Wsj Your Money Briefing

Giving your personal finances a top-to-bottom inspection is less intimidating than it sounds. Reporter Amber Burton discusses simple tasks to improve your financial health in the new year. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

After 2020 upended many people's personal-finance goals, many experts suggest that in 2021 they plan short-term "micro budgets" throughout the year instead of one large goal. Personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

More companies will start the new year focused on eventually bringing employees back to the office. Tom Gimbel, CEO of the LaSalle Network staffing firm, discusses how office life is likely to change, for both workers and managers. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Holiday shoppers stuck at home this year have sparked a boom in gift-card sales. Retail reporter Suzanne Kapner discusses the impact on retailers, and has tips for consumers on keeping track of fees on some cards. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Businesses' struggles are likely to continue, even as a new round of forgivable federal loans becomes available. Reporter Ruth Simon explains their hardship, but also discusses how some businesses are thriving during the pandemic. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The roughly $900 billion coronavirus aid plan includes direct payments for American households as well as support for unemployed workers and renters struggling to make payments. Reporters Richard Rubin and Andrew Duehren explain. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Crowdfunding sites have become an increasingly popular destination for people to raise funds to cover basic expenses like rent and food. Reporter Ben Eisen explains. Plus, a freelance photographer discusses how his GoFundMe campaign has nearly doubled its goal. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Tesla, the U.S. stock market's sixth-largest company, is set to join the S&P 500 index on Monday. Markets reporter Gunjan Banerji explains how the process works, and why it will affect even many investors who don't own Tesla stock. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Although retail spending is contracting as a result of the pandemic, many consumers are ditching store brands and splurging on higher-end products. Retail reporter Suzanne Kapner explains why. Plus, a New York City shopper tells us why she has stepped up her spending on a new addiction: cosmetics. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Mortgage and student-debt holders have benefited from federal forbearance programs during the pandemic, but credit-card and auto-loan borrowers haven't reaped equal benefits. Reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new economic-aid plan being considered by Congress would differ in important ways from the relief packages that were passed in the spring. Economics reporter Amara Omeokwe explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A federal moratorium on evictions of renters affected by the pandemic expires at the end of the month. Housing reporter Will Parker discusses the legal fights between tenants and landlords, as well as efforts to renew the moratorium. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Robinhood stock-trading app has attracted millions of users with its easy way of buying and selling stock. But it also carries risk. "Intelligent Investor" columnist Jason Zweig tried it out and discusses his trades. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Amid low bond rates, pension fund managers face a hard choice: take on increased risk or ask employers and workers to pay more into the system. Reporter Heather Gillers explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Workers who relocated out-of-state could face high tax bills and penalties next year. Tax reporter Laura Saunders discusses steps to take to avoid any surprises from the IRS. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nine months into the pandemic, credit-card companies are sweetening benefits for grounded travelers that are turned off by high annual fees and considering canceling their airline rewards cards. Reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A new set of government data reveals the enormous amount of student-loan debt held by parents who have borrowed through the federal Parent Plus program. Reporter Andrea Fuller digs into the numbers to discuss which schools leave parents with the most debt. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Recent college graduates expected to enter one of the strongest job markets in history, only to see their plans derailed by the pandemic. Personal Journal's Ellen Byron explains. Plus, recent graduate De Andre King explains how he adapted to the collapsed labor market and landed a job. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A growing number of companies have resumed their policy of matching employees' contributions to 401(k) retirement accounts, after suspending them at the start of the pandemic. Retirement reporter Anne Tergesen explains. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Many millennials are taking a cautious approach to the current market rally. Personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter explains why. Plus, one such investor discusses his priorities when managing his family's money. J.R. Whalen hosts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.