State Budget Woes
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March 1, 2003
Two-thirds of the states must reduce their budgets by millions between now and June 30. This week on Sound Money, we'll examine what it may cost you to balance the state budget. Stephanie Curtis will talk to Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz about how to talk to aging family members about money. She recently wrote a book with her famous financial father Charles Schwab. Plus our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger will take your phone calls. Call 1-800-537-5252 or e-mail your question to mail@soundmoney.org.

• INTERVIEW #1: Two-thirds of the states must reduce their budgets by millions between now and June 30. Find out how they will do it when we talk to Arturo Perez, program principal at the National Conference of State Legislatures, about its new report on state budgets.
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• INTERVIEW #2: Will doing your own taxes save you money, or cost more in the long run? We’ll find out from Mari McQueen of Consumer Reports Magazine.
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• INTERVIEW #3: Worried about your aging loved ones and their financial situation, but unsure of how to bring up the matter? Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz wrote a book with her famous father Charles about discussing sensitive money issues. She’ll share her ideas.
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• ERICA TELLS IT LIKE IT IS: Our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger answers questions from listeners about investing, saving, and spending.
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• LISTENER QUESTIONS: Is it better to make a big down payment on a home or save money for college. Chris Farrell shares his ideas during our call-in segment.
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• THE NEWS AND VIEWS WITH CHRIS FARRELL: The Economics of Extra-Value Meals
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• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast
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Prospects of War
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March 8, 2003
This week on Sound Money, we'll hear about the financial hardship of war from reservists and their families. We'll also learn about the market ups and downs that Wall Street veteran Leon Levy experienced during his fifty years as an investor. He's the author of The Mind of Wall Street. Then, we'll talk about tax credits that can help working families save. Plus author David Owen will share his innovative approach to teaching kids about money. On the next Sound Money.

• STORY #1: More than 150-thousand reservists have been called to active duty, with thousands more waiting in the wings. In addition to the hardship of traveling far from home, reservists must also deal with the financial complications of leaving their regular job and salary behind. Reporter Beverly Amsler spoke with reservists from the 151st air re-fueling wing of the Utah Air National Guard, who may already be on their way to Iraq.
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• INTERVIEW #1: Wall Street Veteran Leon Levy has seen it all during his fifty years of investing. You might be surprised by what Levy has to say about investing in equities today when he talks with Chris Farrell.
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• INTERVIEW #2: We’ll talk about tax credits for working families with Christina Smith FitzPatrick, senior policy analyst at the National Women’s Law Center and co-author of a new booklet about tax credits: “Credits Where Credit is Due.”
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• INTERVIEW #3: Author David Owen says teaching kids about money is easy if you take a few innovative steps like creating your own interest-paying bank for your children. He’ll share his secrets.
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• ERICA TELLS IT LIKE IT IS: Our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger says it’s important to keep records of home improvements, just in case.
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• LISTENER QUESTIONS: How can you save for retirement if your spouse of 24 years doesn’t believe in savings? Chris Farrell shares his ideas during our call-in segment.
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• THE NEWS AND VIEWS WITH CHRIS FARRELL: The Value of Cash
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• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast
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Behavior and the Economy
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March 15, 2003
How do your feelings about a possible war with Iraq and the value of the stock market affect the economy? We discuss psychology and the economy this week on Sound Money. Our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger shares her picks for bond sectors that will perform well this year. We learn some strategies to help you negotiate a better salary in any job market. Plus Enrolled Agent Michael Martin answers your tax questions.

• INTERVIEW #1: Nearly everyone is feeling uneasy as the uncertain situation with Iraq overhangs the economy. Meir Statman, a behavioral economist and finance professor at Santa Clara University, talks about how we should manage our finances in times of turmoil.
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• INTERVIEW #2: Nearly 2 million U.S. workers lost their jobs in the past two years. This means those workers who do have jobs often must work more hours and have more responsibilities, with no increase in pay. But you can ask for a raise during tough economic times, and negotiations expert Sheila Heen tells you how.
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• ERICA TELLS IT LIKE IT IS: Our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger tells us which types of bonds she thinks will perform well this year.
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• THE NEWS AND VIEWS WITH CHRIS FARRELL: The Fed Should Lower Interest Rates
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• LISTENER QUESTIONS: Enrolled Agent Michael Martin joins Stephanie Curtis for a special call-in segment devoted to tax questions.
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• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast
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Special live program:
The Sacrifice of War
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March 22, 2003
This week Sound Money presents a special live program available to most public radio stations. We examine the war's impact on the stock market, retirement savings, employment, and the global economy. (Note: Stations not broadcasting "The Sacrifice of War" will carry "Getting your Financial Life in Order.")

• INTERVIEW #1: We talk about the costs of war and how the economy will react to various battle scenarios with Mark Zandi, chief economist for Economy.com.
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• INTERVIEW #2: Oil analyst Michael Lynch talks about the risks to Iraqi oil supplies and how oil price and supply will be affected by the war.
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• INTERVIEW #3: Business historian John Steele Gordon discusses how the markets have responded to past armed conflicts and how they might react to the current war with Iraq.
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• INTERVIEW #4: Director of the American Refugee Committee Hugh Parmer shares the costs of humanitarian efforts during wartime and how you can help.
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• ERICA TELLS IT LIKE IT IS: Our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger talks about how to manage your personal finances in a wartime economy.
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• INTERVIEW #5: Financial educator and author Ruth Hayden teaches us how to talk about financial matters with your loved ones during emotional times of uncertainty.
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• INTERVIEW #6: Jim Paulsen, chief investment officer for Wells Capital Management, talks about how the war will affect the economy and your investments.
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• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast
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The Wartime Economy
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March 29, 2003
Join Stephanie Curtis for continuing coverage of the war with Iraq, and its affect on our economy. Can the airline industry survive without federal aid? Will the stock market continue its bumpy ride? Find out this week on Sound Money. We'll also learn how to protect ourselves from the latest online identity scam. Plus our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger will answer questions. You can't afford to miss the next Sound Money.

• INTERVIEW #1: As the war in Iraq continues, with no certain end in sight, we’ll check in with Richard DeKaser, chief economist at National City Corporation, about how the economy could react to various war scenarios.
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• INTERVIEW #2: Will the airline industry survive without federal aid? What changes do carriers need to make? We’ll talk with Jim Corridore, Standard and Poor’s transportation analyst.
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• INTERVIEW #3: So you own a shredder and rarely give out your social security number. Is that enough to protect yourself from the latest identity theft schemes? We’ll find out from Joanna Crane, manager of the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Program.
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• INTERVIEW #4: Terry Lutes, director of the IRS Electronic Tax Administration, shares some new features and programs the IRS is offering this year to make filing less painful.
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• LISTENER QUESTIONS: What do you do if you own 250-thousand shares of stock in a company about to go public? Our in-house investment expert Erica Whittlinger takes your questions.
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• GUEST COMMENTARY: Writer Michael Finley says if you’re laid-off late in your career, look to your experiences in all areas of life as a compass towards what’s next.
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• RESOURCES: Books and Web sites mentioned on this week's broadcast
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