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My wife is a big fan of NPR, National Public Radio. I used to listen to it, too, but lately I’ve come to think of it as “noise pollution radio”. I’m often lost deep in thought — but when NPR is on, I can’t hear myself think. All I can hear is the maniacal laughter of the Car Talk guys, or Carl Kasell’s honeyed voice. Give me silence!

Nevertheless, NPR does offer fine personal finance stories from time-to-time. (And Marketplace is a great show.) Here are some recent NPR stories of interest:

  • All Things Considered: Resolving to retire with a nest egg — “When it comes to New Year’s resolutions, saving more money is a popular one — even if it’s seldom kept. Americans are not terribly good at squirreling away and investing part of their income for their golden years.”
  • The Bryant Park Project: Go ahead, learn to be rich — Ramit from I Will Teach You to Be Rich gives great interviews. “Getting started early is more important than being the smartest person in the room.” “You can spend money on the things you love, and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don’t.”
  • Tell Me More: Be financially fit in 2008 — “Money coach Alvin Hall gives advice on how to keep financial resolutions in 2008. Hall tells listeners how to recover from the holidays and keep their bank account intact.”
  • All Things Considered: Cardboard boxes as an economic indicator — Okay, I admit this one doesn’t have much to do with personal finance. But having worked at a box factory for 15 years, I agree: as goes the humble box, so goes the economy.

Speaking of personal finance information on audio, my own Get Rich Slowly podcast is still in planning stages. But my colleague NCN at No Credit Needed has been putting out his show for almost two years now. Check out the No Credit Needed podcast for NCN’s smooth Southern accent and lots of personal finance tips.

Update: My sister-in-law just called to let me know that tonight on Fresh Air, Terry Gross interviewed columnist Bob Sullivan, who writes about internet scams and consumer fraud at The Red Tape Chronicles (which is a great site):

Sullivan’s latest book is about the hidden fees found in many phone, cable, credit card and other bills. All told, he says, corporations are nickel-and-diming their customers to death — or at least to the tune of $1,000 or more a year.

Kris listened to the interview and said it’s great.