Personal Finance

Avoiding Online Phishing Scams

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 […]

Financial Planning When You Find Love, Again

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.   […]

Lessons Learned from Your Tax Return

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 […]

Financial Survivorship Basics for Couples

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 […]

What Should You Do About the Russia–Ukraine Crisis and Market Volatility?

World map cropped to emphasize the country of Ukraine

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 […]

Could a Cup of Coffee Cost You $1 Million Dollars?

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. […]

The Great Resignation & Your 401(k)

zoomed in perspective of two people sitting at a table exchanging a piece of paper that reads "resignation"

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 […]

Subscription Services: Budget Breaker?

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 […]

What’s a Personal Representative of an Estate?

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 […]

How to Speed Up Your Income Tax Refund

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. […]