The 401(k) Hoax?
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May 25, 2002
Will your 401(k) provide a secure financial future? Business and finance journalists William Wolman and Anne Colamosca say the 401(k) system puts every American in financial jeopardy. Find out why on this week's Sound Money. Also on the program: financing a wedding. The editor of Bride's magazine tells us why the average wedding in the U.S. costs $20,000 and gives us tips on how to save money on your big day. Plus learn about financing a second home or cabin.

• INTERVIEW #1: We’ll talk to William Wolman, a business and finance journalist who says the 401(k) will not provide Americans with enough money for retirement. He co-authored the new book The Great 401(k) Hoax.
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• INTERVIEW #2: The average wedding in the U.S. costs $20,000. What the heck does all that money pay for? We’ll find out when we chat with Millie Martini Bratten, editor of Bride’s Magazine. Plus we’ll hear about budgeting and paying for a wedding from brides in Florida and Maryland.
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• INTERVIEW #3: Gary Eldred, author of The Complete Guide to Second Homes for Vacations, Retirement, and Investment talks about how to decide if buying a second residence is a good investment.
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• Chris Farrell answers listener questions on topics ranging from investing in racehorses to making your significant other save money for retirement.
• INTERVIEW #4: Erica tells it like it is. This week, Erica talks about what we can learn from the money habits of millionaires.
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• THE NEWS AND VIEWS WITH CHRIS FARRELL: Pension Worries
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• BEST RATES: Best Credit Card Rates This Week
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• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast
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Social Security
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May 18, 2002
On this edition of Sound Money, we learn the nitty gritty about social security benefits. Then Sound Money favorite Janet Bodnar shares tips on helping your kids line up a great summer job. And consumer travel expert Rudy Maxa tells us about how to spend money overseas.

• INTERVIEW #1: Janet Bodnar, Kiplinger’s expert on kids and money, joins Stephanie Curtis and Chris Farrell to talk about helping kids find a summer job in a tough job market.
• INTERVIEW #2: We get the lowdown on social security benefits from Martin Gerry, the Social Security Administration’s deputy commissioner for disability and income security programs.
• COMMENTARY: Historian John Steele Gordon tells us about how the social security program got its start.
• INTERVIEW #3: Erica Whittlinger tells it like it is. This week, Erica takes a look at A, B, and C mutual funds and how to avoid high loads.
• Chris Farrell answers listener questions on topics ranging from tax lien certificates to paying taxes on the sale of your house.
• INTERVIEW #4: Consumer travel expert and Savvy Traveler Senior Correspondent Rudy Maxa joins us to talk about how to spend money overseas. Are travelers’ checks being replaced by credit cards and ATMs?
• THE NEWS AND VIEWS WITH CHRIS FARRELL:
  Beware Hedge Funds
• BEST RATES: Best Credit Card Rates This Week
• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast

Global Investing Hot Spots
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May 11, 2002
Where in the world should you put your money? This week on Sound Money, we span the globe in search of the right international investments. We also hear about the Securities and Exchange Commission's behavior and Wall Street reform from an SEC watchdog. Join Stephanie Curtis and Chris Farrell for answers to your financial questions.

• INTERVIEW #1: The SEC approved new rules to curb analysts' conflicts of interest this week. We invited SEC watchdog John Gavin to share his thoughts about the new rules and reform on Wall Street. Gavin is a chartered financial analyst and president of the private research company SEC Insight.
• INTERVIEW #2: Where in the world should you put your money? We'll find out from David Warren, president and CEO of T.Rowe Price International.
• Money Manager Erica Whittlinger tells it like it is. This week Erica talks about annuities, which she says are almost always a bad deal.
• Chris Farrell answers listener questions on topics ranging from dollar-cost averaging to variable life insurance.
• THE NEWS AND VIEWS WITH CHRIS FARRELL:
  Inflation
• BEST RATES: Best Credit Card Rates This Week
• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast

Real Estate Investing
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May 4, 2002
Maybe you’re not happy with the stock market’s performance in the past year. Have you ever considered investing in real estate? This week on Sound Money, find out if real estate investing is right for you. Also on the show: We take a look at Argentina’s economy and what it means for the global marketplace. Plus we check out which hot new cars offer the best values with the editor in chief of Car and Driver magazine.

• INTERVIEW #1: Since the devaluation of the peso, Argentina's economy has been in and out of the news. In the first section of our show, we check in with National Public Radio's South America reporter Martin Kaste, who is in Buenos Aires covering the latest developments in the crisis.
• INTERVIEW #2: V.V. Chari, economics professor at the University of Minnesota, joins Chris Farrell and Stephanie Curtis to talk about why Argentina's economic troubles haven't greatly affected the global economy.
• INTERVIEW #3: Not so thrilled with your investment portfolio's performance? Maybe it's time to consider investing in real estate. Allen Cymrot, real estate consultant and principal of Cymrot Realty Advisors Inc., talks to Chris and Stephanie about investing in properties or in real estate investment trusts.
• INTERVIEW #4: In the market for a new set of wheels? We'll learn about which hot new cars are a great value from a man who spends much of his time test driving vehicles: Csaba Csere, editor in chief of Car and Driver magazine.
• Chris Farrell answers listener questions on topics ranging from selling a 4-plex to finding the perfect roth IRA.
• Money Manager Erica Whittlinger tells it like it is. This week she talks about reform on Wall Street.
• THE NEWS AND VIEWS WITH CHRIS FARRELL:
  The Center Will Hold
• BEST RATES: Best Credit Card Rates This Week
• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast