Have you ever been tempted to invest in a stock just because of its past performance? It’s a natural instinct, but relying on it can be risky. Markets are cyclical; what soared yesterday might stumble today.
Do you know the real rate of return on your investments? Generally, Canadians measure the success of their investments based only on the rate of return. While it provides a good snapshot of whether an investment is doing well or not, it is not the only criterion for a true
You may have heard of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) — one of the best financial tools available for Canadians who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Since its launch in 2008, the RDSP has helped thousands of people with disabilities save and grow their money with significant
When it comes to money and investing, a lot of people fall into the same trap: chasing what’s “hot” right now. If a certain stock, sector, or trend is making headlines, many will jump in—hoping they’ve found a “sure thing.” The funny thing is, that’s the exact opposite of how
The debate between active and passive investing has been going on for decades—and for good reason. Both approaches have their strengths, but choosing the right one can make a big difference in whether you simply meet your goals or exceed them. Why You’re Investing in the First Place Most people
There’s a story that gets passed around the financial world—about an advisor out in Omaha, Nebraska, not far from Warren Buffett’s hometown turf. Let’s call him Fred Smith. Fred’s built a reputation for helping local farmers understand the real power behind long-term investing. Nothing flashy. No gimmicks. Just simple, solid
With all the media talk about US / Canada trade tensions these days it’s a good time to discuss some wise strategies for times of economic uncertainty. Whether you’re still saving for retirement or already enjoying it, negative economic news can shake confidence. The good news? A solid plan can
In the mid – 1960s conventional wisdom (or motherhood) for retirement planning said that you should take all of your investments and put them into government bonds or fixed income type products. The thinking was that you could not afford to take any ‘risk’ in your retirement years. Thus it
Meeting a new financial advisor for the first time can feel a bit daunting. What should you say? How much should you share? And perhaps most importantly, what should you expect from the meeting? There are generally two ways to approach your relationship with a new advisor. Approach One: Hand
Recent college or university graduates with their first career job have an understandable itch to spend money after years of living on Kraft Dinner. Yet this is the ideal time in life to start developing the correct habits that will lead to a comfortable future lifestyle. But we often hear
As Canadian and US stock market indexes hit new highs this year, many investors began expressing anxiety about a possible ‘correction’. Financial media personalities have also been speculating about the timing of correction from these recent market highs – following a strong run over the past year. Let’s put this
It is not uncommon for an individual or organization, such as a charity or community tennis club, to consult a financial advisor regarding investment returns that can be generated on some spare cash that is not needed in the immediate future. As a result, the issue of investment “time horizon”
As John nears retirement, he is becoming concerned about covering his future living costs with income from only interest-bearing investments. Along with many other investors globally who have poured trillions of dollars into government bonds over the past decade, John wants to feel safe and have his money guaranteed. But
As with many retirement savers, it took two major stock market events (Global Financial Crisis, Global Pandemic) to convince Adam and Sonya that trying to ‘time the market’ or pick specific sectors was a costly exercise in futility. But, with the value of their RRSPs nearly halved in the 2009
In the last article Sue had a capital shortfall of $400,000 in order to support her desired retirement lifestyle. This amount will vary for each individual and will be larger or smaller depending upon your income, age and ability to save money as a percentage of your earned income. Broadly
The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) contribution limit increased to $7,000 (from $6,500) for 2024. This new limit means that a taxpayer who has never contributed to a TFSA and has been eligible for one since its inception will have a cumulative contribution room of $95,000. TFSAs are now a
With the year’s end fast approaching, here are some ideas to minimize your 2023 tax bill. The first idea is to look at harvesting any tax losses in an investment portfolio to help offset any capital gains you may have triggered. Even if there are no capital gains, non-registered
There is almost always chatter in the media about the next possible correction or recession. The most recent buzz is about a possible US recession where Canada would likely follow suit. The chatter also includes opinions about a “soft” versus a “hard” landing, etc. The primary challenge for individuals
Monica was alarmed to hear from her mother’s financial advisor expressing concern over some unusual financial requests. She called her mom, who seemed fine, but Monica couldn’t get the conversation with the financial advisor out of her head. She travelled to see her mom in person and was dismayed
Working towards financial independence includes assumptions about how the world operates and how we navigate within that environment. These assumptions work best when the world remains the same allowing you to make reasonable future projections. Challenges come when changes occur in the operating environment which may require reassessing wealth
You’ve likely heard the term “financial resilience”. You may even know it refers to a household’s ability to navigate and overcome financial stress and hardships that life inevitably throws at you. But did you know that financial resilience can be measured? This calculation is based upon key indicators that include
Investment icon Warren Buffett says there’s wisdom in being “fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” 1 He first gave this advice in 1986 and has re-iterated it over the past few decades during times of financial uncertainty: 9/11 in 2001, the 2008 mortgage crisis, the
The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) was introduced in 2009 to offer Canadians an incentive to save over their lifetimes. TFSAs provide tax-free growth, flexible investment options, and easy set-up and withdrawals, making this registered account a powerful tool for financial well-being. Below are some key features. Below are some
If you are a prudent investor, then you have a financial retirement plan that will ensure you have sufficient funds for the lifestyle you envision after you stop working. What constitutes sufficient depends on your ambitions and your hobbies, and also on how long you live. People are living longer,
From listening to the media and online commentators, we have identified two key observations that can impact your efforts to build assets and wealth over time. The first is the way many individual investors place one-way bets on their market investments. As long as the investment is making money,
It’s challenging to be patient in a fast-paced, immediate gratification world, but some things are worth the wait. Consider, for example, how a powerful financial reality (compound interest) can help investors accumulate a lot of assets over time to reward their patience and perseverance. Here’s how it works:
During our ongoing weekly discussions with clients, we occasionally get questions from individuals about their approach to investing – particularly in terms of fees and value. The questions are usually focused on the cost of accessing investment advice, or the cost of buying specific investment vehicles such as mutual
Getting emotional about investments can easily lead to poor decisions as investors fall prey to negative thoughts and fears. The chart below helps to illustrate the emotional aspects of investing. The human brain constantly searches for trends or patterns in things, trying to make sense out of even random
When investment markets officially hit “bear market” territory in June 2022 – while Central Banks in North America and elsewhere were continuing to raise interest rates – questions began swirling about whether the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would once again rescue the markets by exercising the famous Greenspan “put”!
Looking back over the past few years, one thing is certain – we can never be absolutely sure what the financial markets will do at any given time. We can study charts and graphs, both historical and forecasted, we can consult with economic experts, business leaders, and government officials, we
Have you ever been tempted to invest in a stock just because of its past performance? It’s a natural instinct, but relying on it can be risky. Markets are cyclical; what soared yesterday might stumble today.
Do you know the real rate of return on your investments? Generally, Canadians measure the success of their investments based only on the rate of return. While it provides a good snapshot of whether an investment is doing well or not, it is not the only criterion for a true
You may have heard of the Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) — one of the best financial tools available for Canadians who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit (DTC). Since its launch in 2008, the RDSP has helped thousands of people with disabilities save and grow their money with significant
When it comes to money and investing, a lot of people fall into the same trap: chasing what’s “hot” right now. If a certain stock, sector, or trend is making headlines, many will jump in—hoping they’ve found a “sure thing.” The funny thing is, that’s the exact opposite of how
The debate between active and passive investing has been going on for decades—and for good reason. Both approaches have their strengths, but choosing the right one can make a big difference in whether you simply meet your goals or exceed them. Why You’re Investing in the First Place Most people
There’s a story that gets passed around the financial world—about an advisor out in Omaha, Nebraska, not far from Warren Buffett’s hometown turf. Let’s call him Fred Smith. Fred’s built a reputation for helping local farmers understand the real power behind long-term investing. Nothing flashy. No gimmicks. Just simple, solid
With all the media talk about US / Canada trade tensions these days it’s a good time to discuss some wise strategies for times of economic uncertainty. Whether you’re still saving for retirement or already enjoying it, negative economic news can shake confidence. The good news? A solid plan can
In the mid – 1960s conventional wisdom (or motherhood) for retirement planning said that you should take all of your investments and put them into government bonds or fixed income type products. The thinking was that you could not afford to take any ‘risk’ in your retirement years. Thus it
Meeting a new financial advisor for the first time can feel a bit daunting. What should you say? How much should you share? And perhaps most importantly, what should you expect from the meeting? There are generally two ways to approach your relationship with a new advisor. Approach One: Hand
Recent college or university graduates with their first career job have an understandable itch to spend money after years of living on Kraft Dinner. Yet this is the ideal time in life to start developing the correct habits that will lead to a comfortable future lifestyle. But we often hear
As Canadian and US stock market indexes hit new highs this year, many investors began expressing anxiety about a possible ‘correction’. Financial media personalities have also been speculating about the timing of correction from these recent market highs – following a strong run over the past year. Let’s put this
It is not uncommon for an individual or organization, such as a charity or community tennis club, to consult a financial advisor regarding investment returns that can be generated on some spare cash that is not needed in the immediate future. As a result, the issue of investment “time horizon”
As John nears retirement, he is becoming concerned about covering his future living costs with income from only interest-bearing investments. Along with many other investors globally who have poured trillions of dollars into government bonds over the past decade, John wants to feel safe and have his money guaranteed. But
As with many retirement savers, it took two major stock market events (Global Financial Crisis, Global Pandemic) to convince Adam and Sonya that trying to ‘time the market’ or pick specific sectors was a costly exercise in futility. But, with the value of their RRSPs nearly halved in the 2009
In the last article Sue had a capital shortfall of $400,000 in order to support her desired retirement lifestyle. This amount will vary for each individual and will be larger or smaller depending upon your income, age and ability to save money as a percentage of your earned income. Broadly
The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) contribution limit increased to $7,000 (from $6,500) for 2024. This new limit means that a taxpayer who has never contributed to a TFSA and has been eligible for one since its inception will have a cumulative contribution room of $95,000. TFSAs are now a
With the year’s end fast approaching, here are some ideas to minimize your 2023 tax bill. The first idea is to look at harvesting any tax losses in an investment portfolio to help offset any capital gains you may have triggered. Even if there are no capital gains, non-registered
There is almost always chatter in the media about the next possible correction or recession. The most recent buzz is about a possible US recession where Canada would likely follow suit. The chatter also includes opinions about a “soft” versus a “hard” landing, etc. The primary challenge for individuals
Monica was alarmed to hear from her mother’s financial advisor expressing concern over some unusual financial requests. She called her mom, who seemed fine, but Monica couldn’t get the conversation with the financial advisor out of her head. She travelled to see her mom in person and was dismayed
Working towards financial independence includes assumptions about how the world operates and how we navigate within that environment. These assumptions work best when the world remains the same allowing you to make reasonable future projections. Challenges come when changes occur in the operating environment which may require reassessing wealth
You’ve likely heard the term “financial resilience”. You may even know it refers to a household’s ability to navigate and overcome financial stress and hardships that life inevitably throws at you. But did you know that financial resilience can be measured? This calculation is based upon key indicators that include
Investment icon Warren Buffett says there’s wisdom in being “fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful.” 1 He first gave this advice in 1986 and has re-iterated it over the past few decades during times of financial uncertainty: 9/11 in 2001, the 2008 mortgage crisis, the
The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) was introduced in 2009 to offer Canadians an incentive to save over their lifetimes. TFSAs provide tax-free growth, flexible investment options, and easy set-up and withdrawals, making this registered account a powerful tool for financial well-being. Below are some key features. Below are some
If you are a prudent investor, then you have a financial retirement plan that will ensure you have sufficient funds for the lifestyle you envision after you stop working. What constitutes sufficient depends on your ambitions and your hobbies, and also on how long you live. People are living longer,
From listening to the media and online commentators, we have identified two key observations that can impact your efforts to build assets and wealth over time. The first is the way many individual investors place one-way bets on their market investments. As long as the investment is making money,
It’s challenging to be patient in a fast-paced, immediate gratification world, but some things are worth the wait. Consider, for example, how a powerful financial reality (compound interest) can help investors accumulate a lot of assets over time to reward their patience and perseverance. Here’s how it works:
During our ongoing weekly discussions with clients, we occasionally get questions from individuals about their approach to investing – particularly in terms of fees and value. The questions are usually focused on the cost of accessing investment advice, or the cost of buying specific investment vehicles such as mutual
Getting emotional about investments can easily lead to poor decisions as investors fall prey to negative thoughts and fears. The chart below helps to illustrate the emotional aspects of investing. The human brain constantly searches for trends or patterns in things, trying to make sense out of even random
When investment markets officially hit “bear market” territory in June 2022 – while Central Banks in North America and elsewhere were continuing to raise interest rates – questions began swirling about whether the US Federal Reserve (Fed) would once again rescue the markets by exercising the famous Greenspan “put”!
Looking back over the past few years, one thing is certain – we can never be absolutely sure what the financial markets will do at any given time. We can study charts and graphs, both historical and forecasted, we can consult with economic experts, business leaders, and government officials, we