WSJ Your Money Briefing

The wildfires in Los Angeles destroyed thousands of structures across the city. Borrowers whose homes burned down are still on the hook for their mortgage. Wall Street Journal reporter Gina Heeb joins host Ariana Aspuru to discuss what options homeowners have to help with monthly payments. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s driving big banks’ profit gains? And what was the result of the holiday season at Macy’s? Plus, what drove drops in some drugmakers’ shares? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jobs that companies post, but don’t intend to fill, may account for as much as one in five jobs advertised online, according to an analysis by Greenhouse. Wall Street Journal careers and work bureau chief Lynn Cook joins host Ariana Aspuru to explain the mystery behind so-called ghost jobs. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investors put more than $1 trillion into U.S.-based exchange-traded funds in 2024. But some newer ETFs have become increasingly complex, and what happens inside them can be obscure. WSJ Heard on the Street columnist Jon Sindreu joins host Ariana Aspuru to discuss what you should know before investing in these fancier ETFs. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly two-thirds of U.S. employers plan to add permanent roles in the next six months, according to a survey by staffing and consulting firm Robert Half. Wall Street Journal columnist Callum Borchers joins host Ariana Aspuru to discuss what kinds of roles are in demand and how scoring your next job could be easier this year. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Social-media sites like TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit are teeming with travel tips that promise a smooth airport experience or last-minute upgrade. But which ones actually work? Wall Street Journal reporter Dawn Gilbertson joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the do’s and don’ts of trying viral travel hacks before your next trip. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

About 1.5% of Americans have a perfect credit score, according to credit reporting firm Experian. But how much weight does an 850 score carry? Wall Street Journal reporter Imani Moise joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how much this grade of financial health really matters and what happens when you reach it. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What drove FuboTV’s gains? And how are bird-flu worries affecting vaccine makers? Plus, why did insurance shares drop? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the Labor Department, it now takes someone six months on average to find a job – roughly a month longer than it did in early 2023. Wall Street Journal reporter Matt Grossman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why the labor market, especially for white collar workers, is weaker than it seems. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People with high salaries and net worth tend to live longer lives, research shows. And while you can’t add more months to your shopping cart yet, Wall Street Journal reporter Joe Pinsker joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways to spend money to improve your chances of living longer Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new generation of tools allows anyone to play out a range of potential financial scenarios just by plugging in numbers from their portfolio. The Wall Street Journal’s personal finance bureau chief, Jeremy Olshan, joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the pros and cons of using these tools to predict your financial future. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some retailers are requiring all customers pay package-protection fees to ease the financial burden of replacing lost or stolen deliveries. Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Imani Moise joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how much the fees are, and what they typically cover. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2024, people fell behind on credit card bills and car payments more often than at any point since the Great Recession. Now, they’re hurting. Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Katherine Hamilton joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what borrowers need to know. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Tesla hit record sales last quarter but still see vehicle deliveries decline for the year? And how did the U.S. surgeon general’s call for cancer warnings on alcoholic drinks affect beverage stocks? Plus, what’s next for U.S. Steel after President Biden blocked its sale to Nippon Steel? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New workers are feeling the pressure of artificial intelligence conceivably eliminating their jobs. So, how can they save their jobs? Wall Street Journal contributor Bob Hagerty joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how to take control and AI-proof their career. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some investment professionals say that a small allocation of commodities in your portfolio can help diversify your investments and protect against inflation. Wall Street Journal contributor Debbie Carlson joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what you need to know to start investing in commodities, according to the pros. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In September, 32% of the average single-family mortgage payment went to property taxes and home insurance, the highest rate ever for data going back to 2014, according to Intercontinental Exchange. Wall Street Journal housing reporter Nicole Friedman joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what’s driving up expenses. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Healthcare spending rose 7.5% in 2023, with Americans paying nearly $5 trillion on everything from prescription drugs to back surgeries. Wall Street Journal reporter Harriet Torry joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why the cost keeps rising and what to expect in 2025. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you ensure that you won’t outlast your nest egg in retirement? By making the right investing choices throughout your career. We hear from 60-year-old Colorado resident Daniel Paul, who wants to retire in the next few years, about when to start withdrawing funds, and from which retirement account. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ reporter Anne Tergesen, who explains how to budget for your retirement lifestyle. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How can you put away enough money for a major expenditure, like a car, house or improvements on your current home? It starts with making sure you're financially healthy enough to take it on. We hear from 34-year-old South Dakota resident and small-business owner Sallie Doty. She and her husband have been saving to make long-desired renovations on their house. Plus, host J.R. Whalen is joined by certified financial planner Mark Reyes, who discusses when to start budgeting and how to stay on track to reach your goal. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices