Wsj Your Money Briefing

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.