As markets continue to shift, long-term retirement planning often demands clarity rather than reaction. In this episode of the Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd provide economic and market context to help listeners interpret today’s financial headlines with perspective.

• Analyze how recent S&P 500 performance, Federal Reserve decisions, and earnings results seem to be shaping market sentiment.

• Interpret an airline’s move away from unassigned seating as a reflection of broader consumer behavior and industry competition.

• Track U.S. dollar movements and their historical relationship to gold, silver, and international markets.

• Review the current health of the U.S. economy, including consumer spending, housing trends, inflation, unemployment, and stimulus considerations heading toward 2026.

• Define what qualifies companies as dividend aristocrats and why payout consistency and discipline matter.

• Compare which everyday expenses have risen with inflation and which categories have stabilized or declined.

• Examine historical data showing how dividends have often outpaced inflation and demonstrated resilience during past market downturns.

• Explore how income-focused investing, diversified portfolios, and retirement withdrawal frameworks like the 4% rule of thumb are commonly discussed together.

• Revisit personal retirement checklists to assess whether professional planning guidance aligns with individual circumstances.

Listen to this episode for a context-driven discussion focused on markets, income, and retirement planning. Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast to stay connected to thoughtful conversations that span market cycles and economic environments.