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…

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%…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

Tips to simplify your life and cut costs We’ve seen this movie before — sky-high stock prices, sky-high real estate prices and the Fed raising interest rates. We also saw how those times ended in 2001 and 2008. At this point, my retired clients want to simplify their lives. So, let’s talk about some painless…

If you’re not unsettled after the stock market action of early October 2018, then you weren’t paying attention. The Dow Industrials were gaining and losing several hundred points, not daily but hourly!1 This is not an accident. It’s all part of the more-volatile, more uncertain stock market environment that we started to enter back in…

The conditions are looking increasingly favorable for a hurricane of a stock market correction to form. Luckily, like with most hurricanes, investors have time to prepare. Plotting the course of the stock market can help us mitigate risk, much like plotting a hurricane’s trajectory. Tornadoes are smaller than hurricanes. They strike hard and largely unexpectedly.…

After the crash of 2008 – 2009, the stock market has been going up for 9 long years, one of the longest bull markets in history. However, in 2018 the market has been quite volatile after many years of very low volatility. For example, October saw the S&P 500 down 6.9% and tech stocks took…

7 ways the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could impact retired investors A great deal has changed under the recent Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Many changes may be for the better, some for the worse, and some hardly noticeable at all. What matters is that saving and investing during retirement has changed. Understanding the…

The pros and cons of diversifying your asset portfolio with a Fixed Index Annuity (FIA) There are many ways to preserve or grow your wealth at retirement. But before investing, you want to be sure that you understand each option and the risks involved. It’s especially important to understand the contract with your insurance provider…

By Craig Kirsner, MBA, Nationally-Recognized Author, Speaker, Retirement Planning Professional and President of Stuart Estate Planning Wealth Advisors The trusted handshake concept is set to tighten up under a new SEC rule The role of a broker-dealer is to offer secure financial advice and investment opportunities to clients. Both aspects of the job require different…

A detailed, customized analysis that speaks to your retirement needs and risks   While it would be nice if one investment strategy worked to provide a financially-secure retirement for everyone, the truth is there is no such thing. You can’t rely on stereotypes or generic, well-meaning advice on strategy, even if it comes from so-called…

Some mistakenly believe that variable annuities are an always attractive investment option because they provide guaranteed income for life The promise of retiring while still receiving a paycheck is an exciting prospect. But while it is true that variable annuities can provide income, they may not be a suitable investment for retirees. It can be…

You’ve worked hard to build your nest egg. To protect it, for yourselves and for your heirs, follow this set of golden rules. We’ve seen this movie before — sky-high stock prices, sky-high real estate prices, and the Fed raising interest rates. We also saw how those times ended in 2001 and 2008. At this…

Hi, like many of our clients we are charitably inclined… I believe it’s important to give back to those less fortunate than ourselves.   So we have created an auction dinner package to donate to any upcoming charity events that you may know of for them to help raise money for their charity.   It includes…

Tax benefits and sunshine: What’s not to love? For many reasons including the great weather, many people choose to purchase property and spend time in Florida. Florida also has several significant tax benefits for its residents; however, qualifying for these benefits depends on whether Florida is your primary residence. Two of the best Florida tax…

These shared principles mean shared success “Craig, you said that one of the things Warren Buffet looks for is someone he enjoys spending time with. How do you know whether it is going to work out when you meet a new advisor?” asked Mr. Edelman, a retired CEO. That’s a very good question. Here’s what I know: there…

Another correction happening is a certainty – anticipating when, however, is difficult Corrections happen. Investors know this. Spooked by the downturn, they sell when the market declines. It’s reactionary. Their fear is that “this time, it’s not going to come back.” This fear of long-term doom has never been realized, however – even after the…

A brief history of the Standard and Poor’s 500 The Standard and Poor’s 500 is widely recognized as the superior gauge of large-cap U.S. equities. With trillions of dollars indexed, the S&P 500 captures around 80% of the available market capitalization. It is concerned with the largest U.S. publicly-traded companies and, along with the Dow…

4 examples of why even well-known companies aren’t always worth the investment For many investors – newbies and veterans alike – there is often an attraction to big corporations. If a company is a household name (and you perhaps even have some of their products in your house), this appears to be a safe investment.…

The ABCs of retirement planning Retirement after a lifetime of work and saving is a major achievement. However, too many people believe their nest egg will weather any storm. If only that were true! The fact is that leaving the world of work means entering a whole new sphere of financial responsibility. This new horizon…

How to choose a retirement professional who knows what they are doing – and fits your needs “This is one of the most important areas of our life and I don’t know who to hire. Frankly, I don’t even know what I should be looking for. Can you help me?” lamented Dr. Roth, a successful…

How much risk do you want in your retirement portfolio, and exactly how much risk do you actually have? If you are approaching retirement, no doubt you’re concerned about your investments and ensuring you have enough money to take care of your financial and health needs. As you get older, a wise investment strategy should…

Once you learn the facts about variable annuities, you’ll see why they might not be as great a choice as they sound for retirees. One of the most misunderstood investment strategies I’ve come across over the past 25 years is the variable annuity. When I audit existing variable annuities, I get the facts about them…

Summer is here! We’re excited to share some new announcements, company updates, and invite you to learn more about how Stuart Planning can help you secure your financial future during retirement. Stu won Best of Show at a juried art competition out of 500 paintings! Geoffrey graduated from Harvard Law School! Sam graduated from Kindergarten:…

Do you have money in the stock market? If so, watch this video about the stock market and the Central Bankers’ bubble we are in now from an article seen on Kiplinger, Fidelity.com, Yahoo Finance and MSN Money by Craig Kirsner, MBA. Watch the video now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rhgdsoWNIA

Do you own a variable annuity or are thinking about buying one? If so, watch this video to learn important information about variable annuities from Craig Kirsner, MBA. Learn why we don’t think variable annuities are suitable investments for many retirees by watching this video now: Watch the video here or below:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAsmMM6zPdM&t=0s

You can see the article on Kiplinger by clicking on the Kiplinger link or read it below: https://www.kiplinger.com/article/investing/T047-C032-S014-what-is-central-bankers-bubble-and-will-it-burst.html Intro: Easy-money policies across the globe have set us up for some rocky times ahead. Here’s why, and what retirement savers and investors should be doing now to help protect themselves. In the 1990s we had the…

9 Time Best-Selling Financial Author David Bach gives you advice about recent stock market volatility With the markets recently dropping significantly before rebounding and dropping again, we wanted to contact you today with important information regarding this recent volatility. At Stuart Estate Planning Wealth Advisor, nothing is more important to us than the comfort and…

Local Financial Professionals Stuart Kirsner and Craig Kirsner, MBA Receive Prestigious Sales Award.   For Immediate Release:                                                                                        Media Contact: February 8, 2018                                                                 …

What Goes Up Must Come Down: How Retirees Can Prep for Potential Market Downturn Change is the only constant when it comes to finances. While the market has shown positive trends for the last nine years, a downturn is inevitable. Taking steps to help protect investments now is the key to avoiding potential losses later.…