Arizona’s Family On Your Side

If you want to hire a babysitter, you want to make sure it’s the right fit for your family. So you consider background checks, experience, certification, and availability. And now, parents are even dealing with something called sitter stealing. So on this episode, we’re talking with Natalie Mayslich. She is the president of care.com. She says there’s a new way to book babysitters on demand, and sh...

Arizona has many notable industries. We're known as the Copper State because mining has been around for years. And of course tourism is the state's bread and butter. But there's one category that's frequently overlooked and that's the wine industry. In fact, Arizona has more than 120 wineries and tasting rooms across the state generating more than a $150 million dollars a year. Today, we're talkin...

It's becoming more and more expensive to own a car these days. Between gas prices and the cost of repairs, it can really add up. And depending on where you live in the country, the cost of owning a car can vary greatly.   So, what states are some of the cheapest places to own a car, what states are the most expensive and where does Arizona fit into the mix? For the answer, we're talking to David S...

We’ve been on a wild ride in real estate. From an extreme seller’s market to high interest rates that slowed down sales. Spring is traditionally when we see a lot of homes go on the market. But is that the case this year? And what can sellers expect when they put that for sale sign in the ground? Today Tina Tamboer joins us on the On Your Side podcast. She is a senior housing analyst with the Crom...

We all depend on our home appliances more than you think: Dishwashers, garbage disposals, washing machines. And when the break down your first instinct might be to call a repair technician. But not so fast. On this episode, we're talking to Ben Schlitchter. He's an experienced appliance repairman who has more than 25 million views on YouTube regarding how to fix appliances yourself and how to make...

This month, college acceptance letters will be going out to high school seniors who applied. But be careful. That's because a recent government report indicates nearly 90 percent of colleges have misleading information when it comes to financial aid offers in those letters.   Today, Sarah Boeder joins us on the On Your Side podcast. She's with Grand Canyon University and breaks down fact from fict...

Unpaid medical bills are the number one reason consumers are forced into filing bankruptcy. But there’s some good news. Third-party collection agencies are being more lenient when it comes posting negativity to your credit report. That’s what we’re talking about on the On Your Side podcast. John McNamara is from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington D. C. and has a ton of informat...

You may not know it, but the Federal Trade Commission has declared this week National Consumer Protection Week. So, now is the perfect time to speak with Kris Mayes, who was recently voted in as the Arizona Attorney General. Her office is responsible for defending the state against lawsuits and issuing legal advice to state agencies. However, another important role of the Arizona Attorney General...

We all know how the pandemic put a damper on many people’s vacation plans, as flying anywhere seemed to come to a drastic halt. But, fast-forward a few years and you can see how things have changed. Flying somewhere, usually to far away places, is back in high demand and has sparked what he calls “Farcation.” Today, we’re talking to Chris Elliott, he’s a travel expert who has written numerous arti...

Junk fees, they seem to be everywhere. They're on bank accounts, credit cards, auto sales. They're sometimes referred to as "convenience fees," but they're anything but convenient. And while junk fees are hitting consumers hard, companies that are charging the fees are making tons of money. In fact, a recent report revealed that consumers shell out 30 billion dollars a year just in junk fees alone...

Have you received an email recently from a friend or maybe even your boss asking for a small favor? Well, it may not really be your friend or boss after all. Scammers are posing as people you may know and they’re asking for a little help. And of course, how can you refuse your boss or a good friend when they turn to you for support?  But be careful. Today, we're talking to Ken Colburn. He's been i...

As Super Bowl festivities kick off, Arizona is getting ready to welcome dozens of CEOs in an effort to lure new business to the state. In this episode, Sandra Watson, the president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority gives us an inside look at the potential economic impact and the unique itineraries for the out-of-town guests. 

The Valley is getting ready to host one of the biggest sporting events in the world, Super Bowl 57 where we'll see the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Kansas City Chiefs. It also means a lot of money will be exchanged when it comes to wagering and in Arizona, sports betting is completely legal. So, what can Arizona expect when it comes to fans who will be betting on the Big Game which is right in...

The Big Game will be here before you know it. That means you're probably be going to a Super Bowl party or maybe even hosting one. Either way, whether you're providing all the food at your own party or taking a dish it's going to be a lot more expensive this year. Beer is up big time but surprisingly, chicken wings are actually down in price. So, what kind of food and beverages will be a big hit w...

In this episode, On Your Side is taking our podcast on the road to Scottsdale for a peek behind the scenes where famous and maybe the not so famous will record their podcasts. Celebrities, influencers, and other big names are already here for The Barret Jackson Auction. And of course, the Phoenix Open and Super Bowl will bring thousands of more people into town. Many of those people who need to re...

If you own a home, your homeowner's insurance might have increased. If not, it's likely that it will. What's behind the increase and exactly what can you do to keep your premiums from going up further? For the answer, we're talking to Dustin Lemick. He has years of experience in the insurance industry and he's currently the CEO of a jewelry insurance company called BriteCo. He tells us all we need...

Looking to change jobs or maybe careers this year? You can make yourself a more attractive candidate by getting a certification, with or without a college degree. For more on that, we're talking to Dr. Quentin McAndrew On Your Side. She's an academic strategist with Coursera a learning platform that helps job seekers earn online college degrees and certificates which always looks good on a resume....

The end of the year is quickly approaching, and before you ring in 2023, there may be some money moves you may want to consider. So on this episode, Stewart Willis from Asset Preservation Wealth & Tax to discuss some things that we can do right now to maximize next year's dividends. We'll talk about balancing your portfolio, how to plan for taxes, and how to maximize your retirement savings.

With so many people back to flying now, airports are congested, flights are being canceled and the pilot shortage isn't helping matters. That means many folks are choosing to drive somewhere for the holidays and even long distances in order to avoid flying. But don't start that holiday vacation until you check your vehicle first. In today's On Your Side episode, we're talking to Emilie Voss from C...

Have you started your holiday shopping yet? If you have, you're not alone. It's estimated that 60 percent of Americans start their shopping before December. And much of that shopping will be done online, which gives scammers the perfect opportunity to dupe you and steal your money. And if you think it will never happen to you, think again. Today, we're talking to Kevin Roundy. He's a researcher wi...

We’re counting down the days to Thanksgiving. It’s when family and friends will gather for one of the biggest meals of the year. It’s a meal so important, that novice chefs often turn to the experts for help to cook their turkey. On the On Your Side podcast, we’re chatting with Butterball talk-line expert Sam Woulfe. She take us behind the scenes the Butterball Hotline. Who’s calling in? What are...

The cost of just about everything is up due to sky high inflation. But there’s one thing that is proving to be almost inflation-proof this holiday season. Turns out, holiday décor is already being deeply discounted. Our guest on this episode is Chris Butler, CEO of National Tree, one of the largest artificial tree and holiday décor companies in the nation. He’s walking us through what retailers ar...

It’s estimated one small child dies every month due strangulation from window blind cords. There are also fatalities involving furniture tipping over. But, new rules just passed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission will hopefully make things safer for kids. One rule requires window and blind manufacturers to start selling blinds that do not have long, hanging cords. In this episode, we’re tal...

Everything these days is much higher than just a year ago. Rent, food, and even entertainment seem so unaffordable. But there are some clever ways to cut back on small expenses that will make a big impact on your budget. Today on the On Your Side Podcast we’re talking to Andrea Woroch. She’s a nationally recognized money-saving expert who divulges cool tips you most likely never thought of before.

Ever since gas prices started to spike, electric vehicles have been a hot topic. Up until now, most of the discussion has centered on new vehicles. But what about used EVs? Pre-owned electric vehicles can save you a significant amount of money, and it may be a good idea. But buying used EVs can come with risks that can cost you down the road. On this episode, we're joined by Scott Painter, the fou...