The Clark Howard Podcast 10.07.25 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss
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Oct 7, 2025 Is inflation ultimately friend or foe for your investments? Discover the inflation range that helps stocks thrive and how it affects growth versus dividend stocks. The show also critiques the $5 million American Dream, breaking down its components like housing and kids. Learn how smart investing can lower the income needed for a comfortable retirement. Plus, get advice on life insurance and college savings strategies like 529 rollovers. Tune in for practical insights and listener questions!
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Goldilocks Inflation Boosts Stocks
- The stock market historically performs best with mild inflation around 0–2%, near 2% being ideal.
- High inflation (>4%) reduces average returns while very low or negative inflation shifts returns by sector.
Sectors Shift With Inflation
- Different stock types outperform in different inflation regimes: dividend/value does better in high inflation and growth does better in low inflation.
- Interest-rate and valuation environments drive which sectors lead, not inflation alone.
Get In-Industry Experience First
- To earn your CFP®, get a paid role or apprenticeship in financial services, even part-time, to build required experience and improve exam readiness.
- Use industry work to make CFP study practical and reach the 6,000-hour experience requirement more realistically.