As we begin a new year, it’s a great time to reflect on the past and set strategic goals for the future. What did you accomplish in the previous year? Did you have any written goals? If not, do you think having them might have helped you accomplish more? Many people never write down their […]
We’ve all heard it before. Most Schools just don’t do a great job preparing our children for their financial futures. So, we as parents must take the reins. But where to begin? What’s necessary for them to know before they fly out of the nest? 1. Budgeting and Saving One of the most important financial […]
2023 Tax Rebate Eases The Stress of Holiday Debt: A recent survey by WalletHub indicated that nearly 25% of Americans still have holiday debt from last year. Additionally, almost half of them say they won’t pay off their purchases for this year by the bill due date. With inflation taking a bigger bite out of […]
Developing a detailed estate plan is a vital component of the financial planning process. Although children are not always consulted during the execution of estate plans, there are some circumstances where they should be involved, or at the very least, informed of the details. Below are a few of these instances: Children Given Responsibilities: When […]
Although cyber security issues and digital crime rates are rising, traditional mail fraud is also experiencing a surge. While it used to be limited to specific regions, mail fraud is now becoming more common across northern Alabama, especially in Birmingham. If you become a victim of mail fraud, recovering your losses can be difficult and […]
By The Welch Group Having a good understanding of personal finance is crucial to experiencing financial freedom and success. The sad truth is that financial literacy is not typically taught in schools or families, leaving individuals responsible for learning about and implementing sound financial habits throughout their lives, from their first post-college job to retirement. […]
Social Security Retirement Income has evolved into the foundation of retirement planning for most workers, representing most of the retirement income, on average, for older Americans. Remember that Social Security Retirement Income is subject to cost-of-living increases, making it a very valuable income source for your retirement. This means making the right decision about when […]
Time is fast running out, but you may still be able to score a tax break for 2022 with an Traditional IRA contribution. Here’s what you need to know: For 2022, your maximum contribution limit is $6,000; plus an additional $1,000 if you were age 50 or older in 2022. Eligible couples could save $3,500 […]
The recent rise in “risk-free” short-term interest rates has many people reconsidering the risk vs. reward dynamic relative to the stock market. While the increase in yields is welcomed relief compared to the historically low interest rates of the past 15 years, it is important for investors not to lose sight of the primary purpose […]
Designing an investment portfolio can be a complex process at any age. It requires consideration of various variables such as risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals; however, there is one rule that always holds true for investors: **Rule** Never put yourself in a position where you MUST sell assets when they are down to […]