THIS PROGRAM IS MADE BY MPT TO SERVE ALL OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF OUR MEMBERS.

THANK YOU.

LIVE FROM MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION, THIS IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" WITH JEFF SALKIN.

*] >> JEFF: GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO YOUR "DIRECT CONNECTION."

COMING UP TONIGHT, AARP IS OUT WITH A LIST OF 99 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY SURELY ONE WILL WORK FOR YOU.

THAT IS COMING UP.

FIRST TONIGHT, A BILL PENDING IN THE U.S. SENATE WOULD CUT $1 BILLION IN PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED FUNDING FOR PUBLIC MEDIA.

FIGHTING AGAINST THAT IS KATE RILEY, C.E.O.

OF AMERICA'S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS, APTS WHICH REPRESENTS STATIONS LIKE MPT ON CAPITOL HILL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> Jeff: WE HAVE SEEN FUNDING SCARES IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING A LOT OF TIMES THIS ONE SEEMS DIFFERENT.

>> IT DOES.

WE HAVE AN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS COME OUT AGGRESSIVELY ON A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT FRONTS AND NOW THE ATTENTION HAS TURNED TO CUTTING PUBLIC BROADCASTING FUNDING.

AND THE CHALLENGE IS THIS FUNDING IS OVER 1 BILLION THEY ARE PROPOSING TO RESCIND, TWO YEARS OF OUR FUNDINGS, 70% OF THAT FUNDING GOES TO LOCAL STATIONS LIKE MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THOSE STATIONS ARE LICENSED TO STATES, UNIVERSITIES AND COMMUNITIES, THEY ARE LOCALLY CONTROLLED AND RESPOND TO THE LOCAL CONCERNS.

AND IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR THE STATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY IF THAT FUNDING IS RESCINDED.

>> Jeff: WHEN I SAY A BILLION DOLLARS IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY AND IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT AS YOU SAY IT'S OVER TWO YEARS AND IT GOES TO A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES.

>> THAT'S TRUE.

WE REPRESENT 170 PUBLIC TELEVISION LICENSE ES AND THAT FUNDING GOES TO SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS AND PUBLIC RADIO STATIONS AND WHAT WE SEE IS THAT THE FUNDING ALLOWS STATIONS LIKE MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION TO INVEST IN PUBLIC SAFETY, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS TO CREATE LOCAL PROGRAMMING THAT OTHERWISE WOULDN'T EXIST WITHOUT THE LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

AND THE FEDERAL FUND SOMETHING A HUGE PART OF WHAT MAKES THAT POSSIBLE.

>> Jeff: THIS IS A PROCESS I HADN'T HEARD OF BEFORE, THE RESCISSION PROCESS.

THE PRESIDENT PROPOSED IT WENT TO THE HOUSE WHICH APPROVED IT AND IT GOES TO A SENATE AND THEY HAVE A DEADLINE NEXT WEEK TO TAKE A VOTE.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

SO IT IS A PRIVILEGED PROCESS.

WHICH MEANS THAT THE IT ONLY NEEDS A SIMPLE MAJORITY TO SPAS THE SENATE.

>> Jeff: NO FILIBUSTER.

>> CORRECT, BUT IT ONLY LASTS FOR 45 DAYS AND THAT 45 DAYS RUNS OUT AFTER JULY 18TH A WEEK FROM THIS FRIDAY.

THE SENATE CAN ACT BEFORE THEN OR IF THEY DON'T ACT, THE PRIVILEGE WILL RUN OUT.

OR IF THEY FAIL TO PASS IT, DEFEAT IT THEN IT THE PRIVILEGE WILL RUN OUT AS WELL.

>> Jeff: WHAT HAPPENS IF IT PASSES THE SENATE?

>> IF IT PASSES THE SENATE IN THE CURRENT FORM ALL OF THAT FUNDING WOULD BE RESCINDED WHICH MEANS IT WOULD BE TAKEN BACK.

NOW WE COULD CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR FUNDING IN THE FUTURE.

BUT IT WOULD BE DEVASTATING FOR LOCAL STATIONS BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE THE SEED MONEY THEY COUNT ON THAT THEY'VE KNOWN FOR TWO YEARS IS SUPPOSED TO BE COMING, PULLED OUT FROM UNDER THEM AFTER THEY HAVE STARTED TO MAKE COMMITMENTS AND DO PROGRAMMING AND OTHER COMMUNITY SERVICES BASED ON HAVING THAT FUNDING.

THE OTHER OPPORTUNITY IS THE SENATE COULD AMEND THE PACKAGE.

AND WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD WITH OUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES AT STATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE U.S.

SENATOR IS HEARING ABOUT HOW IMPORTANT THIS FEDERAL FUNDING IS TO THE LOCAL SERVICES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND STATES.

AND THAT THEIR CONSTITUENTS RELY ON.

>> Jeff: OUR INDUSTRY IS A PRETTY POTENT FORCE IN PUBLIC AFFAIRS BECAUSE WE HAVE STATIONS ABSOLUTELY EVERYWHERE IN BLUE STATES AND RED STATES AND BIG CITIES AND SMALL COMMUNITIES.

SO YOU HAVE THAT GOING FOR YOU.

BUT THE OPPOSITE FORCE IS THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS JUST DEMONSTRATED A LOT OF POLITICAL MUSCLE IN GETTING THIS BUDGET AND POLICY BILL THROUGH.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN TELL US YOUR EXACT COUNT AT THE MOMENT, HOW CLOSE DO YOU THINK THIS VOTE IS GOING TO BE?

>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT WE WILL SEE A HEALTHY DISCUSSION IN THE SENATE AND A NUMBER OF SENATORS HAVE RAISED CONCERNS ABOUT THE RESCISSIONS PACKAGE BOTH ABOUT THE PUBLIC BROADCASTING FUNDING THAT WOULD BE RESCINDED AND OTHER PARTS OF IT.

I BELIEVE THAT IS WHY THEY ARE WORKING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT VERSION OF THE PACKAGE WOULD HAVE ENOUGH VOTES TO PASS THE SENATE.

WE'VE HAD AT THE SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE HEARING, ON THE RESCISSIONS PACKAGE FOR FOUR REPUBLICAN SENATORS SPOKE OUT EXPRESSING CONCERNS ABOUT THE FUNDING CUTS PROPOSED.

WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH ALL SENATORS TO REALLY MAKE SURE THAT IT'S VERY CLEAR, THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE THROUGH THE LOCAL STATIONS IN PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT IS EMERGENCY ALERTS AND WARNINGS THROUGHOUT AREAS AND MANY PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, THE PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION IS THE ONLY BROADCASTER IN MORE RURAL AREAS MAKING THEIR SERVICE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR EMERGENCY ALERT AND WARNINGS.

>> Jeff: WHITE HOUSE STATEMENT ON THE RESCISSION PROPOSAL FOCUSES ON NEWS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

THEY SAY NPR AND PTSD FUELED PARTISANSHIP AND LEFT WING PROPAGANDA WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS WHICH IS HIGHLY INAPPROPRIATE AND AND I IMPROPER USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY.

WHAT DO YOU SAY YOU ARE SITTING DOWN WITH A MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND THEY COMPLAIN ABOUT MEDIA BIAS IN PUBLIC BROADCASTING?

>> WE ALWAYS WANT TO HEAR BOTH PRAISE AND COMPLAINTS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN WAKE UP EVERYDAY AND DO THE BEST JOB THAT WE CAN AND CONTINUE TO IMPROVE IN THE SERVICE PROVIDED.

THE 170 PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS AROUND THE COUNTRY ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING BALANCED CONTENT THAT SHOWCASES THE RANGE OF VIEWS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND IN THE COUNTRY.

AND REALLY TRIES TO BRING PEOPLE TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE VIEWS IN THEIR COMMUNITY AND HOW THEY CAN CONNECT AND THINK ABOUT THEIR SHARED GOALS AND HOW TO GET THERE.

BUT OTHER IMPORTANT THING THAT IS BEING LOST IN THIS DISCUSSION IS THAT NONE OF THE FEDERAL FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN APPROPRIATED IS REQUIRED TO GO TO NPR OR PTSD.

BUT 70% OF IT DOES GO TO LOCAL STATIONS AND THAT IS THE FUNDING WE NEED TO ENSURE IS PROTECTED AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LOCAL STATIONS CAN MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT HOW THEY CAN BEST SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY IN CONVERSATION WITH THEIR COMMUNITY.

GETTING THAT FEEDBACK AND BEING RESPONSIVE.

I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A NOTE THAT THERE'S SO MUCH PROGRAMMING THAT IS INCREDIBLY VALUABLE THAT ALSO IS NOT BEING DISCUSSED PARTICULARLY ON THE CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL FRONT.

PUBLIC OPINION POLLS SHOW THAT 88% OF AMERICANS THINK THAT PTSD KIDS PROGRAMMING HAS VALUE AND IS A SAFE AND TRUSTED PLACE FOR THEIR KIDS TO BE.

AND THAT PROGRAMMING IS MADE AVAILABLE FOR FREE TO 97% OF AMERICANS THAT RECEIVE AN OVER THE AIR SIGNAL THROUGH THEIR LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION STATION.

>> Jeff: WHEN THEY TOOK A POLL OF TRUSTED MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS FOR SOME REASON THE WEATHER CHANNEL COMES OUT WHO IS MORE WRONG THAN THE WEATHER ACHANNEL AND NUMBER TWO AND THREE ARE PTSD.

NPR IS A LITTLE BIT LOWER DOWN THE LIST.

DO YOU HAVE A WISH TO SEPARATE OUT THE CONVERSATION?

>> YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF TELEVISION STATIONS THAT ARE JOINT LICENSEES WHERE THEY OPERATE RADIO STATIONS AND WHAT WE WANT TO FOCUS ON IS THE LOCAL STATIONS ARE ABLE TO CONTROL THEIR PROGRAMMING, CONTROL THE CONTENT THEY CREATE THAT IF THEY WEREN'T THERE, NO ONE ELSE IN THE MEDIA LANDSCAPE WOULD BE CREATING.

WE'VE SEEN QUITE A BIT OF CONSOLIDATION AND HAVING TRULY LOCALLY CONTROLLED MEDIA ENTITIES IS SO IMPORTANT IN COMMUNITIES.

PARTICULARLY SMALLER COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

>> Jeff: PEOPLE MAY HAVE HEARD OF THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

WHERE DOES THAT FIT IN?

>> SURE.

THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING RECEIVES THE FEDERAL FUNDING AND THEN.

>> Jeff: ALL OF IT GOES TO CPB.

>> AND BASED ON A FORMULA SETUP IN STATUTE, THE CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING DISTRIBUTES THAT FUNDING THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND THAT IS WHERE IT SAYS IN LAW THAT 70% MORE THAN 70% OF THE FUNDING THAT GOES TO CPB GOES TO LOCAL STATIONS.

AND THEN THERE'S ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT STAYS AT CPB FOR SYSTEMS SUPPORT THINGS LIKE CYBERSECURITY, AND INTERCONNECTION FOR ALL THE STATIONS THERE IS A MUSIC LICENSING.

THINGS WITH A GREAT ECONOMY OF SCALE AND EFFICIENCY FOR CPB TO DO ON BEHALF ALL OF THE STATIONS.

>> Jeff: A POLL HAS BEEN ASKING PEOPLE ABOUT TRUST IN THE MEDIA OVERALL, NOT PARTICULAR MEDIA OUTLET BUT DO YOU TRUST THE MEDIA FOR 50 YEARS.

AND THE RESULTS ARE A STRAIGHT LINE DOWN.

COULD COMPLETELY THE WRONG DIRECTION.

IN THE ENVIRONMENT THAT WE HAVE TODAY WITH A REALLY FRAGMENTED POLARIZED MEDIA LANDSCAPE, DOES THAT WORK FOR YOUR CASE OR AGAINST IT, MAYBE?

>> I THINK IN REALITY IT WORKS FOR US BECAUSE THERE IS A NEED FOR THIS TRUSTED LOCAL ORGANIZATION TO CONTINUE IN THESE COMMUNITIES.

BUT WE HAVE FOUND IS THAT THERE IS A STRONG POSITIVE RESPONSE TO LOCAL PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS AND TO PBS AS A WHOLE.

FOR THE 22nd YEAR PUBLIC TELEVISION WAS RANKED THE SECOND MOST TRUSTED INSTITUTION IN THE COUNTRY BEHIND NATIONAL DEFENSE.

AND THAT IS SOMETHING WE TAKE SERIOUSLY.

>> Jeff: YOU HAVE BEEN WITH APTS FOR A WHILE AS THE C.E.O.

FOR JUST A YEAR, BUT IN THESE CONVERSATIONS, AND THESE PREVIOUS NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING, WHAT DO YOU TAKEAWAY FROM THOSE?

WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED?

>> WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED OVER THE YEARS AND I'VE BEEN WITH APTS FOR 15 YEARS, THE MORE PEOPLE KNOW AND UNDERSTAND ABOUT WHAT THEIR LOCAL PUBLIC STATION IS DOING IN THEIR COMMUNITY, THE MORE LIKELY THEY ARE TO BE SUPPORTIVE.

WHEN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS HEAR HOW PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS HELP SUPPORT THE EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM AND THE WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERTS THAT GOES TO PEOPLE'S PHONES THERE IS A RECOGNITION THERE IS A REAL PUBLIC SERVICE MISSION AT PLAY HERE AND THAT IT IS WORTHY OF SUPPORTING.

>> Jeff: MARYLAND'S TWO U.S.

SENATORS I IMAGINE ARE NO VOTES ON THE RESCISSION PROPOSAL.

BUT PEOPLE WATCHING US IN NEARBY STATES, DELAWARE, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, PENNSYLVANIA ANYBODY IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE CALL THEIR U.S.

SENATOR?

>> WELL, WE WOULD LOVE EVERY U.S.

SENATOR TO HEAR FROM THEIR CONSTITUENTS ABOUT WHETHER YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T TAKE ANYONE FOR GRANTED AND WE THINK IN A CLOSELY DIVIDED CONGRESS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ALL AMERICANS TO STAND UP AND TELL CONGRESS ABOUT WHAT ISSUES THEY CARE ABOUT.

AND WHAT THEY WANT TO SEE CONTINUE AND THIS TYPE OF INVESTMENT WHICH AMOUNTS TO A DOLLAR 60 PER YEAR PER AMERICAN.

A LIMITED INVESTMENT PAYS HUGE DIVIDENDS AND PROVIDES GREAT RETURNS TO COMMUNITIES ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, ESPECIALLY THOSE IN THE RURAL AREAS WHERE THERE ARE FEWER BROADCASTERS AND FEWER MEDIA PLATFORMS AVAILABLE.

>> Jeff: YEAH, I THINK I POINTED OUT THAT NPR POLLS LOWER THAN PBS, BUT IT IS A THING NOTORIOUSLY WHEN PEOPLE ARE ASKED ABOUT CONGRESS PEOPLE ARE NEGATIVE BUT THEY TEND TO LIKE THEIR LOCAL MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

MAYBE IT IS THE SAME WAY IN PUBLIC MEDIA.

I HAPPEN TO KNOWS EVERYBODY ON THE AIR REPORTS FOR THE LOCAL NPR STATION AND THEY ARE TERRIFIC DOWN THE MIDDLE EXPERIENCED JOURNALISTS BUT THERE IS A PERCEPTION LIKE A WEDGE ISSUE IN POLITICS WHERE AMONG CONSERVATIVES OR REPUBLICANS, THEY WANT TO SEE IT DEFUNDED STRONGLY WANT TO SEE IT DEFUNDED.

>> YOU KNOW WE HAVE HEARD THAT FROM SOME SENATORS BEFORE WHO WILL SAY I LOVE MY LOCAL STATION, BUT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT PBS OR NPR.

AND WE TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO HELP EVERYONE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS FUNDING DOES GO TO YOUR LOCAL STATION ALMOST ENTIRELY.

THE SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY.

AND WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ENSURE THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE LOCALLY IMPORTANT AND THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES DEPEND ON CAN CONTINUE.

WITHOUT THE FEDERAL FUNDING, SERVICE IN THE MORE RURAL PARTS OF OUR COUNTRY IS SEVERELY ENDANGERED.

WE HAVE 30 PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT RELY ON FEDERAL FUNDING FOR 30% OF THEIR BUDGET AND THOSE STATIONS ARE AT RISK.

>> Jeff: KATE RILEY THE C.E.O.

OF AMERICAN'S PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS THANK YOU FOR THE VISIT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> Jeff: AARP IS OUT WITH THE LIST OF 99 WAYS TO SAVE.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH EDITOR DAVID BRINDLEY.

>> DAVID, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR ABSOLUTE FAVORITE MONEY SAVING IDEA THIS YEAR?

>> WELL, IT'S HARD TO CHOOSE FROM 99.

BUT MY FAVORITE ONE IS HAS TO DO WITH CELLPHONES.

RATHER THAN IF YOUR BATTERY IS GOING KAPUT, RATHER THAN BUYING A NEW CELLPHONE WHICH CAN COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS IF YOU REPLACE YOUR BATTERY, KEEP THE CELLPHONE, THAT WILL GIVE EXTEND THE LIFE OF THE CELLPHONE.

AND YOU SAVE MONEY.

>> Jeff: I AM THERE.

I AM ROCKING THE UP-TO-DATE IPHONE 13 AT THIS POINT.

AND YOU KNOW THERE IS AN APP WHERE YOU CAN SEE HOW YOUR BATTERY IS DETERIORATED.

DOWN TO 80%.

BUT I'M NOT QUITE AT THE POINT TO SPEND, I DON'T KNOW, $80, $90 TO UPDATE IT.

INTERESTING DECISION POINT.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

YEAH.

I'VE REPLACED MINE I HAVE THE iPHONE 11 AND I REPLACED MINE LAST YEAR.

>> YOU ARE AHEAD OF ME FOR FRUGALITY.

LOOKING AT THE LIST OF 99 IDEAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT JUMPED OUT WAS THE IDEA THAT TODAY'S STATE-OF-THE-ART CELLPHONE HAS WAY MORE PROCESSING POWER THAN YOU'RE EVER GOING TO NEED.

LAST YEAR'S MODEL WOULD BE FINE.

>> THAT'S ABSOLUTELY THE CASE.

AND LAST YEAR'S MODEL IS CHEAPER THAN THE NEW MODELS THAT WILL COME OUT THIS FALL.

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO SACRIFICE A LITTLE BIT OF THAT PROCESSING POWER YOU CAN SAVE PROBABLY HUNDREDS OF BUCKS.

>> Jeff: YOU ALSO RECOMMEND TAKING A LOOK AT THE OFF BRAND CELLPHONE NETWORKS.

WHICH ARE ACTUALLY RUNNING ON THE CELLPHONE NETWORKS OF THE THREE MAJOR COMPANIES FOR THE MOST PART.

ARE THEY NOT?

>> YES, THEY ARE.

AND YOU CAN ACTUALLY TRY TO GET A TRIAL RUN IF YOU ARE NOT FEELING COMFORTABLE ABOUT DOING ONE OF THE OFF ONES THEY CAN GIVE YOU A TRIAL RUN TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COVERAGE IN YOUR AREA IS SUFFICIENT.

BUT IT IS A GREAT WAY TO SAVE MONEY.

>> Jeff: LET'S GO TO THE GROCERY STORE.

EVERYBODY GOES TO THE GROCERY STORE.

HOW DO WE SAVE MONEY BUYING GROCERIES?

>> HERE IS A TIP THAT I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT I LEARNED DOING THIS COVER STORY.

SO A LOT OF GROCERY STORES PUTTED THE PRICE HERE ITEMS RIGHT AT EYE LEVEL.

IF YOU LOOK UP AND LOOK BELOW YOU CAN OFTEN FIND CHEAPER PRODUCTS.

AND ANOTHER WAY TO SAVE AT THE GROCERY STORE IS TO USE A SELF CHECK OUT LANE.

THAT WAY YOU CAN AVOID THOSE LAST-MINUTE IMPULSE BUYS WHILE YOU ARE WAITING FOR THE CASHIER.

AND WHILE YOU ARE SCANNING YOUR ITEMS IF SOMETHING COSTS MORE THAN I EXPECTED YOU CAN PUT THAT ASIDE AND SAVE MONEY IMMEDIATELY.

>> Jeff: I'M GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE CLOSER NOTE OF MY NEXT TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE ABOUT WHAT IS AT EYE LEVEL.

I BELIEVE THE MANUFACTURERS PAY FOR PROMINENT SHELF LOCATIONS, I'VE HEARD THAT.

>> I'VE HEARD THAT AS WELL, YEAH.

>> Jeff: THE BIG BRAND NAME IS RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU AND YOU LOOK HIGHER OR LOWER THERE MIGHT BE A BETTER DEAL, THAT IS THE IDEA?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

EASY WAY AND YOU KNOW, YOU CAN ALWAYS GO FOR THAT PRICIER ONE IF THAT IS THE BRAND YOU LIKE BUT IT'S GREAT TO HAVE OPTIONS.

>> Jeff: HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT STORE BRANDS?

I KNOW YOU ARE IN THE WASHINGTON METRO AREA AND WE HAVE THE GIANT FOOD CHAIN AROUND HERE.

I'M A HUGE FAN OF THEIR BOXES OF STORE BRAND RAISINS.

LIKE 100 CALORIES YOU GET SIX FOR $2.

IT'S A LOT CHEAPER, SMALL SAVINGS BUT COMPARED TO THE FAMOUS NATIONAL BRAND, IT IS A GOOD DEAL.

SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE IN MY PANTRY?

>> THAT IS IN FACT ONE OF OUR TIPS IS TO LOOK AT THE STORE BRANDS AND TO CONSIDER BUYING THOSE.

BECAUSE OFTEN THEY ARE JUST AS GOOD QUALITY AND YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY OVER THE COURSE OF AN ENTIRE YEAR.

>> Jeff: NOW AT THE SAME TIME I AM A FAN OF CHEERIOS AND I HAVE NOT BEEN FRUGAL TO THE POINT OF TRYING THE STORE BRAND CHEERFUL OATS OR WHATEVER THEY CALL IT.

>> THAT A CHOICE.

YOU SPEND MORE ON CHEERIOS AND SAVE ON RAISINS AND EVERYONE WINS.

>> Jeff: THE ARTICLE TALKS ABOUT DIGITAL COUPONS AND I HAVE NOT DONE THAT YET.

I WILL TYPE MY PHONE NUMBER INTO THE MACHINE BECAUSE THAT'S YOU SAVE A FEW BUCKS EVERY TRIP.

DIGITAL COUPONS SEEMS LIKE AT THIS POINT LIKE A BRIDGE TOO FAR I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THAT EXTRA STEP.

DO YOU THINK IT'S WORTH IT?

>> I PERSONALLY FIND IT REALLY USEFUL.

WHEN I GO TO MY PHARMACY I WILL CHECK I HAVE THE APP ON MY PHONE, I WILL CHECK TO SEE WHAT IS ON SALE THAT WEEK IF THERE IS SOMETHING I'M PLANNING TO BUY ANYWAY I WILL CHECK THAT COUPON AND IT SENDS IT TO MY CARD AND IT'S AUTOMATICALLY DEDUCTED FROM THE OVERALL TOTAL.

I THINK IT IS A GREAT WAY.

>> Jeff: LET'S TURN TO TRAVEL.

TRAVEL IS NOT CHEAP RIGHT NOW.

WHAT ARE YOUR BEST IDEAS FOR SAVING MONEY ON TRIPS?

>> WELL, IF YOU WANT TO SAVE MONEY, THE KEY TO SAVE MONEY ON TRAVEL THE KEY IS FLEXIBILITY.

SO RATHER THAN GOING AT PEAK HOURS IF YOU ARE WILLING TO TAKE A PLANE EARLY IN THE MORNING OR A TRAIN LATER AT NIGHT, YOU CAN OFTEN GET A MUCH BETTER DEAL ON THE FARE.

PLUS IF YOUR FLIGHT IS OVERBOOKED AND YOU HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY GO AHEAD AND VOLUNTEER FOR AT THAT TIME NEXT FLIGHT.

YOU WILL OFTEN GET A GREAT VOUCHER FROM THE AIRLINE SAY UP TO $1,000 PER PERSON THAT YOU CAN USE ON A LATER TRIP AND YOU CAN ASK FOR FREE UPGRADES LIKE TRY TO FLY FIRST CLASS.

>> Jeff: HOW FAR DO YOU TAKE THE IDEA OF TRAVELING OFF PEAK?

EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO THE MOST POPULAR PLACE AT THE MOST POPULAR TIME.

NOBODY WANTS TO GO TO ALASKA IN JANUARY.

ARE YOU SAYING GO TO ALASKA AND SEE THE SIGHTS IN JANUARY BECAUSE IT'S DARK ALL THE TIME?

>> NO, THAT DOES AMAKE SENSE.

I'M SAYING RATHER THAN LOOKING AT ONLY FLIGHTS DURING PEAK TIMES DURING A PARTICULAR DAY, CONSIDER GOING EARLIER IN THE MORNING OR LATER AT NIGHT AND CONSIDER TAKING RATHER THAN A DIRECT FLIGHT WHICH CAN BE COSTLY, YOU KNOW, ADD ONE STOP AND YOU WILL LIKELY SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ON THAT PLANE RESERVATION.

>> Jeff: OFF PEAK IS TRUE ON AMTRAK IF YOU DON'T MIND WEIRD HOURS.

ONE THING RELATED TO TRAVEL, ON YOUR 99 IDEA LIST, WAS TO MAKE USE OF YOUR CREDIT CARD POINTS OR MILES OR WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLED, BECAUSE THEY ARE A WASTING ASSET THEY MAYBE DECLINING IN VALUE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

I RECALL I THINK WE SAY THAT UP TO 25% OF PEOPLE DIDN'T USE ANY OF THEIR POINTS LAST YEAR.

AND SO WE RECOMMEND GO AHEAD AND USING THOSE BEFORE THEY DECLINE IN VALUE.

WE TAKE THE APPROACH EARN AND BURN.

>> Jeff: WHAT OTHER EVERYDAY DECISIONS THAT PEOPLE MAKE ARE COSTING THEM MONEY MAYBE WASTING A LITTLE BIT OF MONEY?

>> SURE.

WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRICITY, THIS MAYBE SURPRISING.

BUT SOME APPLIANCES WHEN LEFT PLUGGED IN, ARE STILL DRAINING ELECTRICITY FROM THE GRID.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR TELEVISION OR YOUR COMPUTER.

WE RECOMMEND UNPLUGGING THOSE OR BETTER PUT THEM ON A SURGE PROTECTER AND TURN THE SURGE PROTECTER OFF WHEN YOU ARE NOT USING THEM YOU CAN SAVE UP TO 10% ON YOUR ELECTRICITY.

>> Jeff: I CAN SEE THAT.

THE CABLE BOX IS RUNNING, THE TV IS DOING STUFF.

I WONDER ABOUT BATTERY CHARGERS.

I'VE HEARD THAT ABOUT THE LITTLE CUBE THING THAT YOU PLUG IN TO CHARGE YOUR CELLPHONE THAT CAN'T BE DRAWING THAT MUCH POWER?

>> IT CAN'T.

BUT I DON'T THINK IT DOES THAT MUCH.

BUT IT DOESN'T HURT TO UNPLUG IT AS A FIRE STATE.

SAFETY.

>> >> Jeff: LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BIG BILLS PEOPLE PAY THE MORTGAGE WHAT CAN PEOPLE BE DOING TO SAVE ON THAT.

>> HERE IS A GREAT WAY TO MAKE YOUR MONEY SMART WAY TO MAKE YOUR MONEY WORK HARDER FOR YOU.

PAY HALF YOUR MONTHLY MORTGAGE EVERY TWO WEEKS.

BY THE END OF THE YEAR, YOU WILL HAVE MADE AN ADDITIONAL MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENT AND THAT EXTRA PAYMENT GOES DIRECTLY TO YOUR PRINCE GEORGE'S AND CUTS DOWN ON -- PRINCIPAL AND CUTS DOWN ON THE AMOUNT OF INTEREST YOU HAVE TO PAY AND ALSO PAY THE LOAN OFF FASTER.

>> Jeff: YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES WHO PUT THIS LIST TOGETHER LIKE CASH.

I BELIEVE IN CASH.

BUT KIDS TODAY HAVE NO USE FOR CASH.

WHY DO YOU LIKE CASH?

SY.

WELL, STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THAT PEOPLE PAY REGULARLY WITH CASH SPEND LESS MONEY.

MAYBE THAT IS BECAUSE YOU'RE MORE HESITANT TO PLUNK DOWN $20 BILLS.

ANOTHER WAY TO SAVE IS SMALL BUSINESSES ARE PASSING ON THE CREDIT CARD FEES THAT THEY ARE GETTING TO THEIR CUSTOMERS.

BUT IF YOU PAY CASH, YOU WON'T HAVE TO PAY THOSE CREDIT FEES AT ALL.

>> Jeff: NO BETTER EXAMPLE THAN THE GAS STATION.

THEY PUT IT ON THE SIGN OUT FRONT THERE IS A CREDIT PRICE AND A CASH PRICE.

>> EXACTLY.

YES.

>> Jeff: SPEAKING OF DRIVING, WHEN IT COMES TO AUTO INSURANCE ANOTHER BIG BILL, YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF ALLOWING THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO INSTALL OR HAVING A MECHANISM FOR THEM TO MONITOR YOUR DRIVING.

I MEAN I AM A LITTLE BIT FRUGAL BUT I HAVE NOT DONE THAT ONE I'M NOT SURE I LIKE THE IDEA THAT THE STATE FARM GUY IS GOING TO BE SITTING IN THE CAR WITH ME ALL THE TIME.

>> RIGHT.

WELL, THAT IS A MECHANISM THEY INSTALL AND THEY CAN MONITOR YOUR DRIVING AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT SPEEDING AND NOT RUNNING RED LIGHTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT WHICH MOST PEOPLE DON'T DO.

SO IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH HAVING A LITTLE BIT OF A BIG BROTHER WATCHING YOUR EVERY MOVE YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY ON YOUR CAR INSURANCE.

>> Jeff: YEAH, AND A SIMILAR DECISION POINT TO PEOPLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE BROWSER EXTENSIONS COMPARISON SHOPPINGS OF SERVICES THAT WANT YOU TO INSTALL THIS ADD-ON TO WHATEVER BROWSER YOU USE AND I GUESS, THE WAY IT WORKS IF YOU ARE SHOPPING FOR SOMETHING ON AMAZON OR ANOTHER SITE IN THE BACKGROUND IT'S LOOKING FOR A BETTER DEAL, IS THAT ABOUT IT?

>> YES, THAT'S IT EXACTLY.

SOMETHING IF THEY FIND A BETTER DEAL THEY WILL POP THAT PRICE UP AND YOU CAN SAVE MONEY IMMEDIATELY.

YOU KNOW, BIG DATA IS EVERYWHERE ANYWAY THIS IS A LITTLE BIT MORE MONITORING WHAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY BUYING BUT YOU CAN SAVE OVER TIME.

>> Jeff: DAVID, WHERE CAN PEOPLE FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 99 WAYS TO SAVE?

>> WE HAVE ALL THOSE TIPS AND MORE AT AARP.ORG/99 WAYS TO SAVE.

>> Jeff: DAVID BRINDLEY WITH AARP.

SIR, WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME, APPRECIATE IT.

>> Jeff: THAT IS AARP.ORG/99 WAYS TO SAVE AND THAT IS "DIRECT CONNECTION" FOR THIS WEEK.

WE'RE BACK FRIDAY WITH "STATE CIRCLE" AND THE LATEST ON MARYLAND POLITICS WE WILL ALSO LEARN ABOUT THE LATEST DREDGE SURVEY OF CRABS IN THE BAY THE NUMBERS WERE CONCERNING WE'LL HAVE MORE INFORMATION ON THAT FRIDAY EVENING AT 7:00 P.M.

REMEMBER YOU CAN ALWAYS SEE PAST EDITIONS OF OUR PROGRAMS ON-LINE AT VIDEO.MPT.TV ALSO ON THE FREE PTSD APP.

NOW FOR ALL OF US AT MPT THANK YOU FOR WATCHING "DIRECT CONNECTION" AND HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

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