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This week, a U.S. company that makes medical devices was hit by a cyberattack. A pro-Iranian hacking group claimed responsibility, and in a social media post said the Stryker hack was retaliation for a missile strike on a school in Iran. Our guest on this episode is Tim Roemer, former CIA, former Director of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security and the state’s Chief Information Security Officer. Now Tim is the CEO of GMI, a Scottsdale-based cybersecurity company that focuses on IT and security. We’ll ask him how vulnerable U.S. infrastructure is to overseas hackers and how to protect against these groups.

The headline sounds like it’s straight out of a sci-fi thriller; Man accidentally gains control of 7,000 robot vacuums. It actually happened and it’s raising questions about privacy issues as smart homes get "smarter." Our guest is Mack DeGeurin, a tech reporter who reported on this story for Popular Science. We are talking with him about how this situation actually unfolded, what the company has to say about it, and the things to consider when you’re connecting devices all over your home.  

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available for the 2026-2027 school year. Jill Schlesinger, CBS News Business Analyst, walks us through the easier-than-it-used-to-be process. We’ll also talk about education savings strategies for kids at any age, and the three things you should do before you start contributing to a 529 or other account in your child’s name.

Wedding bells are ringing, and more engaged couples are using artificial intelligence to plan for their big day, according to The Knot’s "Real Weddings" report for 2026. Our guest is Esther Lee, the editorial director at The Knot Worldwide. We’ll talk about how artificial intelligence is becoming an important part of planning for engaged couples for everything from ideas and inspiration to writing wedding vows. We’ll also look at the trend wedding guests will notice on invitations, and the significant spike in the number of couples choosing lab-grown diamonds over natural stones.

 As the cost of cars climbs, the value of trade-ins is going up. Good news for consumers, but we have to be able to cash in. So today we're talking with Justin Fischer. He's an automotive retail analyst with CarEdge. He'll walk us through some simple steps to negotiate your deal and we'll ask him how much mileage actually matters for a trade-in. We will also talk about how tariffs could impact trade-ins. 

 Let's talk about love and money. A recent bank rate survey shows 38% of adults in a romantic relationship say financial secrets are just as bad as cheating, and 5% say financial infidelity is worse. So today we're talking with Angelica Prescod, a financial advisor with Edward Jones.

We'll talk about the money secrets people are keeping and how to get back on the same page and create money goals together. 

While we scroll through social media, content creators are making money. Our guest is Giselle Ugarte, an online performance coach and one of TikTok’s top 100 women to watch. We’ll talk about getting started with content creation, how to turn your everyday life into content that connects with people, how to get started if you don’t feel camera-ready, and how to protect your privacy while still sharing yourself with the world.
 

Whether you’re an early filer or you’re already planning for an extension, there are changes this tax season that you need to know about. Our guest is Mark Steber, the chief tax officer for Jackson Hewitt Tax Services. We’ll discuss new deductions that could mean money in your pocket and the benefits of filing early.

Are you getting flooded with spam calls? Of course you are. Americans got 52.5 billion robocalls in 2025. Today, we’re talking with Alex Quilici, the CEO of YouMail. We’ll talk about why robocalls are still getting through despite efforts to stop them, and how you can protect your phone from incessant calls.

Whether you have a stack of cash and you’re cruising into retirement or just getting started on your savings journey, it may be time for a quick financial check-up. Today, our guest is Stewart Willis, the president of Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax. We’ll talk about changes happening in 2026 that could impact your finances and some simple strategies to make your money work for you.

 You probably know him from the hit TV show, Million Dollar Listing, and today, we welcome Josh Altman to the show. He's sold billions of dollars in real estate. He's also an author, and he coaches clients on how to break into the luxury market.

So we're gonna talk with him about investing in real estate. What does it take to get started? What kind of work is actually worth it for properties? What are the biggest pitfalls to avoid? And we'll get a little behind the scenes on what it was really like to film a TV show for 15 seasons. 

 Scams are everywhere and losses are staggering. So today we're having a candid conversation about it and how cryptocurrency is changing everything. Our guest is Brian Watson. He's a retired special agent with IRS criminal investigation. And now works with a nonprofit called R.O.S.E., educating people about costly scams.

We'll talk about some of the cases he's seen, including one involving a woman who lost almost three quarters of a million dollars. We'll also talk about the ways to protect your money and how to watch out for your loved ones. 

 It's the holiday season, and that pairs well with wine. On this episode, we talk with Matthew Horkey. You may have seen his videos on social media. He's also an author and a judge for international wine competitions. We'll ask him how to choose the right wine for your holiday party. And what about a gift for your favorite host? We'll also talk about price points. Does paying more actually mean you'll get a better bottle? 

There’s financial advice all over social media. Some of it’s good, but there’s a lot of misinformation that could derail your financial goals. Today, we’re talking with Stephen Kates, CFP about some of the worst advice he’s seen while scrolling and ways to avoid the viral advice that could be costly.  

The season of spending is here, and we want to avoid overspending. Our guest is Rachel Caballero, a financial expert with TruWest Credit Union. We’ll talk with her about simple strategies to avoid impulse purchases and the things all shoppers need to know about buy now, pay later options that seem to be everywhere.

The holiday shopping season is here and consumers are expected to spend more than $1 trillion for the holidays in November and December. We know sales started early, but Black Friday is still a big day for retailers and shoppers. So today we're talking with Chip Lupo from WalletHub. The financial site just analyzed all kinds of ads and deals, and they say there's one store where you'll get the very deepest discounts. We'll also talk about some of our favorite Black Friday shopping traditions and ways to avoid digging into debt.

Moving! Whether it’s across town or across the nation, moving is never fun. And the industry is known for having some unscrupulous companies. So on this episode, Justin Hart, the owner of Just-In Time Moving and Storage in Mesa, joins us. He’s been in the moving business for two decades and is the recipient of the Independent Moving company of the year. He’s got advice for all of us who are planning a move. He’ll also let us in on some of the nightmare scenarios he’s encountered with other moving companies and how to avoid pricey mistakes.

Are you ready to retire? Maybe at least dreaming of life after the 9-to-5? For a lot of people, retirement feels out of reach. So today, we’re talking with Angelica Prescod, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Scottsdale. Whether you’re retiring soon or still have decades of work head, there are things you can do right now that your retired-self will thank you for later. We’ll talk about the things to consider before retirement, and it’s not all about money in your account. 

Do you need a break? Maybe more than you realize! According to a new report from FlexJobs, 23 percent of workers haven’t taken a single vacation day in the past year. Today, we’re talking with Toni Frana. She’s a career expert manager for FlexJobs. We’ll ask her why aren’t workers taking their PTO. And if you’re on the job hunt, learn how can you find an employer that values time off.

There’s been a lot of talk about artificial intelligence and its benefits. But there can be a huge downside as well. Scammers are using AI to impersonate people you know. These deep fakes are almost impossible to detect.

Today Jon Clay joins us on the podcast. He’s with Trend Micro, a cyber security software company. He’ll tell us how to spot these new wave of AI scams and how you can keep from being duped.

The cost of a new car just hit a major milestone. For the first time, the average transaction price for a new vehicle topped $50,000. So today, we’re talking with Kelley Blue Book’s Brian Moody about what’s driving the increase in cost. We’ll also ask him what’s to come? Are prices going to get even higher? What about those sky-high car loans? Are people actually keeping up with payments? And are there ways to save on a new ride?

Today on the On Your Side podcast, hosts Gary Harper and Susan Campbell discuss the upcoming end of support for Windows 10 with consumer technology expert Dan Ackerman from Microcenter. Starting October 14, Microsoft will stop providing updates and security patches for Windows 10, potentially making many PCs vulnerable to security threats. Dan explains the implications of this change and offers guidance on transitioning to Windows 11, which includes a free update for most current users. He further elaborates on identifying if a computer is eligible for the upgrade and warns about potential scams related to this transition. The episode also includes information about the upcoming opening of a new Microcenter store in Phoenix.

Today on the On Your Side podcast, we’re talking about the Phantom Hacker. Scammers are draining bank accounts and you need to know about it. Our guest is Erik Beguin, an expert in the banking industry. He’s served with several groups including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Community Bank Advisory Council. He’ll help us understand how this three-prong attack is happening and we’ll also reveal simple things you can do to make it harder for someone to steal your savings.

It’s just September, but the holidays will be here before you know it and some shoppers are getting a jump-start on wish lists. So, when it comes to tech gift, we want to know: Buy now, or wait for deeper discounts? On this episode, our guest is Russell Holly. He’s the Commerce Managing Editor at CNET. We’ll ask him about this season’s hot gifts and sales on consumer tech products. We’ll also talk why this year is more difficult than most to predict price trends.

 If you're a parent, you know there are a lot of unexpected costs that pop up. The extra fees for field trips, sports gear, music lessons, it all adds up. A recent Vanguard survey shows almost 70% of parents say they're spending more than expected on their kids this year.

It also shows people are missing out on opportunities to save. We're joined by Sabino Vargas, a  a certified financial planner with Vanguard. We'll talk about saving for the short-term expenses and emergencies that pop up. We'll also tackle long-term plans for education and beyond.