Whether you’re the parent of a high-school student who is beginning their college application process or considering going back to school as an adult, the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first, and one of the most important steps in the process of continuing your education. With the FAFSA deadline for the 2021-2022 […]
As Mayor for the City of Mountain Brook, I get calls and notices when we have the occasional home burglary. And as an owner of a financial advisory company, I see the monetary and emotional toll a home burglary has on the victim. As summer rolls in and we head into the vacation season, here […]
A recession is defined as a period of temporary economic decline during which trade and industrial activity are reduced, generally identified by a fall in GDP in two successive quarters. Well, we just had our first negative GDP quarter, and there is much speculation that our next quarter will also be negative…a recession. The stock market has […]
In recent weeks, we have covered topics including Financial Survivorship Basics for Couples and Financial Planning When You Find Love, Again. Today, we will discuss why it is important to consider a premarital agreement. If you are planning to get married, you need to consider the advisability of a premarital (prenup) agreement. This is true […]
In the late Fall of 2021, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at below 3% offered cheap financing for borrowers looking to purchase, or refinance, a home. However, while the cheap financing seemed like a blessing, the acceleration in home prices was the devil in disguise. Fast forward just a few months, and we see 30-year fixed-rate […]
A few weeks ago, we discussed conversations you should have with your spouse when you ‘marry again‘, particularly after age fifty. It included discussions about who should pay what expenses and particularly decisions about who would provide and pay for long-term care. In addition to these conversations, here is a checklist for couples entering into […]
Over the past several weeks, we have seen financial media flood televisions and the internet with ways people can save/limit consumption to combat the adverse effects of inflation. While this is certainly a worthwhile exercise to make an immediate impact, I want to offer longer-term advice to help people maintain their quality of life and […]
Online hacking/phishing scams are becoming more prevalent by the day. In addition to the volume of these scams, the hackers themselves are becoming more brazen and sophisticated in their methods, which requires a heightened sense of alert. Everyone should have their guard up, especially the elderly and those who are not experienced with technology. Follow […]
Second marriages can be complicated, especially if children from a previous marriage are involved. Open discussions about financial matters followed by agreed-upon decisions and actions will go a long way in improving the relationship. For weekly insights, follow The Welch Group every Tuesday morning on WBRC Fox 6 for the Money Tuesday segment. […]
The annual tax return ritual is not something people look forward to. In fact, I would argue that unless you anticipate a tax refund, there are very few people who enjoy the process. It can be time-consuming, expensive, and financially painful if you owe the government large amounts of money. While I share in this […]