The Clark Howard Podcast 01.06.26 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss
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Jan 6, 2026 Discover how your net worth stacks up against America's wealth statistics and find out the percentage of Americans who qualify as millionaires. Wes Moss shares a proven blueprint for financial freedom, emphasizing consistent savings and smart investing. He tackles concerns about job security in the age of AI and discusses the strategic potential of buying a college-area condo. Plus, learn about buffered ETFs and the importance of retirement planning for a happier future. Tune in for practical advice and insightful answers to listener questions!
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Current U.S. Household Wealth Snapshot
- The Federal Reserve's Study of Consumer Finances is the primary source for household wealth data and is updated every three years.
- Recent data show about one-third of U.S. households have net worth over $500K and ~20% have net worth over $1M.
Wealth Often Lives Outside Retirement Accounts
- Much of American wealth sits outside retirement accounts in home equity, businesses, and brokerage accounts.
- This explains why 20% of households are millionaires but only ~1% have $1M+ in retirement accounts.
Use Roths For Emergency Access
- Prioritize Roth accounts for accessible, penalty-free contributions that you can withdraw if needed.
- Max out Roth IRAs and keep some high-yield savings for liquidity during career disruption fears like AI-driven change.