Arizona’s Family On Your Side

Rates for auto insurance have been a hot topic lately as consumers have seen their premiums skyrocket. So some drivers are turning to a controversial method of reducing their insurance rates by allowing their insurance company to monitor their driving by downloading an app that can measure speed and braking. But is it an invasion of privacy?

Today, Maya Afilalo joins us on the On Your Side podcast. She's an industry analyst with AutoInsurance.com which just released some surprising results about drivers who don't mind being spied on by their insurance company and other who say there is no way they would allow it.

You may have gone into the new year vowing to be better with money. But it’s about that time when resolutions have been forgotten. So today we’re going to help you get back on track. Maybe you have a stack of bills from the holiday season rolling in. Or maybe you want to tackle lingering debt. Our guest is Emily Irwin. She’s the head of the advice center at Wells Fargo, and she’s going to help us get organized without getting overwhelmed. Plus, we’ll talk about why now’s the time to start getting ready for next Christmas.

It's one of the biggest sporting events of the years. If you're plan a Super Bowl watch party, get ready for some sticker shock.

Avocados are up nearly 12 percent from last year, and the ever so popular chicken wingsare up more than 7 percent. In fact, to host a Super Bowl party for 10 people, plan on spending at least $140.

Today, Dr. Michael Swanson joins us on the podcast. He's the chief agriculture economist for Wells Fargo and has advice for what you need to  know be more thoughtful about your party planning decisions.

Whether you’re expecting a refund or you need to pay up, there are changes this tax season you need to know about. Our guest today is Mark Steber. He’s the Chief Tax Information Officer at Jackson Hewitt. We’ll chat about some strategies to get tax documents organized and tax law changes that could impact your bottom line. 

More and more people are wanting to keep their home because of their 3% interest rates. As a result, some folks are turning to renting out their home. Suzanne Seggerman, an author and nationally-known expert when it comes to the do's and don'ts if you're considering renting out your home, joins the show to offer her expert advice.

2025 is officially here and you might be planning for a little family vacation, or maybe a quick getaway. So, what will the travel trends be this year? How about something that’s being called the “Spurgecation?”

Cryptocurrency. It's something a lot of us have heard about, but don't necessarily understand what it is or how it works. Cryptocurrency is a digital currency and it was first introduced by Bitcoin in 2009. But since then, more than 25,000 other digital currencies have hit the market.

On this episode, we are joined by Sean Worthington, a tech innovator and financial expert who created CloudCoin, another digital currency. He'll tell us all we need to know about cryptocurrency and what we might be missing out on if we don't buy it.

It's the holiday season and a lot of us are trying to find that perfect gift for friends and family. But, that may lead to something called "financial infidelity." That's when your significant other spends a lot more money on items that you think they did. And in some cases, they may have credit cards you don't know about.

On this episode, we're talking to Yonatan Levoritz. He's a divorce and family attorney who explains how to spot if your spouse is being a little too secretive about their finances and if they may have secret accounts.

We’ve all needed medical care, at one point or another. Doctors, tests, procedures. It all adds up and you could be facing some big bills. And now, a new report is revealing a majority of hospitals aren’t giving patients the pricing information they need. Today, we’re talking with Cynthia Fisher, the founder and chair of Patient Rights Advocate. What patients should know about their medical bills, what’s missing, and what to do before your next appointment.

A bigger paycheck may just be one question away. A new survey shows that 82% of full-time workers who asked for a raise this year got one.

On this episode, we're talking paychecks with LendingTree's Matt Schultz about how much of a raise people are getting and how to ask for one. We'll also discuss what to do if you're facing a paycut.

We're about to get involved in what could be a record for consumer holiday spending. But 70 percent of shoppers still rate "price" as one of the most important factors when it comes what to buy. And using artificial intelligence can certainly help you as well as retailers during the holiday season. So, today Justin Burr joins us on the On Your Side podcast, he's a analyst for Google. He'll share the latest shopping trends as well as the top AI shopping tools to help you this holiday season.

The holiday shopping season is here, and you’re probably doing some of your spending while you’re scrolling. The National Retail Federation says 57% of holiday shoppers will shop online. But there’s a chance you could end up with fake stuff. The counterfeit market is big business, and it could put your health and safety at risk. Today, we’re talking with Frank Cullen. He’s the executive director of the Council for Innovation Promotion. We’ll talk about the best ways to be a safe shopper, and what’s being done to slow down counterfeit sales.

The race for the White House ended in a decisive victory for Donald Trump. The Dow soared more than 1,500 points the day the race was called. And now, investors are looking ahead to the transfer of power. Today, we are talking with Shane Stevenson from Winston and Companies Retirement and Financial Services about what the election results mean for your money, your investments, and your taxes. 

Being a new parent can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to finances. And childcare fits right into that category. Like everything else, childcare has gone up dramatically. In fact, a recent report released by Bankrate.com indicates that parents spend nearly 15 percent of their income on childcare alone. So today, Alex Gailey joins us on the On Your Side Podcast. She's an analyst with Bankrate and she shares some interesting information when it comes to childcare costs here in the U.S, including  what states are the most expensive for childcare. 

Higher education, like earning a college degree, is supposed to help students land jobs with higher salaries. But a new study reveals that's not necessarily the case. Turns out, recent college graduates are somewhat disappointed with their new paychecks and are now struggling financially. On this episode, Sarah Foster joins us. She's an analyst with Bankrate.com which just released some surprising information regarding Generation Z, their college degrees, and the salaries they're getting. 

When it comes to paying bills, do you mail in a check or do you pay it online? How about writing a friend or relative? Do you mail a letter or do you simply email them? A new report out by Stamps.com found there is one generation that still relies heavily on putting a stamp on an envelope and putting it in the mail. And you might be  surprised to hear exactly what that generation is.

Today, Nick Spitzman joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's with Stamps.com and he reveals the  unexpected results of who's still using stamps, who isn't, and where so-called "snail mail" will be in the future.

Learning to drive is a right of passage for many teenagers, but that learning period can come with a few bumps in the road. Right now, 37 states require teens to enroll and pass a driving education class, but Arizona is not one of them.

Maria Wojtczak of DrivingMBA says teens can gain confidence and can even help parents lower their insurance rates with driving courses.

We’ve come to the end of something called the “on ramp” repayment program for student loans. As a result, if you’re late or miss a student payment, your credit score will take a hit. So on this episode, we’re talking with Jack Wallace, the Director at Yrefy. He’ll walk us through recent changes for student loan borrowers and what you need to know to avoid problems. We’ll also talk strategies to tackle those loan payments. 

Everyone likes to take a little time off for a vacation, but then again, we all seem to take our vacations at the same time. That usually causes long lines, higher prices, and overall just a bad experience. So, today, Steve Builday joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He’s the Director of Travel for AARP, and he has some great tips to make your vacation a whole lot better. 

Owning a car offers numerous benefits, but it also comes with the responsibility of maintenance, which can often be costly and confusing. In this episode of the On Your Side podcast, Gary Harper and Colin Stanton are joined by automotive expert Jim Garnin to debunk some of the most common car maintenance myths that could be costing you more than necessary. Jim, who owns High Tech Car Care in Phoenix, shares insights from his decades of experience in the automotive industry.

From the truth about premium fuel and oil change intervals to the real deal on transmission fluid flushes and tire replacements, Jim provides practical advice to help you make informed decisions about your vehicle's upkeep. He also discusses the benefits of nitrogen in tires and the importance of regular vehicle check-ups, even if it's just for a quick look under the hood.

Whether you're a seasoned car owner or new to the world of auto maintenance, this episode is packed with valuable tips to keep your car running smoothly without breaking the bank. Tune in to learn how to avoid unnecessary expenses and ensure your vehicle stays in top condition.

For many Open Enrollment starts next month depending on where you live and what company you might work for. But don't go into Open Enrollment without at least a little research. Today, Kelsa Dickey is on the On Your Side podcast. She's with Financial Fitness and explains everything you need to know when it comes to making  what could be life changing selections.

Buying a car, even a used one, can be one of the biggest purchases a consumer can make. But even if you do get a good deal, there are a number of hidden costs that come along with owning that vehicle. On this episode, we're talking to Shannon Martin of Bankrate. She breaks down some of the hidden costs and tells us exactly how much it costs each year just to drive a car.

It's one of the most overlooked maintenance items on a vehicle—we're talking about tires. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 400 people die every year due to tire-related crashes. So, today Glen Hayward joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's been in the auto repair business for 50 years and he has some really good advice when inspecting your tires. For example, did you know every tire has an expiration date. He'll tell us where to find it and other tire safety tips to keep you and your family safe. 

Negotiating your pay can be very intimidating. The same thing can be true if you are asking for a raise. We're joined by Andres Lares from the Shapiro Negotiations Institute to get insight into what to do, and what not to do, when negotiating a salary or asking for a raise.

Students are heading back to school, and that can put a financial strain on parents. According to the National Retail Federation, parents will spend an estimated $875 on school supplies, clothing, and other school-related items. 

Andrea Waroch is a nationally-recognized consumer and money-saving expert joins us to provide some cool tips to save on sending your kid back to school.