Congress, IRS Prepare for Second Stimulus Payment
U.S. lawmakers are finalizing plans for a new coronavirus relief package that is expected to include a second stimulus payment for U.S. households, and the IRS is working to ensure the money is distributed more smoothly this time around. Tax policy reporter Richard Rubin discusses the latest developments in Washington. Charlie Turner hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...
9m Jul 24, 2020
9m
Small Businesses Prepare for Extended Downturn
With government aid running out and coronavirus cases rising, many small businesses are being forced to lay off workers and close their doors, just months after re-opening them. Reporter Ruth Simon explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jul 23, 2020
8m
Coronavirus Relief: Why a Payroll Tax Cut Is Unpopular in Congress
A payroll tax cut in the proposed $1 trillion coronavirus relief package is receiving limited support from Congress, even though it is strongly favored by the White House. Tax reporter Richard Rubin explains why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jul 22, 2020
6m
Pandemic Upends the Risk Factor in Some Stocks
Since the start of the pandemic, many stocks seen as safe have become more volatile while riskier stocks have become havens for investors. Markets reporter Karen Langley explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jul 21, 2020
6m
$600 Federal Unemployment Benefits Expire Next Week
Congress continues to debate an extension of the $600 boost to unemployment benefits, which expires at the end of the month. Reporter Eric Morath gives an update on where the talks stand. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jul 20, 2020
7m
Mortgage Rates Fall to Another Record Low
The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage fell to a record-low 2.98% this week. Reporter Orla McCaffrey explains how long they're likely to remain low and why some consumers aren't able to capitalize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jul 17, 2020
6m
Where's My Refund? IRS Still Processing Backlogged Returns.
Millions of taxpayers haven't received their tax refund yet-even those who filed earlier in the year. Tax reporter Laura Saunders explains what's behind the delay, and what taxpayers can do to track down their money. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jul 16, 2020
7m
Automatic 401(k) Transfers Would Boost Workers' Savings
More companies are expected to offer automatic 401(k) services, which allow workers to more easily transfer retirement savings to a new job and reduce the temptation to cash out. Retirement reporter Anne Tergesen explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jul 15, 2020
9m
Billions in Stimulus Money Available for Low-Income Families
Millions of low- and moderate-income Americans could be missing out on stimulus payments and other government benefits. Code for America's Annelise Grimm discusses a website designed to connect people with tax experts to help them gain access to such funds. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jul 14, 2020
11m
Tax Day is July 15: What if You Need More Time?
People suffering financial hardship as a result of the pandemic may not have funds to pay taxes they owe this year. Tax reporter Laura Saunders has tips for avoiding severe penalties, even if you can't pay. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jul 13, 2020
9m
Which Jobs Are Recovering the Fastest?
A decade's worth of employment gains were wiped out by the rapid spread of the pandemic. Reporter Eric Morath discusses which sectors and demographic groups were hit the hardest, and which are enjoying the quickest recovery. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jul 10, 2020
7m
Payday Loans Get a Bit Easier to Obtain
The Trump administration's rollback of limits on payday lenders is being welcomed by banks but decried by consumer advocates. Reporter Yuka Hayashi discusses the change and what it could mean for the payday-lending industry. Charlie Turner hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jul 09, 2020
7m
New Rules, Later Deadline for Small-Business Loan Program
Congress has extended the deadline to Aug. 8 for small businesses hit by the pandemic to apply for forgivable loans. Our Peter Rudegeair talks about the latest changes to the Paycheck Protection Program. Charlie Turner hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jul 08, 2020
8m
States Tackle Retirement-Savings Gap
Millions of workers in the U.S. don't have a plan to set aside money for retirement, but some states are trying to fix that. WSJ contributor Bailey McCann discusses the different approaches states are taking. Charlie Turner hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jul 07, 2020
10m
Streaming TV Services Aren't Such a Bargain Anymore
Consumers who cut the cable-TV cord for cheaper services offering TV over the internet are facing costs not far below traditional pay-TV packages. Reporter Drew FitzGerald explains why. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jul 06, 2020
7m
Want to Get a Lower College Tuition? Try Asking.
Colleges and universities are increasingly willing to negotiate discounts for tuition and room-and-board expenses in hopes of getting maximum payment from a student without driving them away to a rival campus. Reporter Josh Mitchell explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jul 02, 2020
11m
After Strong Quarter, Where Is Wall Street Headed Next?
U.S. stock markets rebounded in the second quarter, and Federated Hermes International CEO Saker Nusseibeh looks ahead to the next three months. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jul 01, 2020
11m
Ahead of Small Business Loan Deadline, $134 Billion Remains
On the last day that small businesses can apply for rescue funds under the Paycheck Protection Program, reporter Yuka Hayashi explains why some are passing it up, and where the leftover money could be spent. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jun 30, 2020
6m
Credit 'Blind Spot' Can Affect Consumers' Ability to Borrow
Lenders are having a difficult time determining consumers' risk profiles because missed payments allowed under the government's stimulus package aren't factored into credit scores. Reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jun 29, 2020
10m
Is Your Tax Refund Late? IRS Will Pay You Interest.
Taxpayers who have a refund due from the IRS this year will also receive a separate interest payment. Wall Street Journal tax reporter Richard Rubin explains why. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 26, 2020
8m
Private Equity Could Be Coming to Your 401(k) Program
The Labor Department recently gave the green light for private-equity funds to be included as 401(k) investment options. Reporter Anne Tergesen explains the risks and how likely 401(k) administrators are to add them to retirement plans. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 25, 2020
8m
Should You Cancel Your Travel Credit Cards During the Pandemic?
Travel credit cards have tweaked their rewards to better serve consumers who have put travel on hold during the pandemic. "Middle Seat" columnist Scott McCartney discusses cardholders' options, including whether they should consider switching credit cards. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 24, 2020
8m
Job Interviews From Your Car: Recruiters Hold Curbside Meetings
To strike a balance between meeting job candidates face-to-face and the need for social distancing, some recruiters are holding job interviews as candidates sit in their car. Reporter James Areddy discusses the challenges of staffing up during a pandemic. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jun 23, 2020
10m
Credit Card Use Deepens Divide Between Consumer Groups
Small businesses and lower-income consumers often feel more financial pain as people move away from cash when making purchases. Reporter Harriet Torry explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 22, 2020
8m
Deferred Loan Payments: When Will Lenders Say 'Pay Up'?
Americans have skipped payments on more than 100 million student loans, auto loans and other forms of debt since the coronavirus hit the U.S. Reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis discusses how long lenders are likely to allow missed payments by borrowers. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 19, 2020
9m
Salary History Ban Benefits Women, African-Americans
A new study on laws banning employers from asking job applicants about their salary history shows outsize benefits for African-Americans and women. Reporter Amara Omeokwe explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 18, 2020
8m
SBA Sued Over Rule Excluding Felons From Loan Program
Civil-rights groups sued the Small Business Administration over a rule that excludes business owners with felony convictions from accessing Paycheck Protection Program funds. Reporter Yuka Hayashi explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5m Jun 17, 2020
5m
Vanguard Aims to Attract Younger Investors With New Robo Service
Vanguard Group, which administers more than 1,500 401(k) plans, will roll out a new automated investment service geared toward younger investors in need of financial assistance. Wall Street Journal retirement reporter Anne Tergesen reports. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 16, 2020
7m
Rush of Refund Requests Slows Cash Flow to Consumers
As more people request refunds for things purchased before the pandemic, payment processors are forced to curb the flow of money to businesses and in turn to customers. Reporter Peter Rudegeair explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 15, 2020
8m
Unemployment Benefits Feature in Debate Over New Stimulus Bill
As Congress debates a new stimulus package, high on the list of considerations is whether to reduce unemployment benefits to incentivize people to return to work. Wall Street Journal reporter Kate Davidson explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 12, 2020
9m
Time Is Running Out to Use Gift Cards From Bankrupt Companies
Consumers holding gift cards from retailers that have declared bankruptcy during the pandemic may have limited time to use them. Wall Street Journal reporter Aisha Al-Muslim explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 11, 2020
9m
U.S. Savings Rate Hits New Record-But Will It Last?
An influx of cash from government stimulus checks and sweetened unemployment benefits helped push the U.S. savings rate to a record 33% in April. Wall Street Journal reporter Julia Carpenter and financial psychologist Ted Klontz discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jun 10, 2020
6m
Delaying Loan Payments? Watch Your Credit Score.
As millions of Americans take advantage of a feature in the Cares Act allowing them to delay mortgage and other loan payments, the likelihood of errors by lenders has increased. Wall Street Journal reporter Anne Tergesen explains how consumers can prevent errors from harming their credit score. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jun 09, 2020
6m
IRS Facing Backlog of Taxpayer Correspondence
About a month before the July 15th tax filing deadline, many IRS offices are still closed due to the pandemic and the agency is facing a backlog of millions of pieces of taxpayer correspondence. Wall Street Journal tax reporter Richard Rubin explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 08, 2020
7m
Should You Withdraw From Your 401(k) During the Economic Crisis?
Wall Street Journal retirement reporter Anne Tergesen examines the pros and cons of dipping into your retirement savings early to cover expenses during an economic crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 05, 2020
9m
Unemployment Fraud Rises as Claims Hit Record Levels
State across the country are dealing with a dramatic rise in fraudulent unemployment claims. Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Chaney explains how fraudsters are infiltrating the system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jun 04, 2020
6m
Banned "Payday" Loan Ads Still Turning Up Online
A Wall Street Journal investigation shows that ads for high-interest "payday" loans are still showing up in online search results, despite being banned several years ago by some of the big tech companies. Reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis explains why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jun 03, 2020
10m
Making the PPP Loan Process Easier for Minority-Owned Businesses
Wall Street Journal reporter Amara Omeokwe explains how policy makers are working to ensure that rescue funds in the Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program reach small businesses in underserved areas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 02, 2020
7m
Relocated Out-of-State During the Pandemic? You May Owe State Tax
Dislocated workers who set up their workstations to out-of-state locations during the pandemic may face additional state tax liabilities. Wall Street Journal tax reporter Laura Saunders explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 01, 2020
7m
Credit-Card Fraud on the Rise During the Pandemic
Credit-card fraudsters are fine-tuning their efforts to steal from consumers during the pandemic. Wall Street Journal reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis has tips on how to protect your accounts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m May 29, 2020
8m
College Students Caught Off Guard by Scholarship Tax
College students lucky enough to receive scholarships often discover too late that taxes could be levied on scholarship money, depending on how it is used. Wall Street Journal reporter Francesca Fontana explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m May 28, 2020
9m
Saving Money During Coronavirus: Some Not-So-Obvious Tips
More than two dozen financial experts offered tips on how Americans can boost their emergency savings. The Wall Street Journal's Cristina Lourosa discusses some of their ideas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m May 27, 2020
7m
How To Help Your Parents With Finances in a Pandemic
Helping your parents with their finances can be especially challenging during a pandemic, with elderly people separated from their families. Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Veronica Dagher says children need to know how to help out their parents with documents and paying the bills .. and how to bring up the subject in the first place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...
9m May 26, 2020
9m
What to Expect for Summer Gas Prices
Gas prices fell for seven consecutive weeks during the pandemic, but they're steadily rising as the oil sector recovers. Wall Street Journal reporter Amrith Ramkumar discusses what drivers can expect at the pump this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m May 22, 2020
7m
Finding a Job During the Pandemic: FAQs Answered
A new section of WSJ.com answers key job-seeking questions for people laid off during the coronavirus pandemic and those entering the workforce for the first time. The Wall Street Journal's Ebony Reed explains. Visit the microsite at wsj.com/questions/jobs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m May 21, 2020
8m
U.S. Citizens With Undocumented Spouses Miss Out on Stimulus Payments
Wall Street Journal reporter Kristina Peterson explains the battle brewing in Congress over whether U.S. citizens married to undocumented immigrants should receive stimulus checks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m May 20, 2020
6m
Will There Be a Second Round of Stimulus Payments?
The $3 trillion stimulus package passed by the Democratic-led House last week faces long odds in the GOP-controlled Senate. But a second round of direct payments to Americans isn't off the table. Wall Street Journal tax reporter Richard Rubin explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m May 19, 2020
6m
New Rules Streamline Bankruptcy Process for Small Businesses
Changes to bankruptcy rules have reduced the paperwork costs for businesses struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic. Wall Street Journal reporter Katy Stech Ferek explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m May 18, 2020
7m
Coronavirus: Why Women Have Suffered More Unemployment Than Men
Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Chaney explains why women have suffered steeper job losses than men during the pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
5m May 15, 2020
5m
IRS Eases Rules on Flexible-Spending Accounts During Pandemic
The IRS is giving employees who have dependent-care flexible-spending accounts, or FSAs, the ability to make midyear changes to contributions. Wall Street Journal tax reporter Laura Saunders explains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m May 14, 2020
7m