WSJ Your Money Matters

A Biden administration plan unveiled this week would allow lower-income borrowers to pay less and make it easier for them to wipe away their student debt if they are enrolled in income-driven repayment plans. WSJ reporter Gabriel T. Rubin joins host J.R. Whalen with details.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After average tax refunds reached nearly $3,200 last year, changes to key tax breaks could significantly reduce many Americans’ refunds this year. WSJ personal-finance reporter Ashlea Ebeling joins host J.R. Whalen to run through the tax breaks that have been affected.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Stanford University study suggests the learning lost as a result of lockdowns during the pandemic could have a long-term financial effect on students. WSJ reporter Ben Chapman joins host J.R. Whalen to review the findings.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many investors’ portfolios and retirement accounts suffered steep declines last year. Sébastien Page, head of global multi-asset and chief investment officer at T. Rowe Price and author of “Beyond Diversification: What Every Investor Needs to Know About Asset Allocation,” joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what investors can expect in the market in 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To compete for workers, more companies are offering new hires a customizable pay package. WSJ contributor Tara Weiss joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how the process works and questions workers should ask themselves before accepting a pay package. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rising prices and interest rates are making it harder to afford buying a car. But many prospective buyers are financing through credit unions, which offer rates significantly lower than banks. WSJ banking reporter Ben Eisen joins host J.R. Whalen with the details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. labor market enters 2023 facing an unsettled economy and a jittery stock market. LaSalle Network staffing firm founder and CEO Tom Gimbel joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss business leaders’ hiring plans for the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While many people rush to pay down as much debt as they can, sometimes holding onto debt can help your overall financial picture. WSJ and Barron’s contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how people should approach good and bad debt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some people struggling to pay down past debt might consider personal bankruptcy as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by Natalia Brown of National Debt Relief and the American Fair Credit Council to discuss how the process works and the major risks it poses to your credit profile. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people choose to consolidate their debt and package it into one loan, often at a lower interest rate. NerdWallet personal-finance expert Sara Rathner joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how people qualify for consolidation and some risks to be aware of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices