H&FF Radio offers ideas for holiday shopping, 2009 taxes

WASHINGTON (11/20/09)--Sunday's H&FF Radio program provides information about tax credits for home improvements, new income tax deductions and credits for 2009, holiday budget ideas and holiday spending projections.

Home & Family Finance airs Sundays at 3 p.m. ET on the Radio America Network. The show also is carried on American Forces Radio Network. The one-hour program devoted to consumer finance issues is brought to you by America's credit unions and their 90 million members, and is presented by CO-OP Network.

The Credit Union National Association (CUNA) and Radio America are podcasting Home & Family Finance through iTunes, Podcast Alley, Odeo, and other popular podcast library sites, as well as on Radio America and CUNA's websites.

Sunday's show, which you also can hear later via the Internet, features Paul Berry, Washington, D.C., journalist and broadcaster, discussing these topics with special guests:

• "2009 Income Tax Credits for Energy Efficient Home Improvements," with Ronnie Kweller, director of media relations, Alliance to Save Energy, Washington, D.C.;

• "IRS Tax Tips on New Deductions and Credits for 2009," with Eric Smith, national spokesman, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C.:

• "Spend Green without Going in the Red This Holiday Season: Create a Holiday Budget," with Ethan Ewing, president, Bills.com, San Mateo, Calif.; and

• "What Consumer Reports Knows About This Holiday Shopping Season That You Don't--But Should," with Ed Farrell, director of market research, Consumers Union, Yonkers, NY.

Home & Family Finance is a resource center for personal finance information at CUNA. The radio show is sponsored by CO-OP Network, the national credit union ATM network; Cabot Creamery Cooperative, maker of award-winning cheddar; Western Corporate FCU (WesCorp) and its member credit unions; and the Defense Credit Union Council and member credit unions, serving those who serve our country worldwide.

For more information, read "Earn Tax Credits for Energy-Efficient Improvements" and "'Tis the Season for Trouble-Free Shopping, Returns" in the Home & Family Finance Resource Center.