Is the American middle class actually shrinking, or evolving? In this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase offer educational context on widely discussed economic, investing, and retirement planning topics shaping today’s financial conversations.

Listen as long-term data, market history, and household-level considerations are used to frame—not forecast—how these issues connect.

• Examine why the U.S. middle class is often described as shrinking and how income mobility, inflation-adjusted thresholds, and household dynamics influence that narrative.

• Review how artificial intelligence is commonly discussed in relation to productivity, workforce demand, and labor market participation.

• Outline general considerations around emergency savings, including income consistency, job stability, and insurance coverage.

• Explain factors households often weigh when deciding whether to engage a financial professional for planning support.

• Provide historical context on gold, market corrections, and why gold is sometimes referenced in diversification discussions.

• Summarize why dividends are frequently included in long-term investing conversations across market cycles.

• Highlight planning considerations for investment club assets, including potential capital gains implications during account or custodian transitions.

• Examine variables that may influence retirement spending needs, reinforcing that planning outcomes vary by household.

• Compare commonly discussed perspectives on dollar-cost averaging versus lump-sum investing during periods of market volatility.

This episode focuses on education and perspective—not individualized recommendations. Listen and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing conversations that place investing and retirement topics into long-term context.

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