainability with the City of Cleveland, has. In this interview, Bill will guide you through
the process of conducting a do-it-yourself energy audit, how to save water and money, and why buying and eating
locally is good for the consumer, the producer and the environment.
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Questions from audience
May 3, 2009
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04/26/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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COUPLES & MONEY – REBROADCAST FROM AN EARLIER DATE
Pre-Nuptial Agreements
April 26, 2009 - What’s in one? Do you need one? Do you want one? Katherine Stoner, author, educator, attorney
and partner of Stoner-Welsh in Pacific Grove, California, covers this and the do’s and don’ts of writing a fair and
lasting prenup.
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Divorce: Separating Your Lives AND Your Credit
April 26, 2009 - A divorce decree does not separate joint credit accounts. If your ex-partner then fails to
pay, your credit history is damaged. So, what do you do and what do you do if the company won’t remove one party of
responsibility? Difficult divorce and difficult ex? “If you start playing the spite game and running up charges to
punish the other, both of you may suffer bad credit,” advises guest Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education
with Experian, located in Allen, Texas.
Listen on-line or
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Military Couples and Personal Finance
April 26, 2009 - It’s probably even more important for military couples to have their finances in order than
it is for civilian couples. Being financially responsible and maintaining a good credit rating is even more important
for military personnel because it could affect security clearances – and your job. Military families move often and
there is deployment to consider. All of this brings special considerations to bear: do you buy or rent, what about the
spouse’s job, where do we turn for help? Karen Jowers, a staff writer for Military Times, talks about special pays and
tax advantages, power of attorney, resources for military families, and more.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
| Additional Resources: |
Military One Source
(User ID: military; Password: onesource), or (800) 342-9647
From overseas, call (800)3429-6477, or overseas collect 1-484-530-5908 |
Estate Planning
April 26, 2009 - If you're faced with wrapping up the affairs of a loved one who has died, you may feel
overwhelmed by all the work ahead -- especially when you're grieving. But with the right legal and practical information,
you can do it. Each couple needs separate wills, but are they expensive and do you have to hire a lawyer? Does all your
property go through my will? What estate planning steps should we take? Do we need a trust and what about estate tax?
Did you know that you can pass $2 million without incurring tax? It’s guest Mary Randolph’s job to know. She answers
these important questions for any couple planning for the future needs of their loved ones. Mary is an attorney, author,
and vice president of editorial, with NOLO, in Berkeley, California. NOLO is the nation's oldest provider of legal
information for consumers and small businesses.
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04/19/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Military Homeowner’s Assistance Program
April 19, 2009 – Lost money selling your home? In the military? HAP (Homeowner’s Assistance Program) can help ease
your money woes if you qualify. Katie Savant, deputy director of government relations with the National Military Families
Association in Alexandria, Virginia, lays out what HAP covers—the who, what, when & why. Get the facts. Listen now.
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Fueling Fair Practices: A Road Map to Improved Public Policy for Used Car Sales and Financing
April 19, 2009 – Ever get ripped off buying and financing a used vehicle? John Van Alst, an attorney at the National
Consumer Law Center in Boston, tells what is needed to provide better consumer protection.
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Individual Development Accounts (IDA) – A Savings Account for You?
April 19, 2009 – Leigh Tivol, senior program manager with CFED – Expanding Economic Opportunity—in Washington, DC,
explains what an IDA is, how you qualify for an IDA, and how you can start saving now.
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Coping With Change When Your Spouse Dies
April 19, 2009 – It will be easier to get your documents together before you need them. How many copies of a death
certificate do you need? How do you apply for benefits to create cash flow? Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance
information for adults in the Center for Personal Finance with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), has the answers
and delivers practical advice on which you can depend.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
| Additional Resources: |
Home & Family Finance Resource Center
Social Security Administration: 800-772-1213
National Archives, Request Copies of Military Personnel Records: 866-272-6272 or online
Veterans Administration: 800-827-1000, VA benefits, death benefits; 877-294-6380, pension payments to beneficiaries; or 800-669-8477, life insurance benefits
Internal Revenue Service, 800-829-1040; what about taxes? Estate taxes? |
Your Questions Answered
April 19, 2009 – Money Smart Things to Do With Your Income Tax Refund; Identity Theft; Three Ways to Waste Money on a Car
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04/12/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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REBROADCAST OF EARLIER SHOW
Think ‘Future’ When Starting a Business
April 12, 2009 – Why would anyone start a small business during a recession? Guest Susan Tiffany, director of personal
finance information for adults in the Credit Union National Association Center for Personal Finance, says many people are looking
for new opportunities now because they’ve lost a job or have a long-held dream to be a business owner. Either way, you have to
start by asking yourself a lot of questions—and then be satisfied with the answers, if you’re going to make a go of it. The
questions and answers may surprise you—is there a new business in your future?
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Sustainable Homeownership: Future Role of Government
April 12, 2009 – The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) contends that today’s foreclosure epidemic resulted from the
legal mass marketing of dangerous loan products and systematic overcharging of vulnerable consumers. The consequences are hurting
everyone and the housing crisis has set the entire country back as we deal with the spillover effects of reduced property values,
lost jobs, and devastated communities. Lisa Ransom is vice president of federal affairs with the CRL, joins host Paul Berry to
discuss the role of government in sustainable homeownership.
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Low-Income and Minority Financial Services Concerns
April 12, 2009 – Free and low-cost credit counseling, often provided by non-profit organizations, can throw a life-line
to people experiencing financial difficulties. Stephanie Bittner, consumer credit counselor, and NFCC National Foundation of
Consumer Credit Counselor’s “Counselor of the Year, with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley near Philadelphia,
discusses financial services concerns of families working to gain control of their finances, reduce debt, and achieve their financial
goals.
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Keep Your Head When Facing Job Loss
April 12, 2009 – What if you were handed your pink slip tomorrow? Are you in good enough financial shape to withstand
that blow? Guest Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults in the Credit Union National Association's
Center for Personal Finance talks about being prepared with host Paul Berry--from what to expect from a former employer to how
to jump-start your new job search. This information will help you get back in the game after losing a job.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
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04/05/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Perfect Storm for Identity Theft Brewing: Worst Data Breach Yet to Come
April 5, 2009 – Adam Levin, chairman of IDentityTheft 911.com and former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer
Affairs, warns of the factors coming together to create a perfect storm for an upsurge in identity theft. Bottom line? We ain’t
seen nothin’ yet!
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MatchSavings.org
April 5, 2009 – MatchSavings.org lets you match the savings of someone living in poverty. You choose who to help meet
their savings goal and choose to match their savings toward housing, education or a business. Janette Klaehn, vice president of
communications with the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) in Madison, Wisc. tells you how MatchSavings.org differs from other
microfinancing initiatives and why you should sign on to MatchSavings.org.
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Your Questions Answered
April 5, 2009 – What’s in the stimulus package for YOU; credit card repayment solutions
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03/29/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Landscape Your Home to Save Energy and Money
March 29, 2009 Michael Weishan, former host of America's oldest and most popular gardening TV show, PBS's Victory Garden
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Check Your Car's History Before You Buy
March 29, 2009 – Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education, Experian
Listen on-line or
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2009 Required Minimum Distribution Waiver--What Is It & Why You Should Care?
March 29, 2009 – Dennis Zuehlke, compliance manager, CUNA Mutual Group
Listen on-line or
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Your Questions Answered
March 29, 2009 – Co-signing for a loan; routine vehicle expenses; appealing property tax assessments.
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03/22/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Predatory Companies: How to Avoid Them; How to Fight Back
March 22, 2009 – - “If it sounds too good to be true. . .” Unfortunately, we can’t always tell whether a company
is ethical or using legal methods. From tax and debt repair assistance companies that want payment up front and suddenly
disappear to every party at the table when you close on a home, the scale tips lower for “what’s in it for them, not you
.” Ron Burley, a consumer activist and reporter, author, columnist, and frequent contributor to AARP consumer news, sheds
some light on shady operators and tips on avoiding them and fighting back.
Listen on-line or
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Protecting Yourself from Data Breaches & Cyber Thieves
March 22, 2009 – Identity theft is a growing, lucrative criminal enterprise. In January, Heartland Payment Systems
reported the largest theft to date, which may have totaled tens of millions of individual credit and debit card transactions.
One shocking note on I.D. theft (even this large) is it’s easier to pull off than we’d like to think. So, are we just kidding
ourselves? Can we better protect our own personal and financial information from cyber crooks? Scott Mitic, CEO of TrustedID,
says, “Yes,” and discusses what each of us can do to thwart these ruinous thieves.
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Feast-or-Famine Budgeting: Savings 101 for Consultants, Freelancers, Artists and the Self-Employed
March 22, 2009 – Do you make more money during some seasons or months of the year and very little in others? Does your
income fluctuate because you sell a product or service? Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com
in San Mateo, California, shares practical strategies to smooth out the ups and downs of irregular payments—tips that will help
you save and even invest regardless of how much money you make in a given period. You’ll never dig down between the couch cushions
or look at your kid’s piggy bank the same way again!
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Your Email Questions Answered
March 22, 2009 – IRS tax advice for self-employed; when you’ve lost your job; which ones to pay 1st with credit card debts
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03/15/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Energy Saving Tax Incentives in New Economic Stimulus Law
March 15, 2009 – The porch light’s on and someone’s finally home! One of the bright spots in the huge federal stimulus
package signed into law by President Obama is the designation of more than $20 billion for energy efficiency programs that
will create jobs and cut carbon emissions while helping to lift the faltering U.S. economy. Guest Ronnie Kweller, deputy
director of communications with the Alliance to Save Energy in Washington, DC, details those programs that will benefit you
and other consumers the most.
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Landscape Your Home to Save Energy & Money
March 15, 2009 – Well-designed landscaping not only can add beauty to your home. It also can reduce your heating and
cooling costs. The annual energy bill for a typical single family home is $2,000—nearly half (49%) of that goes to heating
and cooling. Spring is an ideal time to plan energy efficient upgrades to your garden and home to save energy, save water,
and lower your utility bills. And, landscaping for energy efficiency provides enough energy savings to return an initial
investment in just a few years. Lani Macrae, energy star director of communications at the Department of Energy in Washington,
DC, tells what simple things you can do to save energy and money.
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Will Vehicle-Buying Tax Incentives Get You Back in the Showroom?
March 15, 2009 – The federal stimulus package signed into law by President Obama includes a $2.3 billion tax break for
new-car and truck buyers, which could save auto buyers hundreds of dollars. With potentially significant savings, auto shoppers
should continue to do their homework to prepare for vehicle financing decisions,” contends guest Eric Hoffman, spokesman for
Americans Well-Informed on Automobile Retailing (AWARE), in Washington, DC. With the vehicle-buying opportunity presented by the
stimulus package, Eric also reminds listeners of the most important steps to prepare to finance a vehicle.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Keep Your Head When Facing Job Loss
March 15, 2009 – What if you were handed your pink slip tomorrow? Are you in good enough financial shape to withstand
that blow? Guest Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults in the Credit Union National Association's
Center for Personal Finance talks about being prepared with host Paul Berry--from what to expect from a former employer to how
to jump-start your new job search. This information will help you get back in the game after losing a job.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Email Questions Answered
March 15, 2009 – Smarter shopping saves money; provisions in existing tax law can help you save on your 2008 return;
one elder’s thoughts on identity theft
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
03/08/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Mission of the Department of Veteran Affairs Center for Women Veterans.
March 8, 2009 – Why does the VA have special services for women veterans, what are these, and why should you care? We find
out from Irene Trowell-Harris, RN, EdD, Major General (USAF, retired), director, Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of
Veteran Affairs, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How to Avoid Fake Check Scams
March 8, 2009 – You cannot tell a fake check from how it looks—right down to the correct watermark. You can even
withdraw money on it when it’s no good! So, what’s a body to do? Susan Grant, the director of consumer protection with the
Consumer Federation of America in Washington, DC, has info & answers you won’t want to miss. In these hard economic times,
fake check scams are profitable and on the rise. But they all have one thing in common and you’ll hear the tip off in her
interview.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Military Couples & Money
March 8, 2009 – Money issues are the # 1 problem for many couples. Add to that the special circumstances for
military families and agreed upon money management makes a positive difference. Katie Savant, deputy director in Government
Affairs with the National Military Families Association in Alexandria, Virginia, is a military spouse and works closely
with families facing deployment, moves and many other financial challenges. Katie shares time-tested tips that work.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Getting an Excellent Credit Score Just Got Harder Than Ever
March 8, 2009 – MSNMoney.com recently reported that to get the best rates in these tough economic times,
we need a credit score of 760 or higher. Previously, that number was around 720. The February issue of Kiplinger’s
said the credit crunch is putting the squeeze on our credit score, and one tiny slip-up on our part could come back
to haunt us—possibly costing us thousands of dollars over the life of a loan. John Ulzheimer is a credit scoring and
credit reporting expert, author and president of Credit.com Educational Services, in addition to being a regular
contributor to CNBC’s On the Money. John tells what these
credit score changes mean for YOU.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Credit Card Breaches – Too Little Too Late
March 8, 2009 – Can we really thwart identity thieves or are there just too many ways to obtain our personal
and financial information? Adam Levin, former N.J. director of consumer protection, and founder and chairman of
Identity Theft 911, has a reality check on this money making, “too good to be true” enterprise – if you’re the crook,
that is!
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
03/01/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
TAPED BEFORE A LIVE AUDIENCE AT THE CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS CONFERENCE, WASHINGTON, DC
The State of Our Economy and a Forecast
March 1, 2009 Bill Hampel, senior vice president, research and policy analysis, and chief economist, Credit Union National Association.<
Advice For Consumers During Difficult Times
March 1, 2009 – Jack Gillis, consumer advocate, author, director of public affairs with the Consumer Federation of America
and president of Gillis & Associates in Washington, DC.
From the Audience: Questions and Comments
March 1, 2009
|
02/15/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Social Cost of Financial Illiteracy.
February 15, 2009 – Financial illiteracy is not a result of being stupid. It’s about the unwitting mistakes that
smart people make simply because we’re not financially educated. How many times have you uttered the plaintiff cry,
“If only I had known!” We’ve all read the headlines: “Auto Dealer Markups Cost Consumers Billions”; “Quick Tax Loans
Drain Millions from Consumers”; “Credit Insurance Overcharges Hit $2.5 Billion Dollars Annually” and know what they
mean to our pocketbooks. But do we realize the impact of financial problems on our personal and family lives? What
happens to our emotional well-being when we wreck our car and because we owe more than it’s worth have to make payments
on a car in the junkyard? Or we’re paying hundreds in credit card interest because of incorrect credit file information
we don’t understand. Jack Gillis, consumer advocate, author, director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation of
America, and president of Gillis & Associates and host Paul Berry talk about the social and emotional toll of financial
illiteracy and three simple keys to reducing financial stress.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How to Avoid Foreclosure Rescue Scams.
February 15, 2009 – Barry Wides is deputy comptroller of community affairs in the Office of the Comptroller of the
Currency with the Department of the Treasury. In this all too timely interview, Barry lists some of the legitimate
organizations you can turn if you are having trouble paying your mortgage or already are behind and facing foreclosure.
He also discusses the types of foreclosure rescue scams his office is seeing, what is happening to these perpetrators
and how you can avoid becoming a victim of one of these scams.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
| Additional Resources: |
OCC Consumer Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Rescue Scams
How to Find Legitimate Help for Your Financial Problems - Contact your mortgage lender or mortgage
servicer as soon as you think you are unable to make your mortgage payment. Lenders are often in the
best position to help, especially if you are current on your loan or not seriously late on your payments.
Your mortgage lender or mortgage servicer may be able to identify options to help you bring the loan
current or to modify your loan.
Contact a legitimate housing or financial counselor to help you work through your financial problems. To find one:
* Call (800) 569-4287, or visit HUD's website to find
counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
* Call the Homeownership Preservation Foundation at (888) 995-HOPE, or visit www.995hope.org
to reach a nonprofit, HUD-approved counselor through HOPE NOW, a cooperative effort of mortgage
counselors and lenders to assist homeowners.
* Visit the following Web sites for information: NeighborWorks America
Federal Trade Commission |
Fair Debt Collection.
February 15, 2009 – The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protects you from illegal debt collection practices. It
dictates how a debt collector can contact you; the types of collection practices that are prohibited; what a collector
can tell anyone else about your debt; what the debt collector must tell you about the debt; and if there is a way to stop
a debt collector from contacting you. Thomas Kane is a senior attorney in the Division of Financial Practices at the
Federal Trade Commission. His message to listeners includes what you can do if you think a debt collector violated the
law, and where you can report a debt collector for an alleged violation. Times are difficult enough without being harassed
by unethical collection agencies. Listen to this interview to know more about what your rights are.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
02/08/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
COUPLES & MONEY
Pre-Nuptial Agreements.
February 8, 2009 - What’s in one? Do you need one? Do you want one? Katherine Stoner, author, educator, attorney
and partner of Stoner-Welsh in Pacific Grove, California, covers this and the do’s and don’ts of writing a fair and
lasting prenup.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Divorce: Separating Your Lives AND Your Credit.
February 8, 2009 - A divorce decree does not separate joint credit accounts. If your ex-partner then fails to
pay, your credit history is damaged. So, what do you do and what do you do if the company won’t remove one party of
responsibility? Difficult divorce and difficult ex? “If you start playing the spite game and running up charges to
punish the other, both of you may suffer bad credit,” advises guest Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education
with Experian, located in Allen, Texas.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Military Couples and Personal Finance.
February 8, 2009 - It’s probably even more important for military couples to have their finances in order than
it is for civilian couples. Being financially responsible and maintaining a good credit rating is even more important
for military personnel because it could affect security clearances – and your job. Military families move often and
there is deployment to consider. All of this brings special considerations to bear: do you buy or rent, what about the
spouse’s job, where do we turn for help? Karen Jowers, a staff writer for Military Times, talks about special pays and
tax advantages, power of attorney, resources for military families, and more.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
| Additional Resources: |
Military One Source
(User ID: military; Password: onesource), or (800) 342-9647
From overseas, call (800)3429-6477, or overseas collect 1-484-530-5908 |
Estate Planning.
February 8, 2009 - If you're faced with wrapping up the affairs of a loved one who has died, you may feel
overwhelmed by all the work ahead -- especially when you're grieving. But with the right legal and practical information,
you can do it. Each couple needs separate wills, but are they expensive and do you have to hire a lawyer? Does all your
property go through my will? What estate planning steps should we take? Do we need a trust and what about estate tax?
Did you know that you can pass $2 million without incurring tax? It’s guest Mary Randolph’s job to know. She answers
these important questions for any couple planning for the future needs of their loved ones. Mary is an attorney, author,
and vice president of editorial, with NOLO, in Berkeley, California. NOLO is the nation's oldest provider of legal
information for consumers and small businesses.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
02/01/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Think ‘Future’ When Starting a Business
February 1, 2009 – Why would anyone start a small business during a recession? Guest Susan Tiffany, director of personal
finance information for adults in the Credit Union National Association Center for Personal Finance, says many people are looking
for new opportunities now because they’ve lost a job or have a long-held dream to be a business owner. Either way, you have to
start by asking yourself a lot of questions—and then be satisfied with the answers, if you’re going to make a go of it. The
questions and answers may surprise you—is there a new business in your future?
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Sustainable Homeownership: Future Role of Government
February 1, 2009 – The Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) contends that today’s foreclosure epidemic resulted from the
legal mass marketing of dangerous loan products and systematic overcharging of vulnerable consumers. The consequences are hurting
everyone and the housing crisis has set the entire country back as we deal with the spillover effects of reduced property values,
lost jobs, and devastated communities. Lisa Ransom is vice president of federal affairs with the CRL, joins host Paul Berry to
discuss the role of government in sustainable homeownership.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Low-Income and Minority Financial Services Concerns
February 1, 2009 – Free and low-cost credit counseling, often provided by non-profit organizations, can throw a life-line
to people experiencing financial difficulties. Stephanie Bittner, consumer credit counselor, and NFCC National Foundation of
Consumer Credit Counselor’s “Counselor of the Year, with the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Delaware Valley near Philadelphia,
discusses financial services concerns of families working to gain control of their finances, reduce debt, and achieve their financial
goals.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Keep Your Head When Facing Job Loss
February 1, 2009 – What if you were handed your pink slip tomorrow? Are you in good enough financial shape to withstand
that blow? Guest Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults in the Credit Union National Association's
Center for Personal Finance talks about being prepared with host Paul Berry--from what to expect from a former employer to how
to jump-start your new job search. This information will help you get back in the game after losing a job.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/25/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Countdown to Conversion: An Update on the Switch to Digital TV
January 25, 2009 - Congress has pushed the start-up date back to June 12th. Can you still get a coupon to help pay
for a converter box? What grade should we give government for reaching out to the people who need the most help with the
conversion? Who and where are the people who need assistance? Will they be helped? Dan Rumelt, outreach advisor at the Federal
Communications Commission in Washington, D.C., answers these and more. Are YOU ready to help your neighbors, the elderly,
infirm, physically and mentally challenged in YOUR community?
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Crisis at the Shelter: Pets and Foreclosure
January 25, 2009 - You’ve lost your home and now can’t keep your pet. The lucky ones are relinquished to shelters.
The not-so-fortunate wander the streets or are left in the house or backyard, suffering and dying. The numbers are staggering
and the burden on shelters is reaching crisis proportions. Betsy McFarland, director of communications in the Companion Animals
Section of the Humane Society of the United States, shares information for pet owners on what you can do if you are affected by
this economic down-turn, what others can do to assist, and much more.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Earned Income Tax Credit
January 25, 2009 - If you’re trying to make ends meet on about $41,000 or less, you may be eligible to receive the
tax credit that helps low- and moderate-income workers and working families. Unlike most tax breaks, you can get the EITC
even if you owe no tax and even if no tax was taken out of your paychecks. As many as one in four eligible families fail
to claim this valuable credit because they don’t know about it or think they don’t qualify. Eric Smith, spokesman for the
Internal Revenue Service, provides on-point information on the simple steps to take to receive the money your family can
put to good use, too.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Community Outreach for Earned Income Tax Credits
January 25, 2009 - A spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service told host Paul Berry in another interview that as
many as one in four eligible families are not aware they can receive the Earned Income Tax Credit. More and more community
groups and financial institutions see the need to get the word out about the EITC and to also help families file for the tax
credit. Pam Swope, marketing manager of FinancialEdge Community Credit Union in Bay City, Michigan details some of the
programs her financial institution provides its members to help file their income taxes.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
My Credit Union Helped Me With My Taxes
January 25, 2009 - This first-hand account, from FinancialEdge Community Credit Union member Lee Ann, is a prime
example of the credit union philosophy come to life—truly people helping people.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/18/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
REBROADCAST OF EARLIER SHOW
Apply NOW for Federal Student Loans
January 18, 2009 - When do you apply for federal student aide? Do you apply each year? What is FAFSA? Is there an
application deadline? Anne Barton, regional director for business development with the National Student Loan Program,
answers these questions and more. There is grant money, federal assistance and private loans; do you know the order in
which you should seek student aide? Don’t miss this discussion, especially if you think you or your child does not qualify
for assistance.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Organize Your Finances For the Year
January 18, 2009 - Trim expenses, track your credit, review your credit reports for errors or fraudulent activity,
use credit wisely, stick to your budget. What else? Plenty! Jason Alderman, director of issues management in the San
Francisco office of Visa USA, gives you clear-cut, easy to implement and maintain strategies to shape up your finances
early in the year. His advice takes you step-by-step in setting up a system that works for you.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Shopping Secrets to Save You Big: 24 of the best money-saving and road-tested tips to prevent you from overspending
January 18, 2009 - – Sue Perry, deputy editor of Consumer Reports’ ShopSmart magazine, shares shopping tips from
readers and staff that will save you plenty: always check return costs—especially for large items; Google “promotion code”
before you buy; dicker with doctors; don’t shop when you’re exhausted; and check your insurance plan for discounts are just
a few money-savers. Listen to this interview for more great ideas.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Green Savings: Save Money, Save the Planet
January 18, 2009 - – Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com, is back with strategies
on how YOU can go green on a budget! Whether it’s cleaning up your commute or installing a programmable thermostat, using
methods that make your laundry sparkle or unplugging home machines and appliances when not in use, Ethan has tips that not
only cut your costs, but reduce the negative impact on our environment. In fact, if you use all five of the simple actions
Ethan suggests, you will eliminate 3,000 pounds of carbon emissions and save more than $350.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered
January 18, 2009 – Durable power of attorney for health care; buyers’ market for new car purchases; mortgage
foreclosure-rescue scams; investing in a volatile market.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/04/2009 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Apply NOW for Federal Student Loans
January 4, 2009 - When do you apply for federal student aide? Do you apply each year? What is FAFSA? Is there an
application deadline? Anne Barton, regional director for business development with the National Student Loan Program,
answers these questions and more. There is grant money, federal assistance and private loans; do you know the order in
which you should seek student aide? Don’t miss this discussion, especially if you think you or your child does not qualify
for assistance.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Organize Your Finances For the Year
January 4, 2009 - Trim expenses, track your credit, review your credit reports for errors or fraudulent activity,
use credit wisely, stick to your budget. What else? Plenty! Jason Alderman, director of issues management in the San
Francisco office of Visa USA, gives you clear-cut, easy to implement and maintain strategies to shape up your finances
early in the year. His advice takes you step-by-step in setting up a system that works for you.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Shopping Secrets to Save You Big: 24 of the best money-saving and road-tested tips to prevent you from overspending
January 4, 2009 - – Sue Perry, deputy editor of Consumer Reports’ ShopSmart magazine, shares shopping tips from
readers and staff that will save you plenty: always check return costs—especially for large items; Google “promotion code”
before you buy; dicker with doctors; don’t shop when you’re exhausted; and check your insurance plan for discounts are just
a few money-savers. Listen to this interview for more great ideas.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Green Savings: Save Money, Save the Planet
January 4, 2009 - – Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com, is back with strategies
on how YOU can go green on a budget! Whether it’s cleaning up your commute or installing a programmable thermostat, using
methods that make your laundry sparkle or unplugging home machines and appliances when not in use, Ethan has tips that not
only cut your costs, but reduce the negative impact on our environment. In fact, if you use all five of the simple actions
Ethan suggests, you will eliminate 3,000 pounds of carbon emissions and save more than $350.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered
January 4, 2009 – Durable power of attorney for health care; buyers’ market for new car purchases; mortgage
foreclosure-rescue scams; investing in a volatile market.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/28/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
THE DECEMBER 28, 2008 SHOW IS REBROADCAST FROM AN EARLIER DATE
How to Be the Family CFO: 4 Simple Steps to Put Your Financial House in Order
December 28 , 2008 - It is hard to escape the frightening reality. The current financial crisis has wiped out
$4 trillion in retirement savings. People are selling their stocks and even more are terrified of investing their hard
earned money in Wall Street. Where can we turn for help during this difficult time? Look in the mirror. You and you
alone are accountable for whatever financial situation you find yourself in. Not your broker, not your CPA, not your
spouse. To be a competent family CFO, you have to be armed with the education to make good financial choices. “Anyone
can do it,” said guest Kim Snider, CEO of Snider Advisors and author of How to Be the Family CFO: 4 Simple Steps to Put
Your Financial House In Order. This must-read is chock-full of great practical advice for getting your financial life
together.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
The Truth about Identity Theft: Why Be Me When I Can Be You?
December 28 , 2008 - Jim Stickley has stolen credit cards, hacked social security numbers, robbed banks, and
created fake ATMs. He has broken into armed government facilities and has stolen from teenagers. Jim is an identity thief,
but he is no criminal. Jim Stickley is the founder, vice president of engineering and CTO of Trace Security in San Diego,
California. Jim is hired to perform these attacks by corporations testing their security, news agencies investigating
security concerns, and other organizations interested in knowing just how easy it is to commit identity theft. His job is
to find security flaws before the real criminals find them. Jim’s new book, The Truth about Identity Theft: Why Be Me When
I Can Be You, has received high praise and he had advice you have to hear.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Coupon Comeback – Saving You $$.
December 28 , 2008 - With the current state of the economy, businesses are more inclined to produce coupons. 85%
of American shoppers use some form of coupons. The good news for consumers is there are more coupons than ever and several
new forms of coupons from which to choose. Steven Gray, COO of Money Mailer in Garden Grove, California, told us, “Consumer
preferences changed in regard to the way they wanted to receive coupons. There are now many websites, such as
www.coupons.com, offering coupons for more than just groceries and home repair services.
Economic pressures pushed businesses to attempt new marketing tactics, and new types of industries offer coupons.” Consumers
will now find more discount and retail shops, more grocery stores than ever before, and business to business services. More
good news: restaurants and even higher-end retailers accept coupons.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered.
December 28 , 2008 - Anthony Giorgianni, associate finance editor for Consumer Reports Money Adviser, has the latest
on legislation to protect purchasers and recipients of gift cards. Consider what would happen to a gift card if the company
went out of business and cannot or will not honor your card. Don’t miss additional information Tony shares, whether you plan
to buy a gift card or get one. It might mean the difference between redeeming the card’s value or having with a worthless
piece of plastic.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/21/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
How to Be the Family CFO: 4 Simple Steps to Put Your Financial House in Order
December 21 , 2008 - It is hard to escape the frightening reality. The current financial crisis has wiped out
$4 trillion in retirement savings. People are selling their stocks and even more are terrified of investing their hard
earned money in Wall Street. Where can we turn for help during this difficult time? Look in the mirror. You and you
alone are accountable for whatever financial situation you find yourself in. Not your broker, not your CPA, not your
spouse. To be a competent family CFO, you have to be armed with the education to make good financial choices. “Anyone
can do it,” said guest Kim Snider, CEO of Snider Advisors and author of How to Be the Family CFO: 4 Simple Steps to Put
Your Financial House In Order. This must-read is chock-full of great practical advice for getting your financial life
together.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
The Truth about Identity Theft: Why Be Me When I Can Be You?
December 21 , 2008 - Jim Stickley has stolen credit cards, hacked social security numbers, robbed banks, and
created fake ATMs. He has broken into armed government facilities and has stolen from teenagers. Jim is an identity thief,
but he is no criminal. Jim Stickley is the founder, vice president of engineering and CTO of Trace Security in San Diego,
California. Jim is hired to perform these attacks by corporations testing their security, news agencies investigating
security concerns, and other organizations interested in knowing just how easy it is to commit identity theft. His job is
to find security flaws before the real criminals find them. Jim’s new book, The Truth about Identity Theft: Why Be Me When
I Can Be You, has received high praise and he had advice you have to hear.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Coupon Comeback – Saving You $$.
December 21 , 2008 - With the current state of the economy, businesses are more inclined to produce coupons. 85%
of American shoppers use some form of coupons. The good news for consumers is there are more coupons than ever and several
new forms of coupons from which to choose. Steven Gray, COO of Money Mailer in Garden Grove, California, told us, “Consumer
preferences changed in regard to the way they wanted to receive coupons. There are now many websites, such as
www.coupons.com, offering coupons for more than just groceries and home repair services.
Economic pressures pushed businesses to attempt new marketing tactics, and new types of industries offer coupons.” Consumers
will now find more discount and retail shops, more grocery stores than ever before, and business to business services. More
good news: restaurants and even higher-end retailers accept coupons.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered.
December 21 , 2008 - Anthony Giorgianni, associate finance editor for Consumer Reports Money Adviser, has the latest
on legislation to protect purchasers and recipients of gift cards. Consider what would happen to a gift card if the company
went out of business and cannot or will not honor your card. Don’t miss additional information Tony shares, whether you plan
to buy a gift card or get one. It might mean the difference between redeeming the card’s value or having with a worthless
piece of plastic.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/04/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Creating Holiday Memories That Cost Little or Nothing
December 14 , 2008 - Alisa Cohn, an executive coach and consultant, engages host Paul Berry in a discussion about
the real meaning of holidays and family gatherings. Just what is it we hold so dear many years later? The fancy wrapping
paper, the toy Uncle Pete gave you that was identical to one you already had? Probably not. Then what? And how do you
create events and activities your family and friends remember a lifetime?
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Managing Personal Finance During a Crisis
December 14 , 2008 - Face it. Lenders would be foolish to simply go back to status quo before this mess started.
If you ask, “’what mess?’ you either don’t need to listen to this interview or you REALLY must listen!” John Ulzheimer,
president of consumer education with Credit.com, author of You’re Nothing But a Number, and contributor to CNBC’s On the
Money, gets down to the nitty-gritty of what you must do to stay afloat and maintain control of your finances: keep copies
of online banking transactions; track your auto pays. Have hefty credit card or loan balances with a financial institution
that also has your checking and savings? Consider diversifying and splitting these. Need credit? Use a one-stop-shop
environment and let them shop around for you. These are just some of the “grab the bull by the horns” practical steps you
can take. Don’t miss the rest—listen today.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Fresh Money Management Ideas from the Editors of Home & Family Finance.
December 14 , 2008 - Susan Tiffany is director of personal finance information for adults in the CUNA Center for
Personal Finance. She also is the editor of “Home & Family Finance”, CUNA’s credit union member consumer magazine. Some of
the suggestions Susan and host Paul Berry explore at first seem difficult to commit to, but you’ll find each rewarding. Here
are just two: 1) Every time you get a raise, commit to adding half of that amount to your savings or 401(k) plan; 2) Use your
public library. It’s a cornucopia of the latest books, magazines, games, DVDs, and free internet access—tax dollar for tax
dollar, the government service with the very best ROI (return on investment) for all members of your family.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Gift Card or Gift Horse? Is Your Gift Card Really a Trojan Horse?
December 14 , 2008 - Anthony Giorgianni, associate finance editor for Consumer Reports Money Adviser, has the latest
on legislation to protect purchasers and recipients of gift cards. Consider what would happen to a gift card if the company
went out of business and cannot or will not honor your card. Don’t miss additional information Tony shares, whether you plan
to buy a gift card or get one. It might mean the difference between redeeming the card’s value or having with a worthless
piece of plastic.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered
December 14 , 2008 - Protect your Social Security number against identity theft; buying groceries using three
money-saving tips; interest rate hikes on credit cards.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/07/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Click and Give: Contributing to Charities Online
December 7 , 2008 - Online giving has exploded! 89% of U.S. households contribute each year to one
or more charitable organizations; giving at this level is truly a uniquely American phenomenon. Will the
level of charitable giving remain about the same during these tough times, or will purse strings tighten?
Steve Delfin, executive director of the National Credit Union Foundation and chairman of America’s Charities,
discusses the current state of charitable giving and tips to help you with your online giving.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Regifting: Gifts That Keep On Giving
December 7 , 2008 - Kim McGrigg, community manager for Money Management International, manages a
fun website devoted to regifting. Many of us receive terrific gifts that either don’t fit our lifestyle
(or décor) or simply “are not us.” Well, don’t put it away in a closet! Wrap it up and give it to someone
else! You might be surprised to find out the number of people who re-gift. There are some definite dos and
don’ts when it comes to regifting. Kim, and visitors to the site, share their experiences and hilarious faux
pas on the site. You’ll also find ecards and holiday surprises. Remember: regifting is not about giving away
used or junk items; always rewrap a gift and buy a new card; and don’t forget who gave you the gift and give
it back to that same person! It happens. . . .
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Holiday Giving: Cash vs Gifts or Gift Cards
December 7 , 2008 - Eric Porter, executive vice president of business development and marketing, with Co-op
Financial Services in Rancho Cucamonga, California has the answers to, “Are prepaid cards a safer, better alternative
to giving cash? Is there an advantage to giving gift cards rather than a prepaid card or cash?” What you decide as
part of your holiday giving may well rest within this lively discussion with host Paul Berry.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
5 Holiday Shopping Tips and Tools for Tough Times
December 7 , 2008 - With so many shoppers counting their pennies this year, consumerworld.org, a
leading consumer education website founded by guest Edgar Dworsky, is offering tips about novel online
services to help stretch your holiday budget. Consumers will have to be cyber savvy and shop smarter to
get the best deals this holiday season. Using a variety of online shopping tools is the best way to comparison
shop and increase your sense of prices. Try any of these links below.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Spendster.org and the Cost of Unnecessary Spending
December 7 , 2008 - You hang clothes on your Nordic Track, your “gotta have” boat is in dry dock most of
the year, and your espresso maker is a piece of junk! Just how much money do you blow each year? To help answer
that question, Paul Golden, the communications project manager with the National Endowment for Financial Education®
(NEFE) in Greenwood Village, Colorado, brings us Spendster.org. Just in time to make you think twice about the
holiday gifts you buy, this new social media website helps you calculate the true cost of unnecessary purchases,
often regretted in hindsight, while you share your misteps via personal videos or photos. You can also rate other
spendsters’ never used or disappointing purchases. To make you feel even worse, if you used your credit card, the
calculator may reveal that you’ve spent the equivalent of four college tuition credits on shoes and handbags.This
tongue-in-cheek site has fun activities, the purpose of which is to demonstrate the long-term financial effects of
buyer’s remorse while beginning to educate consumers on their own personal financial needs and capabilities.
Spendster.org uses fun tools to come up with some serious numbers.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
11/28/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
THE NOVEMBER 28, 2008 SHOW IS REBROADCAST FROM AN EARLIER DATE
Deter, Detect, Defend – Avoiding I.D. Theft
November 28 , 2008 - Are we losing the fight against identity theft? Joanna Crane, identity theft program
manager in the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC,
discusses two key tools that strengthen consumer protection: 1) the Identity Theft Report will clean up your credit
report; and 2) the right to obtain business records from companies that had transactions with the identity thief in
your name, without a subpoena. Check out this interview for more ways to deter I.D. theft.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
America’s # 1 Crime: Identity Theft
November 28 , 2008 - – How can YOU protect yourself against I.D. theft? Gail Cunningham, the senior director
for public relations with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling in Wichita Falls, Texas, shares some common
sense ways to limit the possibility of becoming another statistic and a victim of I.D. theft. Don’t carry your Social
Security card with you; immediately report lost or stolen credit or debit cards; never give personal or financial
information over the phone; and shred everything. There is so much more and you’ll only hear it here.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Synthetic I.D. Theft: The Toughest to Solve
November 28 , 2008 - Synthetic, as in polyester? Synthetic as in to synthesize: pulling separate and different
parts together to form a new whole. In the case of identity theft: taking one victims Social Security number, another
person’s military record, someone’s resume, yet another person’s medical history, throw in a couple credit cards and
voila! You’ve created a monster. A monster that can divert your money, a monster that gets hospital care while you get
the bill, a monster that can ruin your credit rating. And catching the perpetrator? You get close trailing one scent
before hitting a dead end that makes no sense. You follow the medical history only to be thrown off by a Social Security
number of a child that did not live past the age of seven. It’s time to dial for help. It’s time to dial 911. In this
case, it’s time to go to the web site Identity Theft 911 to find out all you can about one of the most difficult forms
of identity theft to stop. Adam Levin, chairman, president, and co-founder of Credit.com; and chairman and founder of
Identity Theft 911, has the low-down on this serpentine form of I.D. theft. Fascinating and frightening.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Security Breaches Affect Everyday People
November 28 , 2008 - Jay Foley is the executive director of the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego,
California and a leader in the fight against identity theft. We’ve heard it on the news: you pay for a pair of shoes
you’re your credit card only to have customer information stolen from the store; an employee’s lap top computer is
missing, along with company data; snoops access celebrity’s medical records. No one is safe from a security breach.
You only control 10-15% of your personal info. Everything and everyone seems to have your personal information—statements
with financial info; every company you’ve done business with, every doctor, dentist, medical facility, insurance agent,
tax preparer, and all federal, state, and local agencies. Jay wants you to know how security breaches occur—it’s as easy
as losing your thumb drive or hiring a temporary worker whose real purpose is to obtain data that can be sold and resold
and sold again. This conversation holds your attention and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered
November 28 , 2008 - Safeguarding your Social Security number; identity theft email scams and phishing; tips to prevent
identity theft; easy ways thieves get personal and financial information
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
11/23/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Charitable Giving: How to Check Up on Charities
November 23 , 2008 - Most of us have hear the sad tales of people who have given to charitable organizations
for years only to find out that most of their hard-earned dollars actually went toward the cost of administering the
organization and not to those for whom the money was intended. Laurie Styron is an analyst with the American Institute
of Philanthropy (AIP) in Chicago, Illinois, and knows a thing or two about rating charities that do a good job
allocating contributions and those that fail miserably. Laurie discusses how the AIP makes these determinations, and
the rating system on its web site that you can check before donating to a particular group. After all, wouldn’t you
rather have 75¢ of every dollar go to those you want to help rather than 4¢ per dollar?
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Federal Insurance of Consumer Deposits in Financial Institutions
November 23 , 2008 - Gigi Hyland, Board Member of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the
federal regulatory body providing oversight of federally-chartered credit unions, sat down with host Paul Berry to
talk about consumers concerns related to the safety of their deposits in financial institutions. Banks of all sizes
have failed during the current recession and people wonder if their bank or credit union is in good shape. Ms. Hyland
details recent changes to federal insurance and temporary increases in the amount of consumer deposits safeguarded by
insurance. She further explains how structuring various accounts can result in additional coverage. At the top of the
NCUA home page, you will find more information under “Resources for Consumers” and two other links that will help answer
the question, “Is my credit union federally insured?”
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Income Taxes and Military Service Members
November 23 , 2008 - Military Reservists, including members of the National Guard, called to active duty can
receive payments from their IRAs, 401(k) plans and 403(b) tax-sheltered annuities, without having to pay the additional
ten-percent early-distribution tax. Do you know that? Eric Smith does. Do you know members of the military serving in
Iraq, Afghanistan or other combat-zone localities have until at least 180 days after they leave the combat zone to file
a return and pay any taxes due? Eric Smith does. Eric knows these things and many more as the national spokesman for the
Internal Revenue Service. Don’t miss this interview, especially if you are in the military or service member’s family.
What about taxing your combat pay? Eric Smith has the answer.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Income Taxes: What to Do Before Dec. 31st.
November 23 , 2008 - Get your facts straight and get organized. Do a test run using a form you download at
www.irs.gov. Two pieces of good advice from Home & Family Finance regular Ethan
Ewing, president of Bills.com in San Mateo, California. Maximize your deductions; Ethan will tell you how. Think
the state of our “bumpy” economy may impact your taxes? Ethan’s strategies will make for smooth sailing. If you
need help with your taxes, get it. Ethan has pointers on finding and evaluating possible resources. Ethan’s advice
is so good you’ll want to listen again while you take notes!
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Put Cash Flow on a Calendar
November 23 , 2008 - Mileah, a member of Kessler Federal Credit Union in Long Beach, Mississippi sent in a
great idea that will keep you on track and on time. Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults,
at the Center for Personal Finance, with the Credit Union National Association, in Madison, Wisconsin, described Mileah’s
system that will help you, too. You can use a computer and a spread sheet, you can use a notebook and pencil, you can even
find helpful pages on your financial institutions web site. No matter which style you prefer, the basics remain the same.
Use Mileah’s ideas; you will know when the next bill you need to pay is due, what you’ve been paying and how much you have
left to cover this next payment. Susan gives some handy tips on things you can do to stay on budget: ask your lender for
a different due date; use online bill pay to break large payments up into halves or thirds; set up automatic deposit into
a savings account meant just for bill paying. Whatever you use, the calendar method will help you see what you’re doing
and reduce the stress you might feel if you are living paycheck to paycheck.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
11/16/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Deter, Detect, Defend – Avoiding I.D. Theft
November 16 , 2008 - Are we losing the fight against identity theft? Joanna Crane, identity theft program
manager in the Division of Privacy and Identity Protection with the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC,
discusses two key tools that strengthen consumer protection: 1) the Identity Theft Report will clean up your credit
report; and 2) the right to obtain business records from companies that had transactions with the identity thief in
your name, without a subpoena. Check out this interview for more ways to deter I.D. theft.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
America’s # 1 Crime: Identity Theft
November 16 , 2008 - How can YOU protect yourself against I.D. theft? Gail Cunningham, the senior director
for public relations with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling in Wichita Falls, Texas, shares some common
sense ways to limit the possibility of becoming another statistic and a victim of I.D. theft. Don’t carry your Social
Security card with you; immediately report lost or stolen credit or debit cards; never give personal or financial
information over the phone; and shred everything. There is so much more and you’ll only hear it here.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Synthetic I.D. Theft: The Toughest to Solve
November 16 , 2008 - Synthetic, as in polyester? Synthetic as in to synthesize: pulling separate and different
parts together to form a new whole. In the case of identity theft: taking one victims Social Security number, another
person’s military record, someone’s resume, yet another person’s medical history, throw in a couple credit cards and
voila! You’ve created a monster. A monster that can divert your money, a monster that gets hospital care while you get
the bill, a monster that can ruin your credit rating. And catching the perpetrator? You get close trailing one scent
before hitting a dead end that makes no sense. You follow the medical history only to be thrown off by a Social Security
number of a child that did not live past the age of seven. It’s time to dial for help. It’s time to dial 911. In this
case, it’s time to go to the web site Identity Theft 911 to find out all you can about one of the most difficult forms
of identity theft to stop. Adam Levin, chairman, president, and co-founder of Credit.com; and chairman and founder of
Identity Theft 911, has the low-down on this serpentine form of I.D. theft. Fascinating and frightening.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Security Breaches Affect Everyday People
November 16 , 2008 - Jay Foley is the executive director of the Identity Theft Resource Center in San Diego,
California and a leader in the fight against identity theft. We’ve heard it on the news: you pay for a pair of shoes
you’re your credit card only to have customer information stolen from the store; an employee’s lap top computer is
missing, along with company data; snoops access celebrity’s medical records. No one is safe from a security breach.
You only control 10-15% of your personal info. Everything and everyone seems to have your personal information—statements
with financial info; every company you’ve done business with, every doctor, dentist, medical facility, insurance agent,
tax preparer, and all federal, state, and local agencies. Jay wants you to know how security breaches occur—it’s as easy
as losing your thumb drive or hiring a temporary worker whose real purpose is to obtain data that can be sold and resold
and sold again. This conversation holds your attention and keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered
November 16 , 2008 Safeguarding your Social Security number; identity theft email scams and phishing; tips to prevent
identity theft; easy ways thieves get personal and financial information
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
11/09/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Cut the Cost of Military Family Purchases
November 9, 2008 - Karen Jowers covers Issues and topics affecting you military families, ranging from
child care and housing, to education and spouse employment, for the Military Times newspapers – Air Force Times,
Army Times (where she’s known as Sergeant Shopper), Marine Corps Times, and Navy Times. She also writes a consumer
column for the papers aimed at pointing service members and their families to good deals on and off base, and
warning them about financial pitfalls. Karen discusses how to cut the cost of your family purchases, some times
using coupons and comparative shopping. Below are several websites Karen says will help you lower the cost of
groceries and other items.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
| Additional Resources: |
www.coupons.com
www.mycoupons.com
www.commissaries.com, click on “links” for internet coupons;
At www.commissaries.com authorized shoppers can find prices of items
on sale with extra savings at their local commissary. Then go to
www.groceryguide.com, plug in your zip code and pick a civilian
grocery store, to compare that store’s specials with the commissary’s specials. At
www.commissaries.com you can also find the dates when certain
special discounted products will be brought in for sale.
Military Exchanges’ web sites: sign up for flyers about upcoming specials |
Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Military Line
November 9, 2008 - “Servicemembers and their families should know about the free services that are
available to them from BBB,” said Holly Petraeus, director of Military Line, with the Council of Better Business
Bureaus. “Whether the topic is buying a car, avoiding identity theft or getting out of debt, BBB Military Line
has advice that members of the military and their families can trust.” Servicemembers are targeted by unethical
and predatory business practices; the BBB provides Reliability Reports on companies, enabling you to do business
with those that uphold ethical standards. BBB is also a partner in the Department of Defense Financial Readiness
Campaign. Military Line has a website specific to each branch of the armed forces. If you didn’t know these
resources were available, you’re missing out, so visit Military Line today.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Veterans Benefits
November 9, 2008 - Keith Pedigo is associate deputy undersecretary for policy and program management with
the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington, DC. Keith joined Home & Family Finance to discuss the benefits
under his purview, as well as many of the changes taking place in this area of veterans’ affairs. While burial and
memorial benefits, and health care are covered elsewhere by the VA, the following benefits were discussed:
Compensation and Pension; vocational Rehabilitation and Employment; Education and Training; Home Loans; Life
Insurance; and Dependants and Survivors. You’ll want to listen to this discussion, which includes upcoming changes
to the Montgomery GI Bill and your education benefits.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Navigating the Veterans Benefits Maze
November 9, 2008 - Many veterans are missing out on their fair share of federal and state benefits. Approximately
74.5 million people, or about a quarter of the U.S. population, are potentially eligible for veterans’ benefits. Only
one-third of the 750,000 eligible Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have enrolled in VA health care-just one of many benefits.
Guest Shad Meshad, founder and president of the National Veteran's Foundation, located in Los Angeles, California, sheds
light on why veterans aren't applying for benefits they are entitled to and wants vets to know who to contact for help
with any of their needs after their service to our country.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered
November 9, 2008 - Executive order eases federal employment for military spouses; new tax benefits for military families
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
10/26/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
5 Questions to Ask About Any Credit Card
October 26, 2008 - Do you know what to look for in a credit card that will fit your needs? Some cards charge hefty
interest rates; other “reward” cards aren’t as rewarding as they first seem. If you make a late payment, will your interest
rate sky-rocket? Ruth Susswein, deputy director of national priorities for Consumer Action in its Washington, DC office,
tells you what to ask yourself and the credit card company so you get the best card for you.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
20 Ways to Save on Prescription Drugs
October 26, 2008 - Some of Dr. Edward Jardini’s suggestions in his new book, How to Save on Prescription Drugs, may
surprise you: decline free samples; eliminate medications. With Dr. Jardini’s advice, patients can take charge of their
own health, prescriptions, and wallets, while enlisting their doctor’s support for the best possible health care at the
lowest possible price. Ed Jardini, MD, is chief of family practice at Twin Cities Community Hospital in Templeton, California.
Read the book; it can save you thousands of dollars a year.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
What Every Service Member Must Know to Build Credit, Step By Step
October 26, 2008 - Many military families, especially those with a spouse on active duty, face financial challenges:
Among junior enlisted members of the military, 19 percent have failed to make minimum credit card payments; among junior
enlisted members, 11percent have bounced checks; members of the military use payday loans three times as often as civilians.
Those with severe financial problems can lose security clearances, face sanctions, limit advancement possibilities, or even
be discharged. Frequent guest Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com in San Mateo, California, gives a step-by-step guide on
how to improve (or start building) your credit score. Ethan also describes what protections you have through the Soldiers
and Sailors’ Civil Relief Act, how to protect yourself from identity theft, what to do if you are denied credit, and how to
correct errors in your credit report.
Bills.com offers Operation Debt Storm (a program to help resolve debt and get personal finances in order). Operation Debt
Storm provides personal finance tips, tools, calculators, a personal finance consultation, and a 16-page guide, "Debt Freedom:
Budgeting & Financial Tools for Today’s Consumer" – all at no charge.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
| Additional Resources: |
Operation Debt Storm
Bills.com
Annual Credit Report – How to Get Yours
All U.S. residents can review their credit report for free once a year. There are 3 credit
reporting agencies. Every 4 months, get your credit report from a different one of these
agencies. You monitor your credit report all year and can catch any errors more quickly |
Build Kids’ Money Skills With Halloween Fun
October 26, 2008 - Despite the sour economy, Americans are planning to spend more this year on Halloween treats. A new
survey from Visa, inc. shows that 75% of Americans plan on celebrating Halloween and of those, they will be spending an average
of $47 on candy and decoration – an increase of $7, or 18%, from 2007. Overall, Americans will spend over $5 billion this year
on Halloween alone. To find out who spends more (men or women, young or old, urban or rural-dwellers, and folks with kids and
those with none), listen to this robust interview with Jason Alderman, financial education director with Visa USA. Getting ready
for Halloween provides an excellent teachable moment for parents to help instill in their children the value of budgeting and
spending wisely. Jason presents several fun Halloween-prep activities guaranteed to improve your children’s money skills, while
building excitement for this annual American tradition.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How to Find Free Entertainment
October 26, 2008 - Buying foreclosed property; I.D. theft targets children; replacement cost and actual cash value
homeowners’ insurance policies; and find out if your home is at risk of flooding
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
10/19/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Cooperatives – Good for You, Good for the Economy
October 19, 2008 - More than 800 million people around the world belong to cooperatives; at least 100 million of
them are employed by co-ops. And more often than you probably realize, co-ops play a vital part of your everyday life
and the life of our economy. 47,000 co-ops in the United States serve over 130 million people—more than 43 percent of
the U.S. population.
Guest Paul Hazen, president and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association, makes the case for citizens to
use the purchasing power of cooperatives to make a difference in our economy and society.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Avoiding Foreclosure – Get Foreclosure Counseling
October 19, 2008 - Guest Rick Harper, vice president and director of housing with the Consumer Credit Counseling
Service in San Francisco, California, shares advice on what you should do if you are having difficulty making mortgage
payments or are already in foreclosure and what resources are available to help you if you are in trouble. Rick also
dispels some myths about foreclosure you’ll want to hear.
Be sure the counseling agency you choose provides mortgage delinquency and default counseling (as opposed to, say, only
home-buyer education). Housing and credit counseling services are usually free or low cost. The U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) maintains a list of HUD-approved housing counseling agencies, which you can check
yourself, on the HUD Web site or by calling 800-569-4287.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Buying Foreclosed Home Not a Slam Dunk
October 19, 2008 - In the case of mortgage foreclosures, you can buy a property in four ways, according to Gary
Painter, PhD, professor and director of research at the Lusk Center for Real Estate at the University of Southern California
in Los Angeles. Some methods hold greater risk for the buyer. If you want a smooth path to homeownership with the purchase
of a foreclosed home, you must listen to this interview with Dr. Gary Painter.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
No Cost Ways to Keep Your Trick-or-Treaters Safe This Halloween
October 19, 2008 - Frail skeletons and fluorescent jack o' lanterns decorate homes, while children disguised as
witches, ghosts and goblins begin flocking out onto neighborhood streets in search of treats. As Halloween approaches, Scott
Wolfson, deputy director in the Office of Information and Public Affairs with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
wants you to know that like children, Halloween's hidden dangers also come in disguise.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How to Find Free Entertainment
October 19, 2008 - Entertainment is a cost we can cut, but there are ways to fit in a lot of fun for little or no money,
prompted City & County Credit Union member and Home & Family Finance listener Kris, from North Saint Paul, Minnesota. Susan
Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults in the Center for Personal Finance at the Credit Union National
Association in Madison, Wisconsin, runs with Kris’s idea and shares ways you may not have thought of to find fun activities
in your area for little or no money.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
10/12/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Celebrating 100 Years of Credit Unions in the United States - International Credit Union Day
October 12, 2008 - Ron Rioux, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Bank—the first credit union in the United States—joins
host Paul Berry from Manchester, New Hampshire. Ron has happily become quite the historian since assuming the helm of St.
Mary’s 14 years ago. He takes us back to 1908 and the creation of St. Mary’s to answer the question usually on the minds of
the uninitiated, “Why is St. Mary’s called a bank and not a credit union?” From there, Ron describes the original mission of
the credit union and the roles specific people played in its development. You’ll enjoy the journey, which culminates with a
discussion of present-day initiatives.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
9 Tips for Buying the Right New or Used Car
October 12, 2008 - No one wants to make a mistake with their hard-earned cash today. Ken Wandstrat, affiliate program
manager at Bills.com, knows a thing or two about getting the best deal in today’s market. Vehicles are not selling. If you have
the money, now is the time to buy. If you need financing, though credit is tight, dealerships want to help. Regardless of your
financial condition, you won’t want to ignore these tips.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Myth Busters on Auto Fuel Efficiency
October 12, 2008 - When the Alliance to Save Energy conducted consumer market research to guide its Drive $marter Challenge
campaign, drivers raised a number of common gas and fuel-efficiency questions and myths. For answers, the Alliance sought answers
from Consumer Reports, which has conducted recent vehicle testing, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the American
Petroleum Institute (API). Jessica Lin, a communications associate with the Alliance to Save Energy, reveals facts on auto fuel
efficiency that you do not know; that’s a fact.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
AARP Tax-Aide: Tax Counseling for the Elderly
October 12, 2008 - Three million citizens had their 2007 income taxes prepared FREE by AARP Tax-Aide volunteers this year.
The Internal Revenue Service trains AARP tax preparers—over 33,000 this year. You can have your taxes prepared and electronically
filed at no charge, too. Find out how, or learn about volunteering, with guest Bonnie Speedy, national director of AARP’s Tax-Aide
Program and vice president of the AARP Foundation.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
10/05/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
This week’s H&FF Radio show is devoted entirely to the current fiscal crisis. Three guests give an in-depth analysis
of the health of the economy, how recent rescue efforts measure up, and what Wall Street bailouts mean for Main Street.
|
The U.S. Economy's Health
October 5, 2008 - Mike Schenk, vice president of economics and statistics in the Madison, Wisconsin office of CUNA,
reveals several of the underlying causes leading to the current state of our country’s economy. Mike also delivers the
good news about credit unions, which have been part of the solution, rather than part of the problem, during the fiscal
emergency.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
What a Financial Bailout Means for You
October 5, 2008 - The refrain from the Toby Keith song, “What About Me?” must be close to the question each of
you has asked during the days preceding Congressional passage of bailout legislation. “We are shoring up Wall Street, but
what about my family’s needs? How will we be helped by this plan? Will we be helped by this plan?” Stephen Brobeck,
executive director of the Consumer Federation of America, the nation’s largest consumer advocacy organization, answers
the questions that have been on your mind. Not only that—Steve tells steps you can take to improve your finances.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Will a Financial Rescue Plan Work?
October 5, 2008 - - Michael Farr is president and majority owner of investment firm Farr, Miller & Washington LLC.
He also is commentator and host on media outlets such as CNBC, Bloomberg, CNN, Reuters, among others, and on programs such
as The Nightly Business Report on PBS. Michael discusses whether the rescue plan will prove successful; what government,
bank, and market actions might break the cycle of collapse; and the plan’s affect on you.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
09/28/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
411 on Disposing Cell Phones and Other Safety Issues
September 28, 2008 - Cell phones are becoming smarter. According to Philip P. Tumminio, a staff attorney with the Federal
Trade Commission Division of Marketing Practices in Washington, DC, you need to start thinking of your cell phone as a laptop.
Cell phones contain a multitude of personal information in the form of text messages, voice mail, and contacts. They are becoming
internet portals and used for banking—a tempting lure for identity thieves and people who might want to harm you. You will find
tips for erasing data and disposing of your old cell phone
or other mobile communication devices. Cell phone use by younger and younger children is a growing safety concern also
addressed. Want to file a complaint? You’ll hear how.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Letter of Instruction: Don’t Leave Life Without It
September 28, 2008 - Mark Cussen, a contributor to Investopedia.com, shares information with Home & Family Finance similar
to his article of the same title as our topic. Describing a letter of instruction (or intent), Mark opened with, “If you're looking
for a way to simplify a complex inheritance structure for your heirs, or just want a way to stick it to Aunt Martha one last time,
then a letter of instruction is what you need. Unlike a will, this letter doesn't have any legal authority, but it can provide an
easy to understand explanation of your overall estate plan to your executor. It serves as a "cheat sheet" for anyone involved in
settling your affairs and provides them with a ready point of reference. The great thing is that, because these letters aren't
legal documents, you can include your own personal wishes and messages to your family.” It’s a useful and flexible tool; Mark talks
about the financial documents and information you should consider including in your letter of intent.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Ways to Bullet-Proof Your Financial Life
September 28, 2008 - “Regardless of income or socioeconomic status, it’s possible to be on a solid financial footing if
you follow some basic principles,” asserts Jeff Boulton, CEO of Rise Above Debt, in Phoenix, Arizona. Is it as easy as sticking
to a budget? It may not seem easy at first, but sticking to a budget is just one of the common sense bullet-proofing steps you
should make part of your every day financial plan. Jeff says planning and consistency are key—make your plan and stick to it.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Establish a Solid Financial Future After the Military
September 28, 2008 - Many servicemen and servicewomen returning to civilian life face financial hardship because of a
lack of knowledge or preparation. While it’s not nearly as grueling as the training they’ve been through, service members should
think about putting their military discipline to the test with a planning "boot camp" to guide their financial future. Ethan Ewing,
president of Bills.com in San Mateo, California, describes the nine main steps of a program designed specifically for military.
Bills.com offers Operation Debt Storm, a program to help resolve debt and get personal finances in order with personal finance
tips, tools, calculators, a personal finance consultation, and comprehensive guide on budgeting – all at no charge.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Our Economy—Where We Are & Where We’re Headed
September 28, 2008 - Steven Rick, senior economist with the Credit Union National Association, gives an overview of the
state of the U.S. economy and what might lay in store for consumers. “Two fears hang over the U.S. economy, a wrenching recession
and spiraling inflation,” says Steve, “and households have a near zero savings rate,” leaving consumers without safety nets. Where
are we headed? Lend and ear and Steve will fill you in.
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09/21/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Going Buggy? Hire a Pest Control Firm
September 21, 2008 - Which company is right for you, your home, and your creepy crawlies? We asked Greg Baumann, senior
scientist and technical director with the National Pest Management Association, headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia. Greg suggests
questions you should ask your potential pest control partner, what red flags to notice, and what to look for in a service contract.
To the right is one of the carpenter bee that’s been drilling holes in the fascia of my home for a decade!
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Get Your Home Inspected
September 21, 2008 - It isn't just for home buyers. Even if you've owned your home for several years, having your house
inspected may help you set future repair priorities and plan upgrades--and save money over the long run. Nick Gromicko, founder
and director of public relations at the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, in Boulder, Colorado, tells what
should be checked and why.
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How to Hire a Home Improvement Contractor
September 21, 2008 - Guest Renee Rewiski, president of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), in Des
Plaines, Illinois, presents a virtual consumers’ guide to finding the right company, and the right people, for any job. The
HOMEOWNERS section of the NARI website puts comprehensive information a mouse click away. The homeowner’s guide provides: a budget
worksheet; how to find a professional remodeler; questions to ask potential remodelers or contractors; warning signs; reference
questions; remodeling tips; and more.
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De-Clutter and Organize Your Home
September 21, 2008 - Do you hide when unexpected company arrives at your door? Do you dread entering the spare bedroom?
Does it take you 5 minutes to find the right baking pan? Marcia Weuve owns Impact Solutionz: the Organizing Specialists, in Austin,
Texas. Marcia has simple short tips and tasks to leave any home (even yours) in ship-shape condition.
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How to Zap Your Home Electricity Expense: Listener’s Best Money Management Tips
September 21, 2008 - Chris, from Pendleton, Oregon, has a truly fresh idea. He bought a $30 energy cost analyzer,
which shows him current electricity use in his home—in kilowatts and dollars. In the two months he’s been using this monitor,
his energy use has dropped 30%. He says, “When you see how much electricity you use in real time dollars and cents it makes it a
good tool of persuasion to turn off the lights or investigate what appliances or fixtures are the most expensive to run.” Susan
Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults at the Credit Union National Association, and host Paul Berry discuss
alternative ways to measure your electricity consumption and how to simply use less.
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09/14/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Violence Against Women: Financial Abuse & Its Remedies
September 14, 2008 - Financial or economic abuse is making or attempting to make an individual financially dependent by
maintaining total control over financial resources, withholding another’s access to money, or forbidding attendance at school
or employment. This form of abuse usually does not occur in isolation. The warning signs may include additional forms of abuse
such as physical (hitting, slapping), sexual, emotional, or psychological actions. Usually the abuse escalates over time. Guest
Cindy Dyer, executive director of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women in Washington, DC, answers
the question, “How do we (individuals and communities) help financially empower women survivors of violence and domestic abuse?”
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Second Chance
September 14, 2008 - According to guest Dr. Ludy Green, founder and president of Second Chance Employment Services (SCES), each
year 4 million American women are victims of domestic violence by their partners. One in three women experience at least one physical
assault by a partner. Three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends in the U.S. every day. Second Chance Employment Services
is a nonprofit organization of human resources professionals that promotes financial security for at-risk women by placing them in
meaningful long-term employment positions free of charge. It is the only employment placement agency for battered and abused women in
the United States. Second Chance helps clients write résumés, practice interviews, and find new suits, childcare, or transportation. It
brought in career coaches, makeup consultants, and even a dentist and a surgeon who replaced one client’s knocked-out teeth and repaired
another’s scars—again, at no cost.
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Life After Second Chance
September 14, 2008 - Guest Joe’l found herself in a life-threatening, abusive relationship with her husband. She left him,
with no job and no home, and set out in pursuit of a better life for her children. She fought her way to self-sufficiency—with a bit of
help from Second Chance Employment Services—and is now a valued bank employee. Joe’l’s shares her story with host Paul Berry because she
knows there are many women rowing the same boat she was in. You’ll want to listen to this first-hand account and advice from a woman who
says, ““Bottom line, you have to be self-sufficient if you want to get out and stay out of your abusive situation.”
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Native Women: Steps Toward Economic Self-Sufficiency
September 14, 2008 - The first Native American to serve on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, guest Elsie Meeks, president and CEO
of Oweesta Corporation in Rapid City, South Dakota, discusses financial education programs and opportunities for tribal women to help them on
the road to economic self- sufficiency. Oweesta helps create native community development financial institutions (NCDFI) including business
revolving loan funds, credit unions/associations, banks, venture capital institutions and housing loan funds. These local organizations then
have the capacity to assist individuals, businesses and organizations with financing and technical assistance for the development of small
businesses, homeownership, community facilities, and financial education programs in native communities.
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The Things I’ve Seen: A Credit Union Veteran Shares His Experience With Credit Union Growth and Service to It’s Members
September 14, 2008 - Guest Ed Fox, newly retired president and CEO of Mid-Atlantic Corporate Federal Credit Union in Middletown,
Pennsylvania, reminisces about the multitude of changes and phenomenal growth he's witnessed over the years in the credit union industry.
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09/07/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Community Supported Agriculture: More Than Just Fresh Veggies
September 7, 2008 - A CSA is a community-based organization of growers and consumer households. The consumers agree to
provide direct, up-front support for the local growers who produce their food. The growers agree to do their best to provide a
sufficient quantity and quality of food to meet the needs and expectations of the consumers. In this way the farms and families
form a network of mutual support. Steven McFadden, director of Chrion Communications in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is the author of
two books on CSA: Farms of Tomorrow (1990), and Farms of Tomorrow Revisited (1997). He is currently writing a third book about
food and farming: The Call of the Land: An Agrarian Primer for the 21st Century (Gibbs Smith, Publishers, 2009). Community Supported
Agriculture is an increasingly popular choice for consumers who want to know more about how their food is grown. CSA might be an
alternative for you.
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4 Secrets to Cut Your Grocery Bill
September 7, 2008 - One shopper now spends 70% less using thrifty and savvy techniques. She once got over $200 worth of
groceries for $2.50, most of which was tax. Sue Perry, deputy editor of ShopSmart, is with the New York office of Consumers Union—the
folks that bring us Consumer Reports. If you want to save more and take home more, you have to try Sue’s price slashing tips!
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Leftovers—Using All You Pay For Yields Delicious Results
September 7, 2008 - Stacey DeHass is the executive chef at Amish Naturals in Holmesville, Ohio, which specializes in
producing organically certified pastas. After you’ve made an effort to cut your grocery bill, you don’t want produce in your refrigerator
bin reduced to compost. An American family of four throws out $500 of decayed and stale food each year. Stacey shares great tips on using
all you pay for.
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America’s Broken Food Safety System: What’s Being Done?
September 7, 2008 - When our nation’s food safety system fails, consumers are physically and financial hurt. The cost to society of
food-borne illness is estimated to be as high as $44 billion annually. 12 federal agencies and 35 laws govern food safety, often with
overlapping jurisdictions and different priorities. The USDA is responsible for inspecting meat, poultry and eggs, with the Food and Drug
Administration looking at other products. David Plunkett is a senior staff attorney with the Food Safety Program at the Center for Science
in the Public Interest (CSPI). In this position, he serves as an advocate on behalf of consumers for stronger laws to protect the public
from outbreaks of food-borne disease. In this lively discussion with host Paul Berry, Plunkett offers solutions and explains how Congress
is addressing a problem Americans insist be improved.
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Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions
September 7, 2008 - Cutting the cost of groceries; interest rates lowered for certain student loans; cell phone fees.
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08/31/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Personal Finance Management Program for Military Personnel and Their Families.
August 31, 2008 - There is at least one personal financial management program counselor located at every major military installation
within the continental United States and at overseas installations. Certified accredited financial counselors educate, counsel, and coach
clients in a life cycle approach to financial fitness that begins with the basics of understanding pay and entitlements, addresses specific
military financial issues (deployment planning, frequent moves, etc), continues through life transitions (marriage, children, planning for
college, etc), and includes retirement and estate planning. This program is available to service members (active, Reserve, and Guard), and
their family members. Guest: Gordon Genovese, USMC (retired) and executive director, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning
Education, Columbus, Ohio
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No More Travel Checks! Hello, Travel Cards; Bye-bye, Traveler Checks!
August 31, 2008 - Most Europeans now use pre-paid currency cards, which have security features in case of lose, theft or fraud. Convenient,
bill-size packets of foreign currency, in small denominations, are also available. Guest Christopher Russell, executive vice president and
regional divisional director outsourcing travelex Americas, of Travelex, in Atlanta, Georgia, advises using a "mixed wallet" when traveling
abroad. Take a cash packet and land ready, with local currency in hand; and load the remainder of your vacation money on a pre-paid currency
card, which is also ideal for budgeting. You can order foreign currency on line before you go.
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Travel Fraud: Vacation Certificates & Vacation Clubs.
August 31, 2008 - Although not as prevalent as it used to be, vacation certificate fraud still occurs. These and vacation clubs look
like good deals and much goes into marketing these wonderful appearing vacation get-aways. Guest Collot Guerard, an attorney in the Consumer
Protection Division of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC, describes some of the deceptive marketing of vacation certificates and
club memberships you should be aware of and what you can do to protect yourself.
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Passing Wealth to Adult Children.
August 31, 2008 - Trusts are not just for the rich; control your spend-thrift child; protect assets with long-term care insurance;
over-funded investment products are a tax time bomb. This and more from, certified estate planning professional, Guest Mark Kollar, CEO
of Kollar Financial Strategies near Chicago, Illinois.
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Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions
August 31, 2008 - Car ownership expenses; convenience of online banking; direct deposit; debit cards and teens.
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08/24/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Five Tips If You Are Falling Behind On Car Payments:
August 24, 2008 - Times are tough and budgets feel the squeeze of higher prices for such things as food and gasoline. Surveys
show pay increases have not kept pace with rising costs. If you’ve been robbing Peter to pay Paul, and have trouble making your monthly
car note, guest Eric Hoffman, a spokesman for AWARE (Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics) in Washington, DC, has
solid advice that will help you keep your wheels.
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Intergenerational Wealth Planning: New Ways to Handle an Age Old Process:
August 24, 2008 - Estate planners and finance managers are using technology more frequently to convey clients’ wishes, messages
and intent to their heirs. Videotaping the clients’ message is one tool guest Eric Aanes, founder and president of Titus Wealth Management
in San Mateo and Larkspur, California, employs. Tape makes sure nothing is lost in its delivery and this personal message often has a
profound impact on those who receive it.
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Financial Fitness: More Than a Good Credit Score:
August 24, 2008 - The median amount of credit card debt individuals carry is $6,600 -- or 14 percent of the U.S. median household income
of $48,200 in 2006. Total U.S. consumer debt stands at $2,558 trillion dollars. In march (the most recent data available), the personal saving
rate in the United States was 0.2 percent of income -- a figure that easily could be negative if saving was financed by borrowing. Guest Brad
Stroh, co-founder and CEO of Bills.com in San Mateo, California, says Americans' collective financial IQ is low, but individuals are starting
to take responsibility for their financial future. Brad contends we're moving beyond just the credit score to deeper knowledge and encourages
consumers to continue using the right financial practices.
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10 Techniques to Manage Your Personal Cost of Living:
August 24, 2008 - “We are totally in charge of our ''personal price index'', states Kathy Kristof, senior writer, Los Angeles Times.
Kathy shares 10 easy steps to improve your personal cost of living. Among these: appeal your property tax; shop for life insurance; and use
reward cards. That’s only three suggestions, so you’ll want to listen to the others. Kathy Kristof’s personal finance column appears in more
than 50 major newspapers (she was chosen to replace the legendary Sylvia Porter). Kathy is also the author of Investing 101, released just
this past week
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Your Email Questions Answered:
August 24, 2008 - Summer travel and identity theft; filing for bankruptcy—other choices: Your Questions Answered
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08/17/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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ATM Use by Older Children & Young Adults:
August 17, 2008 - New colors are the only aspect of this makeup you might consider cosmetic. Guest Tandelyia Samuels, acting manager
of value added and special services with the United States Postal Service, says this makeover brings new safety and security features integrated
into the money orders scheduled for release on October 27th.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
The Long Baby Boom: An Optimistic Vision for a Graying Generation:
August 17, 2008 - Written by Jeff Goldsmith, Ph.D., president of Health Futures, Inc. and associate professor of public health
sciences at the University of Virginia, The Long Baby Boom “is an important, timely, and constructive book—a must read for those concerned
about the demographic and political challenges facing U.S. social policy as the boomer generation reaches their 60s. [Goldsmith’s]
thoughtful proposals should be the basis for a national debate about how we each want to grow older and what kind of society we want to do
it in."—John Rother, director of legislation and public policy, AARP.
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Divorce and Money:
August 17, 2008 - “For many couples, divorce is the 2nd most stressful life event, just behind the death of a spouse,” according to
Jason Alderman, director of issues management, for Visa USA. Jason delivers sound money management advice for all couples—whether they are
happy in their relationship or calling it quits.
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download the mp3 file
Is Your Money Safe at Your Credit Union?:
August 17, 2008 - National Credit Union Administration Vice Chair Rodney Hood says, “Yes.” Your deposits, up to $100,000 and
an additional and separate $250,000 if you have an Individual Retirement Account (or I-R-A), are protected by the full faith and
credit of the United States government.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Email Questions Answered:
August 17, 2008 - Cutting your grocery bills; buying school clothes with teens in tow; and how long information stays on credit reports.
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download the mp3 file
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08/17/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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ATM Use by Older Children & Young Adults:
August 17, 2008 - New colors are the only aspect of this makeup you might consider cosmetic. Guest Tandelyia Samuels, acting manager
of value added and special services with the United States Postal Service, says this makeover brings new safety and security features integrated
into the money orders scheduled for release on October 27th.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
The Long Baby Boom: An Optimistic Vision for a Graying Generation:
August 17, 2008 - Written by Jeff Goldsmith, Ph.D., president of Health Futures, Inc. and associate professor of public health
sciences at the University of Virginia, The Long Baby Boom “is an important, timely, and constructive book—a must read for those concerned
about the demographic and political challenges facing U.S. social policy as the boomer generation reaches their 60s. [Goldsmith’s]
thoughtful proposals should be the basis for a national debate about how we each want to grow older and what kind of society we want to do
it in."—John Rother, director of legislation and public policy, AARP.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Divorce and Money:
August 17, 2008 - “For many couples, divorce is the 2nd most stressful life event, just behind the death of a spouse,” according to
Jason Alderman, director of issues management, for Visa USA. Jason delivers sound money management advice for all couples—whether they are
happy in their relationship or calling it quits.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Is Your Money Safe at Your Credit Union?:
August 17, 2008 - National Credit Union Administration Vice Chair Rodney Hood says, “Yes.” Your deposits, up to $100,000 and
an additional and separate $250,000 if you have an Individual Retirement Account (or I-R-A), are protected by the full faith and
credit of the United States government.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Email Questions Answered:
August 17, 2008 - Cutting your grocery bills; buying school clothes with teens in tow; and how long information stays on credit reports.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
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08/10/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Safer & Smarter. Money Orders at Your Post Office Get a Makeover:
August 10, 2008 - - New colors are the only aspect of this makeup you might consider cosmetic. Guest Tandelyia Samuels, acting manager
of value added and special services with the United States Postal Service, says this makeover brings new safety and security features integrated
into the money orders scheduled for release on October 27th.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Flood Insurance:
August 10, 2008 - Being left high and dry can be a good thing. Loretta Worters, vice president – communications, with the Insurance
Information Institute in New York City, explains what you need to know about coverage that protects your family and home.
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Please Send Money: A Financial Survival Guide for Young Adults on Their Own:
August 10, 2008 - You’ve raised them, fed, clothed and educated them, and sent them out into the world alone. When you answer their first call home,
will it start with, “Please send money”? Dara Duguay, director of the Office of Financial Education for Citi, in Washington, DC, offers tips, from her
book of that same title, on raising financially savvy, self-reliant children.
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A Conversation with House Committee on Financial Services Ranking Member Spencer Bachus (R-AL) :
August 10, 2008 - Host Paul Berry visited United States Congressman Spencer Bachus’s office on Capitol Hill to discuss financial issues citizens
have expressed concern about and what Congress is doing to help Americans during this tough time.
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08/03/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Text Messaging to Find a Surcharge-Free ATM: Efficient & Convenient Use of Technology:
August 3, 2008 - What are the latest ways to access information on no-surcharge ATMs near you? Eric Porter, executive vice
president of business development and national sales for Co-op Financial Services, headquartered in Ontario, California, tells
listeners the step-by-step “how-to”.
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Index Funds – Are They Right For You? :
August 3, 2008 - What is an index fund? How do they work? How are they different from other investment tools? How
profitable are they? What are the pitfalls? Tom Ruggie, president of Ruggie Wealth Management in Tavares, Florida, answers these
questions and more
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Devise a Down-Payment Plan :
August 3, 2008 - The days of 100% mortgage loans are just about gone. Pervasive news reports about the "mortgage meltdown" are shaking
home buyers' confidence. Consumers are more concerned about having enough money for a down payment and closing costs than they have been in
five years of polling, according to the 2007 National Housing Pulse Survey, conducted in October 2007 by the
National Association of Realtors®. More than 80% of survey respondents said down payments and closing
costs are obstacles for home buyers in their area. How much will you need for a down payment in today’s lending environment and where are you
going to get the money? One point Tracy Ashfield, founder and executive vice president of Strategic Mortgage Solutions, a Madison, Wisconsin-based
firm that helps credit unions maximize the success of their loan programs, makes is that with some down payment, you'll get a more competitive
mortgage product that will help you keep your monthly payments down. That will save you a lot of money in interest over the life of your loan.
Hear what else Tracy suggests to get you into your new home.
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“Pay No-Interest” Deals at Stores. :
August 3, 2008 - Riiiight. . .You know the T.V. pitch, “Buy NOW! 0% interest until 2010!” Gail Hillebrand, a staff attorney with Consumers
Union—publishers of Consumer Reports and ShopSmart, tosses listeners’ rose-colored glasses aside (how’s THAT for a mixed metaphor?). If you can’t
pay now, why do you think you will be able to pay in 2010? No interest until 2010 can mean the interest is only deferred until 2010.
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Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
August 3, 2708 - 401(k) debit cards or “how to drain your retirement savings”; getting a company’s prospectus or annual report; tip
for small investor; who opens Individual Retirement Accounts, known as IRAs?
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07/27/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Navigating the Veterans' Benefits Maze:
July 27, 2008 - Many veterans are missing out on their fair share of federal and state benefits. Approximately 74.5 million
people, or about a quarter of the U.S. population, are potentially eligible for veterans benefits. Only one-third of the 750,000
eligible Iraq and Afghanistan veterans have enrolled in VA health care-just one of many benefits. Guest Shad Meshad, founder and
president of the National Veteran's Foundation, located in Los Angeles, California, sheds light on why veterans aren't applying
for benefits they are entitled to and wants vets to know who to contact for help with any of their needs after their service to
our country.
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Investment Scams Targeting Baby Boomer's Retirement Savings:
July 27, 2008 - Before investors, especially Boomers, take the leap of faith and put money in the hands of their brother-in-law's
golfing buddy, they must find out what makes the adviser tick. Plenty of people are falling prey to bad advice from suspect advisors.
"Boomers have worked a lifetime to prepare for retirement - don't blow it now by falling for a slick sales pitch," said guest Kelly
Campbell, president and CEO of Campbell Wealth Management in Fairfax, Virginia. What's an investor to do? Listen and learn.
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Today's Credit Crisis:
July 27, 2008 - The root of the crisis is record levels of debt, especially credit card debt, according to Brad Stroh, founder
and co-CEO, Bills.com and Freedom Financial Network in San Mateo, California. He explains how to tell when you're in over your head in
debt and how to manage and eliminate debt.
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download the mp3 file
Questions You Should Ask When Choosing a Credit or Debt Counselor:
July 27, 2008 - Read the fact sheets below provided by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Sara Gottovi, a staff attorney in
the FTC's Division of Financial Practices, Bureau of Consumer Protection, in Washington, DC., wants you to know the FTC works for you
to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help you spot, stop,
and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP
(1-877-382-4357).
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Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
July 27, 2708 - The Euro, auto dealership charges, today's complex consumer marketplace, how to start investing
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07/20/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Put Low-Cost Fresh Veggies on Your Table: Listener Best Money Management Tip:
July 20, 2008 - This time the enemies are inflation, threats to the safety of our food supply, and starving for nutrition
in a land of plenty! A Victory Garden is just the answer. It was for Melissa of Jay, Maine, and her family; listen to her story.
It’s NOT too late for your fall veggies and winter is the time to browse through seed catalogues. Gardening not your thing? Guest
Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults, in the Center for Personal Finance, with the Credit Union
National Association, in Madison, Wisconsin, shares other ways to bring delicious fresh produce to your family table.
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Investing for Retirement? Don’t Forget to Replenish Your Portfolio With Its Returns:
July 20, 2008 - Do you know how much money you will need to enjoy the quality of life you desire in retirement? Do you know
how much you have, or how to protect your assets? How much is that Pac Man, inflation, gobbling up? If you don’t know the answers,
you may end up working much longer than you’d like. Good advice on this and more from guest Eric Sheerin, financial advisor &
registered financial consultant, with the Barber Financial Group in Lenexa, Kansas.
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What Is Shared Branching?:
July 20, 2008 - Guest Craig Beach, senior vice president marketing and business development, of Co-op Shared Branching in
Duluth, Georgia, emphasizes that shared branching is important in today’s marketplace. Beach describes what services are available,
how these benefit members and to what degree shared branching transactions are safe, secure and private.
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7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Condo or Co-Op Insurance Policy:
July 20, 2008 - If you own, or are about to purchase, a condominium or co-operative property, you must purchase an insurance
policy specific to this type of property to be sure your building -- and your possessions -- are covered. Condo or co-op owners should
know seven specific things before choosing insurance. Guest Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com, in San Mateo, California, takes you
through each of these.
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Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
July 20, 2008 - Simple ways to save gas; laddering certificates of deposit; selecting a credit counselor
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07/13/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Gadgets That Help You Use and Conserve Water Wisely:
July 13, 2008 - Every day, on average, Americans use a total of 40 billion gallons of fresh water. Around the
house, up to 70 percent of that water is used on our landscapes. That’s why saving water outside the home is as important
as it is inside. Partners of the Water—Use It Wisely Coalition provide consumer education on the judicious use of this
precious resource. Guest Stacy Bass, the utilities department public relations officer, and manager of education and
outreach programs, for the City of Mesa, Arizona discusses gadgets that help keep your yard looking good while conserving
water.
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Saving for College:
July 13, 2008 - High school graduates can expect to earn an average of $1.2 million over a lifetime of work, while
someone with a bachelor’s degree will average $2.1 million–$900,000 more. Give your child a leg up; start saving for his
or her college education sooner than later. Jason Alderman, director of issues management, with Visa USA in San Francisco,
California, presents the many savings options available. Options are many and varied—from a 529 qualified state tuition plan,
to the Coverdell Education Savings Account, to filing for scholarships, low-income grants and merit-based assistance.
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download the mp3 file
The Secrets of Money: A Guide for Everyone on Practical Financial Literacy:
July 13, 2008 - This “encyclopedia of finance” is one tool to combat the "Financial Illiteracy Epidemic" sweeping
the nation. Guest Braun Mincher, an entrepreneur and author, from Ft. Collins, Colorado, designed this book for anyone to
improve their financial IQ and get the most out of every dollar they make. There is also an on line financial literacy
quiz to help you determine your current financial literacy using questions that can easily be answered after reading the
book.
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download the mp3 file
Discarded Computer Retaliates Against Former Owner for Coffee Spill—Gives Up Personal Finance Information to I.D.
Thief. Don’t Let This Happen to You:
July 13, 2008 - Jim Stickley, founder, chief technical officer and vice president of engineering for Trace Security
in San Diego, California, warns, “Be aware of the risks of throwing away and donating your computer.” Just because a file was
deleted doesn’t mean that it’s truly gone. Identity thieves buy pallets of used computers at auctions for very little money
and monitor Ebay for used computers. If you have used your computer for online banking or accounting, guard that hard drive
at all costs. Find out how in this interview.
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Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
July 13, 2008 - Simple ways to save gas; laddering certificates of deposit; selecting a credit counselor
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07/06/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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THE JULY 6, 2008 SHOW IS REBROADCAST FROM AN EARLIER DATE
How to Avoid Common Mistakes Most Investors Make:
March 16, 2008 - Don’t lose your shirt with bad investments! Avoid common mistakes most investors make.
Paul Merriman, founder and director of Merriman Berkman Next, identifies the pitfalls and what you can do to
grow your money.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Divided We Fail:
March 16, 2008 - If you want good health care and long-term financial security, hear what Lisa Davis, attorney and
director of public education in AARP’s Office of Social Impact, has to say about the Divided We Fail Campaign. Learn more
about this effort! It is important for your well-being now and in the future.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Estate Planning:
March 16, 2008 - Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it…Let’s face it: one day you will die. Wrong lyrics,
but before you get one day older, listen to attorney Mary Randolph with estate planning basics on wills, trusts, estate taxes
and more. Mary has authored several books as vice president of editorial for NOLO, the nation's oldest provider of legal
information for consumers.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Disaster Preparedness:
Pay attention! If you don’t have your personal or family disaster plan ready
to put into action, if you can’t lay your hands on items critical to your survival and move to safety within a
few minutes, you need to prepare now. Dr. Joyce Cavanagh associate professor and extension family economics specialist
with Texas Cooperative Extension, The Texas A&M University System, talks disaster preparedness and what you should
have in your grab ‘n go box.
March 16, 2008
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Q & A: Appealing property tax assessments; online shopping; private mortgage insurance: is it
deductible? Host Paul Berry answers your questions.
March 16, 2008
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
06/29/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
10 Ways to Cut Gas Costs & Consumption By Up To 35 Cents a Gallon
June 29, 2008 - A clean air filter, proper alignment, accurate tire pressure and other simple tips save a bundle. Guest: Jack Gillis,
president, Gillis & Associates and director of public affairs, Consumer Federation of America, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Sound Sleep, Sound Mind
June 29, 2008 - Dr. Barry Krakow, an internist and sleep specialist practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is author of "Sound Sleep,
Sound Mind: 7 Keys to Sleeping Through the Night," which highlights the links between mental health and sleep disorders.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Summer Vacation Travel Tips That Save You Money
June 29, 2008 - Careful planning before your vacation will make a big difference in cost and efficiency. Jennifer Burrows, senior
marketing programs manager with Co-op Financial Services in Ontario, California, shares quick and easy tips, including how to find
surcharge-free ATMs while vacationing.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Great Threads for Less Bread - Listener's Best Money Management Tip
June 29, 2008 - Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults, in the Center for Personal Finance at the Credit
Union National Association in Madison, Wisconsin, shares some thrifty advice on getting clothes from Patricia, from Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions
June 29, 2008 - Hiring movers, co-signing a loan, prepaid credit card for college students, money market account
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
06/22/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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The Case of the Incredible Shrinking Container. Paying the Same for Less - Product Downsizing
June 22, 2008 - Described as a sneaky price increase, some manufacturers are shrinking the container and charging the
same price as before--instead of asking you to pay more. Edgar Dworsky, former Massachusetts assistant attorney general and
consumer advocate, Consumer World and Mouse Print, Boston, Massachusetts
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Will You Still Need Me, Will You Still Feed Me: Long-Term Care Insurance
June 22, 2008 - Long-term care provides the help you need to perform activities of daily living-such as bathing and
dressing yourself. Or, you may need supervision because of dementia or another form of cognitive impairment. You can receive
long-term care in a nursing home, assisted living facility, or in your own home. The need for long-term care can arise at any
time, regardless of your age. Long-term care can be very expensive. On average, a year in a semi-private room in a nursing home
costs about $58,000 (estimated annual cost in 2005). In some parts of the country, it may cost much more. Home care is less
expensive than nursing home care, but it is still costly. Guest Bonnie Burns, training and policy specialist with California
Health Advocates in Sacramento, California, discusses this and more.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Will the Cost of Gas Kill Your Family Summer Road Trip?
June 22, 2008 - Guest Troy Green, national public relations manager with AAA in Washington, DC, shares gas saving tips
that will lower the cost of your summer road trip. How you drive and maintain your vehicle both make a difference in your wallet.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Tweens' Spending Habits and Money Management
June 22, 2008 - Tweens (that nebulous age somewhere between 8 and 12) are influential in their own families in requesting
or pressuring parents and other relatives to buy things tweens want. This pressure creates demand from this age group to which
markets respond. There is a great deal of marketing directed specifically at this market. Tweens are also beginning to earn
money on their own, possibly by doing jobs at home or for neighbors. They are interested in money and how it works. They have
misconceptions about earning and spending; especially regarding how credit and credit cards work. Deborah Haynes, professor at
Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana, stresses the importance of making financial education meaningful for this age
group of consumers.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions
June 22, 2008 - Laddering certificates of deposit; Renter's insurance; Re-building good credit; and how to stretch a buck
in college
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download the mp3 file
|
06/15/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Personal Finance Management Program for Military Personnel and Their Families.
June 15, 2008 - There is at least one personal financial management program counselor located at every major military installation
within the continental United States and at overseas installations. Certified accredited financial counselors educate, counsel, and coach
clients in a life cycle approach to financial fitness that begins with the basics of understanding pay and entitlements, addresses specific
military financial issues (deployment planning, frequent moves, etc), continues through life transitions (marriage, children, planning for
college, etc), and includes retirement and estate planning. This program is available to service members (active, Reserve, and Guard), and
their family members. Guest: Gordon Genovese, USMC (retired) and executive director, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning
Education, Columbus, Ohio
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
No More Travel Checks! Hello, Travel Cards; Bye-bye, Traveler Checks!
June 15, 2008 - Most Europeans now use pre-paid currency cards, which have security features in case of lose, theft or fraud. Convenient,
bill-size packets of foreign currency, in small denominations, are also available. Guest Christopher Russell, executive vice president and
regional divisional director outsourcing travelex Americas, of Travelex, in Atlanta, Georgia, advises using a "mixed wallet" when traveling
abroad. Take a cash packet and land ready, with local currency in hand; and load the remainder of your vacation money on a pre-paid currency
card, which is also ideal for budgeting. You can order foreign currency on line before you go.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Travel Fraud: Vacation Certificates & Vacation Clubs.
June 15, 2008 - Although not as prevalent as it used to be, vacation certificate fraud still occurs. These and vacation clubs look
like good deals and much goes into marketing these wonderful appearing vacation get-aways. Guest Collot Guerard, an attorney in the Consumer
Protection Division of the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, DC, describes some of the deceptive marketing of vacation certificates and
club memberships you should be aware of and what you can do to protect yourself.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Passing Wealth to Adult Children.
June 15, 2008 - Trusts are not just for the rich; control your spend-thrift child; protect assets with long-term care insurance;
over-funded investment products are a tax time bomb. This and more from, certified estate planning professional, Guest Mark Kollar, CEO
of Kollar Financial Strategies near Chicago, Illinois.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions.
June 15, 2008 - Car ownership expenses; convenience of online banking; direct deposit; debit cards and teens.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
06/08/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Roth IRAs for Working Kids
February 10, 2008 - Make your kid a millionaire! If your teen works, there’s one sure-fire
investment tool to make your dream come true. “It’s easy; start now,” says Nancy Granovsky, professor,
extension family economics specialist and regents fellow with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in
the Texas A&M University System, in College Station, Texas.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How to Determine How Much Money You Made In Your Portfolio This Past Year
February 10, 2008 - You sock your money away in stocks, bonds, real estate. But, do you know
how much you really made in your portfolio this past year? Rutgers University’s own Barbara O’Neill
tells you how to figure that out. Guest: Barbara O’Neill, an extension specialist in Financial Resource
Management, and professor with Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?
February 10, 2008 - Marlene Stum addresses an issue few families escape. Guest:
Marlene Stum, founder and professor, Family Social Science, at the University of Minnesota in
Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
What Makes a Good Checking Account & Other Banking Tips
February 10, 2008 - You can get stuck with a fee for walking into your bank and asking the teller
a question! Ed Mierzwinski talks banking tips. Guest: Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director and
advocate with the National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups (U.S. PIRG) in Washington,
D.C.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
February 10, 2008 - Generic medicines; lower your homeowner’s insurance cost; save money at the
gas pump; improve your credit score
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
06/01/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Your family’s safety and security was the theme of this special Home & Family Finance show taped before a live audience
during Western Corporate Federal Credit Union’s (WesCorp) Future Forum in La Jolla, California.
Rising Mortgage Rates—How to Safeguard Your Home by Maintaining Your Mortgage Payments and Avoiding Foreclosure:
June 1, 2008 - Lenders want to keep you in your home and are willing to work with you. Don’t wait until your home is in
danger of foreclosure to seek help. Diana Dykstra, president and CEO, San Francisco Fire Credit Union; and Joe Schroeder, CEO,
San Diego Metropolitan Credit Union discuss the types of assistance available to you today.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How to Create a Savings Strategy.:
June 1, 2008 - “Save first, then spend. Pay yourself first. Automate your pay check deposits. Don’t make access to
your savings too easy.” Just some of the advice shared by Donna Bland, senior vice president and chief financial officer,
The Golden 1 Credit Union; and Robert “Camo” Gleisberg, membership education and development officer, Pacific Marine Credit
Union. This is a “how-to” interview you have to hear!
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Identity Fraud— How to Prevent Becoming a Victim:
June 1, 2008 - Mari Frank, Esq., attorney, certified information privacy professional and author, from Laguna Niguel,
California, discusses what companies should do to protect you on line and off; measures you can take to protect yourself;
steps you should take if your personal or financial information is compromised; and resources and assistance for victims of
identity theft.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Emergency Supplies—Whether At Home or Traveling This Summer, How To Keep Your Family Safe:
June 1, 2008 - What items should you include in your family disaster supply kit? Develop a family preparedness
plan. Steps to take during a disaster. This and more with Yvette Urrea Moe, public information specialist, San Diego
County Office of Emergency Services.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Audience Questions Answered:
June 1, 2008
Listen on-line or
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|
05/25/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Financial Resources for Civilian Spouses of Military Personnel :
May 25, 2008 - May 25, 2008 – Jennifer Hobbs Plantier’s interest in the financial wellbeing of the military family stems
from being a former civilian military spouse of the Navy. Her research interests include financial and consumption behaviors of
military spouses. Several of her findings are included in a paper she wrote entitled “Assessing the Use and Usefulness of Current
Financial Resources for Civilian Military Spouses”. Guest - Jennifer Plantier, PhD, visiting professor, Economics, College of
Business and Economics, Towson University, Towson, MD.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Savings Deposit Program & the Importance of Saving:
May 25, 2008 - The Savings Deposit Program is available only to those serving in designated combat zones. Military members
deployed in combat zones, qualified hazardous duty areas, or certain contingency operations may deposit all or part of their
unallotted pay into a DOD savings account up to $10,000 during a single deployment. Interest accrues on the account at an annual
rate of 10% (per Executive Order 11298) and compounds quarterly. Guest - James Murphy, personal financial manager, Marine and
Family Services, Arlington, VA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Financial Readiness:
May 25, 2008 - The Department of Defense launched its financial readiness campaign in April 2003 as part of its commitment
to our troops and their families to improve their financial quality of life. The DoD partnered with non-profit organizations to
support personal financial readiness efforts. As the principal conduit between the Pentagon and federal/state chartered credit
unions operating on military bases, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) has been a DoD financial readiness partner from the
onset. DCUC assists our members by promoting: 1) financial education 2) savings and 3) low cost quality products and services.
Guest - Roland “Arty” Arteaga, president and CEO, Defense Credit Union Council and colonel (USA, retired), Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Military Families and the Mortgage Crisis:
May 25, 2008 - The mortgage crisis, deployment, and activations leave many military families facing foreclosure. Renters
face eviction when the landlord loses a property. What steps can renters take to safeguard themselves? Guest - Jessica Perdew,
deputy director, Government Relations, National Military Family Association, Alexandria, VA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
May 25, 2008 - odometer fraud, pay day loans, benefits of Roth IRAs
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
05/18/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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How to Financially Prepare Your Child Before High School Graduation:
May 18, 2008 - Caroline Lane, vice president of corporate development, Co-op Network, Ontario, Calif.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Preparing Financially For a Possible Job Lay Off:
May 18, 2008 - Jason Alderman, director of financial education, Visa USA, San Francisco, Calif.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Consumer Federation of America Study Looks at Gambling: Recreation or Investment?:
May 18, 2008 - Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling, Washington, DC and
Hats & Eyeglasses: A Family Love Affair with Gambling. :
Celebrity journalist Martha Frankel has interviewed Johnny Depp, Elizabeth Taylor, Leonardo Di Caprio and Robert De Niro.
But perhaps her most compelling story is the one she has written about herself.
Hats & Eyeglasses:
A Family Love Affair With Gambling is Martha’s memoir of growing up in a family of hard-core gamblers. Martha thought the gambling gene had
passed her by, until she found herself addicted to online poker and knee-deep in debt.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
May 18, 2008 - free debt reduction and credit counseling; avoiding credit card finance charges
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
05/11/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
eXtension and Your Financial Security:
May 11, 2008 - Jane Schuchardt, national program leader, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service, Washington, DC.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Farm Transfers: Who’ll Get Grandpa’s Farm?:
May 11, 2008 - Sharon de Vaney, PhD., professor, Department of Consumer Sciences and Retailing, Purdue
University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Refund Anticipation Loans:
May 11, 2008 - Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director and advocate with the National Association of
State Public Interest Research Groups (U.S. PIRG), Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Paying More for the American Dream: Paying More for the American Dream: The Subprime Shakeout and
its Impact on Lower-Income and Minority Communities.
May 11, 2008 Geoff Smith, vice president, Woodstock Institute, Chicago, Ill
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
May 11, 2008 - make sure credit bureau has been notified when you close an account; delays in
health insurance payments could damage your credit; delete computer files with shredding software; probate
and payable-on-death forms.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
05/04/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Financial Education/Literacy:
May 4, 2008 - How bad can American's knowledge of basic finance skills really be? 40% of Americans say
they live beyond their means; the savings rate dipped to a NEGATIVE in 2005; half of all Americans live
paycheck to paycheck. Becky Hart, vice president, public affairs, with the Ohio Credit Union League, talks
about financial education resources available to everyone.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Pay Day Lending:
May 4, 2008 - Bill Burke, president and CEO of Day Air Credit Union, in Dayton, Ohio; and Doug Fecher,
president and CEO at Wright-Patt Credit Union in Fairborn, Ohio talk payday lending. What is it? Who
uses these lenders? Where are these lenders found? What fees are involved? How does payday lending increase
consumer debt? What are the alternatives?
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Financial Elder Abuse:
May 4, 2008 - The dynamics of financial elder abuse are described by Beverly Laubert, the Ohio state
long-term care ombudsman, in the Department of Aging's Elder Rights Division. Discussed are: how to
recognize warning signs of exploitation; prevention tips; reporting requirements; and resources for older adults.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Resources for Small Businesses:
May 4, 2008 - You want to start your own business without making costly mistakes. In this discussion,
Iris Cooper, director of entrepreneurship and the small business division, for the Ohio Department of Development,
lists the first steps typically taken; financial resources; and pitfalls and scams small business owners should avoid.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Questions from the Audience:
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
04/27/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Summer Vacation Tips That Save You Money:
April 27, 2008 - Elizabeth Kiss, extension specialist for family resource management, Department of Consumer
Science and Retailing, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Fraud Protection at Your Bank or Credit Union:
April 27, 2008 - Bill Freer, risk manager, Co-op Financial Services, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Financial Stress: How It Impacts Employees in the Work Place:
April 27, 2008 - Dr. Tom Garman, president, Personal Finance Employee Education Foundation, Summerfield, Fla.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Patient Advocates:
April 27, 2008 - Meg Gaines, clinical professor of law, and founder and director, Center for Patient Partnerships,
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Q & A:
April 27, 2008 - debit/credit card safety tips for teens; protect your Social Security number; finding the
best credit/debt counseling agency for you; sticking to a budget and saving extra cash
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
04/20/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Money Traps:
April 20, 2008 - Six money tasks that help you gain control and management of your personal finances. Irene Leech,
associate professor and extension specialist, Consumer Education, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
NEW Tips for Families – Protect Your Family From Identity Theft:
April 20, 2008 - identity theft is America’s fastest growing crime. Seniors and children are frequent victims,
so share these tips with elderly neighbors and those with young families. Post this short list of practical tips at home
to help protect sensitive information from risk of fraud. Adam Levin, chairman, Identity Theft 911, and former director,
New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, New York City, N.Y.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
The New Math of Credit Scores:
April 20, 2008 - What is new about the latest way your credit score is calculated and why is it important to you?
Julie Wooding, senior manager, Fair Isaac, San Rafael, Calif.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Four Steps to Triple Your Returns:
April 20, 2008 - Paul Merriman, founder and director, Merriman, Berkman, Next, author of Live It Up Without Outliving
Your Money, and publisher and editor of the educational web site FUNDADVICE.COM Seattle, WA.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
| Additional Resource: |
www.fundadvice.com (see article on home page: 4 Easy Steps to Better Returns) |
Go Green for Youth Week:
April 20, 2008 - Money, and saving and managing it, are at the heart of this year’s Credit Union Youth Week. Joanne
Sepich, youth week coordinator, Credit Union National Association, Madison, Wisc.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
04/13/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Will You Be a Middle Class Drop-Out?:
April 13, 2008 - The gap between the haves and have-nots in our country is widening. Walter Dartland, executive director
of the Consumer Federation of the Southeast, in Tallahassee, Florida, says the items middle class Americans are using credit cards
to purchase are changing. Consumers are charging for necessities more than ever before, resulting in greater debt—debt which
threatens to dump 2/3 of Americans out of the middle class.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Tax Tips for Procrastinators:
April 13, 2008 - - Eric Smith, national spokesman, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Check Imaging and Other Ways to Improve How You Make Deposits:
April 13, 2008 - - Chris Kruger, an account executive with Co-op Financial Services in Ontario, California describes the
technology involved in check imaging, making envelope-free deposits at your ATM, and even making deposits from home.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Sleep Problems & Job Performance: What It Can Cost You & the U.S. Economy:
April 13, 2008 - Dr. Barry Krakow, an internist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a sleep specialist and author of “Sound
Sleep, Sound Mind: 7 Keys to Sleeping Through the Night”. His research points to factors that keep you from getting the right
amount of quality sleep, how this affects your cognitive ability, and what you can do (without drugs) to improve the quantity
and quality of the sleep you need for physical, mental and emotional health.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Planning Your Vacation: Listener’s Best Money Management Tips:
April 13, 2008 - Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults, CUNA, Madison, Wisconsin
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
04/06/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
How Will You Live When You’re Old: Housing Alternatives for an Aging America:
April 6, 2008 - With the graying of the baby boomer generation, America faces a new housing challenge. Boomers will want homes
minus the barriers, which they prevent them “aging in place”; they will seek homes with universal design in mind. Anne Sweaney, PhD, a
professor and head of the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics, in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, at the University
of Georgia, discusses housing alternatives from retirement communities to university campuses to modifying interiors of current homes.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Is Your Money Safe: Deposit Insurance:
April 6, 2008 - 2008- NCUA Vice Chairman Rodney Hood discusses recent changes in deposit insurance coverage and how they affect
consumer accounts at federally insured banks and credit unions. He further presents information about the National Credit Union Share
Insurance Fund.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Economic Stimulus Package: How Much Money Will You Get and What Do You Do to Get It?:
April 6, 2008 - If you file a 2007 federal income tax return, you will get your share of the government dollars
intended to give the U.S. economy a boost. Not everyone was a wage earner—retirees, the disabled among others—but they
are also eligible to receive money if they follow the steps detailed by Bonnie Speedy, vice president and tax-aide national
director for AARP.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Get Better Mileage from Your Fuel Dollars – Listener Money Management Tip:
April 6, 2008 - Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults, CUNA, Madison, Wisc
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
April 6, 2008Saving for Back-to-School purchases; sales tax holidays; “Do-What-You-Enjoy” summer money makers for teens; business
trends for entrepreneurs.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
03/30/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Contribute the Maximum Amount to Your 401(k) That is Matched by Your Employer:
March 30, 2008 - This money management idea from listener Cathy reminds us to not pass up this great
benefit. Only 36% of workers in 2004 participated in 401(k)s and similar accounts when offered, according to a
GAO [Government Accountability Office—2004 Numbers] report. Cathy said it’s like throwing away free money!
Guest:Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults, CUNA, Madison, Wisc
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
REAL I.D. Will the United States Have a National Identity Card? Is it a REAL Nightmare?:
March 30, 2008 - What will be the financial and social cost to implement a nation wide identity card? And is this
what we want for America? Guest: Stephen Hannan, executive director, Maryland Consumer Rights Coalition, Baltimore
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
A REAL I.D. Follow Up: The Department of Homeland Security announced Wednesday, April 2, that all 50 states and the
District of Columbia will be technically Real ID-compliant by the May 11, 2008 deadline--even though many states actually
have rejected the concept and have zero plans to embrace a national ID card.
Is a Reverse Mortgage Right for You?:
March 30, 2008 - More and more seniors unable to keep up with escalating living expenses have begun exploring
reverse mortgages, where they draw equity from their paid-off homes and continue living there with no monthly payments.
Although reverse mortgages make sense for some people – especially those on fixed incomes who want to remain in their
homes as long as possible – they have complex rules and hefty upfront costs, so look carefully before you leap. Guest:
Jason Alderman, director, Issues Management, Visa USA, San Francisco
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How Auto Auction Prices Influence What You Pay for a Vehicle:
March 30, 2008 Black Book provides auto valuations for used car
pricing around the country. It bases prices on actual auction sales--there are huge auctions where big car dealers bid on
used cars and those bids help set the wholesale and retail prices for used cars. Guest: Ricky Beggs, vice president and
managing editor, Black Book Guides
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
www.carquotes.com
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
March 30, 2008 Co-signing a loan; managing bills and financial documents; credit cards and college students
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
03/16/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
How to Avoid Common Mistakes Most Investors Make:
March 16, 2008 - Don’t lose your shirt with bad investments! Avoid common mistakes most investors make.
Paul Merriman, founder and director of Merriman Berkman Next, identifies the pitfalls and what you can do to
grow your money.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Divided We Fail:
March 16, 2008 - If you want good health care and long-term financial security, hear what Lisa Davis, attorney and
director of public education in AARP’s Office of Social Impact, has to say about the Divided We Fail Campaign. Learn more
about this effort! It is important for your well-being now and in the future.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Estate Planning:
March 16, 2008 - Birds do it, bees do it, even educated fleas do it…Let’s face it: one day you will die. Wrong lyrics,
but before you get one day older, listen to attorney Mary Randolph with estate planning basics on wills, trusts, estate taxes
and more. Mary has authored several books as vice president of editorial for NOLO, the nation's oldest provider of legal
information for consumers.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Disaster Preparedness:
Pay attention! If you don’t have your personal or family disaster plan ready
to put into action, if you can’t lay your hands on items critical to your survival and move to safety within a
few minutes, you need to prepare now. Dr. Joyce Cavanagh associate professor and extension family economics specialist
with Texas Cooperative Extension, The Texas A&M University System, talks disaster preparedness and what you should
have in your grab ‘n go box.
March 16, 2008
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
texasextension.tamu.edu
Listener Q & A: Appealing property tax assessments; online shopping; private mortgage insurance: is it
deductible? Host Paul Berry answers your questions.
March 16, 2008
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
03/09/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
All three guests on this special Home & Family Finance Radio show, taped during the Credit Union National Association’s
Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, DC, have one goal: Help you make sense of the mortgage crisis and know
where to turn if you're in trouble.
Securities Impact on Mortgage Lending:
March 9, 2008 - Dwight Johnston, vice president—economic and market research, WesCorp, San Dimas, Calif.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
State of Mortgage and Housing Markets:
March 9, 2008 - Mike Schenk, vice president—economics and statistics, CUNA, Madison, Wis.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Help for Homeowners:
March 9, 2008 - John Snyder, homeownership specialist, NeighborWorks America, Washington, D.C.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Open Panel Discussion: Host Paul Berry leads an open dialogue with this week’s guests
March 9, 2008
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
03/02/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
REBROADCAST FROM EARLIER DATE
Saving for College:
December 16, 2007 - “Families have competitive savings needs – retirement, buying a
home, vacations…saving for college can get squeezed out,” says Joe Orsolini, president of
College Aid Planners, Inc., in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Are you saving? No? Flexibility is the
key to successful college savings. Orsolini describes a variety of savings plans, financial
aid reform recently passed by Congress, coordinating saving with tax credits and more.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Financial Education & the High School Student:
December 16, 2007 - Lisa Moore, a teacher of the High School Financial Education Program
developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and two of her students, Hala
Salouane and Sam Burton, join host Paul Berry in a lively discussion on the merits of youth
financial education. Students from the Arlington Career Center, in Arlington, Virginia, enrolling
in this elective program are amazed at how little they knew and what they now know about money
management. It isn’t pennies from Heaven. It’s budgeting, investing, using credit wisely—Hala
and Sam will fill you in!
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Investment Strategies for a Volatile Market:
December 16, 2007 - Joe Saari, publisher of The Educated Investor, says you can thrive,
not just survive, in a volatile market. CEO of Precision Information in San Diego, California,
Saari’s practical strategies will motivate you to become a more educated investor. It is market
volatility (change in prices) that creates buying opportunities and leads to the more attractive
long-term gains of 8% to 10% or more that we have seen on average for last 100 years.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Freezing Your Credit:
December 16, 2007 - A security freeze gives you the choice to "freeze" or lock access to
your credit file against anyone who may be trying to open up a new account or to get new credit
in your name. When a security freeze is in place at all three major credit bureaus, an identity
thief cannot open a new account. This is one of the benefits of freezing your credit file. John
Ulzheimer, president of Credit.com Educational Services in Atlanta, Georgia, has the pros and
cons: should everyone freeze their credit; are there times when you should not? Ulzheimer gives
you the facts, so you can make an informed decision about your credit file.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Email Questions:
December 16, 2007 - Support team for new business; making a bigger impact on your retirement
nest egg; how not to have your estate tied up in probate; filing a property tax assessment appeal.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
02/24/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
The New $5 Bill - What improved security features mean to you & counterfeiters, too:
February 24, 2008 - New! Improved! The $5 bill! Coming to a cash register near you March 13! Will it work
in vending machines? Is it more secure? Are old bills being recalled, devalued or demonetized? These questions
and more answered by Dawn Haley, a chief officer with the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. Oh, what about
counterfeiters? Guest: Dawn Haley, chief, Office of External Relations, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, U.S.
Department of the Treasury, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
The U.S. Economy - Headed for a Recession?:
February 24, 2008 - Is the U.S. economy in a recession? Are you looking for change between the sofa
cushions yet? Lend an ear to economist Steve Rick. Political campaigners always ask, “Are you better off today
than you were 4 years ago?” Well, are YOU? Guest: Steve Rick, senior economist, Credit Union National Association,
Madison, Wisc
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Internet Gambling - What It Costs You & Me:
February 24, 2008 - The world of Internet Gambling is like the Wild West! Lawless, profitable; the facts
will astound you! With a sucker born every minute, what was the social cost last year—job loss, divorce, bankruptcy?
Starts with a “B”, Baby, but Keith Whyte from the National Council on Problem Gambling also tells you why it’s a
boomin’ biz. Guest: Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
America Saves Week:
February 24, 2008 - It’s America Saves Week and we Americans just DON’T. Pay yourself now—before you pay
the Piper! George Barany, with the Consumer Federation of America, why and how. You don’t want to miss this!
Guest: George Barany, director of financial education, Consumer Federation of America and national organizer,
America Saves
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
February 24, 2008 - Free tax return preparation; pay down credit card debt; options when your adjustable
rate mortgage changes; host Paul Berry answers your questions.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
02/17/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Consumer Debt and Saving:
February 17, 2008 - 5 SMART things you can do with your tax bonus refund. Steve Brobeck, executive
director of the Consumer Federation of America, tells you how to dig out of debt and steps you can take to
start saving. Been using your home equity as a piggy bank? Want a refund anticipation loan? Don’t make a
move until you listen to Steve. Guest: Stephen Brobeck, executive director, Consumer Federation of America
(CFA), Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Financial Consumer Hotlines :
February 17, 2008 - Have a problem with your bank or credit union you can’t resolve? Need help?
Gigi Hyland, board member with the National Credit Union Administration, knows who you can contact! Guest:
Gigi Hyland, board member, National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), Alexandria, VA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Debt Collection:
February 17, 2008 - If debt collectors are hounding you, you don’t want to miss this! Ruth Susswein
from Consumer-Action knows your rights. She knows your responsibilities, too. Do you? Guest: Ruth Susswein,
deputy director of national priorities, Consumer Action, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
February 17, 2008 - Teaching pre-schoolers about money; develop a spending plan; finding a reputable auto
mechanic; try before you buy
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
02/10/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Roth IRAs for Working Kids
February 10, 2008 - Make your kid a millionaire! If your teen works, there’s one sure-fire
investment tool to make your dream come true. “It’s easy; start now,” says Nancy Granovsky, professor,
extension family economics specialist and regents fellow with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service in
the Texas A&M University System, in College Station, Texas.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
How to Determine How Much Money You Made In Your Portfolio This Past Year
February 10, 2008 - You sock your money away in stocks, bonds, real estate. But, do you know
how much you really made in your portfolio this past year? Rutgers University’s own Barbara O’Neill
tells you how to figure that out. Guest: Barbara O’Neill, an extension specialist in Financial Resource
Management, and professor with Rutgers University Cooperative Extension, in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?
February 10, 2008 - Marlene Stum addresses an issue few families escape. Guest:
Marlene Stum, founder and professor, Family Social Science, at the University of Minnesota in
Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
What Makes a Good Checking Account & Other Banking Tips
February 10, 2008 - You can get stuck with a fee for walking into your bank and asking the teller
a question! Ed Mierzwinski talks banking tips. Guest: Ed Mierzwinski, consumer program director and
advocate with the National Association of State Public Interest Research Groups (U.S. PIRG) in Washington,
D.C.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions:
February 10, 2008 - Generic medicines; lower your homeowner’s insurance cost; save money at the
gas pump; improve your credit score
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
02/03/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Credit Card Practices: Consumer Concerns
February 3, 2008 - Hard to choose the credit card right for you? Angry at companies
that increase interest rates or slap you with fees Sherlock Holmes couldn't track down in
the small print? Sandra Braunstein tells what's being done about your most common complaints.
Guest: Sandra Braunstein, director, Division of Consumer and Community Affairs, Federal
Reserve Board, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Student Loan Reform: The Response from Congress
February 3, 2008 - Getting a student loan is like going through a maze to get
cheese. Congress has straightened twists and turns in the student loan maze. Find out
which reforms Congress enacted to make it easier for you to get the money you need.
Guest: J.D. LaRock, senior education advisor to U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy, chairman,
Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Affordable Housing – Stronger Communities
February 3, 2008 - Need a house you can afford? Facing foreclosure and want help
to stay in your home? Marietta Rodriguez tells how you can get the help you need. Guest:
Marietta Rodriguez, national director, Home Ownership Programs, NeighborWorks America,
Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener’s Best Money Tip
February 3, 2008 - Save Money. Susan Tiffany tells you how much in this Best Money Tip
LOUISE sent to us. Simply change one thing you do at your credit union. It will save you a bundle.
Guest: Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults, CUNA, Madison,
Wisconsin
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Podcasting Home & Family Finance:
February 3, 2008 - CUNA Senior Vice President – Communications and Home & Family Finance
Executive Producer Mark Wolff and Host Paul Berry describe this new enhancement and how you can
register for free podcasting.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/27/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Apply for Federal Financial Aid Now
January 27, 2008 - We have the How-To Guide to get the money you, or your child, need
for college, Michael Wroblewski, project director - consumer education and outreach, with
Consumers Union—the Consumer Reports folks—says NOW is the time to apply for federal loans.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Timing Your Retirement
January 27, 2008 - Time your retirement or lose money. Sally Hurme, an attorney in AARP’s
Financial Security Unit, unfolds a retirement roadmap and has a retirement calculator to figure
out the WHEN and HOW MUCH for your needs.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Choosing Your Tax Preparer & Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA)
January 27, 2008 - Have your income tax return prepared free of charge! How to
find the right tax preparer for you. This and more from the IRS’s Mark Green.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Resources: See http://www.irs.gov for IRS-trained
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA); Tax Counseling for the Elderly; and Armed Forces Tax Council
Payroll Cards
January 27, 2008 - Kiss your paycheck good bye. Say hello to payroll cards! Barry Wides,
deputy comptroller, Community Affairs, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of
the Treasury, lays out the benefits to you and our economy.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered:
January 27, 2008 - Make the most of your income tax refund; update your beneficiary choices;
one secret to build your savings; determine your debt level; best way to pay down credit cards. Host
Paul Berry answers your questions.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/20/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Give Your Wallet a Workout
January 20, 2008 - How are you doing with that resolution to trim your waistline
this year? Give your wallet a workout instead! We have 3 exercises that trim your bottom
line and get your finances in better shape. Guest Cate Williams says, “You can do it!”
Vice president of financial literacy with Money Management International, Cate guides you
to financial fitness—you can do it!
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Earned Income Tax Credit
January 20, 2008 - 9 BILLION dollars slip through workers’ fingers every year
because of one thing. Jeanette Valencia, with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County,
California, tells you what this one thing is and how you can get it, along with help,
free of charge. You work hard for every dime. Don’t let YOUR money slip away.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Conversion to Digital TV: Coupon Program Roll-out
January 20, 2008 - Deal or No Deal? You won’t be able to watch your regular old T.V.
much longer. No deal, no way. In February 2009, all television in the U.S. goes digital. Your
analog T.V. won’t pick up the new digital signals. What are you supposed to do—throw out a
2-year old set?! Catherine Seidel, chief of the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau of
the Federal Communications Commission in Washington, DC, is from the government and she’s
here to help you! Deal or No Deal? DEAL! Don’t miss a single television program; take the deal!
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Unscrewed: The Consumer’s Guide to Getting What You Paid For
January 20, 2008 - Every four seconds, an unsuspecting American consumer is bamboozled,
cheated, conned, deceived, defrauded, double-crossed, duped, fleeced, fooled, hoaxed, hoodwinked,
phished, ripped-off, robbed, scammed, shafted, stung, swindled, taken in, or tricked— more than
seven million customers taken advantage of every year by an unscrupulous, uncaring or unavailable
company, corporation or creep. Broadcast reporter, author and consumer activist Ron Burley’s book,
Unscrewed, is a guide to getting your way, and your money back, when dealing with businesses or
the government. Look for more consumer advice from Ron in AARP Magazine; he’s a regular columnist.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Questions Answered:
January 20, 2008 - Sue from Jackson, Michigan, wants to know about applying for
financial aid for college. How about you? Or, is your private mortgage insurance premium
deductible this year? That’s what’s on Laurie’s mind. Gas prices are shooting through the
roof! How do you ease your pain at the pump? Host Paul Berry answers your questions.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/13/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
Your Taxes: Good Things to Know
January 13, 2008 - Do you dread income tax season? Well, we have the tax man. That’s
right – the I-R-S – with four key things you need to know about so you get a bigger return on
the money you’ve earned. Not only that! Eric Smith, a national spokesman for the Internal
Revenue Service, tells you how to avoid being scammed by identity thieves pretending to be from
the IRS. Guest: Eric Smith, national spokesman, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Washington, DC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Fast Profits in Hard Times
January 13, 2008 - Times are tough. Your dollar doesn’t stretch as far as it used to.
Author Jordan Goodman says you can make fast profits in hard times. This former Money magazine
journalist has 10 secret strategies to make you rich in an up or down economy. Guest: Jordan
Goodman, former Money magazine journalist and author of several best-selling books, including
Everyone’s Money Book, New York
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
When to Use Debit vs Credit Cards
January 13, 2008 - Your fraud protection isn’t the same with debit and credit cards, but
what is it? It’s just one factor that will help you decide when to use which card. Connie
Trudgeon, from Co-op Network, has the one word answer to, “What’s the difference in using my
credit card rather than my debit card?” That one word can save you money. Guest: Connie
Trudgeon, vice president - operations, Co-op Network, Ontario, Calif
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
January Money Management Tip From Our Audience
January 13, 2008 - We asked for YOUR money management tips and listener Kim sent us a
great reminder! It affects every single one of us. Susan Tiffany tells what you need to do
to make Kim’s reminder work for you and the people you love. Guest: Susan Tiffany, director
of personal finance information for adults, Center for Personal Finance, Credit Union National
Association, Madison, Wisc.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Q & A:
January 13, 2008 - Host Paul Berry answers your questions: How you can build a good
credit history * What you can do about negative information in your credit report * On line
shopping safety * The safest way to pay on line
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/06/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
5-Step Debt Diet: Trim Your Post-holiday Credit Card Flab
January 6, 2008 - Overindulged and spent too much on holiday cheer? Made a
New Year’s resolution to trim some flab? Brad Stroh, founder and co-CEO of Freedom
Financial Network, LLC and Bills.com in San Mateo, California, has a 5-step debt diet,
guaranteed to help you trim your post-holiday credit card flab.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Your Money & Your Brain: How the New Science of Neuroeconomics Can Help Make You Rich
January 6, 2008 - In his new book, Jason Zweig, senior writer for Money magazine,
reveals how the growing field of neuroeconomics reveals what actually goes on inside our
brains when we make decisions about money. With imaging technology, we can observe the
precise neural circuitry that switches on and off as we make or lose money. By learning
more about ourselves, we can alter our decision making behaviors to become better investors
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
What To Do When You’re Facing an Adjustment to Your ARM (Adjustable Rate Mortgage)
January 6, 2008 - Frank Nothaft is the chief economist for Freddie Mac, headquartered
in McLean, Virginia. Freddie Mac is one of America's biggest buyers of home mortgages. If you
have an adjustable rate mortgage and face an adjustment of your current rate, you won’t want
to miss the advice Frank shares with host Paul Berry.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Additional Resources: |
www.freddiemac.com
List of credit counseling agencies approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development: HUD-Approved
Agencies
If you suspect a predatory mortgage company is targeting you, call your local office of
consumer affairs, the federal bureau of investigation, an approved credit counseling agency
or your local Don't Borrow
Trouble campaign. |
Credit Myths
January 6, 2008 - Think you can’t buy a house because you have no credit or that the
higher your income, the better your credit score? Are your credit scores merged when you
marry? If you close some credit card accounts, will you improve your credit score? Rick Harper,
vice president/director of housing of Consumer Credit Counseling Service, in San Francisco,
blows these and other myths out of the water with “just the facts, M’am” (and a nod to Dragnet’s
Joe Friday).
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Q & A:
January 6, 2008 - instant messaging and your child’s safety; airlines/airports with best
“on-time” records; why your income doesn’t stretch as far as it used to; estates in probate.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/30/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
REBROADCAST FROM EARLIER DATE
What a Weak U. S. Dollar Means to the Average Joe
November 4, 2007 - A cup ‘o Joe use ta cost a dime; it don’t no more. That’s sixty years
of inflation—and ‘scuze me takin’ liberties wid my mudda tongue. But when a weak simoleon, uh,
clam—‘scuze me—when a weakening dollar doesn’t buy what it used to, its value is declining in
relation to one or more other currencies. Good thing? Bad thing? “Yes,” says Mike Schenk, vice
president – economics and statistics, with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Do Better, Do More with Your 401(k)
November 4, 2007 - Paul Merriman has the 411 on your 401…(k): the most common mistake
young investors make; how much in stocks, how much in bonds; when to not invest in a 401(k);
should you leave money with your former company or move it to an IRA…Founder and director of
Merriman, Berkman, Next; author of Live It Up Without Outliving Your Money:10 Steps to a Perfect
Retirement Portfolio; and publisher and editor of the educational web site fundadvice.com,
Merriman has put 3 articles on 401(k) investing on the homepage of
www.fundadvice.com for Home & Family
FinanceTM listeners:
- Successful 401(k) Investing in 12 Easy Steps
- Seventeen Steps to Improve Your 401(k)
- Why Your 401(k) is More Important Than Ever
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
November 4, 2007 - Do you know the signs that your home is silently wasting energy? Edward
Pollock, acting supervisor for research in the Office of Building Technologies at the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) in Washington, DC, wants you to become energy wise and save money. The DOE developed
a web based tool to help homeowners determine what improvements will produce the most savings in their
home. The tool is called Home Energy Saver at >http://hes.lbl.gov.
Go there; use it. Time is money? Time spent here will save you money! There are also links
on this site to a variety of information on improving the efficiency of a home.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Identity Theft: Now What’s the 911?
November 4, 2007 - Emergency! Dial 911. Crisis! Dial 911. Medical I.D. theft can have lethal
consequences. The thief accessed your records to assume your identity and now you’re stuck with his
hospital bill. Yes, it’s a problem, but what if his medical history becomes part of your medical
history? Doctors misdiagnosis your symptoms; choose the wrong remedy or surgical procedure. Adam Levin,
chairman of Identity Theft 911 and former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs,
briefs host Paul Berry on this and other currently “hot” types of I.D. theft, which affect people in
vulnerable life stages. One of the worst may be Synthetic I.D. theft. An almost impossible to track
identity is created from one person’s social security number, another’s birth certificate, still
another’s military service records, your credit card data and my medical history, and…it can take
years to unravel the tangled mess of this type of crime.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Email Questions:
November 4, 2007 - College students and credit card debt; online holiday shopping safety tips;
mailbox always full of credit card offers: how to opt-out; avoiding mortgage foreclosure rescue scams.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/23/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
REBROADCAST FROM EARLIER DATE
How to Stop Junk Mail
October 28, 2007 - If you never sing, “Oh, yeah,
wait a minute Mr. Postman; wait Mr. Postman; please Mr. Postman, look and see if there’s junk
mail in your bag for me,” Pat Kachura understands. Senior vice president for corporate
responsibility with the Direct Marketing Association, Kachura knows how consumers feel about
the amount and kinds of advertising mail they receive and the steps you can take to control
what you receive. You’ll be singin’ a new tune—“the sooner the better.”
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Kids.gov
October 28, 2007 - Mary Levy directs the Federal Citizen
Information Center Consumer Information and Outreach Division and although it’s not a secret,
psst…there’s a special portal through which kids can pass to discover links to government and
other kids’ sites; these are grouped by age and subject. Kids can explore, learn and have fun!
They will find a special site of the month—this month it was Ocean Explorer—and wondrous,
wonderful things at kids.gov
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Building Credit with a Secured Credit Card
October 28, 2007 - No credit
history? Bad credit reports? One way you can build, or rebuild, a better credit history is to get
and wisely use a secured credit card, according to Linda Sherry, director of national priorities
for Consumer Action, a national consumer education and advocacy group known for free multilingual
consumer education on personal finance issues. Now that authorized users of another person's credit
card will no longer build credit, it’s a means to consider. Sherry and host Paul Berry cover the
how-to’s and the up-and-down-side (oh, yes, there may be some disadvantages, too) of using secured
credit cards to build credit.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Ways to Lower Your Utility Costs
October 28, 2007 - Mike Wilson, with Eastern
illini Electric Cooperative, a non-profit, member-owned rural electric cooperative, in Paxton, Illinois,
knows how YOU can lower your utility costs. Saving energy means saving money without sacrificing comfort.
A home energy evaluation lets you know how your house uses energy and helps determine ways you can make
your house more energy efficient. One of the best sources for energy saving strategies is the Department
of Energy. Use its web based do-it-yourself home energy audit.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Email Questions:
October 28, 2007 - Theft by skimming at your ATM; simple
habits that safeguard your personal information; negotiate your best car price. . .
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/16/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Saving for College:
December 16, 2007 - “Families have competitive savings needs – retirement, buying a
home, vacations…saving for college can get squeezed out,” says Joe Orsolini, president of
College Aid Planners, Inc., in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. Are you saving? No? Flexibility is the
key to successful college savings. Orsolini describes a variety of savings plans, financial
aid reform recently passed by Congress, coordinating saving with tax credits and more.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Financial Education & the High School Student:
December 16, 2007 - Lisa Moore, a teacher of the High School Financial Education Program
developed by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) and two of her students, Hala
Salouane and Sam Burton, join host Paul Berry in a lively discussion on the merits of youth
financial education. Students from the Arlington Career Center, in Arlington, Virginia, enrolling
in this elective program are amazed at how little they knew and what they now know about money
management. It isn’t pennies from Heaven. It’s budgeting, investing, using credit wisely—Hala
and Sam will fill you in!
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Investment Strategies for a Volatile Market:
December 16, 2007 - Joe Saari, publisher of The Educated Investor, says you can thrive,
not just survive, in a volatile market. CEO of Precision Information in San Diego, California,
Saari’s practical strategies will motivate you to become a more educated investor. It is market
volatility (change in prices) that creates buying opportunities and leads to the more attractive
long-term gains of 8% to 10% or more that we have seen on average for last 100 years.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Freezing Your Credit:
December 16, 2007 - A security freeze gives you the choice to "freeze" or lock access to
your credit file against anyone who may be trying to open up a new account or to get new credit
in your name. When a security freeze is in place at all three major credit bureaus, an identity
thief cannot open a new account. This is one of the benefits of freezing your credit file. John
Ulzheimer, president of Credit.com Educational Services in Atlanta, Georgia, has the pros and
cons: should everyone freeze their credit; are there times when you should not? Ulzheimer gives
you the facts, so you can make an informed decision about your credit file.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Email Questions:
December 16, 2007 - Support team for new business; making a bigger impact on your retirement
nest egg; how not to have your estate tied up in probate; filing a property tax assessment appeal.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/09/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Holiday Gift Cards Survey Findings:
December 9, 2007 - Surprise! Gift cards are more popular than ever with buyers and users.
Ellen Davis, senior director of the National Retail Federation in Washington, DC, reveals much more
from the NRF’s 6th annual survey. Who buys them, who digs them, who’d rather not bother? Your
grandma, your best friend, your sister or father?
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Gift Card Do’s and Don’ts:
December 9, 2007 - Jack Gillis, full of cheer, shares good things and bad things about gift
cards this year. Are there fees, terms, conditions, or “good til this date”? Then no time to dawdle,
use before it’s too late! Gillis is the director of public relations for the Consumer Federation of
America, located in Washington, DC.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Debt Consolidation:
December 9, 2007 - Gerri Detweiler, author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook and credit advisor
for Credit.com, discusses when debt consolidation will benefit the consumer, options available, and
avoiding the biggest mistakes consumers make.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
2008 Financial Challenge for H&FF Audience:
December 9, 2007 - Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults in the
Credit Union National Association Center for Personal Finance, joins host Paul Berry from Madison,
Wisconsin to issue a challenge to Home & Family Finance listeners. Share your ideas for money management
success. Yours might be selected and read on air. Submit your ideas by e-mail to
askem@cuna.com and become eligible for monthly prizes of $50 Visa gift
cards.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
Listener Email Questions:
December 9, 2007 - Negotiating a better price; buying school clothes with your teen; ways to lower grocery
bills.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/02/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
Your Taxes: What to Do Before December 31st :
December 2, 2007 - If you prepare for tax season by dropping all your receipts into a shoe
box, you’ll find help from Mark Green, a media relations specialist with the Internal Revenue Service.
Yes, it’s the tax man with advice on what you can do before the end of the year to make filing your
2007 return easier.
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Cut Your Health Care Costs Without Cutting Corners:
December 2, 2007 - This doctor has what’s good for what ails you, especially if you’re sick
of the rising cost of health care. Dr. William J. Mayer, M.D., M.P.H., is vice president, medical
staff clinical quality with Bronson Healthcare Group, Inc., in Kalamazoo, Michigan and medical
editor of Hope Health Letter, an award winning national newsletter for employees and their families.
Dr. Mayer encourages patients to take a more active role in keeping their medical costs down and
tells you how.
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Military Lending Act :
December 2, 2007 - Lillie Cannon, PhD, columnist for Military Money, and the military project
program manager with H&R Block continues her Veterans’ Day conversation with host Paul Berry on
provisions of the act dealing with predatory lending to military personnel and their families. Lillie’s
earlier interview can be heard in the November 11, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance.
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How to Insulate Your Attic :
December 2, 2007 - You can do it yourself in a weekend! Gale Tedhams, director of sustainability
for Owens Corning, headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, tells you how. It’s as easy as 1-2-3. You’ll be warmer
in winter, cooler in summer, lower your utility bills and prevent a ½ ton of CO2 emissions from entering
our atmosphere every year. That’s from one properly insulated attic. An insulation calculator helps you
determine how much insulation you need and you’ll find a project check list to get the job done.
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11/18/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Online Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
November 18, 2007 - Jack Gillis, director of public affairs for the Consumer Federation
of America in Washington, DC, warns, “You don’t know who’s naughty or nice.” Shop with familiar
companies, keep hard copies of transactions and receipts, and follow Jack’s other advice to have
a holly-jolly shopping experience.
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Regifting: Gifts That Keep On Giving
November 18, 2007 - Ah, c’mon, admit it; you’ve done it. You received a nice gift you
had no use for. Your friends’ wedding is coming up and this would be perfect for them. Stick
to regifting rules—oh, yes, there is regifting etiquette—rewrap in new paper and add a new card.
Always check inside the box first before rewrapping. Why? Kim McGrigg, communication specialist
with Money Management International in Denver, Colorado, reveals the answer. You’ll find regifting
dos and don’ts, interesting facts and figures, games, and more at www.Regiftable.com. You can
also share your regifting stories for a chance to win a prize!
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Deck the Halls within Your Budget
November 18, 2007 - Brad Stroh, founder and co-CEO of Freedom Financial Network in San Mateo,
California, joins Home & Family FinanceTM with recommendations that
can help rein in holiday overspending: start early; be creative; know when to quit; avoid money matching
and keeping up with the Joneses.
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Creating Holiday Memories
November 18, 2007 - More than anything—more than the food or presents—we recall feelings
associated with holidays and family. Alisa Cohn, a Boston executive coach at alisacohn.com, and
host Paul Berry talk about creating family holiday traditions that cost little or no money. Ones
that will be dearly remembered long after that last sliver of pie, long after this year’s hottest
toy has lost its luster.
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Listener Email Questions:
November 18, 2007 - Section 529 college savings plans; children buying presents; store return policies
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11/11/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Military Lending Act: Predatory Lending to Service Members and Their Families
November 11, 2007 - A measure protecting troops from predatory lenders was passed by Congress
last fall. It set a 36-percent cap on interest rates. Payday lenders target the military by clustering
around bases. They typically charge interest rates in the 400-percent range, and trap borrowers
long-term in loans that borrowers intended to take for only a couple of weeks. Lillie Cannon, PhD,
columnist, Military Money, and military project program manager, H&R Block, reviews the measure’s
provisions.
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Financial Education and Training: The Credit Union Difference
November 11, 2007 - Cutler Dawson, vice admiral (U.S. Navy, retired), is president and CEO
of Navy Federal Credit Union, headquartered in Vienna, Virginia. Dawson and host Paul Berry discuss
the importance of member financial education and training in attaining one’s financial goals. Boost
your personal finance I.Q. with a visit to the Home Center, Auto Center, the Credit Center, Life
Stages & Retirement Center, or even the kid-friendly “Family Zone” at
www.navyfcu.org Most information is online for anyone. You’ll
also find videos on YouTube under how-to or Categories, Navyfederal!
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Military Preparedness: To Buy That Next Vehicle, That Is
November 11, 2007 - Eric Hoffman, a spokesman with Americans Well-informed on Automobile
Retailing Economics (AWARE) in Washington, DC, presents findings of its survey, which compared
certain financial habits of service members and Americans in general. It revealed that people in
the military are more likely than their civilian counterparts to understand the process of buying
and financing a vehicle and to spend more time researching their options. Hoffman also shares sound
auto shopping and financing tips.
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Organize Your Records: November Financial Fitness Challenge
November 11, 2007 - Are you buried in paper clutter? Did you find last year’s tax return in
the laundry basket? Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults in the CUNA
Madison office, says clutter represents postponed decisions that can cost you money! Tiffany offers
the 5 R’s to eliminate clutter: reduce it, recycle it, rethink it, relocate it, and redirect it! You
may still come upon your eyeglasses in the refrigerator, but your personal and financial records will
be where you intended.
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Cross-Cut Shred Sensitive Documents:
November 11, 2007 - Garry Parks, lieutenant general (USMC, retired) and president and CEO
of the South Carolina Credit Union League and Affiliates in Columbia, South Carolina, says to
“deep-six” your sensitive documents. Dumpster diving is still the number one way thieves get your
personal and financial information. Nothing high-tech—just going through your trash. Parks give
pointers on what to shred and the best way to do it.
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11/04/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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What a Weak U. S. Dollar Means to the Average Joe
November 4, 2007 - A cup ‘o Joe use ta cost a dime; it don’t no more. That’s sixty years
of inflation—and ‘scuze me takin’ liberties wid my mudda tongue. But when a weak simoleon, uh,
clam—‘scuze me—when a weakening dollar doesn’t buy what it used to, its value is declining in
relation to one or more other currencies. Good thing? Bad thing? “Yes,” says Mike Schenk, vice
president – economics and statistics, with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA).
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Do Better, Do More with Your 401(k)
November 4, 2007 - Paul Merriman has the 411 on your 401…(k): the most common mistake
young investors make; how much in stocks, how much in bonds; when to not invest in a 401(k);
should you leave money with your former company or move it to an IRA…Founder and director of
Merriman, Berkman, Next; author of Live It Up Without Outliving Your Money:10 Steps to a Perfect
Retirement Portfolio; and publisher and editor of the educational web site fundadvice.com,
Merriman has put 3 articles on 401(k) investing on the homepage of
www.fundadvice.com for Home & Family
FinanceTM listeners:
- Successful 401(k) Investing in 12 Easy Steps
- Seventeen Steps to Improve Your 401(k)
- Why Your 401(k) is More Important Than Ever
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Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
November 4, 2007 - Do you know the signs that your home is silently wasting energy? Edward
Pollock, acting supervisor for research in the Office of Building Technologies at the U.S. Department
of Energy (DOE) in Washington, DC, wants you to become energy wise and save money. The DOE developed
a web based tool to help homeowners determine what improvements will produce the most savings in their
home. The tool is called Home Energy Saver at >http://hes.lbl.gov.
Go there; use it. Time is money? Time spent here will save you money! There are also links
on this site to a variety of information on improving the efficiency of a home.
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Identity Theft: Now What’s the 911?
November 4, 2007 - Emergency! Dial 911. Crisis! Dial 911. Medical I.D. theft can have lethal
consequences. The thief accessed your records to assume your identity and now you’re stuck with his
hospital bill. Yes, it’s a problem, but what if his medical history becomes part of your medical
history? Doctors misdiagnosis your symptoms; choose the wrong remedy or surgical procedure. Adam Levin,
chairman of Identity Theft 911 and former director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs,
briefs host Paul Berry on this and other currently “hot” types of I.D. theft, which affect people in
vulnerable life stages. One of the worst may be Synthetic I.D. theft. An almost impossible to track
identity is created from one person’s social security number, another’s birth certificate, still
another’s military service records, your credit card data and my medical history, and…it can take
years to unravel the tangled mess of this type of crime.
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Listener Email Questions:
November 4, 2007 - College students and credit card debt; online holiday shopping safety tips;
mailbox always full of credit card offers: how to opt-out; avoiding mortgage foreclosure rescue scams.
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10/28/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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How to Stop Junk Mail
October 28, 2007 - If you never sing, “Oh, yeah,
wait a minute Mr. Postman; wait Mr. Postman; please Mr. Postman, look and see if there’s junk
mail in your bag for me,” Pat Kachura understands. Senior vice president for corporate
responsibility with the Direct Marketing Association, Kachura knows how consumers feel about
the amount and kinds of advertising mail they receive and the steps you can take to control
what you receive. You’ll be singin’ a new tune—“the sooner the better.”
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Kids.gov
October 28, 2007 - Mary Levy directs the Federal Citizen
Information Center Consumer Information and Outreach Division and although it’s not a secret,
psst…there’s a special portal through which kids can pass to discover links to government and
other kids’ sites; these are grouped by age and subject. Kids can explore, learn and have fun!
They will find a special site of the month—this month it was Ocean Explorer—and wondrous,
wonderful things at kids.gov
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Building Credit with a Secured Credit Card
October 28, 2007 - No credit
history? Bad credit reports? One way you can build, or rebuild, a better credit history is to get
and wisely use a secured credit card, according to Linda Sherry, director of national priorities
for Consumer Action, a national consumer education and advocacy group known for free multilingual
consumer education on personal finance issues. Now that authorized users of another person's credit
card will no longer build credit, it’s a means to consider. Sherry and host Paul Berry cover the
how-to’s and the up-and-down-side (oh, yes, there may be some disadvantages, too) of using secured
credit cards to build credit.
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Ways to Lower Your Utility Costs
October 28, 2007 - Mike Wilson, with Eastern
illini Electric Cooperative, a non-profit, member-owned rural electric cooperative, in Paxton, Illinois,
knows how YOU can lower your utility costs. Saving energy means saving money without sacrificing comfort.
A home energy evaluation lets you know how your house uses energy and helps determine ways you can make
your house more energy efficient. One of the best sources for energy saving strategies is the Department
of Energy. Use its web based do-it-yourself home energy audit.
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Listener Email Questions:
October 28, 2007 - Theft by skimming at your ATM; simple
habits that safeguard your personal information; negotiate your best car price. . .
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10/21/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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How Did the Housing Market Get This Bad?:
October 21, 2007 - "It takes a heap o'
livin' in a house t' make it home," said poet Edgar Guest. And when homes values slump, a house can
also mean a heap o' heartburn. Find out what's in store for harried homeowners when host Paul Barry
talks mortgages with Frank Nothaft, chief economist for Freddie Mac, one of America's biggest buyers
of home mortgages.
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How the Mortgage Meltdown Affects the Market:
October 21, 2007 - Michael Farr
is president and majority owner of Farr, Miller & Washington, LLC, which offers investment counsel—or
capital management in the Nation’s capital, Washington, DC. Farr and host Paul Berry’s lively exchange
on the fallout from the continuing mortgage meltdown isn’t only on its affect on the market, but on
each and every consumer in the U.S.
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Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Housing and Mortgage Markets:
October 21, 2007
- Allen Fishbein is director of housing and credit policy for the Consumer Federation of America (CFA). Previously
at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), he coordinated activities of a joint federal
body, established with the U.S. Treasury, to investigate the problem of predatory mortgage lending. Fishbein
urges a strong public policy response and action by Congress to expand and strengthen consumer protections
and remedy mortgage loan violations.
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10/14/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Planning Now For What You'll Need Then:
October 14, 2007 - Don’t let your life story be
The Grasshopper and the Ants. Start now to prepare legal documents that better ensure your future financial
security. Sally Hurme, attorney with AARP's Financial Security Unit, lays out the basics of what you should
have in place: power of attorney, durable medical power of attorney, living trust, living will—what’s right
for you and what scams should you know about?
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Strategies For Helping Senior Parents Manage Their Money, Part 1:
October 14, 2007 - Dr. Sharon
Burns, executive director of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education, notes approximately
23 million Americans are caring for an older adult. Caretaking no longer is limited to ensuring parents have
medical attention, are driven to appointments, or that their houses are clean. It now includes assisting parents
with money management tasks and, in many cases, financial decision making. Managing money does not mean offering
financial support; it simply means assisting with financial chores and decision making.
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Strategies For Helping Senior Parents Manage Their Money, Part 2
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Elderly Financial Abuse:
October 14, 2007 - Paul Greenwood is the deputy district attorney
in the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit, and an executive committee member
of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and National Center on Elder Abuse. Paul wants you to
know the signs of financial elder abuse and offers ten tips to reduce
the risk of becoming a victim.
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International Credit Union Day:
October 14, 2007 - Pete Crear, chief executive officer of
the World Council of Credit Unions, joins host Paul Berry for a conversation about this annual day of celebration.
First established in 1948, ICU Day honors the people who have dedicated their lives to the credit union movement.
From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, more than 136 million people worldwide have access to affordable financial services
at the credit unions they own and govern.
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Listener Email Questions:
October 14, 2007 – Expecting a baby: it will change your
life and your insurance needs; in-store credit cards and the shop-a-holic; need a home loan: how’s your
credit look…
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|
10/07/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
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Things to Consider Before Your Employee Benefits Open Enrollment Period:
October 7, 2007 -
Deborah Berman, certified employee benefits specialist, Keller Benefit Services, Bethesda, Md.
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Cooperatives--Good for You, Good for the Economy: Paul Hazen, president/CEO, National Cooperative Business
Association, Washington, D.C.
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Assess Your Insurance Coverage: October Financial Fitness Challenge:
October 7, 2007 -
Paul Greenwood is the deputy district attorney in the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, Elder Abuse
Prosecution Unit, and an executive committee member of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
and National Center on Elder Abuse. Paul wants you to know the signs of financial elder abuse and offers
ten tips to reduce
the risk of becoming a victim.
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Your Rainy Day Fund: Will Your Insurance Keep You Dry?:
October 7, 2007 - Kenneth Watts,
president/CEO, West Virginia Credit Union League, Parkersburg, W. Va.
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|
09/30/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 30, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
09/30/2007 Guests & Topics
- What You Should Know About Fake Check Scams: Susan Grant, director, Fraud Center, National
Consumers League, Washington, DC
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- I HAD to Buy My Three Year Old That Toy—He Wouldn’t Stop Nagging!: Phillip Heckman, director
of youth programs, CUNA, Madison, Wisconsin
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- New Security Threats to Your Personal and Financial Information: Kevin Prince, chief security
officer, Perimeter Internetworking
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- How to Avoid Travel Scams: Mary Peters, certified travel counselor, vice president of the
American Society of Travel Agents, and
owner/president, Friendly Travel, Alexandria, Virginia
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- Listener Email Questions
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|
09/23/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 23, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
09/23/2007 Guests & Topics
- Using IRAs & Other Deferred Accounts Effectively Before Age 59 1/2: William Stecker,
CPA, principal & owner of the Marble Group,
Ltd., Conifer, Colorado
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- Fair Debt Collection: Thomas Kane, attorney, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission
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- Bridge Loans: Tracy Ashfield, founder and executive vice president, Strategic Mortgage Solutions, Madison, Wisconsin
and Listener Email Questions
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|
09/16/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 16, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
09/16/2007 Guests & Topics
- Credit Unions: Right for You: Dick Ensweiler, president and CEO, Texas Credit Union League, Farmers Branch, Tex.
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- Protecting Your Personal & Financial Information in a High-Tech World: Jason Allred, I.T. consulting
supervisor, Credit Union Resources, Inc., Farmers Branch, Tex.
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- 2007 Savings Challenge: An Extreme Makeover of Members’ Finances: Harriet May, president and CEO, GECU,
El Paso, Tex.
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- What GECU’s 2007 Savings Challenge Means to Me: A Participant’s Perspective: Gloria Aguilar, pharmacy
employee, El Paso, Tex.
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- Audience Q & A:
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|
09/09/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 9, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
09/09/2007 Guests & Topics
- Simple Steps to Investing: Joe Saari, CEO, Precision Information, Chicago
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- 401(k) Rollovers at Retirement: David Wray, president, Profit Sharing/401(k) Council of America, Chicago
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- Credit Counseling: Rus Halsey, director of operations, GreenPath Debt Solutions, Farmington Hills, Michigan
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- September Financial Fitness Challenge - Review Your Retirement Plans: Susan Tiffany, CUNA director of personal
finance information for adults, Madison, Wisc.
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- September Financial Fitness Challenge: Order Free Credit Report From TransUnion: Tracie Kenyon, president/CEO,
Montana Credit Union Network, Billings, Mont.
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|
09/02/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 2, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
09/02/2007 Guests & Topics
- Who Pays? The Winners and Losers of Credit Card Deregulation: Tamara Draut, director, Economic Opportunity Program, Demos, New York City
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- Debit/Credit Cards & College Students: Dr. Brenda Cude, professor of consumer economics, University of Georgia
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- Financial Empowerment for Domestic Violence Survivors: Sue Else, president, National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), Washington, DC
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- Long-term Care Insurance: What to Consider for Adequate Coverage: Jason Alderman, director, Issues Management, Visa USA, San Francisco
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- Listener Questions Answered:
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08/26/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| August 26, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
08/26/2007 Guests & Topics
- Coming Changes That Could Affect Your Credit Score: John Ulzheimer, president of consumer education, Credit.com, and author of "You're Nothing But a Number"
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- Shopping Smart for Used Vehicles Via the Internet: Larry Hecker, president, Motorist Assurance Program, Bethesda, Md.
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- Payday Lending: Is Help on Its Way: Jean Ann Fox, director of consumer protection, Consumer Federation of America, Washington, D.C.
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- Listener Questions Answered:
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08/19/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| August 19, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
08/19/2007 Guests & Topics
- Navigating the Complex College Financing System: Michael Wroblewski, project director, consumer education and outreach, Consumers Union, Younkers, N.Y.
Shared Branching: Craig Beach, vice president marketing/business development, Credit Union Service Corporation (CUSC), Duluth, Ga.
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- Continued...Shared Branching: Craig Beach, vice president marketing/business development, Credit Union Service Corporation (CUSC), Duluth, Ga.
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- Establishing Trusts for People With Special Needs: Venita Phillips, vice president and trust officer, Kanaly Trust Company, Houston, Texas
Avoiding Cashier's Check Fraud: Comptroller of the Currency John Dugan, U.S. Department of the Treasury, Washington, D.C.
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- Listener Questions Answered:
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08/12/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| August 12, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
08/12/2007 Guests & Topics
- Back to School Savings Tips: Ellen Bernards, certified consumer credit counselor (and mother of three
school age children), GreenPath, Inc., Farmington Hills, Michigan
Supreme Court Reverses Ruling from 1911. Manufacturers Allowed to Set Minimum Retail Prices - What It Means to You.:
Dr. Mark Cooper, director of research, Consumer Federation of America, Washington, DC
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- Continued...Supreme Court Reverses Ruling from 1911. Manufacturers Allowed to Set Minimum Retail Prices -
What It Means to You.: Dr. Mark Cooper, director of research, Consumer Federation of America, Washington, DC
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- Auto Repair Fraud: Larry Hecker, president, Motorist Assurance Program (MAP), Bethesda, Maryland
Overdraft Protection: Mary Cunningham, president and CEO, USA Federal Credit Union, San Diego, California
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- Listener Questions Answered:
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08/05/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| August 5, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
08/05/2007 Guests & Topics
- Premium Text Messaging: A Surprise With Every Call: Edgar Dworsky, founder, ConsumerWorld.org, Boston
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- Financial Survival Tips for Students: Jason Alderman, director, Issues Management, Visa USA, San Francisco
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- Reverse Mortgage Counseling: Joe Herndon, certified consumer credit counselor and group manager, GreenPath Inc.,
Farmington Hills, Mich
August Financial Fitness Challenge: Inventory Your Personal Property: Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information
for adults, Credit Union National Association (CUNA) Center for Personal Finance, Madison, Wis
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- Get a Safe Deposit Box: Rick Pillow, president, Virginia Credit Union League, Lynchburg, Va
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|
07/29/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| July 29, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
07/29/2007 Guests & Topics
- Home Pre-Purchase Counseling: Stuart Baker, certified consumer credit counselor, GreenPath, Inc., Farmington Hills, Michigan
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- 2007 Consumer Action Handbook: What’s In It for You?: Nicole Vincent, Consumer Action Handbook Manager
and Teresa Nasif, director, United States General Services Administration Federal Citizen Information Center, Washington, DC
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- The Financially Intelligent Parent: 8 Steps to Raising Successful, Generous, Responsible Children: Jon and Eileen Gallo, The Gallo Institute, Los Angeles, California
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- How to Raise Kids That Won’t Nag About Money.: Phillip Heckman, director of youth programs, Credit Union National Association Center for Personal Finance, Madison, Wisconsin
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- Listener Questions Answered
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07/15/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| July 15, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
07/15/2007 Guests & Topics
- Remittances - What Are They & Who Do They Benefit?: Tiffany Kultgen, program manager - IRnet®, World Council of Credit Unions,
Inc., Madison, Wisconsin
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- Divorce - Separating Your Lives and Your Credit: Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education, Experian, Allen, Texas
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- Surcharges at Your ATM - Automated Teller Machine.: Jim Hanisch, executive vice president network operations & corporate
development, CO-OP Financial Services, Ontario, Calif
A Conversation with the Honorable Carolyn Maloney (D-NY): chairman of the United States House of Representatives Financial Services
Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit, Washington, DC
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- Listener Questions Answered
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07/08/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| July 8, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
07/08/2007 Guests & Topics
- July Financial Fitness Challenge: Make Sure Your Computer is Secure : Michelle Dosher, senior editor adult finance
publications, Center for Personal Finance, Credit Union National Association (CUNA), Madison, Wis.
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- Set Strong Passwords to Prevent Access to Your Computer: Pat Jury, president/ CEO, Iowa Credit Union League, Des Moines, Iowa
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- Fraud Protection on the Road: Mary Hessel, product manager, Co-op Financial Services, Ontario, Calif.
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- Conversion to Digital TV: Will You Be Prepared?: John Kneuer, assistant secretary of communication and information, National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
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- Fair Debt Collection - Part II: Thomas Kane, attorney, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission, Washington, D.C.
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07/01/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| July 1, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
07/01/2007 Guests & Topics
- Using IRAs & Other Deferred Accounts Effectively Before Age 59 1/2: William Stecker, CPA, principal & owner of the Marble Group, Ltd., Conifer, Colorado
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- Fair Debt Collection: Thomas Kane, attorney, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Federal Trade Commission
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- Bridge Loans: Tracy Ashfield, founder and executive vice president, Strategic Mortgage Solutions, Madison, Wisconsin
and Listener Email Questions
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06/24/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| June 24, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
06/24/2007 Guests & Topics
- Elderhostel : James Moses, president and CEO, Elderhostel, Boston
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- Your Credit Rights: Gerri Detweiler, author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook, as well as founder of debtconsolidationrx.com
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- Health Literacy : Jeanan Yasari, senior lecturer, Department of Consumer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
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- No Hassles Moving Company Guide: Melissa DeLaney, director of communications, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, Washington, DC
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- Listener Email Questions
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|
06/17/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| June 17, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
06/17/2007 Guests & Topics
- What You Should Know About Fake Check Scams: Susan Grant, director, Fraud Center, National Consumers League, Washington, DC
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- I HAD to Buy My Three Year Old That Toy—He Wouldn’t Stop Nagging!: Phillip Heckman, director of youth programs, CUNA, Madison, Wisconsin
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- New Security Threats to Your Personal and Financial Information: Kevin Prince, chief security officer, Perimeter Internetworking
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- How to Avoid Travel Scams: Mary Peters, certified travel counselor, vice president of the American Society of Travel Agents, and
owner/president, Friendly Travel, Alexandria, Virginia
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- Listener Email Questions
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|
06/10/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| June 10, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
06/10/2007 Guests & Topics
- Best Practices: Combating Fraud and ID Theft: Rosetta Jones, vice president of corporate relations, Visa USA, Charlotte, North Carolina
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- Fun Activities With Your Children That Teach Money Skills: Amy Crowe, public relations and education liaison, Great Wisconsin Credit Union, Madison
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- Summer Travel Tips & Finding Surcharge-free ATMs: Samantha Smyth, vice president of marketing, Co-op Financial Services, Ontario, California
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- June Financial Fitness Challenge: Figure Your Debt-to-Income Ratio: Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults, CUNA, Madison, Wisconsin
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download the mp3 file
- What to Do If You Find Errors in Your Credit Report: Rosie Holub, president and CEO, Missouri Credit Union Association, St. Louis
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|
06/03/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| June 3, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
06/03/2007 Guests & Topics
- Home Sharing : Jolene Picard, outreach worker, Senior Resources Agency on Aging, Norwich, Connecticut
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- Consumed: How Markets Corrupt Children, Infantilize Adults, and Swallow Citizens Whole: Dr. Benjamin Barber, University of
Maryland Professor of Civil Society and senior fellow at Demos, a think tank, New York City
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- Disaster Insurance: How What You Pay and What You Receive From a Claim Might Be Determined: Bob Hunter, director of insurance, Consumer Federation of America, Washington, DC
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- Listener Email Questions
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|
05/13/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| May 13, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
05/13/2007 Guests & Topics
- Living Simply. : Jan Garkey, special materials editor, Center for Personal Finance, CUNA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Debt Consolidation. Gerri Detweiler, author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook, as well as founder of debtconsolidationrx.com
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Life Skills 101: Tips for the College Bound. Amanda Shutko, certified consumer credit counselor, GreenPath, Inc., and,
Social Cost of Financial Illiteracy.: Jack Gillis, president, Gillis & Associates, and director of public affairs, Consumer Federation of America
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- Listener Email Questions
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|
05/06/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| May 6, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
04/22/2007 Guests & Topics
- Living Simply. : Jan Garkey, special materials editor, Center for Personal Finance, CUNA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Debt Consolidation. Gerri Detweiler, author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook, as well as founder of debtconsolidationrx.com
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Life Skills 101: Tips for the College Bound. Amanda Shutko, certified consumer credit counselor, GreenPath, Inc., and,
Social Cost of Financial Illiteracy.: Jack Gillis, president, Gillis & Associates, and director of public affairs, Consumer Federation of America
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
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download the mp3 file
|
04/29/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| April 29, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
04/29/2007 Guests & Topics
|
04/22/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| April 22, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
04/22/2007 Guests & Topics
- How Men and Women Tackle Investments: Dr. Tahira Hira, professor, Iowa State University
Listen on-line to part 3 or
download the mp3 file
- Taking a Hard Look at Extended Warranties for Vehicles: Jerry Edgerton, automotive writer and author of Car Shopping Made Easy, New York City
Listen on-line to part 3 or
download the mp3 file
- Consumers Are Afraid to Use Credit/Debit Cards Online: Susan Menke, senior financial services analyst, Mintel International Group, a consumer
research firm, Chicago
Listen on-line to part 3 or
download the mp3 file
- Give Your Graduate the Power of a Roth IRA: Paul Merriman, publisher of the educational website www.fundadvice.com and author of "Live It
Up without Outliving Your Money: 10 Steps to a Perfect Retirement Portfolio, Seattle
Listen on-line to part 3 or
download the mp3 file
- National Credit Union Youth Week: Joann Sepich, CUNA Youth Week Coordinator
Listen on-line to part 3 or
download the mp3 file
|
04/01/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| April 1, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
04/01/2007 Guests & Topics
|
03/25/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| March 25, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
03/25/2007 Guests & Topics
- The Topic Is Taxes -- Filing Your 2006 Return: John Hiddleson, senior tax specialist with the education and communication area,
specializing in individual taxpayer issues and volunteer tax programs, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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- The Topic Is Still Taxes: How to Avoid Making Common Errors; Form 2106; Refund Anticipation Loans; Triggers That Say, “Audit Me”:
Catherine Franz, CPA and president of a media training and business development company, Eagle Communications, Inc. Arlington, Virginia
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- Earned Income Tax Credit: Jeanette Valencia, earned income tax credit program coordinator, Legal Aid Society of Orange County, California
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|
03/18/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| March 18, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
03/18/2007 Guests & Topics
- March Financial Fitness Challenge: Organize & File Your Taxes: Susan Tiffany, CUNA director of personal finance information for adults
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Preparing Your Own Taxes: Specific Tax Changes To Be Aware Of: Kari Wilfong (CPA), executive vice president and chief financial officer,
Co-Op Financial Services.
and
Preparing Your Own Taxes: Easy Ways to Get Ready: Jennifer Burrows, senior marketing programs manager, Co-Op Financial Services
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download the mp3 file
- Surviving a Layoff or Job Change: Bettina Pearch, certified consumer credit counselor, GreenPath, Inc.
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- Surviving a Layoff or Job Change – When It Happens To You: Bill R., client and job layoff survivor, counseled by GreenPath, Inc.
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|
03/11/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| March 11, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
03/11/2007 Guests & Topics
- Your Credit Report: David Rubinger, vice president of communications and public relations, Equifax
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Credit Scores, Part 1: Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education, Experian
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Credit Scores, Part 2: Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education, Experian; and Consumer Protection Agencies in Your County
and State: Steve Hannan, administrator of the Howard County, Maryland, Office of Consumer Affairs and former president of the National Association
of Consumer Agency Administrators
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
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download the mp3 file
|
03/04/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| March 4, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
03/04/2007 Guests & Topics
This week's edition of Home & Family Finance's weekly consumer radio show was recorded live during the
Credit Union National Association Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C. The
roundtable discussion includes a distinguished panel of experts talking about strategic initiatives
to improve the financial literacy of both kids and adults. The second half of the show is devoted
to responding to questions from the audience.
It is a lively give-and take exchange with special guests:
- Dan Iannicola, deputy assistant secretary for financial education, Treasury Department, Washington, D.C.
Laura Levine, executive director, Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Finance Literacy, Washington, D.C. and
Ted Beck, CEO, National Endowment for Financial Education, Greenwood Village, Colo.
Audience Q & A
Listen to Part 1 or
download the mp3 file
Listen to Part 2 or
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Listen to Part 3 or
download the mp3 file
Listen to Part 4 or
download the mp3 file
|
02/25/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| February 25, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
02/18/2007 Guests & Topics
|
02/18/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| February 18, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
02/18/2007 Guests & Topics
|
02/11/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| February 11, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
02/11/2007 Guests & Topics
- Cost Savvy Wedding Planning. Joyce Becker, founder and CEO, Events of Distinction
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Financial Challenges of Being “Remarried with Children”. Susie Johnston, owner and certified financial planner, Cherry
Hills Investment Advisors, LLC
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Prenuptial Agreements. Katherine Stoner, family law attorney & mediator, Stoner, Welsh & Schmidt
Listen on-line or
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- Couples & Money. Sarah Teets, certified consumer credit counselor, GreenPath, Inc.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
02/04/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| February 4, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
02/04/2007 Guests & Topics
- February Financial Fitness Challenge - Making Your Budget & Spending Plan. Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information
for adults, Credit Union National Association
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Get a Tax Break on Mortgage Insurance Premiums. Glen Corso, group senior vice president for public policy, PMI Mortgage Insurance Co.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Health Savings Accounts: What New Changes Mean for You. Dennis Zuehlke, compliance manager, CUNA Mutual Group
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Consumer Protection Week: Tax Refund Anticipation Loans. Jean Ann Fox, director of consumer protection, Consumer Federation of America
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Financial Fitness Challenge: Involve Your Kids. Dave Adams, president & CEO, Michigan Credit Union League
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
01/28/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| January 28, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
01/28/2007 Guests & Topics
- 2007 Consumer Spending Forecast. Wayne Best, senior vice president - business and economic analysis, Visa USA
- Trends in Prefabricated Housing, Part 1. Professor Dan Rockhill, executive director and founder of Studio804, School of Architecture, University of Kansas
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Trends in Prefabricated Housing, Part 2. Professor Dan Rockhill, executive director and founder of Studio804, School of Architecture, University of Kansas
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Avoiding Foreclosure. Rick Harper, vice president/director of housing, Consumer Credit Counseling Service
- Identity Theft. Beth Givens, founder and director, Privacy Rights Clearinghouse
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download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
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download the mp3 file
|
01/21/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| January 21, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
|
Guests & Topics in this edition
- Financial New Year's Resolutions. Bill Hampel, CUNA senior vice president - research and policy analysis and chief economist
Gambling: Are the Stakes Too High? Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Peer Financial Counseling For College Students. Dr. Michael Gutter, assistant professor and family financial management specialist,
Department of Consumer Science, University of Wisconsin
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Pros & Cons of Loyalty Programs. Jim Hanisch, executive vice president network operations & corporate development, Co-Op Financial Services, and
Gambling: Are the Stakes Too High? Keith Whyte, executive director, National Council on Problem Gambling
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download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
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download the mp3 file
|
01/14/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| January 14, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
|
Guests & Topics in this edition
- Living Simply. : Jan Garkey, special materials editor, Center for Personal Finance, CUNA
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file
- Debt Consolidation. Gerri Detweiler, author of The Ultimate Credit Handbook, as well as founder of debtconsolidationrx.com
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file
- Life Skills 101: Tips for the College Bound. Amanda Shutko, certified consumer credit counselor, GreenPath, Inc., and,
Social Cost of Financial Illiteracy.: Jack Gillis, president, Gillis & Associates, and director of public affairs, Consumer Federation of America
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file
|
01/07/2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| January 7, 2007 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
|
Guests & Topics in this edition
- Introducing 2007 Financial Fitness Challenge & Challenge # 1: Calculating Your Net Worth. : Susan Tiffany, director of
personal finance information for adults, CUNA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Planning Ahead to Get Financial Aid for College. Darla Dernovsek, freelance writer specializing in financial education and
financial services for credit unions and their members
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download the mp3 file
- Student Loans. Dr. Dallas Martin, president, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
and
Saving for College. : Joe Orsolini, president, College Aid Planners
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Financial Fitness Challenge # 2 - Tracking Your Expenses. : Dick Ensweiler, president and CEO, Texas Credit Union League
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
12/31/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| December 31, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
|
Guests & Topics in this edition
|
12/24/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| December 24, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
|
Guests & Topics in this edition
|
12/17/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| December 17, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
|
Guests & Topics in this edition
- Holiday Spending Trends: Where Are Consumers Spending Their Money This Season? Wayne Best, senior vice president of business and economic analysis, Visa USA
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Income Tax Preparation: Easier, Cheaper, & Credit Where Credit Is Due. Luis Garcia, media relations spokesman, Internal Revenue Service, State of Michigan
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Year-End Tax Strategies. Grace Allison, tax strategist, Northern Trust Corporation
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- When to Use Debit vs. Credit Cards. Connie Trudgeon, vice president of operations, Co-op Financial Services
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download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
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download the mp3 file
|
12/10/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| December 10, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
12/10/2006 Guests & Topics
|
12/03/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| December 3, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
12/03/2006 Guests & Topics
|
11/26/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| November 26, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
11/26/2006 Guests & Topics
|
11/19/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| November 19, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
11/19/2006 Guests & Topics
|
11/12/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| November 12, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
11/12/2006 Guests & Topics
|
11/05/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| November 5, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
11/05/2006 Guests & Topics
- Holiday Spending: How Do I Get to January 1st Without Stuff I Don't Need and Bills I Can't Pay?
Dr. Stephen Brobeck, executive director, Consumer Federation of America, and
Part 1 - Help for Compulsive Buyers. Help for Compulsive Buyers. Dr. Lorrin Koran, professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emeritus, Stanford University
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Part 2 - Help for Compulsive Buyers. Dr. Lorrin Koran, professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emeritus, Stanford University
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Evaluate Your Net Worth: Step One to Realizing Your Financial Goals. Eric Tyson, syndicated columnist and best-selling author of Personal Finance for Dummies, and
The Killer Cs: Cigarettes, Coffee, Cell Phones and Cable Can Kill Your Budget. David Palmieri, community relations and education manager, GreenPath, Inc.
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
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download the mp3 file
|
10/29/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| October 29, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
10/29/2006 Guests & Topics
|
10/22/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| October 22, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
10/22/2006 Guests & Topics
|
10/15/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| October 15, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
10/15/2006 Guests & Topics
- Planning Now For What You'll Need Then: Legal Documents and Financial Security. Sally Hurme, attorney with AARP's Financial
Security Unit
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Strategies For Helping Senior Parents Manage Their Money, Part 1: Dr. Sharon Burns, executive director, Association for
Financial Counseling and Planning Education
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download the mp3 file
Strategies For Helping Senior Parents Manage Their Money, Part 2
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Elderly Financial Abuse: Paul Greenwood, deputy district attorney, San Diego County District Attorney's Office, Elder Abuse
Prosecution Unit and executive committee member of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and National Center on Elder Abuse
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- International Credit Union Day; Pete Crear, chief executive officer, World Council of Credit Unions
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download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
10/09/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| October 9, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
10/9/2006 Guests & Topics
- Your Credit Report: David Rubinger, vice president of communications and public relations, Equifax
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Credit Scores, Part 1: Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education, Experian
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Credit Scores, Part 2: Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education, Experian; and Consumer Protection Agencies in
Your County and State: Steve Hannan, administrator of the Howard County, Maryland, Office of Consumer Affairs and former president
of the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Listener Email Questions
Listen on-line
or download the mp3 file
|
10/01/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| October 1, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
10/1/2006 Guests & Topics
|
09/24/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 24, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
9/24/2006 Guests & Topics
|
09/17/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 17, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
9/17/2006 Guests & Topics
- Linda Foley, co-founder and co-executive director of the Identity Theft Resource Center, discusses "College Students and Identity Theft"
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Sage Eastman, communications director for Michigan Congressman Dave Camp, with "Provisions of the Pension Protection Act"
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Larry Zaglaniczny, director of congressional relations with the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, presents information on
"Student Loans"
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
- Deborah Zuckerman, senior attorney with the AARP Foundation, on "Payday Lenders and Check Cashers: How They Affect America's Older Citizens"
Listen on-line or
download the mp3 file
|
09/10/2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
| September 10, 2006 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio |
9/10/2006 Guests & Topics
|
For more information, contact:
Mark Wolff, Senior Vice President-Communications
Credit Union National Association, Washington, DC
202-638-5777 or mwolff@cuna.coop
Copyright © 2009 - Credit Union National Association, Inc.
|
