Blog
Thank you for visiting! I’m Adam Jaroch, and I'm passionate about helping individuals and families achieve their financial goals. With over 25 years of experience in financial services, I’ve guided people through essential decisions on investments, taxes, insurance, and overall wealth management. This blog is where I share insights, strategies, and tips I’ve learned throughout my career.
Let’s take the journey together!
National Social Security Month
As we welcome April, the Social Security Administration is marking National Social Security Month. This annual public awareness campaign is a wonderful opportunity to learn about how Social Security works and how to get more info about...
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How Does a Trump Account Work?
Although the IRS started accepting tax returns on January 26, 2026, some “soon-to-be” filers may have lingering questions about how to identify the new Trump accounts on their federal tax return. Here’s a recap of what’s known about...
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U.S. Economy Surprises Economists — and What It Means for Investors
Last week brought some big economic news, and it caught many forecasters off guard.Recent data show the U.S. economy grew at a robust pace — around 4.3% annualized in the most recent quarter — much stronger than most economists...
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AI, Inflation, and the Big Question Investors Are Asking: What Comes Next?
Over the past few weeks, headlines have been swirling around artificial intelligence, inflation, and even talk of a coming “Golden Age” for the economy. A recent market discussion tied many of these themes together and raised some...
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Fickle Fed Focused on Jobs
It seems like just yesterday the Fed was all about inflation. So why are Jerome Powell & Crew now talking about jobs? A look inside ADP’s November report shows why they are looking past inflation (for the moment) and focusing on the...
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Understanding the Fed's Rate Cuts and Their Impact on Mortgage Rates
As the Federal Reserve guides short-term rates lower, many homeowners and prospective buyers are understandably curious about its implications for mortgage rates. While the Fed's decision reflects its concern about the broader...
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Shutdown Update: What About Economic Stats?
When the government shuts down, so do several agencies that put out the economic reports the Fed looks at when setting interest rates. In fact, the delayed September Consumer Price Index report, which was released on October 24, was...
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The Fed Cut Rates: What’s in It for Me?
The Fed lowered short-term interest rates at its September 2025 meeting, but the question on most people’s minds is, “What’s in it for me?” That’s a fair question, so here are some ideas to consider. First-wave changes: Any loan...
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August Jobs Report: What It Means for You
The latest jobs report for August indicates that the U.S. labor market is cooling slightly, but not collapsing. This matters because jobs data is one of the biggest drivers of both Federal Reserve policy and investor confidence. Here’s...
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July Inflation Update: CPI & PPI in Focus
The latest inflation data from July painted a mixed picture, with consumer prices staying within expectations while producer prices surprised to the upside. Let’s break it down. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Inflation on a Steady Path...
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Tariff Deals, Economic Signals, and Where the Market May Be Headed
As we near the end of July, momentum is building across several key areas of the market—and today delivered some encouraging news on the trade front. If you’ve been following along, you know there are five core macro themes we’ve been...
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Who’s Really Paying Taxes in America? The Truth Behind the Numbers
With the recent passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), tax policy is once again in the spotlight. One of the bill’s central features—making the 2017 tax cuts permanent—has reignited debate over whether the wealthiest...
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The Most Hated Rally: Why the Market Is Rising (Despite All the Noise)
This week kicked off with strength in the markets as investors shrugged off last week’s derisking. Monday’s rebound was fueled by “buy-the-invasion” sentiment, and equities rose approximately 1%. Yesterday, the rally continued, helped...
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May Jobs Report: Strong Headlines, Subtle Weakness Beneath the Surface
The May employment report delivered a headline that initially appeared reassuring: 139,000 jobs added, beating the consensus forecast of 126,000. But dig a little deeper, and the data tells a more complicated story about the health of...
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Why The Market Looks Better Today
The S&P 500 is back to flat on the year, which feels like a big win considering how rough things looked just a few months ago. But here’s something that might surprise you: I actually think the market is in better shape today than it...
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The Fed Hits Pause: Uncertainty, Trade Policy, and What Comes Next
Summary: The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged at its latest meeting, highlighting rising uncertainty surrounding the economic outlook. Trade tensions, fiscal challenges, and mixed economic data are making future policy...
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GDP Part 2: Weak Headline, Strong Core?
In my last post, I talked about how Q1’s negative GDP reading was largely expected due to a surge in imports ahead of new tariffs — a phenomenon I flagged weeks ago. Now that we’ve had time to dig into the details of the report, it’s...
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GDP Surprise: What a -0.3% Print Really Means (and Why I Saw It Coming)
Today’s GDP report came in with a surprise headline: -0.3% growth for Q1 — a stark contrast to the steady economic expansion many had assumed was still underway. But if you’ve been reading my blog, this shouldn’t come as a shock. Back...
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Why Trade Deficits Now Matter More Than Ever
For decades, the United States has run consistent trade deficits, year after year. Many economists and political leaders assured us not to worry. After all, our economy was growing, per capita income was rising, and we benefited from...
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PPI Drops in March: Inflation Pressures Continue to Ease
The Producer Price Index (PPI) – a key measure of inflation at the wholesale level – dropped 0.4% in March, defying expectations of a 0.2% increase and marking the largest monthly decline since October 2023. For context, the PPI...
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Inflation Cools in March: What It Means for You and the Fed's Next Move
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report came with a surprise: consumer prices declined 0.1% in March, undercutting consensus expectations of a 0.1% gain. It's the first outright monthly decline since the COVID lockdown era. Over...
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The Tariff Strategy No One’s Talking About
The world is reeling from recent stock market volatility. Following “Liberation Day,” we’ve seen some of the most significant international market drops since COVID began. Investors are rattled, headlines are loud, and a pervasive...
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Investing Through the Noise: Why Time in the Market Beats Timing the Market
In today’s world, it’s hard to avoid the noise—political headlines, economic uncertainty, and day-to-day market volatility can all stir up strong emotions. However, one of the most damaging things an investor can do is let those...
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Tariff Liberation Day: Why the Market Shock May Have a Silver Lining
On Wednesday, April 2nd, markets were hit with an unexpected jolt following the White House's announcement of sweeping new tariffs. Dubbed “Tariff Liberation Day,” this move introduced a base tariff of 10%—lower than feared—but added...
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The Bond Yield Curve Has “Un-Inverted”—What That Means for You
For the past couple of years, headlines have been full of warnings about the inverted yield curve. And for good reason: it’s one of the most closely watched indicators of potential economic trouble. But recently, something notable...
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4 Bright Spots in the Market This Week
We’re halfway through the week, and so far, there’s much to feel optimistic about in the markets. While it’s still early, several key developments are worth highlighting — and together, they paint a more encouraging picture for...
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Tariff Turbulence: Why Headlines Are Trumping Fundamentals
It’s been a tough week in the markets — a reminder that sometimes it’s not fundamentals driving price action, but the steady drumbeat of unsettling headlines. Lately, it’s felt like death by a thousand cuts — or more accurately, a...
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Is Inflation Still the Problem? What the Markets Are Really Telling Us.
There’s been no shortage of headlines lately around inflation, tariffs, and stock market volatility. But when you take a step back and look at the data—and what markets are actually signaling—you might come away with a more balanced...
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Combating Waste, Fraud, and Abuse: The Role of DOGE and the Shift Back to a Free Market Economy
A critical initiative in President Trump’s second term has been addressing waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government. With the help of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), billions of dollars in unnecessary...
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Recession Alert?
Is the U.S. already in a recession? Probably not. However, real GDP for the first quarter will likely show a negative reading. Even before last Friday’s data, there were warning signs. Retail sales dropped 0.9% in January, housing...
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Tariffs, DeepSeek: What Else is Coming in 2025?
Like you, I’ve read a few unsettling headlines in recent weeks–which has led to some moving and shaking on Wall Street. First, we read that “Chinese Start-Up DeepSeek Threatens American Artificial Intelligence Dominance.” That led to...
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What Is the Santa Claus Rally?
Is Santa Claus coming to Wall Street this year? December tends to be a cheerful month for stock prices, which has some investors keeping an eye out for a late-year visit from Santa. As you can see from the chart, since 1950, December...
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Election Update: What's Next for Taxes?
Hold everything; stop the presses! There is talk that the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA) of 2017 may get extended. With Republicans in control of the legislative and executive branches, most agree that tax reform will be part of the...
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Understanding Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
As you build your legacy, considering how to leverage your charitable contributions can be a fulfilling endeavor. Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) can offer an opportunity to support your favorite causes and manage your...
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Elections, the Economy, and Your Investments
As election season approaches, the media loves to stir up anxiety with predictions about how the outcome could impact the markets and economy. While these headlines may grab attention, they often exaggerate the influence elections have...
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Tax Rules When Selling Your Home
Tax Rules When Selling Your Home How the gains from the sale of a primary residence are taxed has changed in recent years. If you have recently sold your home or are considering doing so, you may want to be aware of these new rules....
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A Few Helpful Charts – September 2024
The question I am asked more than any other is, "What's going on in the markets or economy?" So, occasionally, I like to share some charts/graphics, along with some brief commentary, to help answer this question. This week, I have a...
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Understanding Sequence of Return Risk for Retirement Income
Understanding Sequence of Return Risk for Retirement Income As individuals approach retirement, one of the most critical factors to consider is generating income from their investments without jeopardizing their long-term financial...
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Countdown to the Fed’s September Meeting
Anticipation is growing for the Fed’s next two-day policy meeting, which ends on September 18, 2024. And with good reason! If the Fed decides to cut short-term interest rates, it would be the first adjustment to be lower in more than...
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Retire Wise | September 2024
As year-end approaches, so does the deadline for taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your tax-deferred retirement accounts to comply with federal tax laws. You generally must start taking these withdrawals from your...
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Help Preserve Your Legacy with These Simple Steps
Estate or legacy planning is a vital way to help you plan for your family’s future. It involves two steps: Making legally effective arrangements to preserve your wealth Employing effective strategies for transferring your wealth...
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