Talk Credit Radio With Gerri Detweiler

We celebrate Labor Day in different ways, but how much do you really know about this holiday? In this interview with David Zonderman, professor of History at North Carolina State, you'll learn about how this holiday came to be. And you'll learn what the labor movement means to American workers and their financial futures. Zonderman is an expert in American labor history, author of two books and numerous articles and reviews and an award winner for his classroom teaching and outreach work across the state of North Carolina.

Whether it’s starting a business, planning for retirement or even helping to raise money for a cause you care about, it’s going to be crucial to have good partners. And my guests in this interview know about that firsthand. They’ve used their powerful partnership to create one of the coolest LEED-certified banks in Florida and they are going to share with you strategies for partnerships that can help you succeed. Shaun Merriman is president and CEO of Gateway Bank, a community bank here in Sarasota and Bradenton. A 27-year banking veteran, Shaun began organizing Gateway Bank in November, 2006, during the most adverse banking climate seen in Southwest Florida in decades. Gateway Bank reached sustained profitability in just 31 months of operation which is virtually unheard of in the banking industry. But even more importantly, its serving our community as a truly local bank. I am truly honored to have Gateway Bank as a sponsor of Talk Credit Radio. David Sessions is Owner and President of Willis A. Smith

Are you getting close to retirement? If so, then you'll want to listen in as Tom Roberts, CFP and founder of A New Approach Financial Planning shares tips for preparing for retirement. We discuss strategies like trying a practice budget, transitioning from work to something else - and whether to pay off your mortgage. This episode aired live November 11, 2013.

Did you know that Florida is one of the top three states in the country for human trafficking? It's a modern form of slavery that encompasses a wide variety of situations and victims. In this interview with Lisa Murray, managing attorney for Gulf Coast Legal's Bradenton office, we talk about this horrific crime and what Gulf Coast Legal is doing to help. Learn about the red flags, vulnerable populations, and T visas. Find out what you Gulf Coast Legal is doing to help - and what you can do.

What does eating less junk food and exercising have to do with being rich? Plenty says my guest Tom Corely who spent five years studying the habits of the wealthy versus those of the poor. His insights resulted in findings published in his book, Rich Habits - The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals. Listen to his advice and see what habits you can adopt to improve your financial future! This interview aired live on July 22, 2013.

Attorney Anna Marie Mitchell from Gulf Coast Legal joins me to share advice for taxpayers with problems handling their tax bills. We talk about: 1) What can I do if the IRS is garnishing my Social Security; 2) Can I try and settle my tax liability with the IRS for less than I owe; 3) What can I do if I can not afford to pay the IRS the money I owe them; 4) Where can I get my taxes done for free; 5) Does debt forgiveness affect my taxes; 6) Should I file taxes if I am only receiving social security? Anna provides a wealth of information for my all my listeners - not just those who live in Florida, including how to take advantage of a free tax help program available nationwide! This interview aired live October 7, 2013. Gulf Coast Legal is a sponsor of Talk Credit Radio.

With the wild swings in the markets, some investors are looking at annuities as a way to guarantee income during retirement. But they have their pros and cons, and joining me to explain them is Tom Roberts, CFP. Tom is a fee-only financial planner and his firm is A New Approach Financial Planning. In this interview, we first discuss market volatility and how investors should react to news out of Washington that throws the markets into potential turmoil. Then in the second part of the interview, we discuss annuities and what every investor should know about this option. Since Tom is a fee-only financial planner he does not make commissions selling these products and he is able to bring an unbiased view of when these may plan an appropriate role in someone's retirement planning.

Don't have a lot of money saved for retirement? You may still be able to have a great future by retiring overseas. Kathleen Peddicord joins me to share how. She explains how you can save money on housing and healthcare - two of the biggest costs of retirement - and still get excellent medical care and a beautiful, safe place to live. We discuss what happens if you have Medicare - can you use it overseas? Or if you come back to the US? Then we talk about some of the best places to retire, including top picks in South America, Asia and Europe - including France and Italy. (Yes, they can be very affordable too!) Kathleen also shares her tips for choosing the right place for you. Learn how to balance cost and quality to make the best decision for your future. Kathleen is one of my most popular guests and once you listen to this you'll understand why. After you listen, check out her website at LiveAndInvestOverseas.com and see if you don't find it as addictive as I do! This episode aired live Septemb

Union Plus is the "AARP for working Americans" and they offer numerous financial benefits including the consumer-friendly Union Plus credit card, loans with hardship assistance, and educational scholarships. Learn about these programs and how they can benefit you! (Many are available to both labor union members as well as non-members.) This interview with Leslie Tolf aired live on Labor Day 2013.

Do you have a special needs or gifted child? Then you may be worried about how you are going to get them the help they need in school - without going bankrupt. Here to offer advice is Jane Windsor. She's a former teacher, a mom and now an attorney who helps families navigate the complex world of testing, IEP's and more. She also has a learning disorder herself so she knows where you are coming from! She practices in Sarasota FL but some of her advice will help parents all over the country. This episode aired live August 26, 2013.

How does the Supreme Court's DOMA decision affect taxes for same sex couples? It can be significant. Joining me to discuss what this means - and what couples who may be affected should consider is Joseph Henchman Vice President of Legal & State Project for the Tax Foundation. We discuss how this impacts state and federal taxes for these couples, and how it may retroactively save them money as well. This episode aired live July 8, 2013.

You work hard to be able to save and invest for your future. But one lawsuit could wipe all of that out, if you haven't prepared properly. Learn where to start with an asset protection strategy and hear about some of the excellent vehicles for asset protection in Florida. This interview with Rick Torrington, CFP and founder of Edward Kennedy Mason aired live on August 26, 2013.

No one can afford to be a full-time stay at home parent, says my guest Emma Johnson, founder of WealthySingleMommy.com. In this interview she explains why she believes no parent can afford to stay out of the workforce full-time to care for children. She examines the history of stay at home parents, and says that "too many women are making decisions based on a fantasy." She also shares her ideas for how to handle the juggling effort between parenthood (especially single parenthood) and work. She even offers tips for outsourcing the household chores you hate. Listen and decide for yourself whether you agree with her. This episode aired live July 15, 2013.

Do you have any idea how much your auto insurance rates go up with a teen driver? It's probably more than you think! InsuranceQuotes.com's Laura Adams joins me to share tips for saving money on teen auto insurance. Find out which state has the lowest increase (and why) and learn about discounts that may save you 25% or more on premiums. This episode aired live July 15, 2013.

New legislation changes student loan rates. It's a good deal for borrowers today, but tomorrow those rates will rise quickly and become quite expensive. Here attorney and student loan expert Heather Jarvis, founder of askheatherjarvis.com, joins me to explain what's going on with student loan interest rates. We talk about what's happening in Congress as well as the frustration many students are experiencing when they try to pay off, consolidate or refinance these loans. Jarvis had a lot of debt herself and has experienced this problem firsthand. Her insights are both personal and professional. This episode aired live August 5, 2013.

When it comes to student loan rates, Congress has it wrong, says my guest Mitchell D. Weiss. A former financial services executive, Weiss has a unique perspective on the student loan rate debate and he shares it her. Listen and find out why I vote we make him Student Loan Czar! This episode aired live July 1, 2013.

If you need a small business loan and are having trouble getting traditional financing you'll want to learn about Community Development Financial Institutions and how they can help. You'll find out what CFDI's are, what kinds of loans they make and for what amounts. You'll find out how some make loans to the unbanked or underbanked, and the flexible financing they offer. You'll also learn how they offer more than just a loan. Even if you've been turned down for a loan from a traditional financial institution, you may be able to get a loan from a CFDI. This interview with the Opportunity Finance Network's President and CEO Mark Pinsky aired live on July 29, 2013.

Want to make sure you get the best deals on back to school clothing, supplies and technology? ConsumerMan Herb Weisbaum will show you how! And you'll learn about a new website that not only can help you save on kid's clothing but can raise money for your school as well! This episode aired live August 12, 2013.

It's happened to me and I am sure it's happened to you: you've wasted money on something you never intended to pay for. Americans are wasting $14.3B in grey charges, according to a study by the Aite Group for BillGuard.com. What are grey charges? Find out in this interview with BillGuard.com CEO Mary Keegan. The average consumer can save $200 a year by spotting and stopping these charges, so stop throwing your money away! This episode aired live July 29, 2013.

Like so many people, Leah Ingram found her family had to become suddenly frugal during the economic downturn. In this episode she shares here story, what she learned from it, and how she and her family are turning their financial lives around. Plus hear how to get a great freebie from Leah - free is good, right? Leah is the author of Suddenly Frugal: How to Live Happier and Healthier for Less, which compiles Leah’s unique money-saving advice, including how a family can save $25,000 a year. Her second title in the Suddenly Frugal series is Toss, Keep, Sell!: The Suddenly Frugal Guide to Cleaning Out the Clutter and Cashing In. This episode aired live August 12, 2013.