WSJ Your Money Matters

Trying to wipe away large amounts of past debt is sometimes too big a task to handle alone. Money Management International CEO Jim Triggs joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how a credit counselor can help and how to spot scams by disreputable companies that overpromise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trying to manage and pay down past debt can be intimidating, but there are some simple steps you can take to get the process started. Your Money Briefing’s week-long series on getting yourself out of debt kicks off with My Financial Planner founder Stephanie Genkin, who joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss ways of approaching the process while still paying your current bills and even setting aside some money for savings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Having too much debt can stand in the way of reaching important financial goals. This week, Your Money Briefing features a special series on ways you can manage your debt and eventually get yourself on solid financial footing. Host J.R. Whalen has a preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As inflation continues to weigh on people’s finances, there are moves you can make now to streamline your expenses and put your portfolio in a stronger position in 2023. WSJ personal-finance reporter Imani Moise joins host J.R. Whalen with some suggestions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The big, red bows we often see on cars during holiday season TV commercials might give some insight into December auto sales. WSJ personal finance reporter Joe Pinsker joins host J.R. Whalen with more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid this year’s stock market volatility, stock picking is making a comeback as one way to see positive returns. WSJ markets reporter Hardika Singh joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how it works, and whether that success is expected to continue in 2023. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many prospective homebuyers have been priced out of the current housing market, but temporary buydowns offer steep but short-term savings on mortgage rates. WSJ housing reporter Nicole Friedman joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how temporary buydowns work and how buyers qualify for the program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The changing housing market and wavering economy have created more challenges for anyone interested in owning rental property. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the pros and cons of becoming a landlord and how to prepare for the expected (and unexpected) costs that can come with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The changing housing market and wavering economy have created more challenges for anyone interested in owning rental property. WSJ personal-finance reporter Veronica Dagher joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss the pros and cons of becoming a landlord and how to prepare for the expected (and unexpected) costs that can come with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As severe weather systems and natural disasters become more frequent, utility companies are passing the cost of repairing their systems on to customers. And because of how those repairs are financed, customers could be on the hook for decades. WSJ’s Jennifer Hiller joins host J.R. Whalen with details. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices