Money Matters With Wes Moss

Wes and Christa compare ETFs vs. index funds and retirement accounts vs. brokerage accounts. Unlock financial clarity and early retirement strategies with this jam-packed episode of dynamic discussion and listener questions, covering topics such as: • The importance of staying invested during market volatility, using a recent market upswing as an example of patience leading to productive results. • The aforementioned differences between ETFs, index funds, and even mutual funds. Discover which ones might be most effective for your specific needs. • An explanation of Lipper Ratings and how tax efficiency can matter in taxable accounts. Are ETFs more tax-friendly? • Learn how the S&P 500, while typically having a strong investment core, can be tech-heavy and may sometimes lack exposure to sectors like energy, materials, and real estate. How can diversification be achieved? • Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) can be exciting but are often risky. A small, speculative allocation might be fine, but is it producti

Is owning a home still a good investment? What are the 5 most important topics to cover when meeting with someone for financial guidance? Wes and Christa cut through the noise to explore these issues and answer listener questions, including: • Explore the pros and cons of that homeownership question, housing as a long-term investment, and why it still matters. Learn why housing may serve as forced savings, inflation protection, and a path to mortgage-free retirement. • Analyze the impact of housing market volatility and interest rates. Understand current trends in housing prices and mortgage rates, and what they could mean for your financial decisions. • Decode the use of leverage in real estate to help build wealth. Discover how a modest down payment on a home might lead to a significant long-term return compared to methods constricted by contribution limits. • Evaluate the 4% Rule of thumb. Is it still relevant? How can folks adjust withdrawal rates based on their retirement horizon? Get clarity on how

Explore ways fear can sometimes subside in financial markets. Examine how missing the worst days, not just the best ones, can lead to less productive gains over time. Wes and Christa analyze: • Why 2025’s market feels more like a “bungee cord” than a rollercoaster. • How to use the VIX (fear index) to gauge investor sentiment—and what it could mean for your investments. • What historical spikes in fear (dot-com crash, 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, COVID-19, inflation shock) might teach us about recovery patterns. • Why most fear-filled crises eventually subside—and how to spot the turning point in hindsight. • How central bank interventions, Fed rate changes, and global economic actions can sometimes calm markets over time. They answer listener questions about families, retirement, and catch-up plans, including: • How to save for retirement on one income with kids. • If you have to take RMDs at 72 while still working. (Hint: You might not have to!). • Why it’s okay for some to tap into their Ro

Make informed decisions about your retirement plans, even in a bear market. Learn whether to cancel your vacation plans due to stock market concerns and discover how to manage your investments effectively. Explore strategies like layering for early retirement and understand the implications of drawing down your TSP defined contribution plan. Examine rebalancing your taxable brokerage account, including ETFs and mutual funds, and learn the rules for rebalancing your Roth IRA. Fine-tune your Roth IRA allocation for long-term growth, considering factors like pension plans and risk tolerance. Understand investment benchmarks and how to accurately assess your portfolio's performance. Zooming out to view a longer time horizon typically provides more perspective than comparing everything to your own market high watermark. Compare maximizing your Social Security savings for short-term growth and with the benefits of optimizing based on your specific needs and stress points. Evaluate the role of home equity in your

Explore the latest developments in the tariff tumult, including how a lack of clarity may have led to both market meltdowns and a melt-ups: a rollercoaster of highs and lows. Learn the key takeaways from a complicated situation and discover how to potentially navigate your path to financial independence in retirement. Headlines are temporary, but your financial plan shouldn't be. Analyze the essential balance of diverse portfolios and dry powder. Accept that investing comes with the risk of down days, but realize the damage caused by missing the market rebounds. Listen to Wes and Christa answer listener questions. Is it best to eradicate debt before retirement, even if that means tapping into reserve funds? Is a HELOC ever an effective strategy? Should you take Social Security early if given the opportunity, or maximize the impact by waiting? Examine the Mappiness Project, where a team of data scientists from the London School of Economics used an iPhone application to measure happiness, anxiety, and emoti

Max out your financial insight with real-world retirement strategies and listener Q&A. Learn how to respond to shifting interest rates and weigh the pros and cons of working part-time during retirement. Explore ways to manage Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), understand Social Security’s 35-year formula, and decide when to tap into pensions. Get strategic about funding early retirement for your parents with trusts, tax-smart giving, and family financial planning—plus, a warning on why joint accounts sometimes backfire. Hear insightful thoughts on dollar-cost averaging frequency and why investing when you have cash may often beat spreading it out. Unpack the tension between inflation and early retirement, and why transparency can be essential when families share financial responsibilities. Discover why market turbulence doesn’t have to shake your strategy. Hear how George Clooney’s character in O Brother, Where Art Thou? becomes a metaphor for staying the course—a reminder to tune out noise and resist l

Take control of your financial future. Learn how to determine the withdrawal rate for your retirement. Should you stick to the classic 4% rule, or is a 5% withdrawal rate possible? Hear why flexibility is key and how different spending approaches can impact your long-term security. Discover the impact of inflation, the pursuit of optimizing Social Security, and how a surprisingly small number of stocks make up about 50% of the S&P 500’s total value. Is it possible to time the market, or is participation a more strategic goal? Whether you're years away from retirement or already there, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you max out without running out. Tune in now as Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase break it all down! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlock secrets to increase the probability of saving more for retirement, managing risk, and making more efficient financial moves. Learn how a simple mindset shift could potentially lead to a 14% increase in savings, why your risk tolerance evolves over time, and how to structure your investments for a more secure future. Explore strategies for dry powder reserves, Roth vs. traditional 403(b) contributions, and pension buyout decisions. Get helpful insights on dividend stocks, cybersecurity for retirement accounts, and creative legal ways to bridge income gaps before claiming Social Security. Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase break it all down on this episode of The Retire Sooner Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Learn how to optimize your retirement planning by utilizing essential financial tools. Discover strategies for leveraging a COLA-adjusted pension, navigating 403(b) withdrawals while contributing to a Roth IRA, and minimizing taxes. Explore rolling I bonds into a 529 plan without triggering taxable events. Analyze switching funds while managing a 401(k) or how Fidelity’s BrokerageLink might provide low-fee options without incurring taxes or penalties. Understand how to make the most of your retirement plan without worrying about tax implications. Enjoy all this and more as Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase take listener calls, help ease tariff fears, and marvel at the power of the American Army of Productivity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dive into the six biggest mistakes early retirees often make—and how to avoid them. Are you financially prepared to retire sooner than 67? See why a phased retirement strategy can be a game-changer, learn how to secure multiple streams of income, and examine why location matters when it comes to staying close to family. Tackle the real cost of healthcare, the Social Security timing trap, and the risks of over-supporting adult children at the expense of your own future. Packed with insights and real-life retirement planning scenarios, Wes and Christa chart a roadmap that seeks financial independence. Don't just dream of retiring early—take control of your retirement future, and start with this episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Break down the five financial habits of the happiest retirees—including how much money you really need, the power of multiple income streams, and why paying off your mortgage faster might boost happiness. Learn how rational optimism can fuel effective investing and how the 4% Plus Rule of thumb can typically keep you from running out of money. Then, discover the five lifestyle habits that make retirement fulfilling, from core pursuits (hobbies on steroids!) to the importance of independent kids, strong social connections, and travel with friends. Plus, Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase answer listener questions to tackle TSP (Thrift Savings Plan) rollovers, tax-efficient investing, RSU (Restricted Stock Units) strategies, and Medicare-friendly portfolio rebalancing. Your roadmap to financial freedom and a joyful retirement starts here on The Retire Sooner Podcast! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tackle the million-dollar retirement question: How much is enough? Use Wes’s "Fill the Gap" (FTG) method to simplify retirement math—subtract guaranteed income like Social Security from your monthly spending goal and multiply the shortfall by 25 to calculate target savings. Explore other early retirement strategies, including the debate about lump sum buyouts vs. pensions, and weigh real estate against dividend-yielding ETFs for passive income. Finally, join Wes and Christa for a candid discussion about financial media scare tactics and why staying the course typically beats chasing headlines. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Probe America’s "mini-millionaires"—how they earn, invest, and build wealth through hard work, not luck. Dive into the potential for owning stocks and buying a home with a focus on financial independence, not flash. Wes and Christa take listener questions to tackle substantial inheritance management, debate bonds vs. money markets for long-term gains, examine Robo-advisors hoarding cash, and the idea of doubling down on security to thwart hackers. Wes wraps with John Bogle’s playbook: invest rather than speculate, slash expenses, and don’t let perfectionism ruin a solid financial plan. By taking action and investing with purpose, you may be able to retire sooner than you think. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should you take a lump sum or pension payout? Use the 6% Test to help you decide. With markets hitting record highs, is it the right time to invest, or should you wait? History suggests some clues that retirement planning should not be left to chance. Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase provide crucial context by answering listener questions about 401(k) target date funds, beta vs. volatility, selling a business for retirement, mega backdoor Roth IRAs, and inherited IRAs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover 5 powerful portfolio diversification strategies to help reduce market anxiety and boost financial security. Learn how these strategies can apply to kids, retirees, and folks in between, with actionable ways to set up a custodial Roth IRA for young entrepreneurs, maximize retirement savings, and choose an investment approach that fits your needs. Find out why kids earning money from small businesses, like selling roadside squash, could qualify for a Roth IRA. Avoid common mistakes like investing in a target date fund too soon. Looking for a fee-only fiduciary? Learn the real costs of hourly financial planning and how some people find trusted guidance. Thinking of ditching bonds for cash? Wes and Christa explain why bonds have historically outperformed money markets and why a balanced portfolio is key for long-term growth. Plus, dive into the Army of American productivity and how it impacts financial strategies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New changes in Social Security policies, particularly the elimination of the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), may have significant implications for roughly 3 million Americans. Teachers, nurses, firefighters, police officers, and other public-sector workers who previously saw their Social Security benefits slashed may now receive the full benefits they’ve earned. This shift is reshaping retirement planning for many Americans, making it more critical than ever to have a solid financial strategy and for couples to be on the same page to help avoid future stress and regret. On today’s episode, Wes is joined again by Christa DiBiase, the COO of Clark Howard, Inc. By answering listener questions and sharing informed analysis, Wes points out the essential distinctions between fiduciaries vs. non-fiduciary advisors, reminds listeners about diversifying portfolios into broad market indices to help to minimize risk, and explains how a money market account is typically a hi

Unpack the keys to investing for a happy retirement by highlighting foundational principles like prioritizing stocks to combat inflation and the strategic use of diversified "dry powder" assets for stability. Tackle listener questions, exploring international investments, mortgage payoff strategies, long-term healthcare costs, and tax-efficient withdrawals. On today’s episode, Wes is joined again by Christa DiBiase, the COO of Clark Howard, Inc. Wes zooms in on the need for patience and persistence in investing, advising against the pitfalls of impulsive decisions and ill-advised “perfection-chasing” behavior. Together, Wes and Christa attempt to equip listeners with strategies to navigate financial challenges, stay resilient, and retire sooner with confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, Wes looks at 2024’s obstacles to see what might serve as clues for success in 2025. The resilient U.S. economy closed 2024 with a 25% S&P 500 gain, defying inflation fears, international turmoil, and political upheaval. While consumer spending remains a vital economic driver, boosted by low unemployment and rising wages, renewed productivity fueled by AI and innovation could spark another boom. With the current bull market still young and some earnings forecasts showing a robust 13% growth, optimism abounds. However, investors should prepare for the possible return of market volatility after two unusually stable years. Bonds are regaining appeal as yields climb, and income strategies like dividends offer a steadying force amid market swings. Overall, Wes celebrates 2025’s potential for growth but reminds listeners that it will only benefit those disciplined folks who stay invested. And he takes some listener questions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, we dive into the essential pillars for seeking to achieve financial freedom and a fulfilling retirement. Wes outlines five key strategies that may contribute to long-term success: prioritizing stocks, embracing massive diversification, practicing patience and longevity, navigating today's investing challenges, and creating a robust financial plan. Wes is also joined by Christa DiBiase, COO of Clark Howard, Inc., to answer questions from across the country, offering insights on managing high investment fees, planning for retirement without Social Security, and balancing risk in portfolios. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve all met that one guy who pontificates endlessly about the “fantastic” investments he’s made that year. He always seems drawn to the hottest and latest trends. You don’t fully believe him, but it still makes you feel a bit of dread at the thought of being left behind. On this episode of the Retire Sooner Podcast, Producer Mallory joins Wes in the studio to explain why a fear of missing out on the FOMO Freddies of the world is typically not worth the energy. Though his bluster may temporarily cloud your judgment, it doesn’t change the reality that consistently and patiently following the five key principles for successful investing can often provide a significant opportunity for you to achieve the financial freedom you seek. Wes and Mallory discuss the probability of similar long-term returns for different investment styles, such as value, growth, quality, and minimum volatility, when investors incorporate diversification, patience, and discipline into those financial strategies. They underline the impo