Podcasts · The Clark Howard Podcast

11.03.26 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss

· 36 min

Episode 11.03.26 Ask An Advisor With Wes Moss

0:00 35:41

The Real Cost of Owning a Car & Can You Actually Retire on $500,000?Wes breaks down the cold, hard numbers on two major financial questions that could completely change your path to financial independence. First, Wes dives into "car math," looking past the monthly payment to reveal the true total cost of ownership — including depreciation, fuel, maintenance, and insurance — across popular vehicles. He breaks down the 20-year math behind buying new versus used, keeping cars for 10 years versus cycling every three to five, and even whether ridesharing is the better move for low-mileage drivers, illustrating how holding onto your ride for a decade can pocket you an extra $100,000 in compound growth.

Next, Wes examines the Federal Reserve's latest net worth data and tackles a crucial retirement question: can the average American really retire on $500,000? While it is challenging, Wes maps out how the math genuinely works if you leverage three critical variables.

Mentioned on the show:

• What Is Umbrella Insurance and Do You Need It? - Clark Howard • The 6 Money Habits of People Who Become Wealthy - Clark Howard

All this and more on the November 3, 2026, Ask an Advisor episode of the Clark Howard podcast. Submit your questions: WesMoss.com/ask

Discover the research-backed path to a happier retirement – order The Retire Sooner Method by Wes Moss today at retiresoonermethod.com

We hope you enjoy our weekly Ask An Advisor episodes. Let us know what you think in the comments!

Learn more about Wes:

• BOOKS BY WES MOSS • Wes Moss, CFP® • Wes Moss - Clark.com

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