August 21, 2010

Check Out Your Checking Account

It seems like every consumer’s right: a free checking account. But soon you may have to shop around to get one, or cough up a monthly fee. Then, do you think your child’s education is keeping up with the technology revolution? A new and improved education system may be on the horizon. Plus, the true story of a personal finance advisor who couldn't keep her own finances in check.

Episode Segments:

InfoTrak: Say Goodbye to Free Checking Americans have grown accustomed to free checking accounts. However, Bert Ely, a nationally-recognized banking consultant and analyst says the days of free checking may be numbered, thanks to increased government regulation of financial institutions. He said consumers may be able to avoid the new fees by keeping most of their business, such as mortgages, credit cards and savings accounts, at the same bank.
Embed Code
InfoTrak: Education Nation Milton Chen, author of Education Nation: Six Leading Edges of Innovation in Our Schools. said the US education system is rapidly falling behind in today’s technologically sophisticated world, and that learning is no longer limited by the traditional boundaries of schedule and location. He outlined major changes that he believes are necessary to encourage innovation in teaching and learning
Embed Code
InfoTrak: Getting Out of Financial Trouble As a young columnist for the Washington Post, Nancy Trejos’ job is to counsel thousands of people on personal finance, but Ms. Trejos found that she couldn’t even pay her own bills. She explained how she got into financial trouble and the steps she took to get out. She believes it is possible for consumers to repair their finances without giving up some indulgences. Her book is Hot (broke) Messes: How to Have Your Latte and Drink It Too.
Embed Code

Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Nancy Trejos Nancy Trejos has been a staff writer for The Washington Post for 11 years. She has covered schools, local government, and the Iraq war. In February 2007, Ms. Trejos joined the business section of the Post. She covered real estate as the real estate boom went bust. In November 2007, she became the Post’s personal finance writer. Ms. Trejos has also written pieces for Latina magazine, including one about Latina women who are HIV-positive. She wrote a Washington Post magazine story about traveling to Colombia to find a half-brother she had never met before. Prior to arriving at the Post, Ms. Trejos wrote for the Los Angeles Times. She graduated from Georgetown University with a B.A. in Government. She grew up in Queens, N.Y., and travels extensively, including to her parents’ homelands of Colombia and Ecuador. She lives in Washington, D.C. Hot (Broke) Messes is her first book. Click here to visit her website

Milton Chen Mr. Chen is Senior Fellow of The George Lucas Educational Foundation. He has worked at GLEF for 12 years as executive director, became senior fellow in early 2010. Background includes director of research, Sesame Workshop; asst. professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education; education director, KQED-San Francisco (PBS). He is also the author of Education Nation: Seven Leading Edges of Innovation in Our Schools (Jossey-Bass, 2010). Click here to visit his website