Noon Business Hour on WBBM Newsradio

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…

Black Friday is here - but does it still pack the same punch in an age of online deals, early sales, and shifting shopper habits? Travelers can also score big this holiday shopping weekend with deals on hotels, airfares, cruises, and vacation packages. And from pre-lit trees to signature scents - we meet a true holiday products trailblazer.

Today is like Black Friday for grocery stores, as shoppers rush to finish their final prep for tomorrow's Thanksgiving feast. Bars across the country are also gearing up for one of their busiest nights of the year. And after tomorrow's dinner, families might consider a tough but important conversation - future finances and plans for mom and dad as they get older.

The day before Thanksgiving is like Black Friday for grocery stores, as shoppers rush to finish their final preparations for the big holiday feast. Phil Lempert, founder of SupermarketGuru.com in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

A look at retail ahead of the prime-time holiday shopping season, how families are using the Thanksgiving table for vacation planning, and why home sellers are pulling listings at the fastest pace in nearly a decade.

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to plan a multi-gen trip - and make sure everyone, kids included, has real skin in the game. Mark Wolters of the Wolters World Travel and Culture YouTube channel - 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 to discuss…

A look at the busy week ahead on Wall Street, an overwhelming number of drivers still want radios in their cars and deciding whether the privacy of a hotel room is worth the cost - over a freebie in a relative's home.

Every year, many families face the big Thanksgiving dilemma - stay with relatives or ante up a couple hundred dollars for a hotel room. Cindy Richards, Editor-in-Chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

A look at jobs, housing, and Fed policy with economist Diane Swonk - new data shows alcohol's demise among young adults is greatly exaggerated, and a Naperville magician brings classic magic to life, complete with the iconic rabbit-from-the-hat trick.

Latest on Nvidia's key quarterly earnings, smart ways to protect your personal information during the hectic holiday season, and a look at the energy impact of artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence's explosive growth is driving a surge in data-center power demand — straining the electric grid and quietly pushing consumer energy bills higher. Paul Hochman, President of Humongous Media, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss…

All eyes on Wall Street are on Nvidia's after-the-bell earnings - a critical gauge of the health of the AI trade. Giving the gift of investing for the holidays can be a long-term game-changer, and as economic concerns grow, shoppers flock to secondhand stores for Christmas gifts.

As economic concerns rise, more shoppers are turning to secondhand stores for Christmas gifts - and even thrift shops are rolling out Black Friday sales. Chicago-based business reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

Downtown is kicking off the season as the Chicago Loop Alliance launches its Holidays in the Loop campaign - why some people are prioritizing a big trip before the end of January - and putting a new car in the driveway for Christmas.

With another potential government shutdown looming at the end of January, now might be the perfect time to squeeze in a trip before airport chaos returns - making a New Year's getaway ideal. Joe Brancatelli - Editor and Publisher of JoeSentMe.com in New York - joins Andy Dahn on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

A look at the busy week ahead on Wall Street - plus holiday tipping tips to thank the people who support you all year - and a visit with our Monday afternoon stock picker.

Holiday tipping is a chance to thank the people who support you with their work and service all year long. Chicago-based business reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with what you need to know.

Sometimes it's a good idea to get a second opinion - not only for your health, but also for your finances. We're also checking in with a Chicago-based BBQ company whose 160-year-old family recipes - born from an enslaved pit master's craft -now anchor a growing family business. And we meet the man carrying the legacy of a family salon business while expanding into a company that provides industry professionals with the tools of the trade.

A Chicago-based BBQ company whose 160-year-old family recipes - born from an enslaved pit master's craft -now anchor a growing family business. They're also offering a new class on smoking your Thanksgiving turkey, complete with plenty of eating while learning the craft. Eudell Watts IV, co-founder of Old Arthur's Barbecue Sauces & Dry Rubs here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Regular exercise pays off financially - cutting medical costs, reducing daily spending - and boosting your energy, health, and overall quality of life. Craig Bolanos, Co-Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain…

The IRS is raising 401k limits next year, boosting both contribution and catch-up amounts. Regular exercise pays off financially - lowering medical costs and everyday spending. And one bad chip can now total today's appliances - while simpler models often last much longer.

Ski season is here - time to gear up, hit the slopes, and get some early runs in before that big mountain trip, plus holiday celebrations that won't break the bank and why saving too much for retirement isn't always wise.

Celebrating the holidays with a group can include festive activities that are fun, meaningful, and easy on the wallet. Chicago-based business reporter Jennifer Waters joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

The hospitality industry gets a welcome infusion of military veterans, concern mounts for air travelers as Thanksgiving approaches, and we explore the old-world charm of Europe's Christmas markets.

European Christmas markets - with their twinkling lights, mulled wine, and historic squares - offer a timeless, old-world holiday experience. Patrick DeHaan, Head of Petroleum Analysis for GasBuddy.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

An end to the government shutdown is now in sight - as the Senate advances a bipartisan deal toward final approval. But shutdown-related flight cuts could persist even after the impasse ends, and today's snowfall is creating opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

We're seeing the first significant snow of the season - giving enterprising kids the perfect chance to grab their shovels and make some money. Matt Matigian, CEO of Blue World Asset Managers here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Flight cancellations soar as the FAA cuts air traffic amid the government shutdown - setting up a brutal travel weekend nationwide. Plus, a luxury British chocolatier lands on Chicago's Mag Mile, and 50 years of submarine sandwiches in Chicago.

Chicago-based Mr. Submarine is celebrating its 50th anniversary by leaning into commercials from the past. Dan Tzoumas, Director of Operations and son of the founder, oversees locations across the Chicago area joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Major airports across the country are reducing flights due to the government shutdown, Starbucks' new holiday cup is creating huge buzz, and experts warn the rise of AI may be contributing to “brain rot.”

Many experts warn that heavy use of AI and social media may be rewiring our brains - dulling focus and weakening memory. Paul Hochman, President of Humongous Media, joins Judson Richards on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Americans are living longer - and that's reshaping retirement plans. After major stock market gains, many advisors say now is the time to re-balance portfolios and reassess risk to protect long-term returns. And for grandparents, there's no greater gift than helping their grandkids achieve a college education.

More grandparents are helping pay for college - using 529 plans, tuition gifts, and smart financial strategies to ease debt burdens and build lasting family legacies. Brian Safdari, Founder and President of College Planning Experts in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

As SNAP benefits are reduced or delayed amid the ongoing government shutdown, hunger relief donations are surging. Retro travel is booming as Americans rediscover vintage motels, diners, and classic road trips - while the end of penny production is leaving some retailers feeling shortchanged.

Route 66 turns 100 next year - and nostalgia travel is booming as Boomers and Gen Xers rediscover classic road trips, retro diners, and neon-lit motels. Cindy Richards, Editor-in-Chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the Noon Business Hour to discuss...

New data shows Americans now spend more than $100 a week on work lunches - turning everyday meals into a costly luxury amid rising prices. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

New data shows Americans now spend more than $100 a week on work lunches - turning everyday meals into a costly luxury amid rising prices. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Illinois lawmakers worked overnight in Springfield to finalize a $1.5 billion transit bailout. More people are choosing to go the restaurant route for Thanksgiving, and a holiday decorating business - born in the trunk of a car - is now lighting up the season.

You can skip the cooking chaos this Thanksgiving and dine out instead. More people are trading turkey for Italian or Chinese favorites to avoid the hassle and cleanup. Izzy Kharasch - President of Hospitality Works and “The Restaurant Coach” here in Chicago - joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Presidents Trump and Xi strike a trade truce, new airline routes are reshaping travel habits - turning once-overlooked destinations into the next big getaways - and shopping is undergoing a major, tech-driven transformation.

Shopping is transforming faster than shelves can restock. From smart carts to AI fashion advisors, the way we browse, buy, and return is being re-engineered by data. R-J Hottovy, Head of Analytical Research at Palo Alto–based foot traffic analysis firm Placer.AI, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.