WSJ Your Money Briefing

Why You Should Consider Having Both a 401(k) and an IRA Jun 06, 2023

Having both a 401(k) and an IRA can boost your annual retirement contributions by 30%. WSJ contributor Michael Pollock joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what savers should know about each type of account.

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Student-Loan Repayment Freeze Is Ending. Are Your Finances Ready? Jun 05, 2023

After a three-year pause, federal student-loan borrowers are scheduled to resume making monthly payments starting August 30th. WSJ reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen with steps borrowers can take to lessen the impact on their finances.

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Inheriting the Family House? Consider These Financial Questions Jun 02, 2023

The family home is one of the most expensive assets parents pass down to their children when they die. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss financial and emotional questions adult children should consider.

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‘Baby Bonds’ Could Help End Poverty in America Jun 01, 2023

A program under consideration by several states would pay thousands of dollars into trust accounts for children to help close the widening wealth gap. WSJ reporter Brenda León joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how the program would work.

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How Retailers and Businesses Can Capitalize on the Hybrid Workforce May 31, 2023

As much as 40% of the nation’s workforce is splitting time between the office and working from home. WSJ contributor Alexandra Samuel joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how retailers could tailor their business models to engage hybrid workers.

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Pandemic Whiplash Is Causing Young Americans to Ignore Their Bills May 30, 2023

Many young Americans overwhelmed by financial stress brought on by the pandemic and inflation are avoiding their expenses. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ reporter Oyin Adedoyin and a 22-year-old man who struggled with his spending.

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Summer Vacation: How to Avoid Skyrocketing Costs May 26, 2023

Hotel prices and airfares up substantially compared to a year ago might cause some people to reconsider their summer vacation plans. WSJ travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the trade-offs some travelers are making .

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How Writing Paper Checks Can Expose You to Fraud and Theft May 25, 2023

Writing out paper checks raises the chances of being the target of fraud and theft. The WSJ personal-finance team’s Oyin Adedoyin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways to reduce those risks.

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How Paperwork Errors Cost Families Life-Insurance Payouts May 24, 2023

Hundreds of families who paid life-insurance premiums were denied millions of dollars in death benefits because of missteps by both their employer and their insurance company. WSJ reporter Leslie Scism joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how it happened.

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Why Companies Are Raising Prices Even as Consumer Confidence Wanes May 23, 2023

Amid moderating inflation and signs that the economy may be headed toward a recession, many companies continue to raise prices. WSJ’s Suzanne Kapner joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how consumers are responding.

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Why Health Savings Accounts Are Both Misunderstood and Underused May 22, 2023

The amount Americans can contribute to a health savings account will rise to the largest-ever increase on record next year. WSJ personal-finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what you should know about HSAs.

Correction: A Flexible Spending Account, a type of savings tool used by many employees, is often referred to as an FSA. An earlier version of this podcast incorrectly identified it as a Flexible Savings Account. (Corrected on May 22)

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Forget Florida. Many Retirees Are Settling Down in Alabama. May 19, 2023

The rising cost of living in Florida has caused many seniors to seek more affordable locations to spend their retirement years. WSJ contributor Cecilie Rohwedder joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why more Americans are choosing to live in Baldwin County, Alabama.

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More Wives Who Outearn Their Husbands, Now Less Likely to Divorce May 18, 2023

The share of marriage with women earning more than their husbands has tripled over the past 50 years. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what has changed and why those marriages are less likely to end in divorce.

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How to Get Insurers to Pay for Ozempic and Other Weight-Loss Drugs May 17, 2023

Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs can list at $900 or more per month. WSJ’s Anna Wilde Mathews joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how to get your health insurance plan to cover these prescriptions.

Correction: Anna Wilde Mathews is a reporter for The Wall Street Journal. A previous version of the show notes for this podcast incorrectly spelled her first name. (Corrected May 17)

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Some Buy Now, Pay Later Customers Are Facing Rejection May 16, 2023

Some users of Buy Now, Pay Later programs like Klarna and Affirm say they have faced unexpected denials or lower spending limits when they try to make purchases. WSJ personal-finance reporter Imani Moise joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why the companies are tightening credit standards.

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Social Security Payments Could Be Affected if U.S. Hits Debt Limit May 15, 2023

Concerns have risen about how Social Security payments, among other programs, would be affected if the U.S. reaches its debt ceiling and defaults on its loans. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what retirees can expect.

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Work-Life Balance: For Younger Workers, It’s Easier Said Than Done May 12, 2023

Many millennials and Gen Z workers say their jobs are important to their own sense of identity. WSJ “On the Clock” columnist Callum Borchers joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how they struggle to balance that with scheduling personal time.

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Traveling Internationally? How to Avoid Long Delays for a Passport May 11, 2023

Wait times for ordering a new passport are running as long as 13 weeks. WSJ travel reporter Allison Pohle joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways to expedite the process, and the costs involved.

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Want a Good Job by Age 30? Take These Steps in Your 20s. May 10, 2023

Having a good job by age 30 can unlock the path to a successful career. WSJ workplace reporter Lindsay Ellis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss research that examined choices people in their 20s made and how it affected their career by age 30.

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