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.

Curious how sports valuations reflect broader financial trends? On this episode of Money Matters, Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd break down the rising value of NFL teams—including the Atlanta Falcons—contrasting economic trends, and tax changes that could shape your financial outlook. • Track skyrocketing NFL team valuations and discover insights into broader financial trends. • Contrast corporate America’s strength with the rising jobless claims in the broader labor market. • Review recent market performance and identify which sectors beyond technology are driving growth. • Examine the new OBBA tax bill and what its provisions could mean for retirees and families. • Navigate long-term capital gains brackets while considering strategies like tax gain and tax loss harvesting. • Consider a real-world hypothetical illustrating the new senior deduction and its potential impact on planning decisions. • Weigh the limitations of artificial intelligence in tax forecasting and the ongoing value of working with a CPA. • Explore top-performing stocks over the past 30 years and reinforce the benefits of broad portfolio diversification. Stay informed and proactive about your financial future. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast today to keep gaining perspective and knowledge for a more confident retirement.

Discover the factors shaping productivity, markets, and the economy with Wes Moss and Connor Miller on the Money Matters Podcast. Stay informed and explore discussions about today’s economic and financial landscape. • Hear how Labor Day connects to America’s productivity trends and why cultural moments like football season and the Cracker Barrel logo can illustrate broader market sentiment. • Examine Nvidia’s earnings and its growing role within the S&P 500. • Track revisions in U.S. GDP growth and what they could indicate about economic trends. • Explore how productivity continues to rise even as manufacturing employment shifts. • Reflect on technological advances once imagined by the Jetsons and how they relate to today’s economy. • Review recent Federal Reserve actions, interest rate changes, and potential impacts on housing and first-time buyers. • Analyze corporate stock buybacks, for example by companies such as JP Morgan, Nvidia, Alphabet, and Apple, and consider distinctions between buybacks and dividends. • Compare historical stock and bond performance over 45 years, including long-term trends, income, and inflation considerations. • Observe how bonds contribute to portfolio stability and how diversification has historically enhanced resilience during market downturns. • Highlight trends in American manufacturing and how Midwest companies contribute to productivity trends. • Assess the expansion of ETFs, shifts from mutual funds, and what the variety of available funds suggests for investors. • Hear from Wes Moss, Connor Miller, and the Money Matters team about topics shaping markets and economic trends. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast to hear discussions about markets, investing, the economy, and financial topics shaping today’s world. Stay informed and stay engaged with the conversations that seek to provide perspective on today’s economic landscape.

Prepare for an engaging look at today’s markets and the evolving world of retirement living on this episode of Money Matters! Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd unpack key economic signals before Wes sits down with senior living specialist Jen Franks to explore retirement care and housing options with clarity and practicality. Analyze how Jerome Powell’s dovish speech at Jackson Hole may have influenced markets and what it might suggest for potential Fed rate changes. Evaluate housing trends as a driver for U.S. economic growth and what rising building permits may indicate. Examine the Cracker Barrel logo controversy and learn how market sentiment can sometimes affect stock performance independently of business fundamentals. Review labor data and immigration shifts to understand their possible impact on employment and the Fed’s cautious approach to inflation. Clarify the meaning of the neutral rate and its potential implications for interest rates and financial planning. Comprehend the difference between “restrictive” and neutral rates and how each has affected savers, borrowers, and retirees in the past. Assess the effects of tariffs on inflation and why the Fed may maintain a “wait and see” stance. Explore potential shifts in Fed leadership in 2025 and the possible influence on monetary policy. Discover the distinctions between independent living, assisted living, memory care, and CCRCs with the insights and experience of Jen Franks’ from Serving Seniors. Compare senior living costs across luxury and mid-tier options, highlighting amenities, services, and care levels included. Investigate rental versus buy-in models for retirement housing and the role of personal finances in selecting an effective fit. Recognize the importance of early financial preparation for senior care and strategies to manage compressed planning timelines. Identify ways adult children can support aging parents in selecting appropriate senior living arrangements when time is limited. Stay informed and empowered for retirement planning, market awareness, and family financial decisions. Listen now and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for practical, clear insights on your wealth, retirement, and future.

Get plugged into the conversations shaping today’s markets and retirement strategies on the Money Matters Podcast with Wes Moss and Connor Miller. This week’s episode packs timely economic insights with practical planning concepts to help you approach financial decisions with clarity and confidence. Examine key economic signals ahead of the Federal Reserve’s upcoming meeting and consider potential effects from shifting interest rates. Compare the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) to better understand what current inflation data may indicate for household budgets. Interpret the VIX “Chill-ometer” to understand today’s market volatility readings and their possible implications for investors. Assess how tariffs can influence inflation and why certain price changes could be temporary. Follow the path of rising producer costs to the checkout counter with clear, everyday examples. Review which categories—such as groceries, utilities, and textbooks—are experiencing the largest price increases this year. Outline the pillars of income investing, including multi-asset approaches, withdrawal rates, dividend growth, the dry powder principle, and tax efficiency. Discuss the 4% withdrawal guideline as one possible framework within retirement planning. Highlight how dividend growth may contribute to increasing income potential over time, including the concept of “yield on original cost.” Explain the role of dry powder, or safety assets, in navigating market downturns. Explore portfolio approaches that take tax efficiency into account, such as asset location and tax-loss harvesting. Stay informed with the Money Matters Podcast, where current market developments meet practical retirement planning perspectives. Listen now and subscribe to keep up with the conversations that can shape your financial thinking.

Navigate the shifting landscape of today’s economy in this episode of the Money Matters Podcast with Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd. Get clear, timely conversations on the trends, policies, and market forces shaping your wallet, your investments, and your financial decisions—without the noise or jargon. • Examine how signs of a cooling job market could influence interest rates and financial planning considerations. • Review the ongoing reliability of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) job reports, noting that while methodologies can evolve, the agency remains a trusted source for employment data. • Explore the rapid expansion of gig and part-time work and how it challenges long-standing measures of labor market health. • Track how labor market changes ripple through inflation, wage trends, and the Federal Reserve’s approach to interest rates. • Unpack the implications of new global tariffs, including exemptions benefiting U.S.-based manufacturing, and why companies like Apple may be committing major investments domestically. • Discuss how a more balanced labor market could ease wage inflation pressures and influence future Fed decisions on rate adjustments. • Analyze the growing role of artificial intelligence and automation in reshaping entry-level job opportunities and long-term career paths. • Review recent shifts in mortgage rates, including recent declines, and how they may impact affordability for buyers and homeowners. • Compare unemployment rates between the broader workforce and recent college graduates entering the job market. • Highlight how college tuition growth continues to outpace general inflation, reinforcing the importance of planning ahead for education expenses. • Identify key financial milestones—such as paying off a mortgage or funding a child’s education—that may signal greater financial readiness for retirement. • Reaffirm the value of multi-asset class income investing and how diversified, steadily growing income streams can possibly help maintain purchasing power over time. Press play and get the context you need to approach your financial journey with clarity. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast today so you never miss a conversation that matters. 🎧

Stay Informed and Empowered in Today’s Shifting Economy. Get ready to navigate today’s retirement landscape with clarity and confidence. In this episode of the Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss and Connor Miller unpack timely economic developments and explore how they may shape your financial decision-making. • Understand the latest Federal Reserve decisions, including two rare dissenting votes. • Break down recent GDP data to examine what may be contributing to—or obscuring—economic growth. • Track shifts in consumer sentiment and housing trends to see how affordability and inventory constraints could be affecting real estate dynamics. • Analyze the current interest rate and inflation environment, and consider potential implications for borrowing and investing. • Spot patterns in manufacturing, employment, and corporate earnings that may influence broader market behavior. • Examine the growing role of artificial intelligence—from market momentum to its potential reshaping of the job market and career resilience. • Explore how multi-asset income strategies are being used to support income needs and respond to market concentration and inflation risk. • Apply the CHIME framework—Consumer sentiment, Housing, Interest rates, Manufacturing, and Employment—to help interpret today’s economic signals with a structured lens. Stay engaged with insights that aim to inform, not predict. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast to stay educated, aware, and confident in your long-term financial planning.

Ready to enhance your understanding of retirement planning and financial markets? Join Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd on this episode of the Money Matters Podcast as they provide balanced insights into current market trends and factors that may influence your financial journey. • Explore the importance of diversification across multiple income sources in today’s market environment. • Review recent trends in dividend growth within the S&P 500 and consider how these compare to inflation rates. • Discuss Federal Reserve policies and their potential effects on interest rates, bonds, mortgages, and broader market conditions. • Examine current and projected interest and mortgage rate trends alongside housing market developments, including observations about Atlanta’s growth trends. • Summarize key market events of 2025, including new tariffs, geopolitical developments, U.S. credit rating updates, and recent legislation. • Note how markets have reached new highs amid volatility and reflect on what this might suggest about economic conditions and investor sentiment. • Consider S&P 500 valuations and shifts in market leadership beyond mega-cap stocks, with attention to earnings growth trends. • Review recent U.S.-Japan trade agreements and their possible implications for global trade dynamics. Stay informed! 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast to stay current with evolving market perspectives.

🎯 Rethink your financial future with the Money Matters Podcast, hosted by Wes Moss and Connor Miller. This episode shares real-world strategies to help you stay focused, informed, and better prepared for retirement—without the jargon. What you’ll discover in this episode: • Stay alert to shifting market sentiment tied to central bank leadership and evolving economic policies. • Watch inflation trends that remain relatively controlled despite modest recent increases. • Track earnings season highlights from banks, airlines, and semiconductors as corporate profits hold steady. • Monitor projections of $1 trillion in stock buybacks and $640 billion in dividends, reflecting corporate capital allocation trends. • Learn how buybacks may influence shareholder yield and earnings per share over time. • Consider a multi-asset class income investing approach designed to generate income from various asset classes. • Celebrate a new chapter as producer Mallory welcomes her baby to the Money Matters family. • Examine near-record-low unemployment and steady wage growth supporting consumer strength. • Explore accelerating AI adoption and its potential impact on worker productivity. • Follow continued consumer momentum with rising retail and dining sales. • Evaluate how recent tax legislation and tariff frameworks might shape long-term fiscal stability. • Recognize that market volatility could accompany positive returns. • Note a healthier market with nearly half of stocks outperforming benchmarks. • Reinforce the value of diversification as bonds resume their role in offsetting equity swings. • Explore building a total return strategy blending income and growth for added balance. 🎧 Listen now and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast for practical insights to help support your long-term financial confidence.

Transform your financial future with Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd in this action-focused episode of the Money Matters Podcast. Break down the newly passed "One Big Beautiful Bill" and explore its potentially wide-ranging impact on taxes, retirement planning, and long-term financial flexibility. • Examine what OBBB means for future tax rates. • Take advantage of higher SALT deduction limits, potentially reducing your tax burden. • Utilize new tax treatment for tips and overtime income, helpful for both retirees and part-time earners. • Accelerate business growth with expanded immediate expensing for investments. • Plan more confidently for the future with a higher estate tax exemption. Understand how these changes may create new planning opportunities—and why markets seem to remain resilient despite fiscal uncertainty. 🎧 Listen and subscribe, and start building a future you can feel good about. Visit yourwealth.com to connect with the Money Matters team.

On today’s episode of the Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase unlock powerful retirement and investment moves that could help shape your financial future. Today, they: • Explore how a couple with $5M in assets can consider early retirement while balancing tuition payments and uncertain markets. • Calculate the power of the 4% rule and see how $5M can potentially yield $200,000 annually in sustainable withdrawals. • Learn why emotional timing and slow investing may not always serve you best in today's interest rate environment. • Discover the real purpose of a financial manager—and why it's not about “beating” the S&P 500. • Examine the peace of mind that can come come from a 6-9 month investment strategy instead of stretching it over years. • Hear from a retired law enforcement officer with a $4,200/month pension weighing travel vs. keeping property—find out why selling his home may unlock nearly $90K/year in income. • Understand how capital gains exclusions might work when selling a primary residence before moving abroad. • Get clarity on using the new 529-to-Roth rollover rule—how parents can repurpose unused college funds for their working children. • Adjust your withdrawal strategy based on life expectancy—learn how shorter horizons (like 20 years) might allow for higher withdrawal rates, up to 5.5%. • Evaluate pension options that vary in payout length and amount—see how selecting the right one could impact your long-term cash flow. • Align retirement timing with market conditions—hear why one couple may want to delay retirement to avoid locking in stock losses. • Balance equity-heavy portfolios before retirement to help avoid relying too heavily on market performance. • Plan major home renovations before retiring—discover why waiting could turn into a costly trap. • Examine harnessing low-income years to help strategically harvest long-term capital gains—while possibly staying in the 0% tax bracket. • Use tax loss harvesting to offset gains and rebalance portfolios more efficiently. • Hear a real success story: consistent $1,000/month investing for 20 years yields over $2M—now learn how to effectively shift from aggressive to conservative assets. • Understand the difference between Roth contributions and Roth conversions—and avoid costly mix-ups. 👉 **Don’t miss this episode if you're ready to take control of your retirement with purpose, clarity, and confidence. Listen, download, and **SUBSCRIBE!

What if the most strategic life and retirement decisions aren’t based on instinct—but on data? In this fascinating episode of the Money Matters Podcast, Wes Moss is joined by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz—acclaimed author, economist, and data scientist—to explore what big data reveals about our hidden motivations, happiness triggers, and real-world success stories. 🎧 Tune in to discover: • The Truth Behind Google Searches: What anonymous search data tells us that surveys and social media can’t. • Why Childhood Can Shape Sports Fandom: The age when loyalty locks in—and how fantasy sports are rewriting the rules. • Climate & Mental Health: How living in warmer areas can measurably reduce depression, especially in winter. • Why We Make the Wrong Big Decisions: Gut feelings often mislead—see what the numbers say about more effective choices. • The Real Keys to Relationship Success: What data says actually predicts long-term happiness in love. • Who Really Gets Rich: More than actors or Wall Street bankers—learn how regional business owners quietly rise to the top 1%. • What Shapes Your Kids’ Future: Why neighborhoods and mentors matter more than parenting styles. • A Better Retirement Blueprint: Strong relationships and time near the water may be the real keys to joy in retirement. • Surprising Myths Busted by Big Data: From who finishes the books they buy to how parents treat sons vs. daughters. 🔍 Action Step: Want more retirement tools and insights? Visit yourwealth.com. Hit play now to start building a data-backed life—and purpose-filled, happy retirement.

Dive into this episode for practical insights, updated research, and actionable retirement anecdotes. 🚀 Wes Moss and Connor Miller cut out the financial jargon and help you jumpstart your strategy. Discover: • Groundbreaking new findings from the Money and Happiness in America study—including how much liquid savings may land you in the “green zone” of retirement happiness. • The evolving benchmarks for financial comfort and the plateau effect of wealth on happiness. • Why uncontrollable economic circumstances often top retirees' list of worries. • How geopolitical events and oil prices could intertwine with retirement planning • Surprising stats about the happiness levels of Americans near retirement and why simply reaching retirement might boost happiness dramatically. • The persistent “fear of running out of money”—even among high-net-worth individuals. • A look at today’s tough job market for recent college grads and the impact of AI. • The widening gap between market optimism among Republicans and Democrats. • What history says: Staying invested usually beats trying to time the market based on politics. • Free new ebook guide for retirement planning by decade, available at yourwealth.com