Noon Business Hour on WBBM Newsradio

Retail investors are closing out one of their strongest years ever - beating Wall Street at its own game. Plus, money resolutions for the new year, and a visit with an emergency room doctor ahead of a typically busy night.

How to choose the perfect bottle of bubbly for New Year's Eve, enjoying “European vibes” without leaving the United States - millions of workers leave vacation days on the table each year - advice on how not to be one of them.

Time off from work is a valuable commodity - and you can make it worth even more if you're strategic in how you use it. Cindy Richards, Editor in Chief of She Buys Travel dot-com in Chicago joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Fireworks sales are booming for New Year's, and the industry sees a big year ahead. Restaurants are preparing for the New Year's Eve crush. And this week is the perfect time to put together a family financial goal—set one, build a plan, and make sure everyone has skin in the game, even the kids.

This week is the perfect time to put together a family financial goal - set one, build a plan, and make sure everyone has skin in the game, even the kids. Craig Bolanos, Co-founder and wealth advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners in Inverness and Downers Grove, joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Today - the day after Christmas - is the perfect time to build a gift closet, drawer, or box that prepares you for the entire year ahead. The Christmas holiday weekend is also huge for the movie box office. And from dream to daily grind - what it really takes to run a successful restaurant.

Today - the day after Christmas - is the perfect time to build a gift closet, drawer, or box that prepares you for the entire year ahead. Chicago-based Business Reporter - Jennifer Waters joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Despite early pessimism, shoppers came out in force, driving stronger-than-expected sales and a resilient retail season. The holiday travel rush is on as people head out to be with loved ones - and a Christmas Eve typo turned radar tracking into a Santa legend.

A look at the concept of a sleepcation - a low-effort getaway focused on rest, room service, late mornings, and coming home completely refreshed; why Travel Roulette could cure vacation overthinking; and how a self-imposed hotel tax could help boost Chicago tourism.

A sleepcation is a low-effort getaway focused on rest - room service - late mornings - and coming home completely refreshed. Cindy Richards, editor in chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain...

Christmas is just days away, and last-minute shoppers are flooding stores, hoping retailers still have gifts, deals, and enough selection to finish their holiday lists. After a huge win over Green Bay, the Bears' surge is fueling renewed excitement and delivering a real economic boost across the area. And giving the gift of clarity to your adult children this holiday season—honest conversations that matter most.

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You're probably familiar with Cameo, the service that lets you send a personalized message from a celebrity to friends, family, coworkers, or anyone else. Steven Galanis, co-founder and CEO of Chicago-based Cameo, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

A look at the hidden cost of being cheap, why the American mall is staging a comeback, and how popular AI toys for kids could carry hidden dangers this holiday season.

Many malls and shopping venues made a comeback this year as consumers - especially younger shoppers - rediscovered the fun and social connection of in-person shopping. Bob Phibbs, CEO of The Retail Doctor, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Warner Bros. Discovery is rejecting Paramount's hostile takeover bid, calling it inadequate and risky, and saying its Netflix strategy offers stronger long-term value for the company and shareholders. Meanwhile, 2025 is already being called the year of the robo-taxi - and we're taking a look at how social media influencers are playing a growing role in how young people make money decisions.

Social media investing advice is booming - but not all so-called finfluencers are qualified, raising questions about credentials, hidden motives, and whether their wealth is even real. Shane Gornik, a financial advisor with Forefront Financial Planning in Lisle, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Holiday travel with kids can be stressful — especially for first-time parents. Cindy Richards, editor-in-chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

An investigation by Consumer Reports finds Instacart shoppers are unknowingly part of a widespread AI-enabled experiment that prices identical products differently - sometimes by as much as 23 percent - plus ideas on making service a family tradition and getting more out of your next trip by acting like a local.

Making charity part of your annual plan can be as simple as showing up, getting involved, and turning service into a shared family tradition. Ed Gjertsen, certified financial planner and founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

An investigation by Consumer Reports finds shoppers ordering groceries through Instacart are unknowingly part of a widespread AI-enabled experiment that prices identical products differently from one customer to the next - sometimes by as much as 23 percent. Phil Lempert, founder of SupermarketGuru.com in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

A preview of the busy week ahead on Wall Street, buzz surrounding the Chicago Bears is a big win for bars, media, and the local economy - and whether a promotion without extra pay is worth the effort.

So-called dry, or quiet, promotions are rising as companies add responsibility without extra pay - leaving workers to decide whether the tradeoff is worth it. Jason Wachtel, managing partner at JW Michaels & Co. in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Buzz surrounding the Chicago Bears is surging across the area, as a playoff push and Saturday night's marquee Packers matchup prove to be a big win for bars, media, and the local economy. Marc Ganis, president and co-founder of Sports Corp Limited here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping holiday shopping. Restaurants are becoming part of many people's Christmas tradition, with reservations now a must. We also check in with a Jewish deli ahead of Hanukkah to see what's cooking and how preparations are shaping up.

Experiences are beating out material gifts as more people choose memories over “stuff.” A look at Disney's big investment in AI, and U.S. credit card debt hitting a record high.

Experiences over material gifts are gaining major traction - as more people choose memories over “stuff.” It's an especially smart strategy for those hard-to-buy-for types - like Dad. Chicago-based Business Reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

Sometimes, careers are built - or blown up - at office holiday parties, plus the advantages of planning your retirement well before you actually call it quits, and giving the gift of a Chicago food favorite this holiday season.

Sometimes, careers are built - or blown up - at office holiday parties. Rick Cobb, founder of Chicago workplace consulting firm 2-Discern, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

This holiday season, give the DIYer in your life tools they'll actually use, explore why the holidays can be a great time to buy a home, and consider a beach escape for the most peaceful Christmas you'll ever have.

This holiday season - give the DIYer in your life tools they'll actually use, explore why the holidays can be a great time to buy a home, and consider a beach escape for the most peaceful Christmas you'll ever have.

McDonald's is betting on holiday nostalgia and novelty with its new Grinch Meal. Paramount Skydance makes a bold hostile push to buy Warner Bros. Discovery outright. And the people who keep Chicago moving take center stage in a new WTTW special - we talked with the special's host, Geoffrey Baer.

Chicago's reputation as “The City That Works” comes to life in a new WTTW special that spotlights the everyday workers who power the city's grit and resilience. Geoffrey Baer, the show's host, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

We visit a neighborhood toy store that's successfully competing with the big boys, talk with the CEO of a fast-growing restaurant chain that's truly on the move, and how Sunday's Bears-Packers matchup is one of the biggest in years.

U.S. Soccer hopes next year's World Cup sparks a new era for the men's program. We'll also look at how to pick up the restaurant tab without any drama - it's all about planning ahead and keeping it smooth - and why weighing the “relocation factor” has become a critical step when deciding whether to accept a new job.

Picking up the restaurant tab without drama comes down to planning ahead and keeping it smooth. Doug Roth, Founder and President of Playground Hospitality in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key tips.

Payroll processing giant ADP says private employers cut 32,000 jobs last month, driven by steep small-business losses. Taking care of financial housekeeping in the final weeks of the year - including an audit of your credit cards - can potentially provide “a financial boost.”

There are some smart end-of-year money moves people can make right now. Shane Gornik, Financial Advisor with Forefront Financial Planning in Lisle, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

It's Giving Tuesday - a day to give back through donations, volunteer time, and simple acts that make a meaningful impact. It's also a moment to recognize the people who “hold together the workplace” but often go unnoticed. And solo travel is booming - especially for women.

Artificial intelligence is emerging seemingly everywhere - leading to a common question. Should you tell your boss you use AI at work? Experts say yes, and warn that companies risk falling behind if they ignore this powerful productivity tool. Jason Wachtel, Managing Partner at JW Michaels & Company here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

It's Cyber Monday - and analysts say sales could top a record-breaking 14-billion dollars. A holiday puppy or kitten may seem perfect, but experts warn pet gifting brings lifelong costs and responsibilities many families aren't prepared for. And it was a huge weekend at the movie box office.

A holiday puppy or kitten may seem perfect - but experts warn that pet gifting comes with life-long costs and responsibilities many families aren't prepared for. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain…