Senior editor Eileen Ambrose rejoins the show to tell you the best time to take Social Security in order to maximize your benefits (hint: 96% of you have gotten it wrong). Sandy and Ryan chat about ways to save on keeping cool amid a summer heat wave, and a new edition of Deal or No Deal touches on loyalty programs and restaurant weeks.

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What you must know about home cooling bills: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/real-estate/T063-C000-S002-6-things-you-must-know-about-home-cooling-bills.html; Social Security: Now or Later?: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T051-C000-S002-social-security-now-or-later.html; Social Security timing is part of a larger plan: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T051-C032-S014-social-security-timing-is-part-of-larger-plan.html; Maximize your travel perks: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S002-maximize-your-travel-perks.html; Save on your next restaurant meal: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T062-C011-S002-3-ways-to-save-on-restaurant-meals.html

In a heavyweight (ok, middleweight) battle, Ryan squares off against Kiplinger.com general manager Robert Long on the merits of using credit vs. debit cards. Sandy and Ryan break down strategies for paying off student loans and delve into their files of off-the-wall PR pitches.

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Take control of your student loans: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T053-C032-S014-take-control-of-your-student-loan-debt.html; How to refinance: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/credit/T053-C006-S002-how-to-refinance-student-debt.html; Student Loan Hero’s calculators: https://studentloanhero.com/calculators/; Credit, debit or cash?: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/credit/T016-C000-S002-credit-debit-or-cash.html; An earlier debate between Robert Long and Kiplinger Magazine editor Mark Solheim: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/credit/T016-C000-S002-credit-vs-debit.html; Why you need to invest in funds before stocks: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T052-C047-S002-why-you-need-to-invest-in-funds-before-stocks.html; How to be a better investor (from columnist James Glassman): https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T031-C016-S002-how-you-can-be-a-better-investor.html

Kiplinger’s senior associate editor John Waggoner rejoins the show to discuss his favorite dividend-paying stocks. Ryan and Sandy share the magazine staff’s favorite buys of the summer. A new edition of “Fact or Fiction” focuses on 529 plans and Opportunity Zones.

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WiFi extender: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NR2VMNC?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AwEAAAAAAAAAAR7q; Robovac: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079QYYGF1?tag=thewire06-20&linkCode=xm2&ascsubtag=AwEAAAAAAAAAAVsv; Water bottle: https://www.amazon.com/Hydro-Flask-Stainless-Insulated-Standard/dp/B07MZC2WT1/ref=sr_1_3?crid=24ZIWSCV11VCH&keywords=hydro+flask+water+bottle&qid=1562356226&s=home-garden&sprefix=hydr%2Cgarden%2C139&sr=1-3; Six flags: https://www.sixflags.com/national/season-passes; Libby: https://meet.libbyapp.com/; The Overstory: https://www.amazon.com/Overstory-Novel-Richard-Powers/dp/039363552X; A Gentleman in Moscow: https://www.amazon.com/A-Gentleman-in-Moscow/dp/0143110438/; When is Amazon Prime Day 2019?: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T062-C000-S001-when-is-amazon-prime-day-2019.html; John Waggoner on the outlook for dividends: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T018-C000-S003-the-outlook-for-dividends.html; Kiplinger ETF 20: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/investing/T022-S003-the-kiplinger-etf-20-best-exchange-traded-funds/index.php; Kiplinger Dividend 15: https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T018-S003-kiplinger-dividend-15-favorite-dividend-stocks/index.html; Using a 529 to pay for private school: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T002-C000-S002-using-a-529-plan-to-pay-for-private-school.html; Ryan on Opportunity Zones: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T041-C000-S002-opportunity-zone-investing-is-it-for-you.html

Ryan and Sandy welcome associate editor Pat Mertz-Esswein back to the show for a discussion on why you should consider buying insurance for your pet. The cohosts discuss how you can save money in the face of rising fuel costs, and Sandy explains the nuances of proposed rules surrounding a lucrative tax credit.

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10 states with the highest gas taxes: www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/taxes/T055-S001-10-states-with-the-highest-gas-taxes/index.html Kiplinger’s gas tax map: www.kiplinger.com/tool/taxes/T055-S001-gas-tax-map/index.php Five ways to save on gas: www.kiplinger.com/article/saving/T050-C000-S001-five-ways-to-save-gas-money.html Best rewards credit cards: www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/credit/T016-S003-the-best-rewards-cards-for-you-2019/index.html Trim the cost of pet care: www.kiplinger.com/article/insurance/T050-C000-S002-trim-the-cost-of-pet-care.html Six things you must know about pet insurance: www.kiplinger.com/artic...e.html Income thresholds for Saver’s Credit: www.irs.gov/retir...credit How to amend tax returns: www.kiplinger.com/artic...s.html

Kiplinger contributing editor Lisa Gerstner joins hosts Ryan and Sandy to discuss best practices for giving your credit score a boost. Also: Discover investment ideas for the “outer orbit” portion of your portfolio, and learn tax rules for renting out your home.

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Deals (GE): https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T050-C000-S002-62-super-deals-and-discounts-for-2019.html; Ryan on 2019 IPOs (including Uber): https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T052-C000-S002-here-come-the-hot-ipos.html; 6 ways to boost your credit score fast: https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/credit/T017-S003-how-to-boost-your-credit-score-fast/index.html; What you need to know about taxes on rental income: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/taxes/T055-C001-S002-what-to-know-about-taxes-on-rental-income.html; Renting your home on Airbnb: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/real-estate/T049-C000-S002-tips-for-renting-out-your-home-on-airbnb.html; DFA's research on market timing: https://us.dimensional.com/perspectives/recent-market-volatility

Maintaining a budget so you can build up your savings takes more than just ditching your daily latte addiction. Brunch and Budget founder Pam Capalad chats with hosts Ryan and Sandy about how to devise a spending and saving strategy that works for you. Plus: Learn why everybody should have a Roth IRA.

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Why You Need a Roth IRA: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T046-C006-S001-why-you-need-a-roth-ira.html; Special Report: What You Should Know About Roth IRAs: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/roth-iras/index.html; BrunchAndBudget.com: https://brunchandbudget.com/; Kiplinger’s Millennial Money: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/archive/column/index.html?column_id=47; Special Report: Creating a Budget: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/budgeting/index.html; Special Report: What You Should Know About Employee Benefits: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/employee-benefits/index.html; 8 Steps to Be a Better Investor: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T064-C000-S002-8-steps-to-be-a-better-investor.html

Kiplinger’s executive editor Anne Smith tells investors what to expect in the second half of 2019. Also, show hosts Sandy Block and Ryan Ermey talk movie tickets and student loans in a new game of Deal or No Deal.

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D&G sunglasses: https://us.dolcegabbana.com/en/men/accessories/sunglasses/; Colored contact lenses: https://www.1800contacts.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIsN60tJbY4gIVjVuGCh0xNw0uEAAYASAAEgJZpvD_BwE&ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIsN60tJbY4gIVjVuGCh0xNw0uEAAYASAAEgJZpvD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!4587!3!232240717890!e!!g!!colored%20contact%20lenses&ac=2.S035.c; Parents: One word can save you a fortune: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T037-C032-S014-parents-one-word-can-save-you-a-small-fortune.html; 2019 midyear investing outlook: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T052-C000-S002-kiplinger-s-2019-midyear-investing-outlook.html; 5 stocks to buy for the rest of 2019: https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T052-S002-5-stocks-to-buy-now-for-the-rest-of-2019/index.html; The problem with PLUS loans: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T042-C000-S002-the-problem-with-plus-loans.html; Summer movie kids deals: https://hip2save.com/2019/05/17/kids-summer-movie-discounts-amc-regal-cinemark/

Atmosphere Research's Henry Harteveldt joins our hosts Ryan and Sandy to share ways to travel without any last-minute delays, cancellations, missed flights or lost bags. The pair also discusses the ins and outs of creating and donating to crowdfunding campaigns.

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Raise money for your cause via crowdfunding: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T049-C000-S002-raise-money-for-your-cause-via-crowdfunding.html; The etiquette of fundraising: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T065-C000-S002-the-etiquette-of-fundraising.html; Raise money for personal bills on crowdfunding sites: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T065-C000-S004-crowdfunding-sites-to-pay-personal-bills.html; The IRS on 501(c)(3)s: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations; Charity Navigator: https://www.charitynavigator.org/; How to overcome travel delays and cancellations: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S002-how-to-overcome-travel-delays-and-cancellations.html; What to do in the event of a cancellation or delay: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T059-C000-S002-what-to-do-if-your-flight-is-canceled.html; Travel insurance to protect your vacation: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/insurance/T059-C000-S002-protect-your-vacation-fund-with-travel-insurance.html; What travel insurance covers when planes are grounded: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/insurance/T059-C001-S003-what-travel-insurance-covers-when-planes-grounded.html; Bankrate’s mutual fund fee calculator: https://www.bankrate.com/calculators/retirement/mutual-funds-fees-calculator.aspx; The Kiplinger ETF 20: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/investing/T022-S003-the-kiplinger-etf-20-best-exchange-traded-funds/index.php; Avoid IRS underpayment penalties: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/taxes/T056-C000-S004-4-ways-to-avoid-irs-underpayment-penalties.html; Estimated tax deadlines: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/taxes/T056-C005-S001-when-are-2019-estimated-tax-payments-due.html

Kiplinger's associate editor Miriam Cross talks wedding guest etiquette and offers tips on how to attend without breaking the bank this summer. Also, hosts Sandy and Ryan explain the advantages of investing in 529 college savings plans.

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A roundup of Kiplinger’s 529 plan coverage: www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/529-plans/index.html; How to be a money-smart wedding guest: www.kiplinger.com/quiz/spending/T062-S003-how-to-be-a-money-smart-wedding-guest/index.html; Wedding gift etiquette: www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T062-C000-S002-the-etiquette-of-giving-wedding-gifts.html; Rules for buying wedding gifts: www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T050-C000-S002-rules-for-buying-a-wedding-gift.html; Is cash an appropriate wedding gift? www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T062-C013-S002-is-cash-an-appropriate-wedding-gift.html; Get financially ready for wedding season: www.kiplinger.com/artic...n.html; Habitat ReStores: www.habitat.org/restores; Salvation Army Home Pick-ups: satruck.org/donate/choose; Consumer’s Checkbook: www.checkbook.org/

Kiplinger’s resident car guru David Muhlbaum joins the podcast to tell consumers how to strike the best deal on rental cars for the summer travel season. Also, job-search strategies during a period of historically low unemployment.

-- LINKS --

2019 college graduates have a healthy job market: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T012-C000-S002-2019-college-graduates-have-a-healthy-job-market.html; Kiplinger’s special report on employee benefits: https://www.kiplinger.com/fronts/special-report/employee-benefits/index.html; The worry-free way to rent a car: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/cars/T059-C000-S002-the-worry-free-way-to-rent-a-car.html; Cut costs with Autoslash: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/spending/T050-C000-S003-best-money-software-and-web-sites.html; Ryan’s investing Jeopardy! quiz: https://www.kiplinger.com/quiz/investing/T052-S003-jeopardy-trickiest-investing-questions/index.html; Why you need a Roth IRA: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T046-C006-S001-why-you-need-a-roth-ira.html; 33 ways to get higher yields: https://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/investing/T052-S002-33-ways-to-get-higher-yields/index.html