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The Clark Howard Podcast

01.21.25 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss - Why Successful Investors Buy Stocks (Mostly) and Stock Market FOMO

Jan 21, 2025
Wes Moss, a fee-only fiduciary financial advisor and member of Team Clark, dives deep into the world of investing and retirement planning. He discusses the necessity of stocks for building a retirement nest egg, highlighting that a median happy retiree needs around $700,000. Wes also tackles the issue of FOMO—fear of missing out—and emphasizes why ignoring impulsive investment decisions is crucial. Listeners also get to hear about effective retirement strategies, including diversification and the balance between stocks and stable assets.
35:14

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Stocks are essential for building wealth and achieving retirement goals, with historical returns averaging close to 10% per annum.
  • Maintaining 'dry powder' in stable assets allows investors to weather market volatility without panic, fostering strategic long-term decision-making.

Deep dives

The Importance of Stocks in Investing

Stocks are emphasized as a crucial component for successful investing and achieving financial freedom in retirement. They are presented as a primary tool for outpacing inflation and growing purchasing power over time, especially through broader investments like the S&P 500. Historical data shows that, despite significant market corrections over the past 25 years, including the COVID-19 crash and prior economic downturns, the average returns for stocks remain compelling, close to 10% per annum over long periods. This highlights the necessity of investing in stocks, alongside a diversified portfolio, as a strategy to build wealth for future retirement needs.

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