Arizona’s Family On Your Side – Details, episodes & analysis

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.

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He explains that hospitals are targeted for a variety of reasons, including the healthcare industry is using outdated technology that is more than a decade old.

Robocalls are becoming less of a threat to consumers. And the dreaded rings from unknown numbers are dropping.

But according to a new report, the number of robot texts flooding phones is skyrocketing. So, today, we’re talking with Teresa Murray. She is a consumer watchdog for Arizona Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, and she helps On Your Side break down whether recent laws to crack down on robo callers and now text scams are working. We also talk about how to protect yourself from scammers who hide behind phone calls and text messages.

The pandemic crushed the airline industry and prevented many travelers from flying. But it seems that has all changed. A new report indicates a lot more people are flying and even driving to destinations. However, travelers say they are frustrated with airlines, with 80 percent of passengers saying they've had a recent negative experience.

On this episode we're talking to Tim Rossman. He's an industry analyst with Bankrate.Com, and his new report reveals some stunning numbers when it comes to how many people are traveling these days and what affect it's having if you're trying to get somewhere.

Have you ever been ripped off by someone and were so mad you wanted to take them to small claims court? It happens all the time, and many people decide not to go through with it because they don't know how the process works. But going through the court process is easier than you think.

That's why we're talking to the Honorable Gerald Williams. He serves as Justice of the Peace for one of Maricopa County's precincts. He'll break down all the do's and don’ts of filing a small case lawsuit and offer helpful tips to get your case heard.

The United States will be turning 246 years old on July 4th. To celebrate, many of you out there will probably have some kind of get-together that will no doubt involve food. But food prices on this 4th of July are up 11 percent. And depending on what you plan on cooking for the holiday will really affect your wallet.

So today, we're talking to Karol Flynn. She's the Food and Agribusiness Industry Advisor for Wells Fargo. She tells us what 4th of July food items you might want to avoid due to their sharp increase in price and what other items you might want to consider that won't break the bank for your holiday party. Spoiler alert: Shrimp is cheap!!

A new report says nearly 75 percent of Americans have needed credit card debt advice. However, half of them never sought out that advice. And because of that, many consumers found themselves digging deeper and deeper into debt. So, today, we're talking to Jim Triggs of Money Management International. It's a non-profit organization that helps consumers navigate through the tough financial world by empowering and helping people to stabilize their money matters .

Supply chain problems have been persistent, but now retailers have a new problem of having too much...of the wrong stuff. On this episode, we are talking with Leslie Bush, a marketing professor at Arizona State University. She breaks down what's behind the change in consumer behavior and what it means for your next shopping trip.

A million dollars sounds like a lot of money and it is. But these days, is it enough money for you to retire?

Years ago, a million dollars to save for retirement was always a goal for many. But not anymore. Experts say to live comfortably, you have to raise the bar and put more money away.

So, we're talking to Stewart Willis. He's a financial expert with Asset Preservation Tax and Retirement. He tells us how much we need to retire, how much we should have in our retirement accounts right now depending on age and other financial tips to keep you fiscally sound.