WSJ Your Money Briefing

The Trump administration has called for sweeping changes to government agencies and fueled claims of fraud in the Social Security administration — all of which has shaken faith in the decades-old institution. Wall Street Journal reporter Anne Tergesen joins host Julia Carpenter to discuss why some seniors are claiming their benefits earlier than expected. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode of WSJ’s Take On the Week, co-host Telis Demos is joined by social-media content creator and economic commentator Kyla Scanlon, who has helped transform how younger generations, specifically Gen Z, are engaging with news about the economy and finance. Through platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Substack, Scanlon has cultivated a dedicated audience of more than half a million people by simplifying complex economic data with creativity and humor. Recognized for coining the term “vibecession,” to highlight the disconnect between economic data and consumers, Scanlon has garnered attention from White House advisers and the Federal Reserve. In this episode, we’ll explore how economic trends like meme stocks (think GameStop and AMC) and cryptocurrencies are changing things for younger investors. Plus, we chat about best practices to consider when using social media for financial advice and how to avoid the “bad actors” that are spreading misinformation or scamming people. This is WSJ’s Take On the Week where 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. 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 the show at takeontheweek@wsj.com. To watch the video version of this episode, visit our WSJ Podcasts YouTube channel or the video page of WSJ.com Further Reading The 27-Year-Old Economic Adviser for Gen Z For more coverage of the markets and your investments, head to WSJ.com, WSJ’s Heard on The Street Column, and WSJ’s Live Markets blog. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Disney’s Middle East expansion wow investors? And how is steelmaker Cleveland-Cliffs slowing down its operations? Plus, how did Boeing benefit from the U.S.-U.K. trade agreement? 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

Demand for cars is on the rise — but auto lenders are tightening standards and rejecting potential borrowers. Wall Street Journal reporter Imani Moise joins host Julia Carpenter to talk about what frustrated car shoppers can do to beat the expected tariff-related price increases. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 529 plan isn’t your only option for funding your child’s education. Wall Street Journal contributor Cheryl Winokur Munk joins host Julia Carpenter to talk about the pros and cons to alternative college savings vehicles. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the past, Americans built wealth via traditionally high-paying professions. But these days, millennials are carving out their own paths to financial security. Wall Street Journal reporter Joe Pinsker joins host Julia Carpenter to discuss how new industries and jobs are helping some — and leaving others lagging behind. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amid changing tariff policies and the threat of a trade war, the American economy is proving its resilience. Wall Street Journal reporter Jeanne Whalen joins host Julia Carpenter to discuss how the economy is faring, and what could happen in the coming months. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI tools from companies like Salesforce, LinkedIn and Google claim to help frustrated job hunters with career pivots. Wall Street Journal reporter Lindsay Ellis joins host Julia Carpenter to talk about what these tools get right— and what still needs tweaking. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do a Chinese company’s AI chip efforts affect Nvidia? And what’s the trade-war takeaway from this week’s tech earnings? Plus, how is economic uncertainty affecting McDonald’s customers? 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

CEOs are leaving in record numbers— but some lower-level managers s ay they don’t want the headache that comes with the job. Wall Street Journal reporter Callum Borchers joins host Julia Carpenter to talk about what happens when companies can’t fill the C-suite. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Employers are pulling back on hiring just as the class of 2025 polish off their degrees. That’s leaving a lot of soon-to-be-graduates floundering for a job. Wall Street Journal reporter Oyin Adedoyin joins host Janna Herron to discuss how these 20-somethings are navigating a crowded job market. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Americans are done with the many tipping requests they’re encountering every day and are taking matters into their own hands. Wall Street Journal reporter Heather Haddon joins host Janna Herron to share how some diners are pushing back and saving money. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the economy is in flux, some investors return to a tried and true protection against market chaos: gold. Wall Street Journal reporter Aaron Back joins host Julia Carpenter to talk about the gold rally—and what it means for silver. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One way to minimize taxes on your retirement withdrawals is by contributing that money in Roth accounts. That’s what Paul Ross and his wife did with all of their savings and they’re not looking back. Ross and Wall Street Journal reporter Ashlea Ebeling join host Janna Herron to break down this unconventional strategy. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why did Capital One’s merger news please investors? And how are tariffs worrying consumer conglomerates like Procter & Gamble? Plus, how Google parent Alphabet’s financials are holding up–for now. 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

Some workers are getting a surprising offer from the company that recently laid them off: a chance to come back. Should they accept it? Wall Street Journal columnist Callum Borchers joins host Janna Herron to parse through the pros and cons of boomeranging back to an employer. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One way to avoid paying President Trump’s tariffs on imports is to buy those items when vacationing overseas. But there are many rules to navigate to be successful. Wall Street Journal reporter Allison Pohle joins host Janna Herron to explain the ins and outs of sidestepping those duties. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to Google, searches in the U.S. for “press on nails” and “blonde to brunette hair” are up more than 10% since February. Wall Street Journal reporter Ann-Marie Alcántara sits down with host Ariana Aspuru to talk about why women are scaling back and what it could mean for the economy. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For some young workers struggling to get their foot in the door, the answer is to finally take up mom or dad’s offer to join the family business. Wall Street Journal reporter Rachel Wolfe tells host Ariana Aspuru how they’re making it work. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More workers are bringing lunch from home than they have in years. It can save you money, but it might also be hurting the economy. Wall Street Journal reporter Ray Smith tells host Ariana Aspuru about the pros and cons of packing lunch. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices