Episode Details

Prescription just got 97% cheaper through a program most people don't know exists, gas is running 90 cents higher than last Labor Day, and nearly 3 in 10 car trade-ins are underwater by an average of $6,884. That's today's show.

This is Becoming Financially Confident, live weekdays at 11:30am Eastern.

I'm Ralph Estep Jr., a licensed public accountant with 30 years of experience, and I'm joined by my cohost Juliet Chuang.

Today we covered:

• Prescription prices fell 3.1% this year, the biggest drop since 1963, but I'll tell you why that number didn't move my own pharmacy bill, and the manufacturer program that took my own medication from $770 a month down to $25
• What actually makes sense financially between driving and flying for Labor Day, and the rule I use now that I'm older
• How to spot a fake charity before you donate, including the sites I actually use to check where the money goes
• Why 1 in 4 credit reports has an error on it, and how I use WalletHub to keep an eye on mine
• Today's Breakdown, what it means to be underwater on a car loan, how rolling negative equity into a new loan can quietly cost you thousands more in interest, and the order you should negotiate a car deal in so you don't get taken advantage of
• This week's money move, freezing your credit reports at all three bureaus

You can watch or listen live with us at https://www.becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/live.

Got a money question? Send it to me at becomingfinanciallyconfident.com.

Links referenced in this episode:

• becomingfinanciallyconfident.com
• becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/community
• becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/wallet
• becomingfinanciallyconfident.com/lawdepot

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Happy Harry's
• Walgreens
• Goodrx
• WalletHub
• Charity Watch
• give.org
• Charity Navigator
• Tunnels for Towers