What exactly is “boomer candy,” and why is Wall Street talking about it? On the Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss and Connor Miller break down specialty ETFs, retirement income, diversification, inflation, and what history may teach us about staying invested.

·       Explore why high-income specialty ETFs seem to be catching the attention of investors looking for income and potential downside protection.

·       See how ETFs may have evolved from simple, low-cost funds into increasingly complex products with new strategies, costs, and risks.

·       Follow the trend in derivative ETFs, which have grown from under $100 billion to roughly $600 billion in assets.

·       Unpack how high-income S&P 500 ETFs may use options to pursue monthly income and manage volatility.

·       Compare specialty ETFs with buffered and barrier notes, including a noticeable difference: potential counterparty risk.

·       Visualize specialty ETFs as financial burritos—layers of investment strategies wrapped together in one package.

·       Consider where specialty ETFs may fit as a supplement to a diversified portfolio rather than the main course.

·       Revisit the supposed “death of the 60/40 portfolio” after 2022 and see what history may add to the debate.

·       Discover what decades of market data may suggest about stocks, bonds, and balanced portfolios across different holding periods.

·       Check the latest inflation, CPI, and interest rate trends and what they may mean for the Federal Reserve and financial markets.

Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for a lively, educational look at investing, retirement planning, ETFs, and the markets. 

What's driving record stock market highs? Find out on this episode of the Money Matters Podcast as Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd connect the dots between artificial intelligence (AI), investing, Social Security, and retirement planning in a fast-moving, educational conversation that helps put the current financial headlines into perspective.

·       Find out what may be fueling record stock market highs, from AI to strong corporate earnings.

·       Explore one of the market's biggest five-day rallies since 1950 and see how markets have historically performed following comparable rallies.

·       Follow the wild story of a leveraged hedge fund and what it may reveal about investing risk.

·       Examine how money has shifted from AI stocks toward value investing and dividend-paying companies.

·       Consider why demographic changes may help reshape the future of higher education.

·       Compare practical ways to balance college savings with retirement planning.

·       Weigh Social Security claiming considerations based on income, longevity, and retirement goals.

·       Explore listener questions on pensions, mortgage payoff, cash reserves, and core pursuits.

·       Review financial habits that may support long-term retirement planning.

·       Claim your preorder bonus for The Retire Sooner Method, whether you buy from a major retailer or your favorite local bookstore.

Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast with Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd for more educational conversations about retirement planning, investing, Social Security, AI, stock market trends, and personal finance.

Big market swings, artificial intelligence, and the Federal Reserve are dominating the conversation—but what do they really mean? Join Wes Moss and Connor Miller on the Money Matters Podcast as they separate attention-grabbing headlines from the broader trends that may be shaping investing, retirement planning, and the economy.

• See why a large tech company’s historic $500 billion single-day market move may not be the whole investing story.

• Discover how algorithmic trading may help fuel market volatility and why it often differs from long-term investing.

• Rethink the difference between stock prices and the value of the businesses behind them.

• Explore new research on how artificial intelligence may be changing hiring, management, and workplace productivity.

• Follow the latest Federal Reserve decision and the economic conversation surrounding interest rates.

• Consider the "play the ball, not the referee" mindset when evaluating markets and economic news.

• Follow encouraging progress in Alzheimer's research and discuss potentially positive hiring trends from companies investing in innovation.

Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast with Wes Moss and Connor Miller for engaging and educational conversations about retirement planning, investing, AI, personal finance, and today's economy.

Retirement planning doesn't happen in a vacuum, and artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming an important part of today's conversation. Join Wes Moss and Connor Miller on this episode of the Money Matters Podcast as they connect the dots between retirement savings, inflation, AI investing, and the economic trends that may help influence the years ahead.

• Compare new retirement savings research with what Americans think they'll need and how today's savings levels measure up.

• See why credit card debt, investing habits, and portfolio allocation continue to make headlines in retirement planning.

• Explore the 4% rule of thumb, retirement income planning, and why risk tolerance may matter when building a long-term strategy.

• Follow how artificial intelligence is driving significant investment and how those trends may influence inflation and the broader economy.

• Consider what productivity gains, market changes, and diversified investing may mean for long-term investors.

Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast with Wes Moss and Connor Miller for engaging conversations about retirement planning, retirement investing, personal finance, inflation, artificial intelligence, and today's economy.

Markets never stop moving, and neither do the conversations that matter most to investors and future retirees. Join Wes Moss and Connor Miller on this episode of the Money Matters Podcast as they break down the latest retirement planning, investing, financial planning, and personal finance headlines with historical perspective and practical context.

• Find out how the latest inflation data may influence Federal Reserve policy and interest rate expectations.

• See what early projections for the 2027 Social Security COLA—and rising Medicare Part B premiums—may mean for retirement income planning.

• Compare wage growth and inflation to better understand what's happening with purchasing power.

• Explore the buzz around IPOs while examining what history suggests about IPO investing versus long-term index investing.

• Discover how stocks, bonds, and cash have historically performed after inflation across different investment time horizons.

• Consider how oil prices, global events, and corporate earnings may influence market volatility and investor sentiment.

• Follow the broadening earnings story across the S&P 500, including the growing impact of artificial intelligence spending and wider sector participation.

• Learn about the retirement planning tools and bonus resources available with The Retire Sooner Method.

Listen to the Money Matters Podcast for more conversations connecting today's headlines with retirement planning, investing, financial planning, and personal finance. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss a new episode.

Markets are full of mixed signals, but what do they actually mean for investors and future retirees? Join Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd on this episode of the Money Matters Podcast as they connect the latest market headlines, economic data, and historical perspectives to explore the factors that may be shaping today's financial landscape.

• Explore how Middle East tensions may influence oil prices, inflation, and the stock market.

• Examine what 55 years of consumer sentiment data may reveal about market performance through different economic cycles.

• Analyze the latest jobs report, labor force participation, and trends reshaping the U.S. workforce.

• Understand how caregiving, demographics, and early retirement continue changing the labor market.

• Revisit Alan Greenspan's famous "irrational exuberance" speech and the historical perspective it may offer on market timing.

• Compare today's broad-based corporate earnings growth with the concentrated market leadership of the late 1990s.

• Evaluate forward earnings, price-to-earnings ratios, and the growing role of dividend-paying and value stocks.

• Learn how Trump Accounts and custodial Roth IRAs compare as long-term savings options for children.

• Discover the five core pursuits from The Retire Sooner Method and the research associated with greater retirement satisfaction.

Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for thoughtful conversations on investing, retirement planning, personal finance, and the economy. Join Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd each week as they bring context to today's financial headlines and the trends shaping tomorrow.

What if retirement planning isn't just about saving more, but making the most of the years ahead? Join Wes Moss for a special episode exploring the research behind The Retire Sooner Method and what decades of studying happy retirees may reveal about living well in retirement.

• Explore why we may be wired to "beat the clock" and how that instinct may shape retirement planning.

• Hear the story behind the "Happiest Retiree on the Block" and the research that inspired The Retire Sooner Method.

• Discover five habits that have been associated with higher reported retirement satisfaction.

• Learn how purpose, core pursuits, close friendships, and a written financial plan fit into the retirement conversation.

• Examine the Money Green Zones and findings from the 2025 Money and Happiness in America study.

• See how financial and lifestyle factors come together in research on retirement happiness and well-being.

• Preview the key ideas Wes explores throughout The Retire Sooner Method.

Whether retirement is around the corner or still years away, this episode offers a fresh look at the research shaping today's retirement planning conversations. Listen to the Money Matters Podcast and subscribe for more educational discussions on investing, personal finance, retirement planning, and financial well-being.

Wall Street, Washington, and Silicon Valley are all making headlines—and Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd break down the stories shaping today’s financial landscape on this episode of the Money Matters Podcast. Join the conversation as they explore the stock market, inflation, artificial intelligence, IPOs, and retirement planning through an educational lens.

• Explore the market swings that have helped define 2026 thus far, and the economic forces often associated with driving the volatility.

• Follow the latest on inflation, oil prices, the Federal Reserve, and potential interest rate expectations.

• Discover how artificial intelligence may be influencing business investment, technology costs, and economic change.

• Hear Philippe Laffont's perspective on long-term investing as certain tech companies have become increasingly influential within major market indexes.

• Consider the excitement surrounding potential IPOs, then enjoy Wes and Jeff's feel-good "Initial Puppy Offering" story.

• Review the role broad, low-cost index funds and ETFs may play in diversified, long-term investing.

• Discover highlights from Wes Moss's new book, The Retire Sooner Method, and learn how pre-ordering unlocks exclusive bonus resources.

Whether you're following the markets, curious about AI, or thinking ahead to retirement, this episode brings today's biggest financial conversations together in one place. Listen to and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast, and pre-order The Retire Sooner Method to unlock exclusive bonus content while it's still available.

Retirement planning has its challenges, which is why this special listener Q&A episode of the Money Matters Podcast tackles a wide range of financial topics. Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase, the COO of Clark Howard, Inc., as they explore retirement, investing, taxes, and wealth management considerations raised by listeners from across the country.

• Consider how Roth 401(k) and Roth IRA decisions may fit into a broader retirement and tax-planning framework.

• Explore diversification, asset allocation, and portfolio rebalancing concepts, including the potential roles of real estate, commodities, and risk management.

• Learn how net worth calculations, pension income, and retirement account consolidation may help provide a more complete view of household finances.

• Compare investment management approaches, from target-date funds and managed portfolios to the potential role of a fiduciary, fee-only financial advisor.

• Examine buffered investment products, fixed annuities, and principal-preservation considerations for investors evaluating alternatives to traditional stock market exposure.

Whether you're approaching retirement or refining an existing financial plan, this episode offers educational perspectives on some of today's most common investor questions. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for ongoing discussions about retirement planning, investing, tax considerations, and the financial factors that may influence long-term outcomes.

The stock market's performance during the first part of 2026 is prompting fresh questions about what history may or may not suggest about the months ahead. On this episode of the Money Matters Podcast, join Wes Moss and Connor Miller as they connect the dots between market trends, diversification, inflation, and the often-overlooked ingredients of retirement happiness.

• Examine how markets have historically behaved following notable early-year gains.

• Explore the growing role of technology and artificial intelligence in helping to shape market leadership.

• Assess concentration risk and diversification considerations across major market indexes.

• Unpack the buzz surrounding a highly anticipated private-company public offering.

• Consider how your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance may influence investment decisions.

• Discover why friendship and social connection may play a larger role in retirement happiness than many people realize.

• Follow the latest inflation data and the categories helping to drive recent price changes.

• Learn how to pre-order Wes Moss's new book, The Retire Sooner Method, and access available bonuses.

Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for context on market trends, retirement planning, and the factors that help shape financial decision-making.