Wsj Your Money Briefing

The tight labor market has driven rates for teenage babysitters to upwards of $35 an hour. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ reporter Rachel Wolfe to discuss the trend, and 15-year-old babysitter Evelyn Loperfido talks about how she has been able to command higher pay. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The IRS is struggling with a lack of staff and funding, which is making it even harder than usual for taxpayers to get timely customer service. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders knows this firsthand. She joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss her experience of waiting several hours in line to get assistance at an IRS office. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many people might not realize their 401(k) retirement account has taken on more risk in recent years. The reason: a shift in how target-date funds invest workers’ savings. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how target-date funds work and whether they’re a safe investment in a volatile stock market. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Inflation running at levels not seen in 40 years is causing millennials and younger people to rethink how they save and spend. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the financial lessons learned from higher inflation, and ways to stretch your dollars. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As teens gear up to start their summer jobs, many will have their first experience with the IRS when they get taxes and other deductions taken out of their paycheck. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what summer workers, and their families, need to know.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

While homeowners ready to sell can benefit from prices that continue to hit record highs, those not ready to sell can use the equity in their home to hedge against future declines. WSJ contributor Brian O’Connor joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the strategies, and risks, for locking in the steep rise in home values.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After making their monthly payments through the first year and a half of the pandemic, more subprime borrowers are missing monthly payments on various types of loans. WSJ reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why, and what it could mean for people’s ability to take out loans in the future.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More companies, such as the Wall Street bank Goldman Sachs, are offering employees an unlimited number of days off per year. WSJ workplace reporter Lindsay Ellis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why companies are offering the perk, and the tradeof fs workers face when using it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After steadily rising to record levels along with new-car prices during the pandemic, prices for pre-owned vehicles have been lower in recent months. WSJ autos reporter Ryan Felton joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why prices are falling and how that is affecting buyers of both new and used cars. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With prices for flights, lodging and car rentals on the rise, your summer trip may cost a lot more this year. What’s worse, previous tactics that travelers relied on to save money might not work as well right now. WSJ travel reporter Jacob Passy joins host Trenae Nuri to discuss why. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Owning a home has traditionally been seen as a good long-term financial move over renting. But with home prices climbing along with rent, is that still the case? WSJ housing reporter Will Parker joins host Trenae Nuri to discuss the new math on whether it makes more financial sense to rent or buy a home. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Prices are up. Stocks are down. And that’s leading a lot of households to rethink their budgets and investments. But there are various tools available that can automate your day-to-day financial decisions. WSJ personal-finance reporter J.J. McCorvey joins host Trenae Nuri to discuss how robo advisers powered by AI could protect you from making important financial moves based on emotion. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the tight labor market, new workers are in high demand. And that’s good news for teenagers who want a job. Teen unemployment is near its lowest level in decades, as businesses look to them to help fill a record number of open positions. WSJ workforce reporter Kathryn Dill joins host Trenae Nuri to discuss how businesses are attracting and retaining teenage workers, and Houston restaurateur Itai Ben Eli discusses working with a young staff. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Federal Trade Commission received nearly 1.4 million reports of identity theft last year, double from 2019. Now more people are considering paying for identity-theft protection services. WSJ contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host Trenae Nuri to discuss how consumers can decide if those services are worth it. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Students graduating from college this spring have made it clear they're seeking a sense of community and connection in their first job. But their message may not be resonating with recruiters and hiring managers. La Salle Network staffing company founder and CEO Tom Gimbel joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how grads can sharpen their message to ease the path to their first job. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stocks that pay dividends have regained popularity this year. WSJ markets reporter Akane Otani joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why they are becoming more attractive to investors and how financial advisers suggest people select dividend stocks to include in their portfolio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Federal Reserve approved plans to raise interest rates by half a percentage point, and more rate hikes are expected later in the year. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what higher interest rates mean for consumers’ credit-card balances, student loans and mortgages, and some steps they can take to protect their personal finances. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Fidelity will soon allow companies whose 401(k) retirement plans it administers to include bitcoin as an investment option for employees. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what retirement savers should consider before adding a risky investment like bitcoin to their portfolio. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After a lull during the pandemic, lenders are offering personal loans to consumers once again. WSJ banking reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why the loans are becoming popular again, and what borrowers need to watch out for when applying. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many people who have resigned from their jobs during the pandemic in pursuit of bigger salaries have faced an unexpectedly frustrating path to a job they like. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by workplace reporter Kathryn Dill to discuss the trend, and California resident Faith Del Regno, who shares her experiences cycling through several jobs after quitting her old one. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.