Wsj Your Money Briefing

Every year, inflation triggers adjustments to many of the nation’s tax laws. WSJ tax reporter Richard Rubin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how this year’s especially high inflation will result in changes that could wind up boosting Americans’ paychecks. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, can ease the financial burden of medical costs but also feature little-known tax benefits. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many Americans who spent years socking away enough for a down payment to buy a house are now waiting on the sidelines until mortgage rates or home prices drop. In the meantime, there may be better ways to preserve the value of those savings besides leaving them in a low-yield account. WSJ personal finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host Daniella Cheslow to talk through the best options. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Social Security recipients will see a bigger-than-usual cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, in their monthly benefits beginning in January. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how inflation factors into it and how the increase could impact retirees’ taxes.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Interest rates on Series I savings bonds, also known as I Bonds, have approached 10% as inflation has risen throughout 2022. WSJ financial editor Charles Forelle joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why rates for I Bonds are about to fall, and how investors can capitalize on them before they decline. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Unlike in 2020 when the stock market was upended by the pandemic, seniors with retirement savings accounts during the current market volatility have to make required minimum distributions by the end of the year. WSJ personal-finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how retirees can make withdrawals in a down market but still capitalize on eventual market gains. Correction: Congress waived rules for required minimum distributions from retirement accounts in 2020. A previous version of this podcast incorrectly said the RMB rules hadn't been in place since 2019. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The strength of the U.S. dollar against currencies like the euro and Japanese yen has boosted the spending power of Americans traveling internationally. WSJ travel reporter Allison Pohle 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.

U.S. stocks have a history of rising in the year following midterm elections. WSJ markets reporter Hannah Miao joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what the current economic climate is likely to mean for stocks following this November’s elections. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities, or TIPS, are bonds that traditionally pay higher yields to investors as inflation rises. WSJ markets reporter Matt Grossman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why yields haven’t kept pace with inflation in 2022, and steps TIPS investors can take to boost their returns. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Gas prices in the U.S. have risen an average of about 5% in just the past two weeks. WSJ reporter Benoît Morenne joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what is pushing the price of gas higher and how far motorists can expect it to rise. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Even though the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates several times this year, the rates that banks pay for savings accounts have barely budged. WSJ personal-finance reporter Joe Pinsker joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why and discuss other options that can earn you more interest on your cash. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Travel experts say booking holiday-season flights now can help save on airfare and avoid frustration later in the year. WSJ travel reporter Allison Pohle 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.

As more young prospective homebuyers are priced out of the housing market, many may turn to their parents to cosign their mortgage to help secure approval. Wall Street Journal contributor Robyn A. Friedman joins WSJ Your Money Briefing host J.R. Whalen to discuss the benefits and risks parents and children should consider before cosigning. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While some prices have ticked down slightly from recent highs, others continue to rise and are unlikely to come down anytime soon. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why some prices remain “sticky” and how they are causing consumers to adjust their household finances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Auto-insurance rates have risen an average of 8.3% from a year ago. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what is pushing rates higher and how drivers can reduce their monthly premiums. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

So-called “quality” stocks, or profitable companies whose shares typically weather market downturns, haven’t performed as reliably this year as in past bear markets. WSJ’s “Intelligent Investor” columnist Jason Zweig joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why and discuss some changes investors can make to their portfolios to minimize losses.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Reviewing traditional tax strategies now could mean more money in your pocket when you prepare your tax return next spring. WSJ contributor Tom Herman joins host J.R. Whalen with steps taxpayers should consider to lessen the amount they may have to hand over to Uncle Sam. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Grocery prices rose more than 13% in August from a year earlier, the highest 12-month increase since 1979. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by reporter Rachel Wolfe to discuss how consumers are making ends meet, and by Louisiana resident Jamaica Bonvillian, who has struggled to balance food costs with her family’s overall household finances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Making donations to a political candidate or cause isn’t always tax deductible, and it can come with privacy implications. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what consumers should know before making a donation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Homeowners who previously locked in low mortgage rates face the dilemma of whether to sell and take on a significantly higher rate, or stay put and keep their low rate locked in. WSJ housing market reporter Nicole Friedman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the issue and the potential effect on home prices. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.