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.