Fed Insider Loretta Mester on Rate Cuts and Inflation, Plus Tech Earnings and Tax-Time Surprises

On this week’s Best of Simply Money podcast, Bob and Brian welcome former Cleveland Fed President Dr. Loretta Mester for a rare insider’s view into how interest rate decisions are made, why 2% inflation remains so elusive, and how the Fed stays focused amid political noise. She also recounts navigating the economy through COVID and shares what makes Ohio’s economy uniquely resilient. Then, Bob and Brian shift gears to dissect huge earnings reports from Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet, and Nvidia — and what they signal for the future of AI and market momentum. Later, they tackle real-life listener questions: why muni bonds might trigger “phantom income,” how mutual funds can lead to unexpected tax bills, tips for coordinating insurance policies, and whether investing through an LLC offers tax or liability advantages.