WSJ Your Money Matters

The Federal Trade Commission received nearly 1.4 million reports of identity theft last year, double from 2019. Now more people are considering paying for identity-theft protection services. WSJ contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host Trenae Nuri to discuss how consumers can decide if those services are worth it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Students graduating from college this spring have made it clear they're seeking a sense of community and connection in their first job. But their message may not be resonating with recruiters and hiring managers. La Salle Network staffing company founder and CEO Tom Gimbel joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how grads can sharpen their message to ease the path to their first job. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stocks that pay dividends have regained popularity this year. WSJ markets reporter Akane Otani joins host J.R. Whalen to explain why they are becoming more attractive to investors and how financial advisers suggest people select dividend stocks to include in their portfolio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Reserve approved plans to raise interest rates by half a percentage point, and more rate hikes are expected later in the year. WSJ personal-finance reporter Julia Carpenter joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what higher interest rates mean for consumers’ credit-card balances, student loans and mortgages, and some steps they can take to protect their personal finances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fidelity will soon allow companies whose 401(k) retirement plans it administers to include bitcoin as an investment option for employees. WSJ retirement reporter Anne Tergesen joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss what retirement savers should consider before adding a risky investment like bitcoin to their portfolio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a lull during the pandemic, lenders are offering personal loans to consumers once again. WSJ banking reporter AnnaMaria Andriotis joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss why the loans are becoming popular again, and what borrowers need to watch out for when applying. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many people who have resigned from their jobs during the pandemic in pursuit of bigger salaries have faced an unexpectedly frustrating path to a job they like. Host J.R. Whalen is joined by workplace reporter Kathryn Dill to discuss the trend, and California resident Faith Del Regno, who shares her experiences cycling through several jobs after quitting her old one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Although some student-loan forgiveness plans have been discussed in Washington, nothing concrete has emerged. WSJ reporter Rebecca Ballhaus joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how borrowers can make a plan for paying back their student debt, and the various repayment options that are available. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A master’s or other advanced degree can come with a heavier financial burden than that for undergrads, and doesn’t necessarily guarantee a career with a higher salary. WSJ reporter Andrea Fuller joins host J.R. Whalen to discuss how students can prepare for that financial responsibility, and which graduate degrees offer the best return on investment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Filling out all the forms required to secure college loans, grants and scholarships can be an intimidating process. WSJ higher-education reporter Melissa Korn joins host J.R. Whalen to break down the key steps in the process and discuss common mistakes students and families make. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices