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Consumer bureau investigates bank overdraft fees
Feb 22, 2012
The Consumer Financial Protection Agency will question banks about how overdraft fees may create serious economic hardship for consumers least able to afford it.
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A sweep account and an IRA
Feb 22, 2012
I am 24 years old and starting to get a handle on my financial situation. I have started an emergency savings account and am ready to open a Roth IRA with $2,500. I started an application for an account, but it asked for my choice of a sweep fund. Nothing I've read has mentioned this and my Internet research has come up with limited and confusing information. What is a sweep fund and how do I choose one? Julia, Boise, ID
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51%: An ominous number
Feb 22, 2012
More Americans are at risk of a lower standard of living in retirement.
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Moving into an assisted living center
Feb 21, 2012
Hello, I have and older aunt who is beginning to think about end-of-life issues and is planning to move into an assisted living community. She has no family nearby and is trying to do everything on her own, which is daunting. I want to guide her as she thinks about how to downsize her life and deal with her affairs in a way that makes sense for her. She doesn't have much in assets -- just a house that she financed with a HUD loan that she will have to sell before she can move. She is planning to hire a lawyer to get a will together, but I don't know if it will be worthwhile for her to spend the money to do that, given how little she has. Suzanne, Billings, MT
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Sick to death of saving
Feb 17, 2012
Commentator Zo Webster has been a saver all her life - but recently she's begun to change her tune.
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Getting Personal: Identity crisis
Feb 17, 2012
Tess talks with David Lazarus of the the Los Angeles Times about how to cope with possible identity theft, the tax implications of airmiles and handling your credit profile when collectors come calling.
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Putting a price on your pet's health
Feb 17, 2012
The price of looking after your pet is rising as far and fast as the cost of human healthcare. Gregory Warner reports on why we are willing to pay so much for our animals.
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The hard decision
Feb 17, 2012
One of the toughest decisions a pet owner has to make is how and when to end an animal's life. Tess talks with pet owners and a vet about balancing the cost of life and death.
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The cost of being 'Best in Show'
Feb 17, 2012
New York hosted the Westminster Dog Show this week. Tess talked with dog owners to find out just how much it costs to put your pooch on parade at the most prestigious award show in America.
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Time to take stock
Feb 17, 2012
My wife and I are approaching our mid 30s. Up to this point, our lives have been a blur of trying to build a future with two incredible children. Now that we have a house, two rental properties and situated ourselves in our careers, we really need to start planning further ahead for retirement and our children's future. We are really not sure what to do next and feel that we should turn to a financial advisor. At this point, I am completely overwhelmed as I don't even know how to go about finding one. I have started to do some research online but am still struggling with this next step. Any suggestions that could help point us in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. Jeff, Ballston Lake, NY
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Economy gives some dads a bad rap
Aug 21, 2009
Despite hints that the economy is recovering, job losses continue. But what happens when fathers who pay child support are out of work? Monica Brady-Myerov reports.
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Asking for charity for the first time
Dec 3, 2009
Sherman Wilburn of Minneapolis has often given his time and money to others in need. Now he finds himself asking for help. He talks with Kai Ryssdal about the difficult times facing him and his family.
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Susan G. Komen fights for trademark
Aug 5, 2010
Susan G. Komen For the Cure, the breast cancer charity, has warned several other charities to stay away from its trademarked phrase: "Race for the Cure." And watch out if you use the color pink. Janet Babin reports.
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Best way to donate? Do your research
Dec 10, 2008
If you're facing harder times but still want to give back, you may think the best way is through volunteering. But Holden Karnofsky, co-founder of a charity evaluation website, says your time would be better spent finding a nonprofit worthy of your money.
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Getting Personal
Aug 1, 2008
In this edition of Getting Personal, Chris and Tess talk about lazy investing styles, lending to family, consolidating retirement accounts and foolproof investments.
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Don't fear high-frequency trading
Aug 23, 2010
Commentator Matt Samelson argues that high-frequency trading shouldn't be vilified as a troublemaker, but seen as a type of trading that maximizes value out of the market and corrects mispricing.
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homebuyer tax credit
Jan 22, 2009
Question: My husband and I just bought our first home in South Minneapolis this past fall. Since then, I have heard a lot of talk about the IRS...
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Saving for retirement? Don't have kids
Dec 4, 2010
While it seems to have become more difficult in recent times to save for retirement, some people are still able to retire early. Commentator Sydney Lagier retired when she was 44. Her best tip? Don't have kids.
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Question: Is $250,000 rich?
Oct 22, 2010
The number of $250,000 a year is being thrown around by politicians these days as being "wealthy" and "rich." But is it really? Tess Vigeland talks to financial psychologist Ted Klontz and the Wall Street Journal's Robert Frank about wealth in America.
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Getting Personal
Jul 23, 2010
Tess Vigeland and Los Angeles Times columnist David Lazarus answer listener questions including how to get a project loan on property, should one get a collateral loan and what is the best way to save a set amount of money.
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Business school case study: Debt talks
Jul 25, 2011
Business is all about the art of negotiation -- MIT's Tom Kochan explains how the debt talks are marked by give and take.
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Do you qualify for help from the foreclosure settlement?
Feb 10, 2012
The details of the settlement between the states and the banks are still being hashed out. But, if you want to know if you might qualify, we’ve got some information to get you started.
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Steps toward a major move
Feb 6, 2012
I'm a 58-year-old widow and I have been paying on a 30-year mortgage for 28 years, so I am almost there. I think I owe about $8,000. I am contracted to a job that doesn't offer a pension, but I do have investments (which I think of as retirement money). All three of my daughters moved to Seattle and I want to move there this summer. Right now, I have a little cape cod, which hopefully I can sell for $200,000+. However, my daughters live in the Ballard neighborhood, where a house even a little smaller than mine would cost nearly $400,000. They have condos. I wouldn't mind a townhouse if I get a patch of land to garden. I will be getting a job when I move, but should I just rent at this point? Should I leave the investment money alone? Laura, Ann Arbor, MI
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What's that website, again?
Feb 6, 2012
I thought I heard on your show that there was a website that will give you your credit score for free. I'm sorry but I forgot what the website was. Could you please tell me again? Thank you. Nancy, Tamarack, MN
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To refinance or not to refinance
Feb 3, 2012
I have the opportunity to refinance from 5-1/4 percent to 4-1/4 percent. The savings will be $249 a month, which we really need because we probably will need a new car next year. The payback for the closing costs (rolled into the refi) would take 2 years. However, there is a small chance we could be moving due to my job before 2 years. Should I take the lower rate to get the monthly savings or find the money for the car elsewhere? My wife's and my credit scores are high -- about 800. (Yes, Tess, I checked FICO per your constant reminding on the show.) Eric, Ringwood, NJ
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Is major tax reform coming?
Feb 1, 2012
Like it or not, some form of major tax change is coming over the next several years. The reason is well-known: The federal government's dire long-term fiscal situation. The real question is what kind of tax overhaul.
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Good habits and a credit score
Feb 1, 2012
We use a credit card to pay for all monthly expenses and then pay it off at the end of each month. My credit score fluctuates every quarter, depending on when the accounts are checked. My question is how can we convince the credit rating company that we do not carry any credit card debt from one month to the next? My score is currently at 749 but has been as high as 815. Thanks, I really enjoy your program. Randy, Macomb, IL
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Naming your IRA beneficiary
Jan 31, 2012
I live in New York State. Can I have my son as the beneficiary for my IRA and Roth IRA account? If yes, what do I need my husband to sign? Thank you. Wendy, Lockport, NY
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FTC punishes debt collector
Jan 31, 2012
After a landslide of complaints, the FTC cracks down on “past-statue” practices.
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Putting a priority on savings goals
Jan 30, 2012
I recently bought a house for the first time. I am in my early 50s and have a son in high school. I don't have life insurance. I have been receiving lots of advertisements in the mail telling me I should have life insurance or mortgage insurance. Should I buy term life insurance to protect my son? It is very hard for me to save money, and I'd rather save what I can for future college bills and my retirement. Thank you, Erika, Salisbury, CT
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Thrift is in
Jan 30, 2012
People are still trying to save more.
Buzzworthy
Recent comments on our stories..
The cost of being 'Best in Show'
I usually dislike the reporting done on dog shows, particularly on the money spent on them by dog fanciers. This report was a fine exception to...
MartyS | Feb 19, 2012 Ford CEO Alan Mulally on the auto industry's progress
While Alan Mulally rationalizes his exponentially disproportionate compensation, I'd like to mention the 16,000-plus other people who applied...
bobala54 | Feb 17, 2012 The problem with cash
Interesting, but where's the BIG question: if we switch to some electronic form of cash, what THEN protects us from robbery? Every week...
bookwoman | Feb 15, 2012 'Our Black Year': One couple's challenge to shop black-owned businesses
I enjoyed listening to this story, but I think it missed a bigger point, which hits at the heart of the economy in the black community. It goes...
blamaj1 | Feb 14, 2012
