How to Lower Your Monthly Broadband Costs
Rising broadband internet costs are putting a strain on household budgets. WSJ personal technology columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host J.R. Whalen with tips on how consumers can lower their monthly bill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jul 27, 2021
10m
More Relief for Homeowners, But Renters' Eviction Deadline Looms
Millions of homeowners and renters are still struggling to make monthly payments, even as some federal relief programs are nearing their end. Reporter Andrew Ackerman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss a new initiative from the Biden administration to assist homeowners, and the looming deadline facing renters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jul 26, 2021
8m
Crypto Scams Are on the Rise. Here's What to Watch Out For.
Investors in cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and ethereum have been swindled out of hundreds of millions of dollars by fraudsters. WSJ financial enforcement reporter Dave Michaels joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how consumers can avoid being scammed, as well as calls for efforts to regulate the crypto industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jul 23, 2021
10m
Are Noncompete Clauses On the Way Out?
Many workers are asked to sign noncompete agreements that make it harder for them to go to work for a competitor. But noncompetes are coming under greater scrutiny from state and federal regulators. Workplace reporter Lauren Weber joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss whether these agreements' time is numbered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jul 22, 2021
10m
Summer Travel: A Season of Headaches
Travelers eager to take their first summer vacation in two years are facing frustrating delays and higher prices. "Middle Seat" columnist Scott McCartney joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss where the pain points are, and what the outlook for travel is like beyond the summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jul 21, 2021
11m
Does the Stock Selloff Indicate a Shift in Investors' Outlook?
The long-running bull market and strong investor sentiment have made some analysts wary. Could Monday's selloff in stocks indicate a shift is underway? Markets reporter Caitlin McCabe joins host J.R. Whalen to explain the importance of tracking market sentiment for everyday investors, and where the current market climate could be headed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
9m Jul 20, 2021
9m
Buying a Car? These Tips Will Help You Be a Smart Shopper.
Tight vehicle inventories and cars selling for above the sticker price have left many shoppers frustrated. Reporter Allison Pohle joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss smart ways shoppers can approach buying a car in today's market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jul 19, 2021
8m
Little-Known Tactic Lets Retirement Savings Grow Tax-Free
CPA and IRA expert Ed Slott joins host J.R. Whalen to explain the "Mega Backdoor Roth IRA Conversion," a little-known technique allowing people to make annual tax-free retirement account contributions above government-imposed limits. The tactic gained attention after PayPal founder Peter Thiel amassed $5 billion in his Roth IRA account. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
14m Jul 16, 2021
14m
The Hidden Ways the Cost of Food Is Going Up
As inflation continues to rise, food companies, grocers and restaurants are finding creative ways of passing higher costs on to consumers. Food industry reporter Annie Gasparro joins host J.R. Whalen to explain some of the ways shoppers are unknowingly paying more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jul 15, 2021
8m
Surprise Medical Bills Are On Their Way Out
A new set of rules, part of the federal government's "No Surprises Act," would protect patients from unexpected hospital bills. Healthcare reporter Stephanie Armour joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how the rules will work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jul 14, 2021
8m
Americans Taking On Auto Loans, Credit Cards at Record Rates
Now that pandemic restrictions are being lifted nationwide, consumers are borrowing money to spend on cars, vacations and more. Reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how consumers' outlook on debt is changing. Plus, South Carolina resident Felipe Betancor discusses gaining the confidence to take on more debt responsibly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone...
14m Jul 13, 2021
14m
Job Openings Are at a Record High, But People Aren't Applying
Employers are struggling to fill millions of open positions nationwide, yet just as many of out-of-work Americans can't find a job they like. Senior writer Jon Hilsenrath joins host J.R. Whalen to explain the current job market "mismatch," and what it means for job seekers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jul 12, 2021
10m
Many Master's Programs Leave Grads Short on Earnings to Pay Off Loans
A Wall Street Journal analysis of Education Department data shows that some expensive master's degree programs at elite universities don't provide graduates enough early career earnings to begin paying down their federal student loans. Higher-education reporter Melissa Korn joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jul 09, 2021
10m
Why Propane Prices Are So High This Summer
Barbecue season is getting more expensive. Propane prices this summer are running nearly 20% higher for some consumers compared to this time last year. Reporter Ryan Dezember joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why, and whether prices are expected cool off anytime soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jul 08, 2021
7m
Should Your Pay Be Based on Where You Work?
Some companies are rethinking pay and benefits as they plan a post-pandemic, hybrid workplace. Compensation Advisory Partners' Susan Schroeder and the Wharton School's Peter Cappelli join host J.R. Whalen to discuss the drawbacks of paying employees based on location. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
13m Jul 07, 2021
13m
Boomers Made a Record Amount of Money. Now They're Giving It Away.
Older Americans have amassed a record $35 trillion in wealth, and now they're passing it on to their heirs. Reporter Ben Eisen talks with host Charlie Turner about what's being done with that money and the effect it's having on people's finances and the economy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jul 06, 2021
7m
The Outlook for Gas Prices This Summer
Gas prices in the U.S. are about a dollar a gallon higher now than they were a year ago, and are currently at the highest level in seven years. Energy reporter Collin Eaton joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why prices have risen so sharply, and where they're likely headed this summer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jul 02, 2021
9m
Employers Offer Signing Bonuses to Lure Blue-Collar Workers
As they desperately try to fill empty positions, many employers are offering lucrative signing bonuses and referral bonuses to prospective employees, even for many blue-collar jobs. Careers reporter Patrick Thomas joins host J.R. Whalen with details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jul 01, 2021
9m
Traveling to Europe This Summer? A Maze of Rules Awaits You.
Confusing sets of vaccination and quarantine rules for travelers headed to European countries threaten to hamper the ease of international travel. Reporter Ben Katz joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how Americans planning to travel overseas should prepare. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 30, 2021
8m
Cars Are Selling for Far Above the Sticker Price
Amid high demand and an inventory shortage, car dealers are charging as much as $10,000 above vehicles' suggested retail prices. Auto industry reporter Nora Naughton joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss whether that leaves any room for haggling, and how consumers can avoid dealer mark-ups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 29, 2021
7m
Most Americans Got Richer Last Year, But Those Already on Top Did Best
Americans' wealth was expected to take a hit during the Covid recession, but most people actually came out ahead. Reporter Orla McCaffrey joins host Charlie Turner to discuss why wealthier Americans fared the best, and what that could mean for different groups' long-term economic prospects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 28, 2021
7m
Looking for Airfare Deals? Try Business Class.
Business travel took a big hit during the pandemic, so now airlines are offering discounts on certain business- and first-class seats. Middle Seat columnist Scott McCartney tells host Charlie Turner where you can find the best bargains. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 25, 2021
9m
Missing From the Refinancing Boom: Black Homeowners
Millions of Americans refinanced their mortgages last year to negotiate lower interest rates, but relatively few were Black households. Reporter J.J. McCorvey joins host Charlie Turner to discuss why fewer Black homeowners went through the refinancing process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 24, 2021
7m
Could a Credit Card Help Renters Work Toward Buying a House?
A new credit-card concept lets users build up points when they pay their rent, with the aim of helping them build up a credit history and even a down payment on a house. Could it work? Housing reporter Will Parker joins host Charlie Turner to discuss the pros and cons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 23, 2021
7m
How to Discuss a Resume Gap Caused by the Pandemic
For more employers, having a gap in your resume is no longer a deal-breaker. Work and Life columnist Rachel Feintzeig joins host Charlie Turner to discuss how to address a resume gap in a job interview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 22, 2021
9m
Student Loan Debt Holders Could Find It Easier to Get a Mortgage
The federal government is changing the way it accounts for a person's student-loan debt when determining their mortgage eligibility. Housing reporter Andrew Ackerman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how the new approach works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 21, 2021
7m
Student-Loan Payments Are Set to Resume. How Should You Prepare?
Student-loan borrowers who have been able to suspend monthly payments during the pandemic are scheduled to resume them at the end of September. WSJ contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss strategies borrowers can use to lessen the impact on their finances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 18, 2021
7m
When Selling a Home, Should You Do Renovations?
Even as the current hot housing market has made the selling process easy, many sellers consider doing significant repairs and renovations before listing their home. WSJ contributor Robyn Friedman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss which renovation costs are more likely to be recouped. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 17, 2021
7m
How the Expanded Child Tax Credit Payments Work
Starting next month, about 39 million American families will begin receiving expanded federal child tax credit payments. Tax reporter Richard Rubin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how the payments work, who is eligible and why some families might choose not to receive them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
6m Jun 16, 2021
6m
How Changed Employees Can Adjust to the Post-Pandemic Workplace
Working from home during the pandemic has given many employees a sense of independence and less of a need for supervision. Data journalist and author Alexandra Samuel joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how that will change the dynamic between workers and managers when they return to the office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jun 15, 2021
11m
How to Open a '529' Account to Save for College
Many parents help pay for their children's higher education by investing in a college-savings account known as a 529 to build up assets over many years. WSJ contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the advantages of 529 accounts over other savings plans, and explain how to open one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jun 14, 2021
10m
Itching to Travel? Here's How to Avoid Overspending.
Americans are eager to take a trip following a year of lockdowns. But prices for summer travel are surging, and travelers would be wise to plan their budgets. Personal-finance reporter Amber Burton has suggestions for how to avoid big travel expenses. Charlie Turner hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 11, 2021
7m
Could Cryptocurrency Be Coming to Retirement Plans?
A small administrator of 401(k) plans is teaming up with crypto exchange Coinbase to allow customers to add cryptocurrency as an investment in their retirement accounts. Reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how the program works, and the pros and cons of adding crypto to your retirement savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 10, 2021
9m
Renters Face Eviction as Relief Funds Are Held Up
An eviction moratorium to assist renters affected by the pandemic is set to expire at the end of the month. Housing reporter Will Parker joins host J.R. Whalen with an update on billions of dollars in relief funds that have been slow to reach tenants and landlords. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 09, 2021
9m
The $500,000 Tax Exemption for Home Sellers
Many people selling their home in the current market are getting a lot more for it than what they originally paid. Tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the major tax exemption benefiting them, and some ways they can maximize their use of it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m Jun 08, 2021
8m
Buying IPO Shares: More Small Investors Could Gain Access
The Robinhood and SoFi stock-trading platforms say they plan to allow their customers to purchase shares of private companies' initial public offerings. WSJ "Heard on the Street" columnist Telis Demos tells host J.R. Whalen how shares will be offered to individual investors, and the risks associated with buying IPO shares. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 07, 2021
9m
Take WSJ's Stock Investing Challenge
"Heard on the Street" editor Spencer Jakab joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss The Wall Street Journal's new five-week investing challenge and how it can boost your stock-market know-how as well as protect your portfolio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m Jun 04, 2021
7m
Lawmakers Consider Incentives to Get People Back to Work
Congress and state officials are moving to create incentives for unemployed workers relying on unemployment checks to rejoin the labor force. Economics reporter Kate Davidson discusses the range of proposals with host J.R. Whalen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m Jun 03, 2021
10m
Cash-Out Refinancings: What to Know
Americans cashed out their home equity to the tune of roughly $50 billion in the first quarter, the highest level since 2007. Personal-finance reporter Deborah Acosta joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss important questions to ask yourself before doing a "cash-out refi," and the potential risks that come with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m Jun 02, 2021
9m
More Middle-Class Americans Are Signing Up for Life Insurance
Life insurance sales are rising at the fastest rate in roughly 40 years. Insurance industry reporter Leslie Scism joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why a wider range of Americans are buying life insurance policies, which in recent decades had been more popular among wealthier families. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
11m Jun 01, 2021
11m
Should You Stretch Your Finances to Buy a Home?
Low housing inventory and bidding wars are forcing homebuyers to dig deeper to secure a mortgage. But is it worth it for first-time homebuyers to stretch their personal finances? Host J.R. Whalen discusses the question with two experts who have opposing views: Laurie Goodman of the Urban Institute and Susan Wachter of the Wharton School. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
15m May 28, 2021
15m
How Couples Can Work Through Retirement-Planning Disagreements
Market volatility can cause tension within couples who have different approaches to investing their retirement funds. Retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss some ways couples can find solutions to disagreements and preserve their savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m May 27, 2021
10m
Summer Travel Could Mean Added Costs and Frustration This Year
Many Americans are planning their first vacation since the start of the pandemic. "Middle Seat" columnist Scott McCartney joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the rising costs of travel, and whether the travel industry is ready for a rush of vacationers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10m May 26, 2021
10m
Vaccinated Americans Aren't Driving the Economic Recovery
Americans who are not fully vaccinated are more likely to go out to restaurants and other venues than those who have gotten their Covid-19 shots. Reporter Sarah Chaney Cambon joins host J.R. Whalen to explain what's behind the difference in spending habits. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m May 25, 2021
8m
Workers Are Ready to Change Jobs. Should Bosses Let Them Leave?
As the country emerges from the pandemic, many workers plan to seek opportunities with new employers. "Work & Life" columnist Rachel Feintzeig joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why they want to change jobs, and how their managers should respond. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m May 24, 2021
8m
After Paying Off Your Credit-Card Debt, What's Next?
Americans paid off credit-card debt during the pandemic at levels not seen in years. Personal finance reporter Amber Burton joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss which types of debt consumers should focus on next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
7m May 21, 2021
7m
How Will Tipping Change Post-Pandemic?
Generous tipping became a habit for many Americans during the pandemic as a way to support service workers. Reporter J.J. McCorvey joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how the rules of tipping have changed since last year, and how to fit tipping into your personal budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m May 20, 2021
8m
Teens Can Trade Stocks With Real Money. But Should They?
Fidelity is the latest company to roll out an investment product geared to children as young as 13. Reporter Justin Baer joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why financial institutions are developing products for adolescents, the concerns that come with them and the guardrails that are being put in place to reduce risk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m May 19, 2021
9m
Before Upping Your Bid for a Home, Ask Yourself These Questions First
Low housing inventory and high demand is leading many prospective home buyers to raise their bids to compete with other offers. Personal-finance reporter Deborah Acosta joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss some points buyers should consider before stretching beyond their budget. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
8m May 18, 2021
8m
Haven't Paid Taxes on Crypto Investments? You Might Hear From the IRS.
The IRS is going after investors who haven't paid taxes on bitcoin, ether and other cryptocurrencies. Tax columnist Laura Saunders joins host Charlie Turner to discuss what crypto investors need to know about filing their taxes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
9m May 17, 2021
9m