WSJ Your Money Matters

Amazon is suing the administrators of more than 10,000 Facebook groups that it says coordinated fake reviews on the online shopping site. WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen joins host J.R. Whalen with tips for distinguishing real online product reviews from fake ones . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fixed-rate annuities have seen a significant influx of cash as investors seek out stability in the current volatile market. WSJ reporter Leslie Scism joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why annuities are seen as stable investments , and the risks they could pose to investors anyway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although most people know when their financial commitments, like loan payments, are due each month, many are missing their payments because they simply forgot . WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why behavioral economists say this is happening, and steps people can take to get back on track. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some financial-technology startups offer savings rates far above those from traditional banks . WSJ “Intelligent Investor” columnist Jason Zweig joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the risks consumers need to watch out for when stashing their cash with fintech startups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Exchange-traded f unds that track a single stock entered the U.S. market last week. WSJ markets reporter Karen Langley joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how they work and the risks that investors in those ETFs could face. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new interactive tool from The Wall Street Journal helps consumers track price changes on thousands of products . The WSJ’s Brian Whitton joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how it works. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average cost of a hotel room in the U.S. is up more than 30% from a year ago. WSJ travel reporter Allison Pohle joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why customer satisfaction has declined, and whether hotel prices could come down in the near future .  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More employers are giving out company-wide pay raises and issuing special bonuses to retain workers and help them deal with high inflation. WSJ workplace and management reporter Chip Cutter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what this means for the balance of power between workers and their bosses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Record home prices and higher mortgage rates have created the most expensive U.S. housing market in more than 15 years. WSJ housing reporter Nicole Friedman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what that means for prospective home buyers, and signs that the balance of power could be starting to shift away from sellers . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an unusual midyear move, the IRS has raised the standard mileage rate for the self-employed to 62.5 cents. WSJ personal-finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss other ways that self-employed workers who rely on their car can save money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mortgage rates above 5% coupled with higher housing prices have caused some prospective homebuyers to consider an adjustable-rate mortgage, instead of a fixed-rate loan, to help reduce costs. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the pros and cons of adjustable mortgages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Retirement savers might get the urge to peek at their 401(k) balance often during market volatility. But WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why researchers say that could lead to bad decisions and long-term losses . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After building up record levels of savings over the first two years of the pandemic, many Americans are spending down that cash cushion to deal with inflation . WSJ reporter Rachel Louise Ensign joins host J.R. Whalen to explain what that means for people’s finances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MJP Wealth Advisors President Brian Vendig joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how economic and global events are likely to shape stock-market performance in the last six months of the year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing the right credit-card rewards program or making sure your car has gotten the proper maintenance can save drivers as much as 30 cents off the price of a gallon of gas . WSJ personal-finance reporter J.J. McCorvey joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways drivers can save money at the pump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Airlines have been plagued by delays and canceled flights this year, causing many passengers frustration when they try to reach customer service. WSJ travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what passengers should expect, and options to consider aside from sitting on hold . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finance and career experts say high inflation and a hot job market make this an ideal time to ask for a raise. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen with tips on what workers should, and should not, include in their argument when negotiating with the boss for a pay bump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Banks and gas stations are increasing the hold they place on consumers’ credit and debit cards to $175 . WSJ reporter Ayse Kelce joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why it’s being done and how consumers can avoid the risks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An often overlooked option to stem retirement savings losses is to convert traditional IRA money into a Roth IRA . WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to explain the benefits and potential tax liabilities of making that move.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some companies are helping employees deal with sky-high gas prices as a way to retain them and encourage a return to the office. WSJ workplace reporter Kathryn Dill joins host J.R. Whalen with more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though the labor market remains hot, some companies are rescinding job offers after candidates have signed on the dotted line . Host J.R. Whalen is joined by reporter Angela Yang, who spoke with several people whose job offers were pulled back. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stock market declines in 2022 have taken their toll on stock portfolios and 401(k)s. WSJ “Intelligent Investor” columnist Jason Zweig joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why bear markets affect investors in different generations in different ways . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many retirees mismanage their 401(k) savings once they leave the workforce, resulting in a shortfall of funds. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how more 401(k) providers are including features similar to pension funds to ensure retirement savings last as long as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although stocks have suffered a series of broad selloffs as inflation continues to climb, history shows certain sectors tend to buck the trend and move higher in times of high inflation . George Mason University finance professor Derek Horstmeyer joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss his recent research pinpointing sectors that tend to outperform during periods of rapidly rising prices. Learn more abo...

The Federal Reserve announced plans to raise interest rates by 0.75 percentage point, and is likely to raise them rapidly for the rest of the year. The moves are meant to counter high inflation but could lead to some hard financial decisions for many people . WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen with steps you can take to protect your holdings, and financial decisio...