Scams are everywhere and losses are staggering. So today we're having a candid conversation about it and how cryptocurrency is changing everything. Our guest is Brian Watson. He's a retired special agent with IRS criminal investigation. And now works with a nonprofit called R.O.S.E., educating people about costly scams.

We'll talk about some of the cases he's seen, including one involving a woman who lost almost three quarters of a million dollars. We'll also talk about the ways to protect your money and how to watch out for your loved ones. 

 It's the holiday season, and that pairs well with wine. On this episode, we talk with Matthew Horkey. You may have seen his videos on social media. He's also an author and a judge for international wine competitions. We'll ask him how to choose the right wine for your holiday party. And what about a gift for your favorite host? We'll also talk about price points. Does paying more actually mean you'll get a better bottle? 

There’s financial advice all over social media. Some of it’s good, but there’s a lot of misinformation that could derail your financial goals. Today, we’re talking with Stephen Kates, CFP about some of the worst advice he’s seen while scrolling and ways to avoid the viral advice that could be costly.  

The season of spending is here, and we want to avoid overspending. Our guest is Rachel Caballero, a financial expert with TruWest Credit Union. We’ll talk with her about simple strategies to avoid impulse purchases and the things all shoppers need to know about buy now, pay later options that seem to be everywhere.

The holiday shopping season is here and consumers are expected to spend more than $1 trillion for the holidays in November and December. We know sales started early, but Black Friday is still a big day for retailers and shoppers. So today we're talking with Chip Lupo from WalletHub. The financial site just analyzed all kinds of ads and deals, and they say there's one store where you'll get the very deepest discounts. We'll also talk about some of our favorite Black Friday shopping traditions and ways to avoid digging into debt.

Moving! Whether it’s across town or across the nation, moving is never fun. And the industry is known for having some unscrupulous companies. So on this episode, Justin Hart, the owner of Just-In Time Moving and Storage in Mesa, joins us. He’s been in the moving business for two decades and is the recipient of the Independent Moving company of the year. He’s got advice for all of us who are planning a move. He’ll also let us in on some of the nightmare scenarios he’s encountered with other moving companies and how to avoid pricey mistakes.

Are you ready to retire? Maybe at least dreaming of life after the 9-to-5? For a lot of people, retirement feels out of reach. So today, we’re talking with Angelica Prescod, a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Scottsdale. Whether you’re retiring soon or still have decades of work head, there are things you can do right now that your retired-self will thank you for later. We’ll talk about the things to consider before retirement, and it’s not all about money in your account. 

Do you need a break? Maybe more than you realize! According to a new report from FlexJobs, 23 percent of workers haven’t taken a single vacation day in the past year. Today, we’re talking with Toni Frana. She’s a career expert manager for FlexJobs. We’ll ask her why aren’t workers taking their PTO. And if you’re on the job hunt, learn how can you find an employer that values time off.

There’s been a lot of talk about artificial intelligence and its benefits. But there can be a huge downside as well. Scammers are using AI to impersonate people you know. These deep fakes are almost impossible to detect.

Today Jon Clay joins us on the podcast. He’s with Trend Micro, a cyber security software company. He’ll tell us how to spot these new wave of AI scams and how you can keep from being duped.

The cost of a new car just hit a major milestone. For the first time, the average transaction price for a new vehicle topped $50,000. So today, we’re talking with Kelley Blue Book’s Brian Moody about what’s driving the increase in cost. We’ll also ask him what’s to come? Are prices going to get even higher? What about those sky-high car loans? Are people actually keeping up with payments? And are there ways to save on a new ride?