Explore every episode of the podcast Arizona’s Family On Your Side

If you’re getting ready to retire… you know you have to have a plan, and it has to include how you’ll spend your savings. Turns out – a lot of retirees struggle with spending. Even if there’s a big balance, they don’t want to see it go down. So, we’re talking with Jean Chatzky about her new book called ‘The Forever Paycheck’ and how to plan to spend the money you worked so hard for. We’ll also talk about one of the biggest mistakes retirees make the day their employment ends – and how retirement planning has actually changed over the years.

How many credit cards do you have in your wallet? Do you get cash back? Maybe you prefer points or rewards. Companies spend a lot of money – marketing credit cards trying to get our business. The benefits may sound exclusive, but a lot of them are actually standard across the industry. Today, we’re talking with Sara Rathner, a credit card expert at NerdWallet, about some of the so-called benefits that you don’t need to worry about and how to compare cards to find out the best option for you.

When the deadly Cyclospora outbreak happened, a lot of people stopped eating lettuce, even if it wasn’t part of a recall. Today, our guest is Melanie Nuce-Hilton, the Senior Vice President of Customer Success at GS1 US, an organization best known for the UPC barcode. We’ll talk about consumers’ changing habits and the future of food safety you may be able to hold in your own hands.

Are you saving for retirement? Are you saving enough? According to a Vanguard report, just 14% of people with a 401k saved the maximum amount allowed. We’re talking with Darcy Bergen from the Bergen Financial Group about the biggest mistakes people make with their 401k plans. We’ll also talk about savings strategies for young workers and workers nearing retirement. 

Believe it or not, it’s already time to talk about all of that toys that will soon land on holiday wish lists. We’re talking with the Toy Insider’s James Zahn about one of the hottest toys of the season, a throw-back to 30 years ago that caused fights in toy stores across the country. We’ll also talk about this year’s toy supply chain, the impact of tariffs on the industry, and what has happened to toy sales as consumer confidence slides.

FBI Supervisory Special Agent Troy Cofer joins Susan Campbell on the On Your Side Podcast to break down today’s most damaging scams. He explains how criminals build trust, manipulate victims and make fraudulent investment pitches look legitimate. Cofer also shares red flags that can signal a scam before money is lost.

Scam losses hit nearly $21 billion in 2025 alone. Susan Campbell sits down with R.O.S.E. nonprofit’s Brian Watson, a former IRS Special Agent, to break down the newest and most sophisticated scams — from Mexican timeshare fraud and gold bar cons to jury duty calls and crypto ATMs. Learn why victims are never to blame and how to protect yourself and loved ones.

We have a warning about the 764 Network. Federal investigators say 764 is a nihilistic, violent extremist group, and according to the FBI, its members are online predators who prey on children. Today we're talking about the threats with Matt Dolman, an online safety expert and founding partner of the Dolman Law Group. We'll talk about how predators are reaching kids on popular gaming platforms, the signs parents and caregivers can watch out for, and some strategies to stay safer online

Do you have a bad boss? There are some nightmare stories out there, and a lot of people are calling them out on social media. Today, we’re talking with George Stern. He’s worked in corporate America, advised Fortune 500 companies, and now he coaches leaders to be better bosses. We’ll talk with him about some of the bad habits of bad bosses, what to look for in a good boss, and how to be an employee everyone wants on their team. 

More people are filing for bankruptcy. A new LendingTree analysis shows personal bankruptcy filings have soared 47 percent since 2019. Today, our guest is LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst Matt Schulz. We’ll talk about why there are more bankruptcies, the different types, the things to consider before you make that drastic decision, and what happens if you do. 

It’s time to go back to school, and families are stocking up on back to school supplies, new clothes, and new shoes for the school year. It all adds up, and we’re seeing some signs that consumers are changing their spending habits. We’re talking with Kylee Hall. She’s the vice president of marketing at B-Stock, a company that helps major retailers liquidate unsold merchandise. We’ll talk about the back to school shopping season, why brand loyalty’s the loser this year, what’s next as companies deal with returned and unsold back to school merchandise, and what that means for shoppers hoping to get great deals.  

New vehicle prices have now surged to around $50,000 on average! Susan Campbell talks with Joseph Yoon from Edmunds about how this is driven by pandemic-era supply chain disruption and automakers prioritizing higher-margin mid- and high-trim models, leaving few truly affordable new cars under $30,000 after fees and options. They discuss how higher interest rates and rising living costs are pushing buyers into longer 72- to 84-month loans, increasing the risk of being underwater and paying substantial interest, especially for shoppers focused only on monthly payments. Yoon explains how reduced leasing during the pandemic shrank the supply of late-model used cars, making today’s “best value” closer to a five- to seven-year-old vehicle.

Trump Accounts for kids officially launch on July 4th. We’re taking politics out of the conversation, and just talking about the facts with our guest, Christina Lamar, the VP of member services at Copper State Credit Union. What are these accounts? Who can get them? How do you get started? What are the incentives?

For millions of student loan borrowers, a massive change is right around the corner. The Save Plan is going away, and now it’s time to make decisions about new repayment options. On this episode, we’re talking with Chris Hicks, a senior policy advisor at Protect Borrowers. He’ll walk us through the changes, what borrows can and should do right now, and how much it could cost if borrowers sit back and do nothing.

Do you want to save money on the things you use every day? We’re talking with couponing expert Kiersti Torok. She’s all over social media, showing shoppers how to make the most of couponing. We’ll ask her how to find the best deals, if certain stores are better than others for couponing, and what’s happened to the value of coupons as inflation pushes up prices.

It’s a question a lot of people are trying to answer. Is it better to rent or buy? Our guest is TruWest Credit Union mortgage sales manager Melissa Sherman. We’ll get her advice on how to compare true monthly costs. We’ll also talk about how savings, credit, and long-term financial goals play into the decision.

Are impulse purchases derailing your budget? According to a recent survey by PartnerCentric, 81% of consumers have made an impulse purchase this year, and the median price per impulse purchase is $50. That can add up quickly and stall financial goals, so today we’re talking with savings expert, Andrea Woroch. We’ll talk about the pitfalls of "spaving," or spending to save and some simple strategies to avoid impulse purchases. 

Just 41% of high school seniors in Arizona have filled out the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. That means families are leaving a lot of money on the table. Today, our guest is Julie Sainz, the Arizona Board of Regents’ Director of FAFSA and College Access Initiatives. She’ll walk us through the application process; what information you need, how long it will take, and what to expect once it’s filled out. She’ll also help us bust some common FAFSA myths.

When was the last time you checked your consumer reports? Credit reporting errors happen, and they could block you from jobs, loans, and housing without you ever realizing why. Today, we’re talking with David Chami, the managing partner at the Consumer Justice Law Firm. We’ll talk about how the errors happen, how artificial intelligence is involved, and how to fix the errors.

We're tackling some tough topics in estate planning, including what happens if you go no-contact with a family member who is in your will. My guest is Allison Kierman, an estate planning attorney in Scottsdale. We'll walk through the basics of getting a will or trust in place, and we'll also talk about more complicated situations, the things you have to be prepared for that you never saw coming. 

Scam reports are soaring. According to new FBI data, Americans filed more than a million complaints about cybercrimes in 2025 and reported losing almost $21 billion. Today, our guest is an Arizona author who got caught in a complicated scheme involving fake tech support. Cindy Kibbe says it jeopardized her life’s work and her life savings. Now, she’s taking us inside every twist and turn along the way to help others spot the red flags and protect their money from the bad guys who are trying so hard to steal it.

There is a growing effort to help kids understand money. Today, our guest is Anthony Sharett. He’s the President of Pathward, a national bank that’s partnering with the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation and the Arizona Council on Economic Education to bring financial literacy to students. We’ll talk about the challenges with financial literacy and how parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles can help teach kids money management skills that will stick with them as they become young adults.

We all have to buy gas and groceries, and the prices keep going up. It’s putting a huge strain on a lot of families. A new LendingTree survey shows 49% of Americans are struggling to afford food. Almost 90 percent have changed their grocery habits, and when it comes to filling up the tank, about one-third of people say they’ve already had to make changes to their spending to keep up. So we’re talking with Matt Schulz, the Chief Consumer Finance Analyst for LendingTree. We’ll talk about how the sticker shock is impacting savings and spending, and we’ll get some strategies to make the money stretch. 
 

If you’ve ever been to a car lot, you know buying a new car can be stressful. It’s an expensive purchase, and sometimes dealerships tack on extra costs you didn’t see coming. Now, the Federal Trade Commission is warning dealerships across the country to cut it out and stop hiding fees from consumers. For our latest episode, we’re talking with Ray and Zach Shefska. That father/son duo runs a business called CarEdge, which helps empower car shoppers with lots of information. We’ll get their take on the FTC’s warning letters to 97 dealership groups, and we’ll talk about what you can do to make sure you’re getting the best deal without the add-ons.

This year, travelers are looking for flexibility and affordability. Our guest is Maddi Bourgerie, a travel expert with RV Share. According to the company’s new travel trends survey, major events, including the World Cup and the 100th anniversary of Route 66 are shaping travel plans. We’ll also talk about how travelers are using artificial intelligence to make the most of their vacation days.

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.