Posts by Craig Kirsner, MBA
In Retirement, It’s About More Than Return on Investment… Maximize Return on Time
By Craig Kirsner, MBA, President of Stuart Estate Planning Wealth Advisors The investment industry is notorious for focusing on “return on investment,” but when it comes to your retirement nest egg, there’s more to consider than simply saving money and earning a return on investments. This singular focus has a significant flaw because I believe…
Read MoreThe Financial Storm On The Horizon: 4 Ways A Recession Might Play Out
Americans are becoming more pessimistic about what the coming year could hold for them financially, with a Gallup poll1 reporting that 48 percent say the economy is worsening, up from 45 percent in December and 36 percent in October. But if bad news is what 2019 has in store for us, no one should be…
Read MoreWhy a Minimum Wage Hike Unfortunately Won’t Be a Good Thing
While a minimum wage hike sounds good on the surface, it actually won’t be a good thing in reality and here’s why: As of 2017, the number of workers earning minimum wage in the U.S. was 1,824,000. Most of those minimum wage earners are young: fully 49% are ages 16 to 24, and another 23%…
Read MoreEstate Planning: What Does “Per Stirpes” Mean?
This old Latin term means keeping your assets in your family bloodline … or does it? Keeping wealth in the family is a priority for those who’ve worked hard to build it. But you can never be too careful when it comes to the distribution of your assets. The presumption that our direct heirs will…
Read MoreEstate Planning: Is a Will Enough?
You may think that creating a will is the first and only necessary step in estate planning. It’s not. You should also consider creating a trust, appoint a power of attorney, and set up advanced directives. Creating a will is a good idea and an important step in legacy planning. But are you utilizing all…
Read MoreWhat Is Probate and Why Should You Endeavor to Avoid It?
The probate process can last for more than a year and can be expensive. By planning ahead, you can ensure that your estate won’t enter probate after your death. If a deceased person created a will before their death, the estate could enter probate after they die. The court oversees this process, which consists of…
Read MoreDynasty Trust: How to Leave Your Estate to Your Loved Ones (Not your In-Laws)
It’s possible to bequeath your assets exactly where you want them to go Sometimes, we just don’t get along with our in-laws. And when it comes to leaving a financial legacy, many of us have a strong preference as to whom should gain from it. It can get complicated when your son or daughter…
Read MoreA Second Opinion: How Important Is It to Your Financial Health and Well-Being?
It’s time to take the wheel and put your financial advisor and retirement plan to the test It’s almost second nature to seek a second opinion before moving forward with big life decisions. When it comes to your physical health, for example, medical professionals can assume that their patients will seek the advice of an…
Read MoreTarget-Maturity Bond Funds and ETFs: Opportunities and Pitfalls
These investment vehicles have specific uses – such as building a bond ladder and diversification –but be aware of their limitations Target-Maturity Bond Funds and ETFs allow a person to access a portfolio of bonds with a targeted maturity date with a low-cost structure (in the case of ETFs) and, oftentimes, with low minimum investments.…
Read MoreMy Financial Predictions For 2019 and Beyond
Just as I warned at the end of 2005 – that the Real Estate Bubble was soon to burst with a recession following – all that I have been warning about this year in my book and on Kiplinger, Yahoo Finance, Fidelity.com, Nasdaq.com, my blog, and other websites have been coming true as well. It’s…
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