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 host Paul Berry talks to money experts
from around the nation with an emphasis on what it all means to you, the average consumer.
| See which stations are hosting Home & Family Finance Radio.
Click here to view the list. |
And we want to hear from you as well; email your questions to Paul at
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
07/06/2008 edition of Home & Family Finance Radio
|
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
|
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
Listen on-line or
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
|
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
download the mp3 file
|
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
|
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.
| |
