WSJ Your Money Matters

In addition to extra charges for food and checked bags, some airlines are charging fees for passengers to select a seat - in some cases in excess of $100. WSJ travel columnist Dawn Gilbertson joins host J.R. Whalen on how passengers can avoid paying seat fees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a strong 2021, “buy now, pay later” companies like Klarna and Affirm are facing financial headwinds due to increased consumer delinquencies and the effects of higher interest rates. WSJ’s AnnaMaria Andriotis tells host J.R. Whalen what consumers who use those programs should expect going forward.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some senior homeowners use a reverse mortgage to borrow a portion of the equity in their homes as funds to live on. WSJ contributor Lori Ioannou joins host J.R. Whalen to explain the nuts and bolts of reverse mortgages, and the risks that come with them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More people in their 20s, often called Gen Z, are shelving plans to pursue socially conscious jobs to take roles with better pay. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ “On the Clock” columnist Callum Borchers, who discusses the trend, and 25-year-old Monica Tuñez, who left her education non-profit job for a role at a large company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More people are using Slack to connect with professionals and recruiters outside their workplace to fast-track their job search. WSJ workplace reporter Lindsay Ellis joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how it works.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

House Democrats have asked the big three credit-reporting firms for answers on how they have handled consumer complaints about inaccuracies on credit reports. WSJ banking reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Auto-insurance companies are set to raise rates by as much as 20% in some places. WSJ insurance-industry reporter Leslie Scism joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why, and when consumers can expect to see those higher bills kick in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The tight labor market has driven rates for teenage babysitters to upwards of $35 an hour. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by WSJ reporter Rachel Wolfe to discuss the trend, and 15-ye ar-old babysitter Evelyn Loperfido talks about how she has been able to command higher pay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The IRS is struggling with a lack of staff and funding, which is making it even harder than usual for taxpayers to get timely customer service. WSJ tax reporter Laura Saunders knows this firsthand. She joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss her experience of waiting several hours in line to get assistance at an IRS office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people might not realize their 401(k) retirement account has taken on more risk in recent years. The reason: a shift in how target-date funds invest workers’ savings. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to explain how target-date funds work and whether they’re a safe investment in a volatile stock market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices