#272 – The American Dream Reset: Retirement Costs, Inflation, and Savings Strategies

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Curious how today’s costs, inflation trends, and shifting expectations are shaping the American Dream? Join Wes Moss and Christa DiBiase on the Retire Sooner Podcast as they provide context on financial headlines, explore common planning questions, and share research-informed insights for your retirement journey.

  • Explore the discussion around what it may take to reach the American Dream and whether a $5 million lifetime target is a realistic benchmark.

  • Review how inflation has historically influenced the stock market and why the concept of a “Goldilocks zone” may be relevant for long-term investors.

  • Compare how inflation can affect different categories of stocks, including dividend-paying and growth-oriented companies.

  • Discuss what pursuing a CFP designation or considering a late-stage career shift into financial planning might involve.

  • Consider how high-yield bond ETFs are typically viewed in the marketplace and why “junk bonds” continue to spark debate among investors.

  • Examine different ways couples might think about retirement savings benchmarks—whether by age-based charts or total household goals.

  • Illustrate the role of compound growth in both saving and investing when working toward retirement readiness.

  • Highlight factors to weigh when assessing whether to maintain or drop life insurance as retirement approaches, including debt, dependents, and overall assets.

  • Outline new Secure 2.0 provisions that allow certain 529 plan funds to be redirected to Roth IRAs for children.

  • Showcase how automation and behavioral systems can encourage consistent savings habits across different income levels and career stages.

Every financial situation is unique, but gaining context can help make more informed choices. Listen now and subscribe to the Retire Sooner Podcast for ongoing conversations that keep you engaged with today’s retirement and financial planning landscape.

🎧 Subscribe, share it with a friend, and take one step closer to your happy retirement. Follow the show on Instagram and YouTube.

Call 800-805-6301 to leave a voicemail or contact us HERE for a chance to have your question featured in an upcoming episode.

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This information is provided to you as a resource for educational purposes and as an example only and is not to be considered investment advice or recommendation or an endorsement of any particular security.  Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. There is no guarantee offered that investment return, yield, or performance will be achieved.  There will be periods of performance fluctuations, including periods of negative returns and periods where dividends will not be paid.  Past performance is not indicative of future results when considering any investment vehicle. The mention of any specific security should not be inferred as having been successful or responsible for any investor achieving their investment goals.  Additionally, the mention of any specific security is not to infer investment success of the security or of any portfolio.  A reader may request a list of all recommendations made by Capital Investment Advisors within the immediately preceding period of one year upon written request to Capital Investment Advisors.  It is not known whether any investor holding the mentioned securities have achieved their investment goals or experienced appreciation of their portfolio.  This information is being presented without consideration of the investment objectives, risk tolerance, or financial circumstances of any specific investor and might not be suitable for all investors. This information is not intended to, and should not, form a primary basis for any investment decision that you may make. Always consult your own legal, tax, or investment advisor before making any investment/tax/estate/financial planning considerations or decisions.

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