Wes is 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. Then, Wes dives into the top ten trends that will define 2025 for investors, starting with resilience in the markets and economy, the dominance of the consumer, and a surge in productivity fueled by emerging technologies like AI. Producer and co-host Jeff Lloyd analyzes what these trends mean for investors, covering everything from the bull market's potenti ..read more

Money Matters co-host and producer Jeff Lloyd joins Wes in the studio. Wes instills the top 10 happy retiree lessons he’s learned from his guests while hosting the Retire Sooner podcast ..read more

Whether you’re 25 or nearing retirement age, you’ll learn something new about how to maximize social security and plan for the future in today’s show. Wes introduces you to Mary Beth Franklin, one of the country’s leading specialists on social security and Medicare and a popular guest on Wes’s Retire Sooner podcast. In this conversation, Mary Beth answers questions such as, why do you think Social Security has become so confusing and difficult for so many people to make sense of as they get ready to retire? What are some actionable steps to take right now to prepare for or maximize their socia ..read more

What do the happiest retirees on the block (HROBs) know that the unhappiest retirees on the block (UROBs) don’t? It took the better part of a decade to conduct the surveys, analysis and research necessary to find the answers to this crucial question, and Wes compiled all of it into his latest book: “What the Happiest Retirees Know ..read more

Co-host and Producer Jeff Lloyd joins Wes in the studio on today’s episode of Money Matters. Wes starts by celebrating his alma mater (University of North Carolina) hiring Bill Belichick, and that leads them into a discussion about the rising salaries of college coaches and the explosive growth of NIL money for athletes. Next, they examine the latest market trends, including a new all-time high for the NASDAQ. They dig into the latest inflation update, including its specific effects, and look for ways to hedge the gap between wage growth and rising costs. Will the Fed continue to lower interes ..read more

On today’s episode, Producer and Co-host Jeff Lloyd joins Wes in the studio to discuss smart financial habits, avoiding impulsive decisions, and staying disciplined in investing. They analyze the importance of resisting unnecessary purchases, practicing patience with investments, and avoiding the trap of "FOMO Freddy"—chasing past winners in the market. They touch on the concern about tariffs, the tense situations in France and South Korea, Cyber Monday, and even Jim Cramer’s comical quote about pizza. Finally, they highlight the historical productivity of long-term planning, diversification ..read more

In today’s episode of Money Matters, Wes is joined by Edd and Cynthia Staton. Their retirement plans were disrupted by the 2008 Financial Crisis, leading them to create a Plan B. In 2010, they moved to Cuenca, Ecuador, where they enjoy a comfortable and affordable lifestyle. Their experience reflects a broader trend: the number of retirees receiving Social Security outside the U.S. surged 40% between 2007 and 2017. Now seen as experts in expat retirement, the Statons have authored best-selling books, featured in major media, and run an online program called Retirement Reimagined ..read more

On today’s show, Wes is joined in the studio by Capital Investment Advisors' Chief Investment Officer Connor Miller. They talk about the seesaw start to the year, with all three major indices moving up for a few days, then down, and how this might contribute to a “wait and see” mentality for investors and Wall Street professionals. They dig into certain facets of the market and discuss how decelerating inflation and low unemployment have raised hopes about a possible soft landing. Finally, they react to college football legend Nick Saban’s recent retirement announcement and analyze whether or ..read more

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On today’s show, co-host, producer, and new Uncle Jeff Lloyd joins Wes in the studio. They toss out the pumpkins, string up the holiday lights, and examine the abundance of recent market highs. For perspective, they chart market returns dating back to William McKinley in 1896. Next, they delve into the housing market and discover an eye-popping statistic. But, they point out that some good news may be on the horizon. Though lowering interest rates has not had the positive effects some had hoped for, a new administration sometimes brings different priorities. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of ..read more