The Money JAR

Listen in as hosts Evan and Todd engage guest expert, Susan Crites Price in a discussion on how to raise conscientious kids who value giving back to their community, be it with money or other forms of philanthropy.

As you rack your brain around what types of presents to give your kids during the holidays, what is your family’s philosophy around monetary gifts?  Join our hosts and guest expert Rudy DeFelice as they discuss how an influx of cash during holidays can create an excellent learning vignette for your child. In addition, once that gift has been received, DeFelice details some alternative uses for newfound currency (other than spending or saving), including a methodology he uses within his own family called "the price of asking."   Rudy DeFelice had his first job at age 10, delivering the local newspaper, and by age 11 he was the delivery boy for all three regional newspapers. In his youth, he worked on a farm, painted houses, played sports, and was the first kid in his family to go to college, eventually graduating Harvard Business school and the University of Connecticut School of Law. After being a lawyer McDermott, Will & Emery and Kelley Drye for many years, he took a sabbatical and returned to found Practice Technologies, Inc. (PTI), a VC-backed software and internet information company based in Los Angeles. After nearly a decade, he decided to leave his CEO position at PTI to found Bizinate.com, a website that provides sophisticated account management for young people, allowing their parents to sign up, start companies on behalf of their children and hand over the wheel when their kids are ready.  He currently resides in Pacific Palisades, California, with his wife Wendy and 3 children.

How to stay financially sane a midst the smells, bells, and glitter.

Guest J.D. Roth shares tips for finding your way to a $25,000 savings by age 25.

When parents think about protecting their kids from financial pitfalls, their minds often gravitate to subjects like predatory lending, credit card debt or identity theft. But what about the more subtle hazards presented by entities like online gaming or prepaid debit cards, wherein your child may unwittingly sign up to pay hidden charges or fees without even realizing it?  Listen in on the conversation as guest expert Suzanne Martindale shares with our hosts some not-so-obvious financial traps that all young people should be wary of.   Suzanne Martindale is a Staff Attorney for Consumers Union, out of San Francisco, CA and is part of the Financial Services Campaign Team, where she specializes in a variety of concerns including: prepaid and gift cards, bank account fraud, mobile phone purchasing and online gaming. Much of her work in payments involves media advocacy and public education, as well as debt collection and debt settlement legislation and policy. Martindale received her law degree from University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2010 and received her Master’s degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago in 2005 (with a concentration in legal and political philosophy). She currently resides in Oakland, CA.

Does your child have a uniquely creative spirit or a knack for coming up with innovative moneymaking ideas?  Listen in on the discussion as guest Adam Reid shares his approach to facilitating youth startup businesses, while enlightening listeners on the many reasons why he believes it’s never too early to begin cultivating your child’s inner entrepreneur.   Generally unengaged and disenchanted with his High School experience, Adam Reid launched his first business - a music production studio out of his home garage - at the age of fifteen.  He went on to earn his B.A. from Portland State University and his Masters degree from Stanford University, and then helped to facilitate the launch of the Ethos, Inc., a nonprofit multicultural music center that brings music education to underserved youth and communities.  He is the Co-Founder of Leadership and Entrepreneurship (LEP) Public Charter High School in Portland, Oregon, where he currently lives and serves as Impact NW LEP Expansion Director.

Most Americans naturally assume that acquiring a higher education will increase their long-term earning potential.  However, is the retail cost of college really commensurate with one’s future net income? Join our hosts and guest expert Mark Kantrowitz as they explore the real cost of a college degree, offering tips and tricks for increasing the return on investment in your child’s post-secondary education.   Mark Kantrowitz is the publisher of http://www.Fastweb.com and http://www.FinAid.org and the author of Secrets to Winning a Scholarship.  He is also President of MK Consulting Inc., a firm focused on computer science, artificial intelligence, and statistical and policy analysis.  Kantrowitz holds Masters and PhD degrees in Computer Science from Carnegie Mellon University, and earned his B.S. in Mathematics and Philosophy from MIT.  He has testified before Congress about student aid on several occasions and is a regular guest expert on a variety of news outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, MSN, CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, CNBC, Bloomberg, Money Magazine, SmartMoney, Kiplinger's Personal Finance Magazine, US News & World Report, Consumer Reports, Newsweek, Bankrate.com, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Chronicle of Higher Education, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, Reuters and the Associated Press.

Should we incent our children with cash for completing everyday household jobs or should their “free rent” be considered fair enough currency?  Whether you are for, against or ambivalent on the subject of paying kids to do chores, tune in to hear guest author and mother Alisa Weinstein’s captivating and unique solution to this age-old question.  Alisa T. Weinstein is a Freelance Copywriter and the author of Earn It, Learn It: Teach Your Child the Value of Money.  Founder of Earn My Keep, LLC, she is a regular commentator on PBS' "Nightly Business Report" and lives in Washington D.C with her husband and two children.  For more information on her educational tools and philosophies, visit her website at www.earnmykeep.com.