Stirlingshire’s Post

If you don’t have an #estatestrategy, here's some reasons why you should.

Children with special needs may need ongoing help after their parents are gone.

Are you someone who owns an S&P 500 index fund? Perhaps it is part of your company-sponsored retirement plan. Keep this in mind: The S&P 500 has changed since 2023, with large-cap technology stocks playing a larger role in index performance. In fact, technology and financial stocks make up roughly 40% of the S&P 500, up from less than 15% in 2023, according to a July 2024 report in the Wall Street Journal. Tech stocks alone represent about 30% of the index! 🚀 🔍 Other Insights for the WSJ report: ➡️ Increased Sensitivity: The index is now more sensitive to interest rates due to its tech and financial stock concentration. ➡️ Global Correlation: There's a higher correlation with other global indexes, which some investors may be overlooking. ➡️ Implications for Diversification: The S&P 500 offers some diversification, but it may be more limited at this point. Remember, diversification is an approach to help manage, but not eliminate, investment risk if security prices decline. ➡️ Past Performance: The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged index that is considered representative of the overall U.S. stock market. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Individuals cannot invest directly in an index. If the S&P 500 is part of your investment strategy, you may want to take a closer look at the index. Connect with us if you need help. #MagnificentSeven #financialprofessional

It's an old adage: "The more things change, the more they stay the same". It's true for personal finances. From fintech apps making investing more accessible, to robo-advisors automating portfolios with the click of a button, our approach to personal finance has certainly evolved. Even cash is becoming less common, with digital payments and cryptocurrency reshaping how we transact. But while things change, some fundamentals need to stay the same—especially when it comes to the human element of financial advice. Steven Woods, Founder & CEO of Stirlingshire, offers valuable insight on this topic. He warns about some of the newest tools made available by fintech: “We tend to see a serious risk of overconfidence, which could lead to poor financial decisions. By incorporating gamification strategies, many fintech companies have turned themselves into something that more resembles a casino to optimize their revenue and induce trading.” Woods emphasizes that although access to financial information has never been easier, without proper education and guidance, many will still be at a disadvantage. Read more in the Forbes Advisor article below. #personalfinance #fintech #financialadvice #investing #financialliteracy #financialadvisors https://lnkd.in/gfbK7-rh

Settling an estate can be like putting together a puzzle. Make a cheat sheet for your heirs.

Do you have intellectual property? Have you incorporated it into your estate strategy? Read more about how you might incorporate your IP into your estate strategy in this detailed article.

A #specialneeds #trust can help care for a special needs child, even after you’re gone.

Many have heard they should avoid probate; do you understand what probate is and how it works?

Business owners should consider a succession plan sooner rather than later.

🚨 Are You Doing These to Protect Your Identity? In today's digital age, identity theft is a major threat. Take a moment to check if you're taking these steps to help safeguard your personal and financial info: ✅ Freeze your credit: Prevent unauthorized access to your credit report by freezing your credit ✅ Don’t let your mail sit uncollected for too long. Don’t give thieves time to steal sensitive documents from your mailbox. ✅ Consider shredding documents with personal information. A household shredder can be used on documents with personally identifiable information. ✅ Opt out of prescreened credit offers: Manage the risk of fraud. ✅ Use unique passwords: Don’t use the same password for your accounts. ✅ Bypass the PIN at the gas pump. Use your zip code instead of your PIN, if possible. ✅ Safe disposal of digital devices. Properly disposing of old digital devices is a key–but often overlooked–part of identity theft. ✅ Consider identity theft protection services for added security. If you suspect identity theft, watch for signs like unexpected bills or loan denials. The next step to consider is placing fraud alerts or security freezes on your credit reports. Protecting your identity is crucial for financial health. Stay vigilant and implement these measures. If you have concerns, reach out. We're here to help provide you with information that can help improve your personal finances. 💼💡 #IdentityTheft #PersonalFinance #WealthPreservation #CyberSecurity