There is a saying: “The only guarantees in life are death and taxes!” While the timing of taxes is well known, death often happens without warning and can put a real financial burden on one’s family, especially spouse. Therefore, married couples need to take certain financial measures to ensure an unexpected death does not result […]
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated an already jittery stock market. It wasn’t too long ago when the Dow peaked at 36,799.65 on Jan 4th, 2022, and has since fallen more than 8%. Likewise, the S&P peaked at 4,796.56 and has fallen more than 10% during that same time. Commentary on Russia’s invasion has run […]
By The Welch Group The events of the last few weeks in Ukraine have been stressful and upsetting to many of us. The buildup of Russian forces along the border, rising tensions, and the ensuing attack have caused worldwide shockwaves. People across the globe are understandably concerned and anxious. What’s more, the events have caused […]
Why is it so hard for Americans to be financially independent? Statistically, less than 3% of Americans ever achieve financial independence, much less financial abundance. For decades, Financial advisors at my firm and I have worked with individuals and families to achieve their financial goals. Over the years, we have noticed certain trends for success. […]
There have been many changes since the Covid-19 pandemic began. One of the most significant changes has been the job market, specifically the increase in job resignations and remote positions. In what is now being called The Great Resignation, more people quit their job in November 2021 than in any time in recent history. For […]
Many factors in our lives have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic began. One of the most significant factors involves convenience in ordering groceries, exercising, or watching television/movies. It is no secret that the pandemic has accelerated the move towards subscription services, making everyday things, like cable T.V., almost obsolete. For weekly insights, follow The Welch […]
We have had many questions about the role of a Personal Representative (PR) when performing a Last Will and Testament. A PR is appointed to execute and administer a deceased person’s Last Will and Testament and assumes a legal fiduciary duty to the estate’s beneficiaries, meaning they must act in the beneficiaries’ best interests. For […]
Inflation is at the forefront of everyone’s mind as the most recent year-over-year Consumer Price Index (CPI) reading for December came in at 7.1%. The inflation reading was the highest in almost 40 years and is particularly concerning considering the most recent average hourly earnings data showing an increase of only 4.7%. For weekly insights, […]
The IRS has announced that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, they will not begin processing income tax returns until January 24th. So if you are expecting a refund, you will want to start the return process as soon as possible. As of December 2021, they had 6 million unprocessed individual income tax returns for 2020. […]
Coming off a record stock market rise in 2021 and then seeing the stock market reach a new high on the first day of 2022, what should you expect for this year? For 2021, the stock market, measured by the S&P 500, gained 27% while the DOW gained 19% (excluding dividends). These are great returns, […]