Arizona’s Family On Your Side
137 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 18 hours ago - ★★★★ - 14 ratingsWhether it’s Arizona's housing market, car buying tips, cheap family vacations, how to avoid scams, or just saving money, Gary Harper, Susan Campbell, and the Arizona’s Family On Your Side team are here to make you a more savvy consumer.
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Episodes
Tricks to Get Around “Foodflation”
April 29, 2024 00:00 - 19 minutes - 45 MBIt's a word we seem to hear a lot these days: Inflation. Everything from auto insurance to groceries have spike over the past few years. In fact, recent published reports indicate buying groceries have gone up a whopping 23 percent since the pandemic. That means what used to cost you $100 at the grocery store now costs $123. So, what can you do to save some money when it comes to buying food at the store? Today, Rachel West joins us on the On Your Side podcast. She's a registered dietician...
Are you a victim of “subscription creep?”
April 22, 2024 00:00 - 28 minutes - 66.1 MBPrices are going up for pretty much everything. That includes subscriptions. Think about how many you have, from streaming services, to wholesale clubs, to gym memberships, and music. According to tech site CNET, "subscription creep" is a very real thing and it’s eating into a lot of budgets. On average, we spend $91 bucks a month on subscription services. And nearly half of us have signed up for a free trial...and then we’ve forgotten to cancel it. Today, we’re talking with Nick Woln...
How To Teach Your Kids About Money
April 15, 2024 00:00 - 24 minutes - 56.6 MBWe earn. We save. We spend. But how much of that work are we sharing with our kids? April is Financial Literacy Month and our guest today is Sharon Lechter, the New York Times bestselling author of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad." She’s going to help us raise smart savers. We’ll talk about introducing basic financial concepts to little ones and how to get teens involved in big household decisions about money.
Clauses To Avoid In All Contracts
April 08, 2024 00:00 - 21 minutes - 49 MBHave you ever thought about how much fine print you actually encounter? From big purchases to smaller contracts, we sign our names on the dotted line a lot. The National Association of Consumer Advocates just issued a report showing some of the worst of the worst in standard form contracts that consumers regularly sign. So today, we’re chatting with the organization’s Christine Hines. She is a senior policy director. She’ll break down red flags to watch for and if there are actually ways aro...
Some Rewards Credit Cards Have Pitfalls
April 01, 2024 00:00 - 19 minutes - 45 MBChances are you have at least one if not more credit cards in your wallet. In fact, a recent report indicated that half of Americans have two or more credit cards. And rewards credit cards seem to be pretty popular with consumers. These kind of cards have perks like cash back or points that you can apply and reduce airfare. But with all the benefits, rewards credit cards come with some risk. Today, Richard Barrington joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's a financial analyst for Credit...
“Park Outside” Recalls Have Spiked Dramatically
March 25, 2024 00:00 - 21 minutes - 49.4 MBGetting a notice that your vehicle has some type of manufacturer recall is never good news. However, in most cases, dealerships can get you in and fix the problem for free. But, when they can't...that's a problem. Sometimes, parts are not available, leaving motorists driving a potentially dangerous vehicle. In fact, right now, there are 3.7 million vehicles that are on the road that have "Park Outside" recalls because they can catch on fire. So motorists are encouraged to not park in t...
How safe is the technology in your new car?
March 18, 2024 19:45 - 15 minutes - 34.8 MBThe Insurance Institute for Highway Safety just released its first results from tests on more than a dozen partial automation systems. What they found may be concerning and reveals there’s a lot of potential for drivers to misuse those features. Today, David Harkey joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He’s the President of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. We’re talking about how these safety features are tested and changes already on the horizon to make the road and your car safe...
Half Of Americans Who Have Applied For Credit Have Been Denied
March 11, 2024 00:00 - 21 minutes - 49.7 MBRising interest rates have made all kinds of loans more expensive. They’ve also made lenders pickier about who actually gets money. A recent Bankrate survey shows half of people who’ve applied for a financial product have been denied since the Fed started raising rates in march of 2022. So today, we’re talking with Bankrate’s Sarah Foster about this trend. We discuss who’s mostly likely to be denied for loans and new credit cards and the ways you can improve your credit score to make you mor...
Top Annoying Things Passengers Do On Airplanes
March 04, 2024 00:00 - 20 minutes - 47.7 MBSpring break season is right around the corner, and summer vacation will be here before you know it. Once you’re at your destination, the fun can begin. But actually getting there can be full of annoyances, like hogging that middle arm rest on the airplane. We’re talking with travel expert Katy Nastro from Going about some of the top traveler complaints, some the unspoken rules you should never break when you board, and we’ll answer the burning question: What’s better? The aisle seat or the ...
What to Say (And Not) When Buying a Car
February 26, 2024 00:00 - 20 minutes - 46 MBIf you have a car payment, is it a little bit more than you can afford? You're not alone. The average auto payment right now for a new car is $726, and for a used cars it's $533. Brian Moody joins us on the podcast. He's the executive editor for Autotrader and he tells us what the pros and cons are right now if you're thinking of refinancing, or buying a vehicle.
Planning for Funeral Costs
February 19, 2024 00:00 - 19 minutes - 45 MBIt's a topic many of us don't talk about until we absolutely have to: Planning a funeral. When people are faced with losing a loved one, many don't know exactly what to do, who to contact or how much a funeral or cremation is going to cost. So in this episode, Ed Reggie joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's a consumer advocate who specializes in educating folks on funeral planning. He's also the founder of Funeralocity, a website that breaks down the costs at individual funeral homes a...
Love and Money
February 12, 2024 00:00 - 26 minutes - 59.5 MBValentine’s Day is right around the corner, so we’re talking about love and money. If you’re dating someone, when should you start talking about finances? Our guest is Angelica Prescod. She’s a financial advisor is Scottsdale. She’s going to help us tackle some big questions about budgets, retirement accounts, debts you owe to old flames, and what you need to tell your new partner.
Tax season is here, and there are some changes this year
January 29, 2024 00:00 - 28 minutes - 25.7 MBWith tax season here, we’re talking with Mark Steber, the Chief Tax Information Officer at Jackson Hewitt who is the company’s liaison with the IRS. He’s the perfect guy to help us understand what we need to know about filing our tax returns this year. What’s the best way for taxpayers get organized and get ready to file? And is there actually a benefit to filing early?
Scarcity Marketing is Annoying Consumers
January 22, 2024 00:00 - 22 minutes - 50.9 MBIt's a common problem. You wait patiently for concert tickets to go on sale and the moment they're made available, you discover they're sold out. It's called Scarcity Marketing and it's not just happening with concert tickets. Popular video games, name brand handbags, even shoes have been known to have Scarcity Marketing. Today, Jesper Essendrop joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's the CEO of Queue-it which tries to prevent Scarcity Marketing. He explains how Scarcity Marketing w...
What to Know About Insurance in 2024
January 15, 2024 00:00 - 22 minutes - 50.7 MBWe just entered a new year and it's time to take inventory of a few important items, and one of them is insurance. We're talking about home, auto, and even life insurance. Chances are you may be paying too much for them. So, today on the On Your Side podcast, we're talking to Mike Gallagher of Trusted Choice which represents the members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America. He'll explain why insurance has dramatically increased over the past few years and what you can do...
Curing Your January Credit Card Crisis
January 08, 2024 00:00 - 18 minutes - 43.2 MBMany consumers will soon be getting their credit card statements for last month's holiday shopping season. Will you be in good financial shape, or will you have a little sticker shock? Today, on the On Your Side podcast, we're talking to Kelsa Dickey. She's a financial coach with Financial Fitness. She'll tell us what we need to do to start reeling in our credit card debt, so we can have a debt free 2024.
Getting in Shape without Breaking the Budget
January 01, 2024 00:00 - 21 minutes - 48.2 MBThe holiday season means merriment, parties, and good food. It also means we may also be packing on a little extra weight. Between parties and dinners, the calories can quickly add up. So what can you do to get back in shape without a big gym membership or an expensive piece of exercise equipment? We're joined by Jim Bathurst, who is head of Nerd Fitness. He provides some great advice and tips to lose those holiday pounds.
Real Estate Outlook for 2024
December 18, 2023 00:00 - 26 minutes - 61 MBWe're approaching the end of 2023 and we want to take a look forward to see what 2024 may have in store when it comes to real estate. 2023 was a roller coaster ride for real estate. Interest rates sky rocked and as a result, that meant home sales decreased significantly with leaving little inventory. So, today Trevor Halpern joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's an Arizona real estate agent whose won numerous sales awards over the course of numerous years and has a pulse on where the...
Saving for Trade School or College Using 529 Plans
December 11, 2023 00:00 - 25 minutes - 59.4 MBFor next school year, there’s a new, easier-to fill-out FAFSA. That’s the free application for federal student aid. The FAFSA is typically available for students and their families in the fall. This year, it won’t be ready until the end of December. But there are plenty of ways to get ready for the new school year right now. Our guest today is Arizona Treasurer Kimberly Yee. She’s going to walk us through some of the things you need to know about student aid and 529 plans, including what ...
Professional Hacker Gives Advice for Staying Safe When Online Shopping
December 04, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes - 51.2 MBThe holiday season is here and chances are you'll be doing some if not all of your shopping online. But with that convenience comes risk. Scammers are waiting for you to make one small mistake allowing them to hack into your computer. You don't want that to happen, so today we're talking to Luke Secrist who's the CEO of a company called BuddoBot. BuddoBot has a team of engineers and professional hackers who will tell us all we need to know about staying safe while shopping online.
The Holiday Etiquette for Tipping and How Much
November 27, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes - 51 MBThe holiday season is here which means we’re shopping for the perfect presents and putting up decorations. It’s also time to think about holiday tipping. Who are you supposed to tip during the holidays? And how much? Today on the On Your Side podcast, we’re talking with Jacqueline Whitmore. She is an author and etiquette expert who has some good “tips” on holiday tipping.
Thanksgiving Food Prep Safety
November 20, 2023 00:00 - 15 minutes - 35.1 MBThanksgiving is almost here. For a lot of us, it’s our favorite meal of the year. But it can also be stressful for the host because it’s a lot of food to prepare. Today, we’re talking with Kenneth King from the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service. He’ll walk us through the best ways to prepare and cook the turkey, the most important things to remember about food safety, and how to safely store all those delicious leftovers.
Landmark Federal Ruling Could Change Real Estate Commissions
November 13, 2023 00:00 - 17 minutes - 39.2 MBIf you’ve ever bought or sold a house, you know how costs, including realtors’ fees, can add up quickly. With that said, the National Association of Realtors and several large brokerages were ordered to pay $1.8 billion dollars in damages after a jury found real estate agents conspired to inflate home commissions. On this episode, we’re talking with Katrina Barrett. She a Valley realtor, and she’s going to dive into this landmark case with us and what it could mean for buyers, sellers, and...
Sticking to a Holiday Budget
November 06, 2023 00:00 - 20 minutes - 46.2 MBThe kids just finished trick-or-treating, and we’re moving on quickly to the holiday season. This year, holiday shopping started earlier than ever as people try to spread out their spending and manage inflation. On this episode, we’re talking with Angelica Prescod, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Scottsdale. She’s going to help us stick to our holiday budget, and give us some cost-saving tips to get through the season with less stress.
Scammers Targeting Senior Citizens with All Kinds Of Surprising Scams
October 30, 2023 00:00 - 26 minutes - 61.1 MBOn Your Side is always working to warn people about the different tactics bad guys are using to steal money and information. Today we’re talking with Brian Watson on the On Your Side podcast. He’s a retired special agent with the IRS’ Criminal Investigation and now he works with an organization called ROSE which stands for "Resources and Outreach to Safeguard the Elderly." We’ll talk about scam losses, the things most scams have in common. And the schemes you may never see coming, particul...
Despite How Much Money You Have, Estate Planning is Crucial
October 23, 2023 00:00 - 25 minutes - 58.9 MBOctober is National Estate Planning month, which may be more important than you think. It's a time when individuals and families are reminded of the importance of creating or maintaining a trust or will. One myth is that you have to be wealthy or have a substantial real estate portfolio in order to have a will or trust. But nothing could be further from the truth. For instance, if you have minor children then a trust or will is extremely important. On this episode, Mitch Mitchell joins u...
Making the Right Decisions for Your Annual “Open Enrollment”
October 16, 2023 00:00 - 20 minutes - 46.7 MBOctober here is here already and that means it's time to make sure you enroll in health insurance and everything else that goes with it for 2024. We're talking life insurance, hospital indemnity plans, disability. It can all be overwhelming. For instance, should you go with a high-deductible policy and if so, what are the risks? Remember, the decisions you make now will be in place for all of 2024. To break it all down and to figure out what's right for you, we're talking to Darin Reeser, ...
Smart TVs are Getting Even Smarter
October 09, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 45.1 MBToday we’re talking about smart TVs. Of course, we flip of the TV to stream our favorite movies, shows and sports. But the latest TV technology could also help us stay healthy with access to telehealth and virtual clinics. Our guest today is Patrick Pannett. He is the Director of Industry Communications with the Consumer Technology Association. He’s going to help guide us through smart TV technology that’s available now and what’s on the horizon. We’ll also talk about what TV shoppers can ...
What Your Pets Eat May Keep Them Out of the Animal Hospital
October 02, 2023 00:00 - 27 minutes - 63.2 MBSixty-eight percent of American households own a pet, and many of them are of course dogs and cats. But owning a pet comes with added expenses. Vaccinations, healthcare and unexpected visits to the vet all add up quickly. And one of the number one reasons owners have to take their pets for an emergency vet visit has to do with eating something they're not supposed to eat. Today, Dr. Ricky Walther joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's a veterinarian and Chief Medical Officer for Pawli...
Spotting Fake Online Reviews
September 25, 2023 00:00 - 26 minutes - 61.2 MBWhen it comes to finding a good restaurant, a caring doctor or maybe even a talented contractor, consumers have learned to rely on Internet reviews. But how legitimate are those reviews and more importantly, can you really trust what they all say? The answer is "no" because many of the reviews we read are "fake," put on the Internet to reel in new customers. Today, Kay Dean joins us on the On Your Side podcast. She's a former federal criminal investigator who currently has a YouTube chan...
Avoiding the Most Common Adoption Scams
September 18, 2023 00:00 - 20 minutes - 47.3 MBFor all parents, the path to parenthood is unique, and for many families, it includes adoption. It can be an emotional process. And now scammers are preying on people who desperately want a child. Today, Nicole Witt joins us on the on your side podcast. She is the executive director of the adoption consultancy – and the host of ‘adopting! The podcast’ helping families who want to adopt with education, information, and guidance. She’ll reveal several common scams, like the phantom birth mot...
Getting a Hold of Student Loan Debt Using the New SAVE Program
September 11, 2023 00:00 - 24 minutes - 55.3 MBStudent loan payments have been on hold for years. But they’re back beginning in October. At the same time, millions of borrowers are enrolling in a new income-driven student loan repayment plan called “SAVE” which is reducing monthly student loan bills. It may feel complicated, so today Robert Farringdon joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He’s the founder of ‘The College Investor’ and calls himself “America’s millennial money expert.” The company’s mission is to help people get a grip ...
Earning Artificial Intelligence Certificates Will Help Job Seekers
September 04, 2023 00:00 - 21 minutes - 48.8 MBLike it or not, Artificial Intelligence is here to stay. We have self-driving cars, smart assistants, manufacturing robots and countless other examples of machines acting like humans. Artificial intelligence is already available in hundreds of different industries and it's only a matter of time before the number starts to increase. So, don't get left behind in the world of AI. Colleges are starting to introduce AI classes to prep students for the next generation. On this episode, Juanit...
Getting the Maximum Return for Your Remodeling Investment
August 28, 2023 00:00 - 19 minutes - 8.85 MBThe real estate market across the nation, including here in Phoenix, has really slowed down due to higher interest rates and low inventory. So, if you're even thinking of trying to sell your home, what can you do to get it SOLD? Well, you want to set your home apart from your competition and that includes updating your house. Olivia Mariani from Curbio joins us on the On Your Side podcast. She tells us about a new method of updating your home and how to get the most return for your investm...
Be Prepared for Unforeseen Layoffs
August 21, 2023 00:00 - 21 minutes - 49.8 MBThis has not been a good year for American workers, as more than a quarter million people were shown the door after getting laid-off. The tech industry was hurt the most with big companies like Facebook and Zoom laying off thousands. Unfortunately, many of those affected didn’t see it coming and were financially unprepared. Today, we’re talking to Stewart Willis. He’s a financial expert with Asset Preservation Wealth and Tax, and he explains how you can be financially prepared in case the un...
How Ticket Bots are Impacting Air Travel
August 14, 2023 01:34 - 16 minutes - 37.8 MBHave you ever heard of an airline offering super cheap airfare, but once you try to but those tickets, they are all gone? There's a reason they get gobbled up so fast, and it's not because some consumers are quicker to react. On this episode, we're talking to Jesper Essendrop, the CEO of Queue-It. He reveals the results of his investigation into how bots are making things more difficult for travelers.
More Weddings This Year Despite Increasing Costs
July 31, 2023 00:00 - 22 minutes - 50.6 MBIt's estimated that a little over 2 million weddings will take place here in the United States by the end of the year. That's significantly higher than the past three years. And while more weddings are taking place, the price tag for the big day has sky rocketed. In fact, a whopping $29,000 is the national average cost for a wedding. Today, Ann Kaplan joins us on the On Your Side podcast. She’s a finance and wedding expert and she explains the reasons behind the increase in wedding costs ...
Kids and Cleaning
July 24, 2023 00:00 - 15 minutes - 34.6 MBWhen you send your kid off to college, are they ready to clean? Do they know how often to clean, or how to wash their bedding? According to a new survey, a lot of parents aren't so sure, and neither are their college-bound kids. On this episode, we're talking to Brian Sansoni, a cleaning expert and the Senior Vice President of Communications, Outreach, and Membership at the American Cleaning Institute. We discuss the basics to make sure everyone is mastering essential cleaning habits.
Too Many Real Estate Agents Hurting the Industry
July 17, 2023 16:42 - 23 minutes - 52.9 MBIf you’re on the house hunt, you know the real estate market is competitive. Turns out, it’s competitive for real estate agents, too. A new report by the Consumer Federation of America shows there are too many real estate agents for too few home sales. And it is coming at a cost to consumers. On the On Your Side podcast, we are chatting with Steven Brobeck, the author of the report. He’s the senior fellow at the non-profit consumer research and advocacy group and tells us why too many real...
Creating an AI-Friendly Resume
July 10, 2023 00:00 - 24 minutes - 56.7 MBAre you looking for a job and you feel like you're not getting a lot of interest from potential employers? Well, it may be that your resume isn't AI friendly. Artificial Intelligence is weeding out job candidates based on certain words that may or may not be in your resume. But don't worry, you can turn that resume around. Today, we're talking to Jeremy Schiff. He's the CEO of RecruitBot which is a hiring platform that matches employers with job candidates. He explains what you can do to...
Summer Vacation Tips
June 26, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 43.3 MBSummer is officially here. And by now, you may have some bored kids out of school for summer vacation. So on this episode, we’re chatting with one of our favorite money-saving moms. Her name is Andrea Woroch and she tells us how to help salvage summer fun without breaking the bank, whether you’re home or away on vacation.
1% Down Payment Mortgages
June 12, 2023 00:00 - 21 minutes - 48.9 MBIt’s hard to keep up with the real estate market these days. One month, it seems housing prices are falling. The next month prices are creeping up. A lot of it has to do with interest rates that the fed has increased 10 straight times in a little over a year. Another factor is where you live. So, some lenders have come up with something called the 1 percent mortgage. Today, we’re talking to Jeff Ostrowski. He’s with Bankrate.com for more than two decades and he’s a real estate expert....
Inside Google Trends
June 05, 2023 00:00 - 17 minutes - 39.7 MBHow often are you Googling for answers? On this episode, we're talking with Bailey Tomson, a Google Trends expert. We'll go behind the scenes of some of the most recent trends that have millions searching like how much to tip and what we're dreaming about.
New Graduates: Be Aware of Fake Job Offers
May 22, 2023 00:00 - 21 minutes - 49.7 MBGraduation is here, not only for college students but high school students as well. But looking for job opportunities after leaving school can be ripe with scams. Fake job postings, phony offers, and high pay are all techniques that scammers use to lure unsuspecting job seekers down a road to financial loss and big disappointment. So, today Kevin Roundy joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's a tech expert with Norton-LifeLock and specializes in computer security, privacy, and identity ...
Getting the Best Customer Service
May 15, 2023 17:11 - 19 minutes - 44.1 MBIs AI killing customer service? On this episode, we're talking with Micah Solomon, a customer service expert and author of several books including "Ignore Your Customers (and They'll Go Away)" and "Your Customer is the Star." We'll discuss what companies are doing wrong with customer service, what they're doing right, and what customers can do to get the very best service.
Consider Travel Insurance Even For Short Trips
May 08, 2023 00:00 - 18 minutes - 41.7 MBSummer is coming up and chances are you might be taking a vacation somewhere. Maybe you booked a cruise, bought airline tickets, or plan on driving to a theme park like Disney World. If so, did you purchase travel insurance? Some consumers buy travel insurance when it comes to big ticket vacations like flying overseas, or booking a cruise. It gives them a little peace of mind just in case something comes up at the last minute and they can't go. But travel insurance isn't just for pricey ...
Are You Saving Enough For Retirement?
May 01, 2023 00:00 - 25 minutes - 57.3 MBNo matter where you’re at in your career, you’ve probably dreamed of retirement at least once or twice. But a growing number of workers and retirees are worried about retirement. This year’s new retirement confidence survey shows 64 percent of workers are confident they’ll have enough money to live comfortably throughout their retirement years. That’s down from 73 percent just last year. In this episode, we are talking with Craig Copeland. He is the Director of Wealth Benefits Research...
A New Way To Book Babysitters On Demand
April 24, 2023 00:00 - 21 minutes - 49.3 MBIf you want to hire a babysitter, you want to make sure it’s the right fit for your family. So you consider background checks, experience, certification, and availability. And now, parents are even dealing with something called sitter stealing. So on this episode, we’re talking with Natalie Mayslich. She is the president of care.com. She says there’s a new way to book babysitters on demand, and she'll lay out what we should actually plan to pay for a sitter.
Arizona is a Perfect State for Wineries and Grape Growing
April 17, 2023 00:00 - 26 minutes - 60 MBArizona has many notable industries. We're known as the Copper State because mining has been around for years. And of course tourism is the state's bread and butter. But there's one category that's frequently overlooked and that's the wine industry. In fact, Arizona has more than 120 wineries and tasting rooms across the state generating more than a $150 million dollars a year. Today, we're talking to Kris Pothier. She's the past president of the Arizona Wine Growers Association and curren...
The Most Costly and Least Expensive States to Own a Vehicle
April 10, 2023 00:00 - 20 minutes - 45.9 MBIt's becoming more and more expensive to own a car these days. Between gas prices and the cost of repairs, it can really add up. And depending on where you live in the country, the cost of owning a car can vary greatly. So, what states are some of the cheapest places to own a car, what states are the most expensive and where does Arizona fit into the mix? For the answer, we're talking to David Straughn. He's with Automoblog which is an automotive publication that keeps readers informed an...