WSJ Your Money Briefing

Rising prices and interest rates are making it harder to afford buying a car. But many prospective buyers are financing through credit unions, which offer rates significantly lower than banks. WSJ banking reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen with the details.

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The U.S. labor market enters 2023 facing an unsettled economy and a jittery stock market. LaSalle Network staffing firm founder and CEO Tom Gimbel joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss business leaders’ hiring plans for the new year.

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While many people rush to pay down as much debt as they can, sometimes holding onto debt can help your overall financial picture. WSJ and Barron’s contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how people should approach good and bad debt.

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Some people struggling to pay down past debt might consider personal bankruptcy as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by Natalia Brown of National Debt Relief and the American Fair Credit Council to discuss how the process works and the major risks it poses to your credit profile.

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Many people choose to consolidate their debt and package it into one loan, often at a lower interest rate. NerdWallet personal-finance expert Sara Rathner joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how people qualify for consolidation and some risks to be aware of.

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Trying to wipe away large amounts of past debt is sometimes too big a task to handle alone. Money Management International CEO Jim Triggs joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how a credit counselor can help and how to spot scams by disreputable companies that overpromise.

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Trying to manage and pay down past debt can be intimidating, but there are some simple steps you can take to get the process started. Your Money Briefing’s week-long series on getting yourself out of debt kicks off with My Financial Planner founder Stephanie Genkin, who joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways of approaching the process while still paying your current bills and even setting aside some money for savings.

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Having too much debt can stand in the way of reaching important financial goals. This week, Your Money Briefing features a special series on ways you can manage your debt and eventually get yourself on solid financial footing. Host J.R. Whalen has a preview.

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As inflation continues to weigh on people’s finances, there are moves you can make now to streamline your expenses and put your portfolio in a stronger position in 2023. WSJ personal-finance reporter Imani Moise joins host J.R. Whalen with some suggestions. 

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The big, red bows we often see on cars during holiday season TV commercials might give some insight into December auto sales. WSJ personal finance reporter Joe Pinsker joins host J.R. Whalen with more. 

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Amid this year’s stock market volatility, stock picking is making a comeback as one way to see positive returns. WSJ markets reporter Hardika Singh joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how it works, and whether that success is expected to continue in 2023.

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Many prospective homebuyers have been priced out of the current housing market, but temporary buydowns offer steep but short-term savings on mortgage rates. WSJ housing reporter Nicole Friedman joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how temporary buydowns work and how buyers qualify for the program.

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The changing housing market and wavering economy have created more challenges for anyone interested in owning rental property. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the pros and cons of becoming a landlord and how to prepare for the expected (and unexpected) costs that can come with it.

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As severe weather systems and natural disasters become more frequent, utility companies are passing the cost of repairing their systems on to customers. And because of how those repairs are financed, customers could be on the hook for decades. WSJ’s Jennifer Hiller joins host J.R. Whalen with details.

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2022 has been a year of higher prices and rising interest rates aimed at tamping down inflation. This week, the Federal Reserve approved another interest-rate hike, and officials say rates will likely keep rising next year. But what does this mean for your finances? WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host Danny Lewis to discuss getting the most out of your money in 2023. 

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Instead of physical toys or cash, many children are asking for virtual currency to spend on items in their favorite videogam es. It might sound strange to parents, but can online currencies teach kids valuable financial skills? WSJ reporter Sarah E. Needleman joins host Danny Lewis to discuss the lessons (intended or not) that kids can learn from virtual currencies.

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For years, the Federal Trade Commission has tried to make it easier for identity-theft victims to file claims and fix their credit scores. But it may have inadvertently opened the door for fraudsters and unscrupulous credit-repair firms to file false identity-theft claims on behalf of unknowing consumers. WSJ reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host Danny Lewis to discuss what this kind of “credit washing” means for you. 

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Some workers who piled up thousands of dollars in their healthcare flexible-spending accounts during the pandemic are at risk of losing it at the end of this year. The Wall Street Journal's Matthew Riva joins host Daniella Cheslow with some unexpected ways to spend the money before it's gone. 

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With U.S. housing affordability at its lowest in decades, renters are staying in their properties longer, and now some are investing in wallpaper, doorknobs and even floor tiles to make their rentals more livable. WSJ personal economics reporter Imani Moise joins host Daniella Cheslow to explain why and how renters are spending like they own the place.

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Pooling money together is one reason why married couples have as much as four times the wealth as unmarried couples who live together. Personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host Daniella Cheslow to discuss why that is, and why more couples don’t do it.

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As pay-transparency laws become more common, many workers are openly discussing salaries in the office. And that can lead to some awkward surprises among employees who find out they are getting paid differently despite doing similar work. WSJ “Work & Life” columnist Rachel Feintzeig joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how workers can use open-pay revelations to ask their manager for a raise.

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Homeowners’ insurance rates have risen by nearly 10% since early last year. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen with some ways homeowners can potentially shave several percentage points off their monthly insurance costs.

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Big banks including JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo are drawing up plans to issue refunds to users of the Zelle peer-to-peer payment platform who were victimized by fraudsters. WSJ’s David Benoit joins host J.R. Whalen with details of the refund plan, and how users can protect themselves against scammers. 

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The rising cost of dinner and drinks is making dating an expensive activity for singles. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ reporter Rachel Wolfe to discuss how they are adjusting, and by 24-year-old Rachel Horowitz, who shares some awkward dating moments she’s had after money entered the picture.

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The effects of holding student loans on people’s personal finances can be measured against the financial outcomes of those who didn’t take them out in the first place. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ reporter Joe Pinsker to discuss what the data shows, and by Colorado resident Skyler McKinley, who graduated from college without taking on debt.

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A lawsuit challenging key provisions of the Affordable Care Act could result in millions losing access to no-cost preventive screenings. WSJ reporter Stephanie Armour joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss where the litigation stands and how it could affect people with emplo yer-provided health coverage.

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The deadline to file your tax return is still several months away, but there are steps you can take now to score tax breaks and stay ahead of some tax changes that are coming next year. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss.

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Retailers have been posting prices ending in “99” for decades, but what does it say about the value consumers are getting for their dollar? WSJ “Numbers” columnist Josh Zumbrun joins host J.R. Whalen with some surprising findings about retailers’ pricing strategies. 

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High inflation and rising interest rates might make it easy to overspend this holiday season. WSJ personal finance reporter Imani Moise joins host J.R. Whalen tips for easing the strain on your bank account.

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After a summer of chronic delays and passenger frustrations, the nation’s airports face a crucial test this holiday season. Travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson joins host J.R. Whalen with the WSJ’s rankings of the nation’s best and worst airports.

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Despite an unsettled economy and rising interest rates that have rattled Wall Street, investors continue to favor U.S. stocks over foreign equities. WSJ markets reporter Eric Wallerstein joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why, and what it means for your portfolio. 

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The Biden administration’s plan to cancel up to $20,000 in student loans is in limbo after a federal judge in Texas ruled it was unconstitutional. Now the issue is tied up in the courts, but scammers aren’t waiting for a final decision . WSJ personal finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host Daniella Cheslow to talk about how fraudsters are trying to cash in on the confusion, and how borrowers can avoid their schemes. 

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Republicans taking control of the House of Representatives this week means divided government for at least the next two years. WSJ personal-finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what that likely means for major legislation affecting your personal finances, and steps you can take to save money while Washington is divided.

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While most workers displaced by the pandemic have returned to the workforce, many in their early 20s have not. WSJ reporter Bryan Mena joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how this has puzzled economists and how these workers’ absence affects employers.

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Retailers have rolled out Black Friday deals early this year to attract shoppers returning to stores en masse for the first time in two years. WSJ reporter Suzanne Kapner joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss which retailers are discounting the most and how long the deals will last. 

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Last week’s collapse of the cryptocurrency exchange FTX deepened this year’s losses for many crypto investors. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how investors can turn their crypto losses into tax benefits, and how the IRS plans to crack down on people flouting tax laws.

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It takes a lot to earn status with airlines. Some rungs on the elite ladder require spending up to $250,000 on a carrier-branded credit card. Those rules were relaxed during the pandemic, but now they are tightening up again. WSJ travel reporter Jacob Passy joins host Daniella Cheslow to explain what’s new in elite status and how to plan for the changes.

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More colleges are accepting students through a process called “direct admission” that lets them skip many of the traditional application steps and even get a scholarship along the way. Sound too good to be true? Wall Street Journal higher-education reporter Melissa Korn joins WSJ Your Money Briefing host J.R. Whalen to discuss how it works and what students need to keep in mind.

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As cryptocurrency exchange Binance proposed and then pulled out of an acquisition of rival FTX, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies suffered sharp declines. WSJ reporter Vicky Ge Huang joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how these exchanges function and why Binance’s action triggered a crypto selloff. 

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Inflation has made getting a divorce a lot more expensive. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the rising costs and how some former couples are finding ways to rein in expenses.

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More employers are including salary ranges in job postings as states and cities pass pay-transparency laws. But some posted salary ranges are so wide, they can leave applicants with more questions than answers. WSJ reporter Theo Francis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss.

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Fidelity, the nation’s largest 401(k) plan provider, has begun offering bitcoin in its investment menus. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what people should consider before investing in crypto, and how their employers are approaching the investment option.

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FSA enrollees have been able to carry over their balances for the past several years. But many will have to spend that money by Dec. 31 or risk forfeiting the funds. WSJ personal-finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host J.R. Whalen with more.

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A recent Gallup survey indicated more than 40% of Americans do not have any money invested in stocks. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ personal-finance reporter Joe Pinsker who discusses the trend, and by Florida resident Arlene LaHera who has never had money invested in the market.

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Many people still decades from retirement age have discovered they can join AARP and reap the financial benefits. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why people in their 20s and 30s are signing up for an organization geared towards their grandparents. 

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The tech-focused Nasdaq Composite Index’s value has dropped this year by about $8 trillion. WSJ markets reporter Hannah Miao joins host J.R. Whalen to explain the correlation between rising interest rates and tech stocks’ declining values, and whether analysts see a recovery on the horizon.

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Leisure airfares were up more than 40% in September from a year ago, and fares on budget carriers are rising as well. WSJ “Carry On” travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson joins host J.R. Whalen with ways travelers can save on airfares and those annoying fees.

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Mortgage rates topped 7% for the first time in 20 years this week, and home prices remain near the high levels they hit last year. But some people see the current market as providing the perfect opportunity to buy a house. WSJ reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the new math for prospective home buyers.

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A recent survey of hundreds of employers shows that many plan to hire more college graduates next spring than they did this year. WSJ reporter Lindsay Ellis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what kinds of companies are planning to ramp up hiring and how college grads can prepare.

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While many banks offer interest rates around 2% for standard certificates of deposit, or CDs, they offer substantially higher rates on “brokered CDs.” Wall Street Journal reporter Rachel Louise Ensign joins WSJ Your Money Briefing host J.R. Whalen to discuss how consumers can buy them.

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