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Front Page | Audio List

Achieve A Healthy Retirement

  • Audio: Making the Golden Years GoldenDr. Eva Mor, an epidemiologist practicing in New York and author of “Making the Golden Years Golden”, says we are a nation growing older—and that we are not prepared. She stresses the importance of planning early for your golden years, and touches on health care, estate planning, Social Security, insurance, and more.
  • Audio: Save on PrescriptionsHealth care costs can make a heavy dent in your wallet. Dr. Edward Jardini, author of “How to Save on Prescription Drugs,” offers suggestions on how you can cut expensive medication costs and get a handle on your health care costs.
  • Audio: Patient AdvocatesWhen you or someone you know has a major medical problem, the stress of bills, diagnoses and appointments can be overwhelming. Meg Gaines, founder and director, Center for Patient Partnerships, explains what patient advocates are and how they can help in a time of need.
  • Audio: Health LiteracyAfter meeting with your health-care practitioner, do you sometimes feel more confused than when you arrived? If that's the case, join Jeanan Yasari, senior lecturer for the Department of Consumer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as she discusses the importance of getting your health questions clarified and following through with your practitioner if something is unclear to you.
  • Audio: Health Savings AccountsJoin Dennis Zuehlke, compliance manager, CUNA Mutual Group, as he talks about health savings accounts--what they are, who is eligible to have one, what they can be used for, and restrictions.

    • Explore Housing Options

  • Audio: Foreclosure ScamsCrooks are taking advantage of unsuspecting victims in the recent upsurge of foreclosure scams. Barry Wides, deputy comptroller of community affairs, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Department of the Treasury, discusses some of the more frequent scams and suggests legitimate sources of help if you are having trouble paying your mortgage or facing foreclosure.
  • Audio: Reverse Mortgage CounselingA reverse mortgage allows the homeowner to convert a portion of equity into cash without having to make monthly payments, unlike a traditional mortgage. Join Joe Herndon, certified consumer credit counselor and group manager, GreenPath Inc., as he talks about when a reverse mortgage may be right for you.
  • Audio: Divorce and Separating LivesJoin Maxine Sweet, vice president of public education, Experian, as she explains what you should do if you have a remaining mortgage and you and your spouse are calling it quits.
  • Audio: Home SharingJoin Jolene Picard, an outreach worker at Senior Resources Agency on Aging, as she discusses how you can be paired with a home seeker if you have extra space in your home, or with a home provider if you're looking to share space with a homeowner.

    • Face Family Challenges

  • Audio: Elder Financial AbuseElder financial abuse is a growing problem in our country. Beverly Laubert from the Ohio Department of Aging, Elder Rights Division, discusses common signs of financial exploitation, agencies and resources that can offer assistance, and how to protect yourself and loved ones from becoming a victim.
  • Audio: Prenuptial AgreementsShould you draw up a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot? Join Katherine Stoner, family law attorney and mediator, Stoner, Welsh & Schmidt, as she discusses when you should consider one, as well as the do’s and don’ts of every prenuptial agreement.
  • Audio: Couples and MoneySpender vs. saver. Planner vs. dreamer. Join Sarah Teets, certified consumer credit counselor, GreenPath, Inc., as she discusses how couples with different financial personalities can make it work. Learn how to achieve financial goals with your spouse.
  • Audio: Helping Senior ParentsIt’s a major role reversal to help your parents manage their money, or for you to be in charge of their finances. Listen to Sharon Burns, executive director, Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education. Sharon discusses a step-by-step approach to teach your parents how to deal with three basic financial issues—budget, insurance, and debt.

    • Grow My Nest Egg

  • Audio: Job Loss and Your 401(k)The economic crisis has left many people facing the unfortunate reality of job loss. Jordan Amin, senior manager in the tax department of Amper, Politziner & Mattia, gives advice about preparing an emergency plan and options for your 401(k) savings.
  • Audio: Co-ops--Good for You, Good for the EconomyMore than 800 million people around the world belong to cooperatives, says Paul Hazen, president and CEO of the National Cooperative Business Association. He explains the functions and benefits of cooperatives--including credit unions--in our society.
  • Audio: Letter of InstructionLetters of instruction are informative, personalized documents that supplement formal living wills and trusts, says Mark Cussen, a certified financial planner and freelance writer. He discusses what to include and why they are beneficial.
  • Audio: Four Steps to Triple Your ReturnsInvesting might not be as complicated as you think. Paul Merriman, author of "Live It Up Without Outliving Your Money," gives four simple steps you can take to see big returns on your investment.
  • Audio: PreRetiree Lane, Episode 6This cliff-hanger episode of PreRetiree Lane will leave you breathless, starting with a flirtatious exchange between financial planner Austin Bryant and Mercedes, followed by a slam-the-door shout-out between Stu and Marta as they try to come to grips with their shaky finances in the home stretch before retirement. The real jaw-dropper, though, is the last scene—a phone call that no one expects nor wants to believe is true.
  • Audio: Do More with Your 401(k)Join Paul Merriman, founder and director of Merriman Berkman Next and author of "Live It Up Without Outliving Your Money," as he discusses how to avoid common mistakes that young investors often make.
  • Audio: PreRetiree Lane, Episode 5Listen in as tensions rise. Just as financial planner Austin Bryant delivers a solid plan to beef up Ron and Ava's retirement plans, Mercedes drops by, quite upset by her boyfriend's refusal to help her out of a sticky situation. Austin excuses himself to visit with Stu and Marta, who end up clashing over issues greater than just money ... issues that wind up threatening their marriage.
  • Audio: PreRetiree Lane, Episode 4Listen in as all the characters come to grips with the need to get financial help. Financial planner Austin Bryant works with Ava and Ron to develop a diversified retirement plan. Mercedes takes a risk and asks her boyfriend Bob for financial help to get away from her corrupt employers. And Stu breaks the bad news to his wife Marta about his 401(k) savings fiasco; they decide to ask Austin to help them out of their retirement planning bind.
  • Audio: Provisions of Pension Protection ActJoin Sage Eastman, communications director for Congressman Dave Camp (R., Mich.), as he talks about provisions of the Pension Protection Act. The major factor--the importance of knowing what's available to you as you save for retirement and the importance of starting to save early.
  • Audio: Investing for RetirementJoin Karen Schaeffer, certified financial planner, as she talks about putting your retirement plan on track, and keeping it on track.
  • Audio: Using IRAs Effectively Before 59 1/2Most of the time you’re told not to touch your retirement account until you’ve reached full retired age. However, there are times when it may be necessary to start tapping those accounts sooner. Join Bill Stecker, CPA, principal owner of the Marble Group, Ltd., as he talks about knowing when and whether you’re qualified to tap those accounts before age 59 1/2.
  • Audio: Health Savings AccountsJoin Dennis Zuehlke, compliance manager, CUNA Mutual Group, as he talks about health savings accounts--what they are, who is eligible to have one, what they can be used for, and restrictions.
  • Audio: PreRetiree Lane, Episode 1It’s Stu and Marta Hunter’s 25th wedding anniversary celebration … and time to meet the neighbors who live on Pre-Retiree Lane. Our guide is John Templeton. He’s joined by Mercedes Walczak, plus Ava Maynhard and her husband Ron. While all is seemingly smiles and pieces of cake, there’s also talk of finances and retirement planning … but it’s cut short by the shocking turn of events.

    • Insure Against Loss

  • Audio: Insurance on Consumer DepositsAre you worried about the safety of your deposits? Gigi Hyland, Board Member of the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), discusses recent changes to federal insurance and temporary increases in the amount of consumer deposits safeguarded by insurance. She explains how structuring various accounts can result in additional coverage.
  • Audio: Long-Term Care InsuranceAre you a candidate for long-term care insurance? Join Jason Alderman, director of issues management with VISA USA, as he discusses why it may be best to start planning now.

    • Manage My Estate, Taxes, And Legal Issues

  • Audio: Family Wealth PlanningA communication gap between generations can be a barrier to proper wealth planning. Eric Aanes, founder and president of Titus Wealth Management in San Mateo and Larkspur, Calif., emphasizes the importance of sharing family values with heirs to be sure future financial expectations are carried out. Listen for ways you or your loved ones can prepare.
  • Audio: Plan for SurvivorsAlthough the death of a loved one is a painful process, proper preparation--including legal arrangements--can help smooth the transition. Mary Randolph, attorney, author, and vice president of editorial, with NOLO, in Berkeley, California, offers practical and legal estate planning advice about wills, trusts, taxes, and much more.
  • Audio: Trusts for Special NeedsIf you’re caring for a disabled individual, you might consider having an attorney draft a special needs trust. Join Venita Phillips, vice president and trust officer, Kanaly Trust Company, Houston, Texas, as she explains how a special needs trust allows you to make distributions and contributions for a disabled individual, over and above benefits provided by the government.
  • Audio: Prenuptial AgreementsShould you draw up a prenuptial agreement before tying the knot? Join Katherine Stoner, family law attorney and mediator, Stoner, Welsh & Schmidt, as she discusses when you should consider one, as well as the do’s and don’ts of every prenuptial agreement.
  • Audio: Legal DocumentsAs you prepare for the “golden years,” it’s important that you have the proper legal documents filed. Join Sally Hurme, attorney with AARP's Financial Security Unit, as she tells you what documents are most important, as well as what you should include in them.

    • Manage Spending And Credit

  • New Credit Card Terms Better for ConsumersGetting hit with high fees and payments only adds to the struggle for those buried in credit card debt. Gail Cunningham, vice president of public relations for the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, Silver Spring, Md., tells how the new credit card law provides greater relief for consumers.
  • Audio: Build Your Rainy Day FundIt’s time to expect the unexpected. Join Kenneth Watts, president/CEO, West Virginia Credit Union League, as he discusses the importance of being financially prepared to cover unforeseen expenses.
  • Audio: Your Credit Score
  • Audio: Killer C's That Ruin Your BudgetWhen it comes to achieving your financial goals, have you ever heard yourself say, “Where am I going to find the money to do that?” Join David Palmieri, community relations and education manager, GreenPath, Inc., as he talks about the “killer C’s” that ruin your budget—coffee, cable, cigarettes, and cell phones.
  • Audio: Using IRAs Effectively Before 59 1/2Most of the time you’re told not to touch your retirement account until you’ve reached full retired age. However, there are times when it may be necessary to start tapping those accounts sooner. Join Bill Stecker, CPA, principal owner of the Marble Group, Ltd., as he talks about knowing when and whether you’re qualified to tap those accounts before age 59 1/2.
  • Audio: Your Credit ReportJoin David Rubinger, vice president of communications and public relations for Equifax, as he discusses what you should know about your credit report. David tells you who has access to your credit information as well as how you can obtain your credit report yourself—free of charge.

    • Plan For Travel And Leisure

  • Audio: ElderhostelsJoin James Moses, president and CEO of Elderhostel, a nonprofit educational travel organization for adults ages 55 and up, as he discusses a wide variety of elderhostel opportunities.
  • Audio: Summer Travel TipsIf you're planning on doing any type of traveling at any time of the year, listen to Samantha Smyth, vice president of marketing at Co-op Financial Services. She discusses what you should do before you leave so you can have access to your finances while abroad.
  • Audio: Vacation PlanningTake the plunge and go on that cruise vacation you’ve always dreamed of. Join Alan Singer, manager of executive personal travel, Connoisseur Travel, as he gives you tips on how to get the best deals for your cruise.

    • Start A Small Business / Refresh My Career

  • Audio: New Technology for Home BusinessesAccording to the Small Business Administration, 53% of the nation’s businesses are operated from home, contributing about $473 billion to our economy. Chris Kruger, Co-op Financial Services, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., discusses the latest technology that can simplify operations for these small business owners.
  • Audio: Resources for Small BusinessesThinking about starting a small business? Iris Cooper, director of entrepreneurship and the small business division, Ohio Department of Development, discusses the first steps to take and costly mistakes to avoid.
  • Audio: Farm Transfers--Who'll Get Grandpa's Farm?Sharon De Vaney, professor, Purdue University, discusses the common problems involved with transferring the family farm or business from one generation to the next, and tells you where to find outside help.
  • Audio: Small Business Microenterprise ModelLearn how lending institutions can be important to new entrepreneurs. Join Bill Myers, founder and CEO, Alternatives Federal Credit Union in Ithaca, N.Y., as he discusses the importance of small business owners building a relationship with their credit union and asking for help in the early stages of business development.
  • Audio: Help for the Small Business OwnerDoes your small business need training, counseling, or contract assistance? Join Steve Preston, administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration, to learn about the many ways the SBA lends a helping hand to small business owners.
  • Audio: Small Biz Start-up TipsIf you’re thinking about starting your own business, listen to Bob Wacker, SCORE volunteer; SCORE is a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Bob tells you what you should know about operating and running a small business from your home.

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