Arizona’s Family On Your Side

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. 

The busy holiday season is almost here, and people are getting ready to spend, spend, spend on all kinds of things including travel. A recent survey shows Gen Z and Millennials are changing how  their travel budget. Out with traditional vacations and in with experiences including fandom travel and silent tourism. Today our guest is Lauren Gumport. She’s the vice president of communications at Faye Travel Insurance, the company that did this new study. We’re talking with her about what’s driving these travel trends and how plan the perfect trip.

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.

In this episode of the On Your Side podcast, Gary Harper and Todd Martin discuss the sensitive topic of financial infidelity, where partners hide financial details from each other. They are joined by Christy Mathern from WalletHub to delve into survey results showing that two out of five Americans have secret financial accounts. They also explore how people handle money disputes, the dynamics of shared versus separate accounts, and cases of financial secrecy leading to serious relationship issues. Tune in for expert insights and real-life stories about managing finances in relationships.

Buying a used car can be an scary experience. You don't want to overpay and you need to make sure the vehicle is mechanically sound. So, on the On Your side podcast, we're talking to an expert about the do's and don'ts of buying a car.

Smart phones have become a part of our lives. Calls, texting, shopping, navigation, gaming, streaming, the list goes on. How does your screen time compare to others? A new report says Arizonans spend nearly nine hours on their smart phone, more than any other state. On this episode, we talk with Kyle Beierlein with Hosting Advice about the company's new data on cell phone usage and screen time.

According to the FBI, the healthcare and public health sector is the most targeted in the United States by  ransomware attackers. Why is that and what can you do to keep from becoming a victim? Today, Steven McKeon joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's a cybersecurity expert and founder of MacguyverTech. He explains that hospitals are targeted for a variety of reasons, including the healthcare industry is using outdated technology that is more than a decade old.

We’re doing a little bit of a crash course today for people who are considering jumping into the stock market. Is it a good time to start investing in the market? What does every beginner need to know? Our guest is Shane Stevenson from Winston and Companies Retirement and Financial Services. He'll walk us through the things you need to know to get started with investing.

Homeownership is the American dream. You save up for a down payment, you find a house you can afford, and then you buy it. But there's a lot more to owning a home than your mortgage payment. There are unexpected maintenance issues and other expenses that former renters aren't used to paying. So today, Jeff Ostrowski joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's with Bankrate.com and his research reveals homeowners pay around $18,000 a year to own and maintain a home. He explains what you can do to cut those costs.

Nearly a decade ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ordered a full recall of Takata airbags. However, an estimated 6.4 million of those vehicles are still driving on our roadways with faulty airbags. So, today, Patrick Olsen joins us on the On Your Side podcast. He's with Carfax and he explains that these airbags can be dangerous, particularly with the high heat we have here in Arizona. Twenty seven people have already died because of the airbags and 400 have been injured. So, how can you know if you're driving one of these cars, and if you are, what options do you have to get it fixed?