WSJ Your Money Briefing

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or Fafsa, has been released for the 2025-26 academic year. Wall Street Journal reporter Oyin Adedoyin joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what students and families can expect, after last year’s glitches slowed down the aid process for many students. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fraudulent entries on expense reports cost businesses an estimated 5% of revenue on average, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Wall Street Journal “On the Clock” columnist Callum Borchers joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss unauthorized purchases like an RV and a worker’s monthly mortgage that some employees have tried to get approved. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Check fraud rose nearly 400% in the U.S. last year, according to a Financial Crimes Enforcement Network report. And scammers are now using social media to promote a low-tech check scheme and post tips for other fraudsters. Wall Street Journal reporters Oyin Adedoyin and Justin Baer join host J.R. Whalen to discuss how it works and what you can do to protect your money.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bitcoin has added nearly $500 billion to its total value since Election Day. Wall Street Journal columnist James Mackintosh joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss several Trump campaign proposals related to the cryptocurrency, including a potential government stockpile of the virtual coin.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her final appearance as WSJ’s “Work & Life” columnist, Rachel Feintzeig joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the biggest takeaways she’s learned from covering careers for more than a decade. They discuss who’s winning the balance of power between workers and bosses, how Covid and Gen Z have disrupted the workplace, and when to know it's time to look for a new job. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For YMB listeners, here’s a special presentation of WSJ’s Take On the Week: Co-hosts Gunjan Banerji, lead writer for Live Markets, and Telis Demos, Heard on the Street’s banking and money columnist, cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy, and finance—the big trades, key players and business news ahead. This week, Telis and Gunjan dig into the latest on the Trump trade, the crypto rally and what upcoming retail earnings reports from Target and Walmart could signal about American consumers. Later, Dominic Rizzo, portfolio manager of T. Rowe Price’s Global Technology Equity Strategy, joins the show to talk about artificial intelligence investment and tech stocks, including companies such as AMD and Synopsys and those in the Magnificent Seven like Alphabet, Meta and Microsoft. And of course the sector’s shining star, Nvidia. Have an idea for a future guest or episode? How can we better help you take on the week? We’d love to hear from you. Email takeontheweek@wsj.com or the hosts at telis.demos@wsj.com and gunjan.banerji@wsj.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How has Elon Musk’s deepening relationship with President-elect Donald Trump affected Tesla stock? And why did Big Pharma stocks sell off? Plus, what did Disney and Spotify have to say about trends in streaming? 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

Bank customers are now struggling to find a spot to put their valuables since fewer banks are offering safe-deposit boxes. Wall Street Journal deputy personal finance bureau chief Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the disappearing service and where you can store your belongings.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his first presidential term, Donald Trump took a special interest in the auto industry – and he’s signaled that he has more in store in his second one. Wall Street Journal reporter Ryan Felton joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how Trump’s proposals could affect EVs, car prices, battery plants, and consumers. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Property taxes in the U.S. rose nearly 7% in 2023, the largest increase in the last five years, according to property data firm Attom. WSJ reporter Will Parker joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how voters in several states approved measures last week that will offer some relief.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some credit-card companies estimate that cardholders earned more than $34 billion in travel rewards last year – but many people are unsure how to use them. Wall Street Journal travel reporter Jacob Passy joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways to turn those points into your next vacation.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage has trended higher since the Federal Reserve’s first rate cut in September – and it might keep climbing. Wall Street Journal deputy personal finance bureau chief Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what this means for prospective home buyers.  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WSJ's Take On the Week brings you the insights and analysis you need to get a leg up on the world of money and investing. Weekly, we cut through the noise and dive into markets, the economy and finance. Join The Wall Street Journal's Telis Demos and Gunjan Banerji in conversation with the people closest to the hot topics in markets to get incisive analysis on the big trades, key players in finance and business news ahead. The show returns November 17. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What were the big winners and losers of the so-called Trump trade? And what drove Warner Bros. Discovery to a surprise quarterly profit? Plus, why Hershey cut its guidance. 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

Starting a conversation with an old colleague or manager could help jump start your career, but contacting someone you haven’t spoken with in years can be awkward. Wall Street Journal reporter Ray A. Smith joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways to break the ice. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting next year, the IRS will boost 401(k) catch-up contribution levels substantially for people in their early 60s. Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling goes through the numbers with host J.R. Whalen. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Co-workers who always seem to be in a good mood, even in the face of frustration, often find success by pairing their sunny attitude with fierce ambition. Wall Street Journal columnist Callum Borchers joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the value hiring managers see in “happy warriors.”  Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some Americans are making adjustments to their stock and retirement portfolios to hedge againstpotentially higher taxes under the new administration. Wall Street Journal personal finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss moves recommended by financial advisers. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Reserve is expected to issue a decision on interest rates on Thursday, with one more scheduled for December. Wall Street Journal chief economics correspondent Nick Timiraos joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how an uneven economy, and the presidential election, could impact the Fed’s plan in the months ahead. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices