Noon Business Hour on WBBM Newsradio

More younger Americans are embracing a healthier lifestyle and businesses are taking note. Also ahead: why you may want to avoid oversharing vacation posts on social media - and essential personal finance rules everyone should follow.

As people start heading out for Spring Break trips, it's a good reminder not to overshare on social media while on vacation - it can put people at risk - revealing empty homes, real-time locations and personal details to criminals. Mark Wolters of Wolters World Travel and Culture on YouTube, and Teaching Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois' Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with need-to-know advice.

A look at how the attack on Iran could impact global oil markets, Chicago advances as a finalist to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention and Maximize your bucket-list trip by training for it.

Before booking a bucket-list trip - let's use Antarctica as an example - consider a test run, like an Alaskan cruise, first. Build up gradually to maximize both the experience and your investment. Angie Rice, co-founder of Boutique Travel Advisors in Scottsdale, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss...

More retirees are rethinking retirement - spending months at sea, mixing extended cruises with stays with family and time in low-cost apartments between voyages, all while potentially saving money. Cindy Richards, editor-in-chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

A look at how the attack on Iran could impact global markets, why the stigma of taking a first date to a fast-food restaurant is fading, and a visit with our Monday afternoon stock picker.

A guide to spring car-buying season - from South Side roots to flagship reality, the man behind Soul & Smoke sees his barbecue vision fully realized - and Burger King rolls out AI headsets to monitor employee friendliness.

A local entrepreneur behind Soul & Smoke sees his long-awaited dream restaurant become reality, marking a bold new chapter for the award-winning barbecue brand. D' Andre Carter, Executive Chef and Co-Founder of Soul & Smoke with locations in Evanston - Avondale and Chicago's West Loop joins Mai Martinez on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

State lawmakers in Illinois and Indiana are poised to vote today on decisions that could determine where the Chicago Bears ultimately build their next stadium. We'll also examine how AI is driving demand for an entirely new set of technical skills - while still requiring strong critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making - and we'll look at the future of smart cities.

Cash-only weekends are gaining popularity as a simple, old-school strategy to curb spending in today's tap-to-pay world. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

AI is driving demand for an entirely new set of technical skills - while still requiring strong critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision-making. Shelly Palmer, CEO of the Palmer Group and Professor of Advanced Media in Residence at the Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain.

Implementing the so-called 72-hour rule can be a simple way to curb impulse spending and protect your long-term wealth. Shari Greco Reiches, Regional Director of E-P Wealth here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain.

Nvidia, now a market bellwether - reports earnings after the bell, while former Illinois Governor Pat Quinn launches a petition to keep the Bears in Illinois and why invoking the 72-hour rule can help you avoid an unnecessary purchase.

Team USA's surprise gold sparks a jersey frenzy, but Nike's forecast leaves fans empty-handed. Plus, smart planning for a safe Spring Break - and how a sad monkey named Punch is inspiring a surge in stuffy sales.

A lot can go awry on a trip, so it's smart to be prepared. Before Spring Break, parents should set a plan, confirm logistics, and square away finances to help ensure their child has a safe, fun getaway. Mark Wolters of Wolters World Travel and Culture on YouTube, and Associate Professor of Business Administration at the University of Illinois Gies College of Business in Urbana-Champaign, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

Travel headaches mount as a major storm slams the U.S. Northeast - plus investing cues from millennials and the latest on travel to and from Mexico amid cartel violence.

In a 6–3 decision, the Supreme Court has sharply limited President Trump's authority to impose tariffs. Summer camps are filling up fast - we'll explain what parents need to know before signing their kids up. And pepper-and-egg season is here, as the Chicago Lenten classic returns to Italian beef stands across the area.

If you haven't signed your kids up for summer camp yet, now's the time - spots fill fast, and many programs are already nearing capacity. Colette Marquardt, CEO and executive director of the American Camp Association, Illinois, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Pickleball is making a big move into the West Loop, Indiana lawmakers are advancing a “stadium authority” bill to bring the Bears to Hammond, and we'll examine the rapidly growing use of AI for homework.

As students increasingly integrate AI into their homework, experts say parents should embrace the technology and help kids use it properly rather than restrict it outright. Matt Wren, tech expert and founder of V-R-A-R Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Housing starts rose nationwide late last year, signaling momentum heading into this spring's home-buying season. We're also talking about your Freedom Number - the amount needed to generate enough passive income to cover your basic expenses. And nearly half of Americans are using AI for financial advice — but experts warn it could backfire.

More people are relying on AI for taxes and personal financial advice, raising concerns about accuracy and oversight. Chris Stegh, Chief Technology Officer at E-Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss the risks and what consumers should consider.

Spring is often a costly season, with confirmations, graduations and weddings - meaning families should budget and plan now. Tax season is also upon us, and getting returns done early is a smart move. And when it comes to travel, the key to enjoying an affordable vacation is properly managing expectations.

Tax season is upon us - and getting them done as soon as possible means faster refunds - fewer delays and more time to put that money to work. Elizabeth Buffardi, Founder of Crescendo Financial Planners in Oak Brook, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Financial markets are closed for today's federal holiday, but retailers are open and leaning on dead presidents to move inventory. Polish bakeries across the area are bracing for the annual paczki rush, and minty magic is back at McDonald's as Shamrock Shakes usher in the St. Patrick's Day season.

Chicago home affordability remains tight despite easing pressures nationwide; tips on buying a first car for a teen or young adult; and a local urologist who founded Down There Urology, became a reality TV star, and promotes diversity in medicine nationwide.

We meet a local board-certified urologist who founded Down There Urology, became a reality TV star, and promotes diversity in medicine nationwide. Doctor Fenwa Milhouse, CEO of Down There Urology here in Chicago joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss...

Despite trade-war fears and economic turbulence, Chicago CEOs are overwhelmingly bullish; some extended school trips now carry price tags rivaling a family vacation — plus how a “digital detox” can improve your mental health.

We're quick to criticize kids for being addicted to TikTok, social media and chasing “likes,” but adults — even older ones — can be just as bad, if not worse, when it comes to seeking the dopamine hits those platforms provide. Jennifer Jolly, Tech Life columnist for USA Today and founder and editor-in-chief of Techish.com in Seattle, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Latest on the big government jobs report, a look at the rising cost of youth sports, and weighing the value of natural versus lab-grown diamonds.

From hockey and tennis to Irish dance, kids' activities can strain family budgets, forcing parents to make tough financial trade-offs. Craig Bolanos, co-founder and wealth advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners in Inverness and Downers Grove, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss strategies to help make it all work.

The latest on the Bears' multi-state stadium search, making a concert or a game the center of your next adventure, and delivery robots getting “dirty looks” as they roll down city sidewalks.

Food delivery robots offer convenience and are being tested in markets nationwide, but many people - including in Chicago - see them as sidewalk clutter that complicates already crowded pedestrian spaces, with some saying their dogs aren't big fans either. Paul Hochman, president of Humongous Media in Cambridge, Massachusetts, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

A lot of people plan trips around a big event or activity - like a concert, a golf tournament, or Wimbledon. With trips like these, it's often a great idea to bring in a professional. Juliet Huddy, travel vlogger and curator at JetSetJulietTravels.com, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

The Super Bowl flu strikes again as millions of workers call in sick the Monday after the big game. Solo dining is becoming more common, with more consumers ordering meals just for themselves. And with credit card rates near historic highs, more consumers are searching for ways to regain control of mounting debt.

With credit card rates near historic highs, more consumers are searching for ways to regain control of mounting debt. Ted Rossman, an industry analyst at Bankrate.com in New York, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key tips on digging out.

Solo dining is becoming more common, with more consumers ordering meals just for themselves. Sami Sparber, a reporter for Axios, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

As the labor market remains tight, many are asking whether this is the new normal. Your food-delivery habit could be costing you big-time, and we check back in with a black female-owned Chicago pop-up food truck and catering business serving soulful, authentic street-style tacos across the city.

A local Black female-owned Chicago pop-up, food truck, and catering business is serving soulful, authentic street-style tacos across the city. Taylor Mason, founder and co-owner of Taylor's Tacos, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Prediction markets surge during the Big Game weekend and the Olympics. The Chicago Auto Show returns with new vehicles, indoor test tracks, and ride-along experiences. And the dream of retirement is fading as higher living costs push older Americans back to work.

Rising living costs are forcing more retirees back to work, with many older Americans “unretiring” just to afford everyday expenses. Craig Bolanos, co-founder and wealth advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

The Chicago Auto Show returns this weekend - offering a close-up look at new vehicles. indoor test tracks, and interactive experiences. Jennifer Morand, President of the Chicago Auto Trade Association and General Manager of the Chicago Auto Show joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with a preview...