Today we talk with Jeff Bartlett, Autos Deputy Editor at Consumer Reports about the recent Toyota recalls. For updated information on Toyota recalls, see Consumer Reports’ unintended acceleration guide.
Also in today’s episode, Flexo discusses money saving tips for Valentine’s Day.
Production Number: S02E16
Segment Numbers: 60, 57
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Tom Dziubek
[00:34] Interview with Jeff Bartlett
– [01:25] Two separate Toyota recalls
– [02:45] Lexus, Ford and Pontiac recalls
– [05:06] List of affected cars
– [07:10] Urgency of fixing a sticky accelerator
– [08:10] Shifting a car into neutral
– [09:49] Brake system failures and software malfunctions
– [13:25] Suspension of Consumer Reports recommendations
– [16:27] How Consumer Reports will handle future Toyota ratings
– [17:58] Toyota’s handling of the recalls
– [21:01] Challenges facing Toyota dealerships in handling the recalls
[24:21] Interview with Flexo
– [25:31] How people plan on spending money on Valentine’s Day
– [26:42] Making your own greeting card
– [29:39] Skipping the chocolate
– [30:49] Avoiding gifts of sensual clothing
– [32:18] Turning off the electrical appliances
– [33:39] Skipping the gourmet dinner
– [34:30] Spending time together
[36:14] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
Today’s guest on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast is Samir Kothari, co-founder and Vice President of Products at BillShrink.
Tom Dziubek speaks with Samir about how the terms of the Credit CARD Act of 2009 have been addressed by credit card issuers so far and what credit card customers can expect in the upcoming months.
Production Number: S02E15
Segment Number: 52
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Flexo
[00:30] Interview with Samir Kothari
– [00:43] About BillShrink
– [02:08] Interest rates during the holidays
– [04:01] Remaining fixed rate credit cards
– [05:52] Credit CARD Act of 2009 items already in effect
– [06:52] Credit card issuers in compliance
– [11:06] “Act” items going into effect in February
– [16:11] Other credit card regulations being discussed
[19:11] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
Today’s guest on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast is David Bach, author of Start Over, Finish Rich: 10 Steps to Get You Back on Track in 2010, a book in which David discusses getting out of debt in 2010 and how to make the most of the recovering economy. David is a former senior vice president of Morgan Stanley and has authored eleven bestselling books, most notably his “Finish Rich” collection of works. He is also the creator the “Latte Factor.”
Tom Dziubek speaks with David Bach about his latest book. You can visit David’s website and follow him on Twitter.
Production Number: S02E14
Segment Number: 56
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Tom Dziubek
[00:31] Interview with David Bach
– [00:47] David’s personal “start over” story
– [04:28] Taking advantage of the stock market now
– [10:01] The American dream of home ownership
– [14:20] Going beyond the “latte factor”
– [16:37] 10 steps to get back on track in 2010
– [19:39] David’s best money-saving tip
[21:13] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
Today’s guest on the Consumerism Commentary Podcast is Manisha Thakor, author of Get Financially Naked: How to Talk Money with Your Honey, a book that is designed to help couples improve their communication about financial matters. Manisha Thakor is a passionate advocate for women and financial independence, and has experience in the financial industry as an analyst and portfolio manager. She is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).
Tom Dziubek speaks with Manisha Thakor about her latest book. You can visit Manisha Thakor’s website and follow her on Twitter.
Production Number: S02E13
Segment Number: 54
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Flexo
[00:30] Interview with Manisha Thakor
– [00:44] Why people haven’t been heeding financial advice
– [01:40] Manisha’s background and inspiration
– [02:35] Do women need more assistance than men?
– [03:12] Getting financially naked
– [04:58] How to discuss money with your partner
– [06:44] Planning for retirement
– [09:46] The costs of raising a child
– [10:51] Manisha’s experience getting financially naked
[15:55] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
On today’s episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Tom Dziubek speaks Peter Pham, the CEO of BillShrink. Peter offers several suggestions to guide the many consumers who accumulated more debt than they expected this holiday gift-giving season.
Peter Pham from BillShrink was also our guest on the first episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast in April 26, 2009.
Production Number: S02E12
Segment Number: 55
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Flexo
[00:30] Interview with Peter Pham
– [00:43] How long it takes to pay off holiday debt
– [01:07] Combining credit card balances
– [03:34] Paying more than the minimum required payment
– [04:23] Savings and checking accounts
– [05:25] When to change banks
– [08:58] Re-examining everyday bills
– [15:06] Being “strategic”
– [15:56] Logging your success
[17:18] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
On today’s episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast, Tom Dziubek speaks with blogger Brian Scheur who created the website My Next Buck. Every Friday, My Next Buck features a financial foul-up or mistake. Some of these personal stories are drawn from Brian’s own experiences while others feature other personal finance writers presenting their own stories. Tom Dziubek and Brian Scheur discuss the development of My Next Buck and a number of the popular financial foul-ups.
Production Number: S02E11
Segment Numbers: 51
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Flexo
[00:31] Interview with Brian Scheur of My Next Buck
– [00:41] How Brian began writing about personal finance
– [02:10] Brian’s previous gambling problem
– [03:25] My Next Buck
– [04:58] Foul-up #1: Insurance money from a car accident
– [10:50] Foul-Up #2: Weight-loss supplements
– [13:58] Foul-Up #3: Overdue library books
[18:24] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
Today’s episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast features Jany Bryant Quinn, author of Making the Most of Your Money Now: The Classic Bestseller Completely Revised for the New Economy. The book will be released this Tuesday, December 29, 2009 and here is a review. Tom Dziubek, Flexo, and Jane Bryant Quinn discuss the author’s revisions since the book’s last update in 1997 and what everyone should know about being financially secure in today’s economy.
Production Number: S02E10
Segment Numbers: 53
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Flexo
[00:36] Interview with Jane Bryant Quinn
– [00:56] Updates from the book’s last edition in 1997
– [03:31] Will saving money stay en vogue?
– [05:05] Tips to help those affected by unemployment
– [08:02] What if you can’t pay your mortgage?
– [10:22] Spending plans and budgets
– [11:08] Starting a home business
– [12:30] Tips for first-time homebuyers
– [14:12] Buying foreclosures
– [16:00] Mortgages to avoid
– [18:51] 15-year vs. 30-year mortgages
– [20:11] How people can benefit from today’s economy
– [23:43] 401(k) plans with limited choices
– [29:35] New year’s resolutions
[33:09] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
Today’s episode of the Consumerism Commentary Podcast features Jean Chatzky, financial editor for NBC’s Today Show and author of Pay It Down!: Debt-Free on $10 a Day. Tom Dziubek and Flexo speak with Jean Chatzky about credit cards, debt, and financial planning.
Production Number: S02E09
Segment Numbers: 45
To listen, use the player above (Adobe Flash required), download the podcast here, subscribe to the podcast RSS feed, or use the iTunes link. Note: open links in a new window (Ctrl-click or Command-click) to avoid interrupting the podcast.
[00:00] Introduction from Flexo
[00:31] Interview with Jean Chatzky
– [00:52] Lowering your credit card interest rate
– [02:21] Debt consolidation
– [04:16] Credit counseling
– [06:09] Dealing with debt collectors
– [09:46] Making financial behavioral changes
– [12:21] Making these changes in today’s economy
– [13:03] Characteristics of wealthy people
– [15:18] Creating a life plan
[16:47] End
We always welcome feedback from listeners. If you have any comments for this episode or for any other, or if you have suggestions for future episodes, please leave us comments here or email us at podcast at this domain name.
