Expert gives tips to devise down-payment plan

WASHINGTON (8/1/08)--This Sunday, H&FF Radio guest Tracy Ashfield outlines the key steps necessary for accomplishing down-payment goals, while other guests explore the pros and cons of index funds, no-interest deals at retail stores, and an unconventional yet high-tech way to find surcharge-free ATMs.

Home & Family Finance airs Sundays at 3 p.m. EDT on the Radio America Network. The one-hour program devoted to consumer finance issues is brought to you by America's credit unions and their 90 million members, and is presented by CO-OP Network.

The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and Radio America are podcasting Home & Family Finance through iTunes, Podcast Alley, Odeo, and other popular podcast library sites, as well as on Radio America and CUNA's Web sites.

Sunday's show, which you also can hear later via the Internet, features Paul Berry, Washington, D.C., journalist and broadcaster, discussing these topics with special guests:


"Use Text Messaging to Find a Surcharge-Free ATM," with Eric Porter, CO-Op Network, Ontario, Calif.;


"Index Funds," with Tom Ruggie; president, Ruggie Wealth Management, Tavares, Fla.;


"Devise a Down-Payment Plan," with Tracy Ashfield, executive vice president, Strategic Mortgage Solutions, Madison, Wis.;


"No-Interest Deals at Stores," with Gail Hillebrand, staff attorney, Consumers Union, San Francisco; and


Host Paul Berry Answers Your Questions.

Home & Family Finance is a resource center for personal finance information at CUNA. The radio show is sponsored by CO-OP Network, the national credit union ATM network; Cabot Creamery Cooperative, maker of award-winning cheddar; Visa; and Western Corporate FCU and its member credit unions.

courtesy of cuna.org