Get ready for a focused, fact-driven breakdown of the trends reshaping retirement planning, housing affordability, and market expectations in 2025. Wes Moss and Connor Miller bring forward clear context, fresh data points, and timely observations to help listeners understand today’s shifting financial landscape.

• Examine why 50-year mortgages are gaining attention, outline how stretching payments over five decades changes total interest obligations, and discuss how some households are assessing this structure amid historically high home prices.

• Review how today’s “K-shaped economy” reflects widening differences in income and asset growth, and highlight demographic shifts—including the rising age of first-time buyers—that show how access to homeownership is evolving.

• Compare how mortgage length, rate volatility, and affordability pressures interact to shape monthly housing costs and broader financial planning decisions.

• Reference long-term savings and investment participation data to illustrate how steady financial engagement has historically contributed to stronger overall preparedness.

• Summarize how recent government shutdown developments intersected with market sentiment, and describe how Federal Reserve rate considerations may be influenced by delayed or incomplete economic data.

• Emphasize that comprehensive, well-organized financial planning consistently appears in research as a characteristic reported by retirees who experience greater financial structure and clarity.

Stay engaged with thoughtful, research-backed conversations that help to support informed financial decision-making. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for ongoing context on retirement planning, market behavior, and today’s evolving economic environment.

In this Money Matters Podcast episode, hosts Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd provide research-backed insights on current market trends, retirement planning, and savings strategies, helping listeners evaluate financial information and consider potential options within a structured, risk-aware framework.

• Review Elon Musk’s Tesla compensation plan, why it might increase his chances of becoming a trillionaire, and the performance milestones associated with corporate targets, without implying expected outcomes.

• Learn why turkey prices have risen 75% this Thanksgiving, including regional production and supply factors that may influence retail prices.

• Examine what the Q ratio indicates about historical market valuations and how it can sometimes provide context for long-term investment planning.

• Explore historical patterns showing that the S&P 500 has often experienced stronger returns from November through April, while noting that past performance does not guarantee future results.

• Understand how market concentration, with the top 10 S&P 500 companies representing nearly 40% of the index, may affect diversification considerations in a portfolio.

• Consider how Federal Reserve rate adjustments near market highs have historically influenced market behavior, though individual results may vary.

• Assess retirement savings milestones, including 401(k) accumulation targets and suggested contribution guidelines, to support disciplined long-term planning.

• Reference practical financial rules of thumb that can help structure savings and investment decisions while remaining adaptable to individual circumstances.

• Reinforce the value of consistent, long-term investing as one approach among many to support personal financial objectives.

Gain thoughtful, research-informed perspectives to help frame your financial decisions. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast in the search for reliable, educational discussions that encourage careful consideration of your financial journey.

Ready to explore retirement strategies and financial fundamentals—while making sense of AI’s market influence, Federal Reserve rate cuts, and the changing world of work? In this week’s Money Matters episode, Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd translate today’s financial headlines into clear, thoughtful discussion—helping listeners better understand the connections between markets, innovation, and long-term planning.

• Clarify financial concepts. Hear how terms like Q ratio and basis points fit into broader market conversations and how understanding these ideas can support informed decision-making.

• Balance knowledge with humor. Enjoy lighthearted moments as Wes and Jeff share Halloween stories, family costume ideas, and insights on the Super Bowl halftime show—all while keeping perspective on what really matters financially.

• Explore AI’s influence on the workforce. Review current data from the World Economic Forum on how artificial intelligence is shaping employment trends—highlighting both areas of automation and new job creation.

• Understand AI-driven market concentration. Learn how the growth of AI-focused companies within the S&P 500 has shifted index dynamics, and how investors may think about diversification using equal-weighted ETFs, mid-caps, or small-caps.

• Put Federal Reserve policy in context. Examine the Fed’s latest rate cut and its historical relationship to market activity—without speculation—offering perspective on interest rate cycles and their potential economic implications.

• Compare retirement savings benchmarks. Explore average 401(k) balances across generations and consider how consistent saving habits and age-based planning can contribute to financial preparedness over time.

• Review Social Security updates. Understand the latest cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) and how these annual changes aim to align benefits with inflation trends.

• Identify evolving industries. Discover which fields—such as healthcare, cybersecurity, agriculture, food service, and logistics—are projected to evolve as technology continues to advance.

• Reframe the future of work. Look beyond AI-related concerns to discuss how innovation may shift, rather than eliminate, opportunities across multiple sectors.

Stay informed, stay balanced, and stay engaged with Money Matters—where Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd help to bring clarity and research-driven insight to your financial questions. Listen and subscribe for thoughtful conversations on markets, retirement planning, and the economy—without the hype or jargon.

Looking for a clearer way to think about markets, AI, and retirement? In this week’s Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss and Connor Miller explore current market themes, technological shifts, and retirement realities—offering context to help listeners make informed, thoughtful financial decisions.

• Explore how artificial intelligence continues to shape productivity, innovation, and investor sentiment across industries.

• Understand what recent highs in the S&P 500 may reflect about market dynamics and long-term investor behavior.

• Compare cap-weighted and equal-weighted indices to better understand how market composition can influence overall index performance.

• Evaluate the importance of maintaining appropriate diversification and avoiding excessive exposure to any single sector or theme.

• Clarify how index investing works and why awareness of underlying holdings supports more intentional portfolio construction.

• Recognize that sectors beyond technology—such as industrials and utilities—also play an important role in a balanced investment approach.

• Be inspired by the story of Tom Sillo, the 58-year-old college football player whose journey illustrates how purpose and growth can continue through every stage of life.

• Reimagine what retirement can look like through activities, learning, and community that align with your personal interests and goals.

• Review shifts in the U.S. real estate market, including areas where buyer and seller dynamics have recently changed.

• Consider conducting a regular portfolio review to help ensure your strategy remains aligned with your objectives, time horizon, and tolerance for risk.

Stay informed and intentional. Listen to this episode of the Money Matters Podcast for balanced discussions on markets, retirement, and financial decision-making. Subscribe today to stay connected with thoughtful conversations that can help bring clarity to your financial life.

Interested in understanding the latest trends shaping retirement and investing? This episode of the Money Matters Podcast with Wes Moss and Connor Miller offers an educational discussion designed to help listeners stay informed about developments in retirement plans, private equity, and artificial intelligence (AI) in today’s markets. Gain perspective—not predictions—on how these topics may influence the financial landscape over time.

• Examine how 401(k) plans are evolving and why private equity is being discussed as a potential addition to certain retirement plan structures.

• Explore how certain organizations are engaging in conversations around expanding access to specific private market investments.

• Understand the potential advantages and limitations of private equity, including liquidity, valuation practices, and investor eligibility considerations.

• Recognize that only about 40% of Americans are familiar with private equity, underscoring the importance of continued financial education and awareness.

• Review the role of collective investment trusts (CITs) and target-date funds, and how these vehicles are used within employer-sponsored retirement plans.

• Hear how artificial intelligence is being applied in business settings, including a large retailer’s use of AI and IoT technology in an attempt to improve supply chain logistics.

• Consider how AI-related business investments may influence efficiency, operational performance, and capital expenditures over time.

• Reflect on life expectancy trends and the importance of longevity planning as part of a thoughtful retirement income strategy.

• Explore how diversified, multi-asset income approaches may help support long-term portfolio sustainability and withdrawal planning.

• Review why income-focused frameworks, such as the 4% rule of thumb, continue to serve as points of reference in retirement planning discussions.

Retirement planning is a personal, ongoing process that depends on each individual’s goals, time horizon, and circumstances. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for balanced, educational conversations that promote understanding and confidence in your financial decision-making process.

Wall Street may love its complex jargon, but Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd try to simplify financial planning with insights designed to help listeners make informed decisions. This episode of the Money Matters Podcast reviews market trends, retirement planning, and tax considerations within the context of long-term wealth management.

• Examine how the three-year bull market has affected the S&P 500’s market capitalization and consider historical market trends.

• Review 2026 tax brackets and expanded income thresholds to understand potential implications for tax planning and retirement planning.

• Compare performance of dividend stocks, bonds, and gold over the past three years to provide context for portfolio management.

• Observe wealth concentration among top earners and its effect on average investment outcomes.

• Consider historical bull market durations and average returns to provide perspective for financial planning.

• Identify patterns in all-time highs as part of broader stock market momentum analysis.

• Analyze current valuations of mega-cap tech and AI-driven companies within the context of long-term market trends.

• Explore price-to-earnings ratios across small, midsize, and large S&P 500 firms for insight into portfolio diversification.

• Monitor labor market slowdowns, cooling home prices, and Federal Reserve actions as factors influencing economic conditions.

• Verify AI-generated financial information to support accurate research and planning.

• Track inflation adjustments and updates to tax and capital gains brackets that may affect retirement planning and tax planning.

• Assess periodic portfolio rebalancing as one approach to align with risk tolerance and retirement objectives.

• Understand the value of a tailored financial plan to support long-term financial well-being.

• Examine strategies for addressing common retirement concerns, including market variability, withdrawal considerations, and legacy planning.

• Review upcoming consumer stimulus and potential effects of macroeconomic events, including the World Cup and monetary policy updates, on financial planning decisions.

Stay informed on retirement planning, portfolio management, and market trends—listen to this episode of the Money Matters Podcast. Subscribe to Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd for ongoing financial insights designed to help you make informed decisions with perspective and clarity.

Explore retirement and financial planning with Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd on the Money Matters Podcast! Gain research-informed insights that can help you consider how economic trends and personal decisions may influence your long-term financial journey.

• Examine historical patterns of government shutdowns on the economy and stock market since 1976, and observe how the S&P 500 has generally responded during these periods.

• Assess rising living costs—including housing, healthcare, and childcare—and how they may affect retirement preparedness.

• Explore the "retirement squeeze" in Goldman Sachs and Investopedia reports, and evaluate what the $5 million American dream represents today.

• Compare savings strategies and consider the potential benefits of starting investments early.

• Learn about the Year Zero Savings Plan, which initiates retirement savings from a child’s first year.

• Review SECURE Act 2.0 updates allowing certain 529 plans to convert into Roth IRAs under specific conditions.

• Consider how delayed milestones—homeownership, marriage, parenthood—may influence retirement timelines.

• Analyze Q3 stock market trends and sector performance for context on current conditions.

• Explore ideas that may support thoughtful retirement planning at any stage of life.

Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for research-informed perspectives on retirement and investing, and consider how these insights could apply to your own financial planning decisions.

Ready to cut through the noise and get clear on today’s financial markets and retirement planning trends? On this episode of the Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss and Connor Miller share perspectives on market performance, economic updates, and planning frameworks that can help inform your financial decision-making.

• Review how the S&P 500’s recent run compares to historical stock market returns.

• Reflect on how past market performance can offer perspective, while recognizing it does not predict future results.

• Learn about the 0.01% Rule—a spending framework designed to encourage intentional financial choices tied to net worth.

• Explore the balance between frugality and valuing your time in retirement.

• Look at recent updates on interest rates, mortgage rates, job market data, and rental prices.

• Understand how Federal Reserve policy decisions interact with interest rates across the economy.

• See how seasonal stock market patterns have varied since 1928.

• Compare dividend-paying stocks with broader indexes in different market environments.

• Hear perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence in financial planning, including its potential and limitations.

• Access retirement planning resources that can help you bat different stages of life.

Stay informed about the economic forces that shape your financial world. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast to keep learning each week.

Looking for a clear perspective on retirement, investing, and the economy? Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd bring real-world conversations designed to add clarity and context to today’s financial headlines.

• Unpack the latest Fed rate cut and what it may mean for loans and markets.

• Question what Jerry Greenfield’s exit from Ben & Jerry’s suggests about values-driven business.

• Compare today’s mortgage rates with record lows and see why many homeowners may feel “locked in.”

• Understand the tight housing market and its implications for buyers and sellers.

• Examine how markets have historically reacted after rate cuts, backed by data.

• Reflect on the psychological effects of inflation and volatility, and explore ways to maintain perspective.

• Apply foundational retirement planning principles like the 4% rule of thumb, the rich ratio, and diversification.

• Revisit your financial plan to adjust for rising costs and shifting markets.

• Explore why concerns about running out of money can affect savers at every wealth level, and what factors may ease those concerns.

• Anticipate how potential stimulus and tax refunds could influence consumer spending.

Stay informed. Stay engaged. Listen to the Money Matters Podcast today—and subscribe to keep your financial knowledge up to speed.

Get the clarity and confidence you need as Wes Moss, Connor Miller, and Christa DiBiase break down today’s swirling economic landscape and answer your most critical money questions. This episode of Money Matters turns today’s complex headlines and listener challenges into clear, actionable insights for retirement planning.

• Track how today’s economic crosscurrents—including recession chatter, jobs data, and inflation—may be shaping the outlook for U.S. growth.

• Examine the importance of jobless claims, payroll growth, and recent BLS revisions that could shift how investors and retirees view the labor market.

• Spot how declining mortgage rates and strong housing demand could provide potential tailwinds for the broader economy.

• Measure the role of residential construction jobs as a potential recession signal and why current numbers may suggest stability.

• Understand the impact of the coming 2026 consumer tax refund surge tied to new legislation and how it may influence household spending.

• Break down how higher labor productivity and technological shifts like artificial intelligence could affect corporate profits and inflation trends.

• Review listener Q&A on brokerage accounts, investment tools, tax-efficient withdrawals, mortgage decisions, and strategies for early retirement account access.

• Compare the flexibility of withdrawals across Roth, 401(k), IRA, and brokerage accounts to support informed financial decision-making.

• Clarify the rules for accessing retirement funds before 59½, including the Rule of 55 and 72(t) distributions, and what they may mean for both traditional and Roth accounts.

Stay informed and proactive—listen now to strengthen your understanding of retirement, investing, and today’s economy. Subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for weekly conversations that keep you engaged with the latest financial and economic trends.