Develop a New Year’s Spending Plan:
December 27, 2009 - Cate Williams is based in Chicago and is vice president – financial literacy for Money Management International. Cate believes that everyone in your household should be involved in creating a spending plan. She and host Paul Berry discuss what you should include in a plan and how your family should move forward, implement its plan and stick to it.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Key Money Problems for College Students & Young Gen Y-ers: How Family Can Help:
December 27, 2009 - Paul Goebel is director of the Student Money Management Center at the University of North Texas in Denton. Handling money and one’s finances is harder for young adults than many older, more experienced people. That’s why this program was started—to give young adults the tools they need to manage their money more effectively. Students who need assistance get help from others their age who have passed rigorous training and this peer-to-peer counseling really works. Naturally, a student’s family will be concerned about their son or daughter not managing their money as well as they might. The Center shares key messages with the families so they have a better understanding of the help their child is receiving and they are brought into the game plan, too. The Center often works with students for the entire time they are in school and develops a progressively more sophisticated study plan for those who want to master as much as time allows. Is it any wonder this is an award-winning program?
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

The “Step-Down Principle” of Reducing Expenses:
December 27, 2009 - Alena Johnson is an accredited financial counselor, teacher and co-director of the financial counseling center at Utah State University in Logan. Alena talk about methods you can use to easily reduce expenses and describes how following the step-down principle helps you do just that. Also, of importance, she says, is building your emergency fund—a daunting endeavor for some.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Charitable Giving: Checking Up on Charities:
December 27, 2009 - Samantha Paxson, vice president of marketing with CO-OP Financial Services, headquartered in Rancho Cucamonga, California, has a checklist of things you need to follow if you want to make sure that the charitable group you’re thinking of donating to is going to use your money as you’d like it to. Is your contribution tax deductible; what are the administrative costs that will be taken from my donation; exactly how will my money be used? These are a few of the questions Samantha answers.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Questions & Answers :
December 27, 2009 - Returning retail items now harder than ever; can you deduct the cost of auto insurance premiums from income taxes; remodeling your home calls for increasing your homeowner insurance coverage
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Avoid the January Debt Hangover:
December 20, 2009 - Adam Levin, chairman and founder of Credit.com, discusses the serious side of overspending, debt and its negative consequences. Having no holiday spending plan can lead to “credit card hangover” and can bust the best New Year’s financial resolutions.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

2010 Economic Forecast:
December 20, 2009 - Mike Schenk, vice president of economics and statistics with the Credit Union National Association, in Madison, Wisconsin, answers a question on many of your minds: Is the recession over? Mike tells what he can about the U.S. economy in 2010 and what this will mean to you. He also has advice about what you should do to improve your home finances.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Stopping Overspending:
December 20, 2009 - Dr. April Benson is a New York City psychologist who specializes in the treatment of compulsive buying disorder. Dr. Benson edited the book I Shop, Therefore I Am: Compulsive Buying and the Search for Self, a multidisciplinary approach to the problem of compulsive buying. Her book To Buy or Not to Buy?: Why We Overshop and How to Stop offers a comprehensive program for stopping overshopping. Stopping Overshopping, LLC maintains an active and informative website. Each month, people from almost 70 different countries visit the site stoppingovershopping.com. April’s advice helps you recognize any tendencies toward overspending and steps you can take to stop.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

“Free Lunch” Financial Fraud Targets Elderly:
December 6, 2009 - Brian Bullock is a financial security expert for AARP and works with the national Free Lunch Monitor Program. An AARP survey, Protecting Older Investors: 2009 Free Lunch Seminar Report, found that a common setting for fraudsters to engage their victims is through a free lunch or dinner offer, by which an individual is solicited to attend and learn more about investing in retirement. Once there, attendees are asked to provide personal and financial information and many of the seminars focused on different types of annuities available for purchase and half of the volunteers reported the speaker did not discuss risks associated with the annuity.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Home Foreclosures Continue to Soar: What to Do If You Are at Risk:
December 6, 2009 - We are seeing another wave of home foreclosures. Many did NOT have sub-prime mortgages. Job loss is a major factor in the latest foreclosures. Gerri Detweiler, a national personal finance expert and co-author of Debt Collection Answers, discusses options that are available to consumers who are having problems keeping up with their mortgages.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Survey Shows Consumers Misunderstand Gift Cards:
December 6, 2009 - The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) and the National Association of Consumer Agency Administrators (NACAA), of which our guest Elizabeth Owen is president, commissioned a survey that revealed widespread misunderstanding of general use gift cards. Only 33 percent of adult Americans know how much these cards cost to purchase, and only 54 percent are aware six to twelve months after purchase, some of these gift cards charge a monthly fee. CFA AND NACAA are making available a new consumer brochure on gift cards, which the two organizations wrote, that NACAA will distribute to its member agencies and American Express will distribute, 1.5 million copies, to major retailers such as CVS and Walgreens. What else don’t we know that we should? Elizabeth tells all – don’t miss it.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Capture the Spirit of the Holidays with Little or No Cash. Free Holiday Planner Helps Budget, Track and Adjust Spending:
December 6, 2009 - During the holidays, consumers tend to feel a lot of pressure to spend money even when they are strapped for cash or are trying to get out of debt. Is it possible to capture the spirit of the holidays on little or no cash? “Yes,” says guest Karen Mc Call, founder and CEO of the Financial Recovery^SM Institute. Besides the financial benefit of minimizing your holiday spending, are there other more intangible benefits that you may realize by radically reducing the amount you spend during this time of year. To help you create a wonderful holiday, Karen has two FREE items that will guide you toward that goal.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Your Identity is Not for Sale on Black Friday or Cyber Monday:
November 29, 2009 - The No. 1 crime in America, identity theft runs rampant during the holiday season. An identity is stolen every three to four seconds. Yours need not be one of them. Scott Stevenson, founder and CEO, Eliminate ID Theft, has some tips on protecting your personal and financial information this holiday buying season.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Your Income Taxes: What to Do Before December 31st:
November 29, 2009 - With the tax year coming to an end, and especially considering the financial changes many Americans have faced during this year's economic recession, the time is right to review your tax situation. According to guest Ethan Ewing, president, Bills.com, in San Mateo, California, you can then determine whether you need to take action, and organize things to lighten your burden come late December – and April. Ethan discusses what steps to take now to lighten the chore this next year and maximize your income tax return.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

What You Should Know About Interchange:
November 29, 2009 - Interchange is the set of rules that define how much of a cut the issuing bank (the bank that issued you your credit card) gets to keep from each credit card transaction you make. Caroline Lane, senior vice president, of business development and marketing with CO-OP Financial Services in Rancho Cucamonga, California, joins host Paul Berry to discuss legislative activity in Congress regarding the credit industry and measures that bear on interchange, and how changes may impact you and each credit card purchase you make.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Federal Trade Commission Proposes Reform of Debt Settlement Industry: How Reform Will Help You:
November 29, 2009 - Recently the Federal Trade Commission invited guest Michael Bovee, founder and president of the Consumer Recovery Network, located in Sandpoint, Idaho, to be a panelist at a public forum it held, regarding new rules it has proposed for the settlement industry. Michael’s company is often looked to as an example of best practices in the settlement industry. He talks about how settlement compares with other debt management options and when settlement is a good alternative for consumers who are overwhelmed with debt.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Q & A:
November 29, 2009 - credit card verification codes; be a better on line coupon clipper; and trim your utility bill
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

2009 Income Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Home Improvements:
November 22, 2009 - Ronnie Kweller, director of media relations for the Alliance to Save Energy, has good news on the products eligible for tax credits contained in the economic stimulus/recovery law—American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009; ARRA—enacted in February 2009, which extended and expanded federal income tax credits for homeowners who make certain types of energy-efficiency home improvements. The ARRA extends the tax credits through 2010 (versus for 2009 only under a previously-enacted law). The full amount of the credit is now $1,500, a tripling of the former credit of $500. What are these products and which energy efficient home improvements qualify for the tax credits? Well, listen to this interview.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

IRS Tax Tips on Deductions and Credits New This Year:
November 22, 2009 - “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help you.” The punch line to a bit scary joke is not what Eric Smith, a national spokesman for the Internal Revenue Service, headquartered in Washington, DC, is all about. Eric IS from the government and what he has to tell you about qualifying for and receiving tax credits on your 2009 income tax return WILL help you. Your government is telling you how NOT to pay your government as much money.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Spending Green without Going in the Red This Holiday Season:
November 22, 2009 - Planning a holiday budget and sticking to it are two different things. Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com, in San Mateo, California, talks about the importance of planning for your holiday spending and creative strategies to stick with your plan. After all, that holiday budget is the one sure-fire way to cut back on expenses.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

What Consumer Reports Knows About This Holiday Shopping Season That You Don’t—But Should:
November 22, 2009 - The Consumer Reports Index report takes a look at how consumers might conduct their holiday spending this year. Ed Farrell, the director of market research at Consumers Union, joined us on Home & Family Finance with key findings you’ll want to hear before you jump into this year’s holiday shopping season.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Power Through Credit Card Debt:
November 15, 2009 - Get rid of your credit card debt as quickly and efficiently as you can. Every day costs you more money. Susan Tiffany, director of personal finance information for adults with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), tells how you can slash through your debt to get on the road to financial freedom.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

1,001 Things They Won’t Tell You: An Insider’s Guide to Spending, Saving and Living Wisely:
November 15, 2009 - Buyer beware. Based on the column in SmartMoney, The Wall Street Journal Magazine, this book, from Editor in Chief Jonathan Dahl, is packed with insider secrets and expert knowledge that show you how to take control and manage your money, your health, your material well-being. In all, it covers the top ten things they won’t tell you, covering 100 businesses and professions that readers interact with daily. What is it they don’t want you to know? Nursing homes: We're careless about the drugs we give out. Veterinarians: Vaccinating your pet may do more harm than good. Tax preparers: What are my qualifications? Well, I'm real good at Sudoku. Cruise lines: Our engines break down all the time. Plastic surgeons: I trained a whole weekend to learn this procedure. In addition to outlining exactly what you don’t know, but need to, it arms you with insights, tips, and techniques to make each of you a savvier, smarter consumer.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Provisions of the Credit Card Act of 2009:
November 15, 2009 - “When President Obama signed the Credit Card Act of 2009 in May, it was the most sweeping change to hit the industry since the first 60,000 credit cards were dropped in California mailboxes 50 years ago.” The changes go into effect in seven months. Pamela Banks, who is a policy attorney with Consumers Union’s Washington, DC office, talks about what is in the new law and the changes you can expect to see from your credit card provider.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Sweeping Change In Credit Card Rules: How They Affect You:
November 15, 2009 - The most significant changes EVER to hit the credit card industry go into effect in a matter of months. What does that mean to you and for your future business relationship with your credit card provider? Adam Levin, founder and chairman of Credit.com, shares his knowledge and insights with host Paul Berry in this lively conversation you won’t want to miss—after all, don’t you want to know that something is getting better for you in the world of finance?
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Your Questions Answered:
November 15, 2009 - Auto Insurance Coverage; Erase Your Debt & Debt Settlement Scams; and Medicare & Nursing Home Stays
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Cut the Cost of Military Family Purchases
November 8, 2009 - 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

Council of Better Business Bureaus’ Military Line
November 8, 2009 - “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 8, 2009 - 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 8, 2009 - 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 8, 2009 - Executive order eases federal employment for military spouses; new tax benefits for military families
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

REBROADCAST OF EARLIER SHOW

Five Tips If You Are Falling Behind On Car Payments:
November 1, 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.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Intergenerational Wealth Planning: New Ways to Handle an Age Old Process:
November 1, 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.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Financial Fitness: More Than a Good Credit Score:
November 1, 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.
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

10 Techniques to Manage Your Personal Cost of Living:
November 1, 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
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file

Your Email Questions Answered:
November 1, 2009 - Summer travel and identity theft; filing for bankruptcy—other choices: Your Questions Answered
Listen on-line or download the mp3 file