Wsj Your Money Briefing

As workers return to the office, many companies are reinstating performance reviews. WSJ reporter Kathryn Dill joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss their relevance in the post-pandemic workplace, and how workers can prepare for their meeting with the boss. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Americans’ electricity and natural-gas bills have risen an average of more than 15% over the past year. WSJ energy and utilities reporter Katherine Blunt joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why prices are rising and how consumers can prepare. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Some homeowners who are ready to sell are finding that more buyers are waiting on the sidelines, and many are choosing to rent out their homes instead, in the hopes of freeing up cash so they can buy a new place to live. WSJ housing-market reporter Will Parker joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the pros and cons of renting out your home instead of selling it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New premium models of phones from Apple and Samsung can cost as much as a month’s rent. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host Daniella Cheslow to discuss ways oflowering the sticker price and getting deals on wireless service . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More than 125 U.S. colleges and universities promised in 2016 to raise the enrollment of lower-income students by 50,000 by 2025. But a progress report from the initiative shows the schools have added fewer than 8,000 so far. Higher-education reporter Melissa Korn joins host Daniella Cheslow to discuss why federal Pell Grants are reaching so few potential students . Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The largest share of second-home purchases closes from fall to early in the new year. But along with the dream of family memories and rental incomes, vacation homes carry financial and emotional risks. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host Daniella Cheslow to discuss the highs and lows of buying a second home, and how to lay the foundation for a good buy. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A record 19 million taxpayers asked the IRS for more time to file . Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host Daniella Cheslow to discuss why so many taxpayers are filing late, and how to avoid steep penalties for missing the Oct. 17 deadline. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Americans’ credit-card balances are way up, and inflation is only part of the reason. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host Daniella Cheslow to discuss why impulse buying (including her own) is up, and whether splurging might actually be worthwhile. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the U.S. savings rate on the decline, some financial apps are offeringprizes and other incentives to encourage consumers to put money away. WSJ contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how the incentives work, and what financial experts have to say about their role in a savings plan. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The competition among home sellers has increased this year as mortgage rates have risen to nearly 6%. WSJ “Mansion” section senior editor Kerry Barger joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss a new series of stories focused on helping homeowners prepare their house for a sale. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As stocks have flirted with bear-market territory this year, many people have invested in a type of exchange-traded fund known as a “buffer fund” to protect against potential steep declines. WSJ markets reporter Eric Wallerstein joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how buffer funds work and how well they have performed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mortgage rates are roughly double where they were a year ago, and that is leading some people who are ready to buy a house to consider renting instead. WSJ economics reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the tradeoffs of buying versus renting in the current housing market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After several failed attempts over the past year to bring workers back to the office, companies are making a stronger push for a return to in-person work. WSJ workplace reporter Chip Cutter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what is different this time, and how workers can make the most of a return to their office desk. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fraudsters send out about 12 billion robotexts a month in the hopes of scamming unsuspecting consumers. WSJ personal-technology columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how you can avoid being victimized. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Americans in the upper middle class are feeling the effects of the economic downturn more acutely than those in other income groups. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ reporter Dion Rabouin to discuss the economic factors behind the trend, and by 33-year-old Texas resident Mark Yu, who explains how the economic instability has caused him to change his financial habits. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A bill in California would require some of the country’s largest employers to include salary ranges in job postings. WSJ workplace and management reporter Chip Cutter joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how the measure also could affect workers and companies in other parts of the country. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inflation and stock-market instability are causing many seniors to make changes to how they treat their retirement savings as well as other aspects of their lives. Age Wave co-founder Maddy Dychtwald joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the findings from a survey the group conducted with thousands of retirees.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A recent study found that the average cost of raising a child through age 17 is now $300,000. WSJ “Numbers” columnist Josh Zumbrun joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the factors that are driving costs up the most, and how families can keep them under control. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Workers who are rejecting the idea of going above and beyond in their job have attracted a significant amount of backlash. WSJ workplace reporter Kathryn Dill joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the reasons for the backlash, and options workers could pursue to find career success. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Millions of federal student-loan borrowers will see all or part of their student debt forgiven under a plan announced by President Biden on Wednesday. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss forgiveness eligibility requirements, what borrowers need to do, and the potential challenges the plan could face. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.