WSJ Your Money Matters

Many employers are raising salaries as they struggle to fill open positions, but higher prices are taking a bigger bite out of weekly paychecks. WSJ economics reporter Sarah Chaney Cambon joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss which employees are finding jobs and whose wage hikes are most likely to beat inflation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As inflation continues to climb, Americans are spending more of their household budget on food. WSJ personal-finance reporter JJ McCorvey joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways of going grocery shopping without breaking the bank. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While some companies are increasing wages to lure new workers and retain existing staff, others are increasing contributions they make to employees' 401(k) retirement accounts. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The finance world is filled with complex terminology, but shortening them to acronyms like HELOC or SPAC doesn't always make them easier to understand. The WSJ's Charles Forelle joins host J.R. Whalen to define some of the acronyms that are often used for investments that can play an important role in your personal finances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. colleges and universities saw a 3.1% decline in undergraduate enrollment last fall, continuing a long-term downward trend. WSJ higher-education reporter Douglas Belkin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what is driving the numbers lower, and how the decline could affect tuition and students' finances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The IRS will begin accepting returns for the 2021 tax year on Jan. 24. WSJ tax reporter Richard Rubin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why the agency is expecting processing delays, and how you can make sure your tax refund is handled is quickly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After the S&P 500 returned nearly 29% last year, some investors might be tempted to pour money into the stock market in the hopes of realizing similar gains in 2022. WSJ "Intelligent Investor" columnist Jason Zweig joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why, amid this year's market volatility, more restraint might help investors get ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Two years after tightening their lending standards at the start of the pandemic, banks and lenders have loosened their requirements and are again embracing riskier borrowers. WSJ's AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how interest rates play a role, and how access to credit can impact subprime consumers' credit scores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The steep rise in inflation will mean less of an income-tax burden for many people. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss areas of your personal finances that will benefit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More companies are allowing employees to take several months off at a time to recover from stress and anxiety caused by their job. Host J.R. Whalen discusses the trend with WSJ's Katie Bindley, and 28-year-old Juraj Pal talks about the sabbatical he recently took from his startup job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tight labor market has opened up many more opportunities for job seekers than in previous years. WSJ's Kathryn Dill joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how to get clarity about where you are - and where you want to be - before making a move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As inflation rises, more companies are giving cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs, to their employees. WSJ reporter David Harrison joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the size of the increases and why they are raising red flags with some economists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Companies are setting aside more money for wage increases than usual. So how can you be among the workers getting a raise this year? WSJ reporter Kathryn Dill joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what you should (and shouldn't) say when asking for a pay raise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Credit cards and debit cards each have their pros and cons, but which is better for younger people seeking to chart out their financial future? WSJ contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the uses for each. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As he prepares to retire his "Middle Seat" column after 20 years, the WSJ's Scott McCartney joins host J.R. Whalen to reflect on how developments in the airline industry have affected passengers for better and for worse, and some changes that could be coming to air travel in the future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. stock markets trended higher throughout this past year until inflation and the Omicron Covid-19 variant triggered a series of selloffs. Vanguard Chief Investment Officer Gregory Davis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what investors should expect in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many Americans are approaching the new year on more solid financial footing. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen with tips on allowing yourself to splurge while still keeping your finances on track. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An unprecedented number of workers quit their jobs in search of higher pay in 2021, leaving employers with millions of unfilled positions. Tom Gimbel, CEO of the LaSalle Network staffing firm, joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what the labor market could look like in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An unprecedented number of workers quit their jobs in search of higher pay in 2021, leaving employers with millions of unfilled positions. Tom Gimbel, CEO of the LaSalle Network staffing firm, joins Wall Street Journal Your Money Briefing host J.R. Whalen to discuss what the labor market could look like in 2022. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: U.S. consumer spending rose at a cooler pace in November. Initial jobless claims hold near historic lows. Russian President Vladimir Putin blames the West for Ukraine tensions. J.R. Whalen reports. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Early next year, the credit-reporting firm Equifax will begin figuring consumers' use of "buy now, pay later" programs into their credit reports. The WSJ's AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how it could affect consumers' credit scores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People often give year-end gifts in the form of money to service workers they've done business with throughout the year. But this year, not everyone can give as much as they would like. WSJ personal-finance reporter J.J. McCorvey joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the new unofficial rules of tipping. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The continued impact of the pandemic on families' finances could add an extra layer of complexity as they and college-bound students complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa. WSJ contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss some important changes in the application process for the upcoming school year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm...

For many people, the holiday season is a time for spending a bit more on gifts, parties and vacations. But with prices on the rise, many families are more focused than ever on their budgets. WSJ reporter Anne Tergesen joins host Trenae Nuri to discuss how families at all budget levels are planning out their holiday spending. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thousands of Americans interested in investing in cryptocurrencies have joined social media-based investment groups to learn the basics, including the sector's risks. Lamar Wilson, co-founder of the Black Bitcoin Billionaires group, joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what members learn, and how the knowledge has paid off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices