Noon Business Hour on WBBM Newsradio

Chicago's job market is showing renewed strength, with hiring on the rise across several industries; a trip to the resale store can bring real value to back-to-school shopping; and the leap from gang member to successful businesswoman.

Dealing with the disruptive experience of losing your phone - Americans now bet more on sports than they spend on movies, music, books, and museums—combined; and virtual reality is letting Chicago Public Schools students test-drive careers before choosing their future.

Virtual reality is giving Chicago Public Schools students the chance to experience careers before choosing a path - and our guest helped make it happen. Matt Wren, Tech Expert and Founder of VRAR Chicago joins Andy Dahn on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

The parasite outbreak linked to contaminated lettuce appears to have taken a bigger toll on Taco Bell than first reported, the importance of having a "money talk" with aging parents, and a look at the three biggest factors affecting the housing market right now.

Talking to aging parents about money can be uncomfortable, but experts say having those conversations early can help protect their wishes, independence, and financial security. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group in Chicago, joins Andy Dahn on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

We break down today's key earnings, kids' birthday parties are getting more expensive and a growing debate is emerging over parents asking guests to help cover the cost, and the importance of a vision check before kids head back to school.

We take a closer look at how a nationwide parasite outbreak is prompting some Chicago restaurants to change their menus, it's been a big summer at the box office - with one of the season's most anticipated releases arriving this week, and the financial pressures of supporting multiple generations of a family.

As summer winds down, now is the time to budget for back-to-school costs and fall activities - explore great travel destinations close to home and celebrate Route 66 with homemade ice cream, old-fashioned sodas, and hometown charm.

A look at the sell-off on Wall Street, why experts say you should understand the true cost of pet ownership before bringing one home, and the latest technology to improve your health and fitness.

From rising vet bills to expensive boarding, experts say people considering getting a pet should understand and factor in the true cost of ownership before bringing one home. Ed Gjertsen, Certified Financial Planner and Founder of Engage Wealth Group here in Chicago, joins Judson Richards on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

The sneaker world has changed dramatically, with competition much fiercer - forcing every shoe brand to step up its game, one of the biggest investing mistakes people make isn't choosing the wrong investment - it's waiting too long to get started and how higher restaurant prices have reached "the breaking point" for more diners.

As restaurant prices continue to climb - many consumers are reaching their spending limits - forcing operators to rethink value and affordability. Doug Roth, Founder and President of Playground Hospitality here in Chicago joins Judson Richards on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Parents can help their children start building good credit long before adulthood by making one simple move - adding them as an authorized user, a lot of people want to age in place - but is their current home truly ready? And why now is the time to book a Midwest autumn getaway.

For those planning a Midwest autumn getaway - now is the time to book. The best rooms for peak-color weekends and the most popular attractions fill up quickly, so don't let your plans FALL through. Mark Wolters, 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 Judson Richards on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Parents can help their children start building good credit long before adulthood by making one simple move - adding them as an authorized user. Ted Rossman, Independent Credit Card Analyst in New York joins Judson Richards on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

From building wealth in your thirties to preparing for retirement in your fifties, the right financial moves change as your career evolves. New data shows nearly three in four finance creators on TikTok have no stated financial qualifications. And why some retirees are choosing life at sea -and how they make it work.

Living on a cruise ship in retirement may sound like a dream - but with careful planning, smart budgeting and the right strategy, it can become a reality. Cindy Richards, Editor in Chief OF She Buys Travel dot-com here in Chicago joins Andy Dahn on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Shares of Netflix are lower after a disappointing forecast and streaming problems during this week's MLB Home Run Derby, a yoga instructor shares his "hot take" on the mind-body discipline, and family movies continue to dominate the box office.

Family movies are dominating the box office as parents skip the babysitter, pack up the kids, and turn movie night into a family outing. Paul Dergarabedian - Head of Marketplace trends at Rentrak in Los Angeles joins Judson Richards on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

People are buying fewer groceries as higher prices linger, tips for planning your digital legacy before it's too late, and strategies for asking for a raise at work.

Moving abroad is a dream for many, but making it a reality requires careful planning. Think before buying into expensive money traps people often regret, and understand the long-term costs and commitments before buying a vacation home.

Owning a vacation or second home is a dream for many - but the financial and lifestyle commitments connected to it deserve careful consideration before buying. Michael Bogardus - Certified Financial Planner with the Harbor Oak Team at Barnum Financial Group in Shelton, Connecticut.

Prediction markets might not be a good choice for average investors, providing kids with honest conversations about money, and planning a memorable cruise to Alaska.

An Alaskan cruise is unlike most other voyages, and understanding what makes it different can help you make the most of the experience. Ilana Schattauer - Founder & Content Creator for the YouTube channel - Life Well Cruised and Life Well Cruised dot-com in Montreal, Quebec joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with key advice.

Prediction markets are gaining popularity, but experts warn they can mislead investors by amplifying speculation, bias, and unnecessary financial risk. Mark Hulbert, Investment Columnist for The Wall Street Journal, Barron's & MarketWatch in Washington, DC joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

A preview of the busy week ahead on Wall Street, a look at the "buy it for life" philosophy, and a pair of stock picks from a money pro.

A pay raise can be the first step toward building long-term wealth, Santa is already preparing for Christmas even in the middle of summer, and Chicago favorite Rainbow Cone gears up for a busy season ahead of its 100th birthday celebration.

One of Chicago's most iconic treats is celebrating a century of scoops with special events, giveaways, and a summer-long birthday celebration. Lynn Sapp, Rainbow Cone Historian and Granddaughter of the Founder of The Original Rainbow Cone in Chicago's Beverly neighborhood

Even though summer vacation is still in full swing, the back-to-school shopping season is already underway as consumers hunt for bargains and spread out their spending; a discussion of the growing role of the virtual visit in today's health care environment; and after all these years, you'd think everyone would know that what they post on social media can hurt their job search—yet many job seekers still need to clean up their online presence.

After all these years, you'd think everyone would know that what they post on social media could hurt their job search. Yet many job seekers still need to clean up their online presence. Jason Wachtel, Managing Partner at JW Michaels & Co here in Chicago joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Autonomous rides are expanding nationwide, with Waymo adding more U.S. markets as the robotaxi race accelerates. Matt Jones, independent auto expert in Los Angeles, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Geopolitical tensions are rising as the Iran ceasefire unravels, how the "small financial decisions" you make can really add up, and restaurants are reinventing happy hour.

The biggest financial successes often begin with small daily decisions that quietly compound into greater wealth and long-term financial security. Sandi Bragar, Chief Client Officer at Aspiriant in San Francisco, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Lending money to friends can quickly become a relationship killer, fast food's newest competition may be coming from the grocery store, and Chrysler parent Stellantis is bringing its tiny Fiat Topolino EV to the U.S.

Lending money to friends can often be a relationship-killer, with studies showing that more than half of people have lost friendships over financial issues. Shane Gornik, Financial Advisor for Forefront Financial Planning in Lisle joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss how to navigate this tricky situation

What began as a lighthearted summertime celebration, Christmas in July has grown into a legitimate cultural and retail event; soccer fans are feeling the excitement ahead of the U.S. men's match against Belgium tonight; and buying a fixer-upper can be a smart investment—or a financial nightmare.

We break down today's big government jobs report, fireworks sales are booming as America celebrates its 250th birthday, and emergency rooms see a surge in preventable injuries every Fourth of July weekend - making safety just as important as the celebration.

World Cup fever is sweeping America as TV ratings soar, people are turning clutter into cash through yard, garage, and estate sales as they downsize, move, or simply get organized, and it will be a big weekend of minor league baseball in Rosemont.

People are turning clutter into cash through yard - garage - and estate sales as they downsize - move - or simply get organized. Lisa Stover, Expert in Senior Transitions and Owner - Presto Real Estate and Services in Naperville joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

As summer continues to fly by, one vacation that's still within reach for many families is the classic American road trip. We'll also discuss how to avoid being "the Ugly American" when traveling abroad, and why, as travel costs soar this summer, more Americans are turning to camping - with this year expected to set another record season.

As summer continues to fly by, one vacation that's still within reach for many families is the classic American road trip - from historic Route-66 to California's scenic Highway 1, or even the iconic drive from Chicago to Mount Rushmore. Cindy Richards, Editor in Chief of She Buys Travel dot-com in Chicago joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

A preview of the busy week ahead on Wall Street, a look at the growing trend of gray divorce and its financial consequences, and a visit with our Monday afternoon stock picker.