Q – I am trying to figure out how to reduce my income taxes, so that I can invest more in my RRSP. Is there anything I can do now to reduce my 2011 tax bill, or is it too late? – Lisa R., Virgil, Ontario A – There are a few ways that you [...]

Q – I have a financial advisor. How do I know that I am getting value for my money? – Robin H., Toronto, Ontario A – There’s no easy answer to this question. As advisors, we aim to provide a valuable service to individuals seeking to make sense of what can be a very complex [...]

Q – I am a procrastinator when it comes to contributing to my RRSPs. Every year, I make my contribution on the very last day. Do you have any tips so that I don’t find myself doing this again next year? – Lillian G., Winnipeg, Manitoba A – I urge my clients to make frequent [...]

Q – I am looking for yield and have heard about REITs. How risky is this asset class? – Eileen T., Waterdown, Ontario A – Real Estate Investment Trusts, or REITs, are specially-structured trust securities that trade on stock exchanges like any other stock. REITs acquire full or part ownership of commercial or residential real [...]

Q – Is it true that an index mutual fund offers no chance of beating the market? Isn’t the point of such funds, including exchange-traded funds, to track the market? – Dylan S., Simcoe, Ontario A – The simple answer is yes. An index mutual fund will not beat the market. Similarly, while it’s true [...]

Q – At the end of each year, I look back at my investment statements and regret that I did not start my financial planning at the start of the year. Do you have any tips on how to start the year off right? – Don D., Lakefield, Ontario A – The beginning of the New Year is [...]

Q – I am married, with two children, and both my husband I work full time. We have small life insurance policies through our employers, but we are looking to increase our coverage and add critical illness protection. We have looked at critical illness polices in the past, but they are so expensive. Is there any [...]

Q – I am 32 and own my home. I have just started to look at building an investment strategy, and I am looking into asset classes. I know the general theory of splitting assets broadly between fixed income and equity. My question is about real estate as an investment class. I pride myself on being [...]

Q – I am a single working mother and would like to put an investment plan or saving plan in place for emergencies. My friend’s daughter was just diagnosed with cancer, and they are now near financial ruin trying to cover the unexpected time off work and travel expenses to see specialists. I want to avoid [...]

Q –  My mutual fund portfolio is fairly balanced. I trade off and on but stick to a buy-and-hold strategy for the most part. How often do you recommend rebalancing my portfolio? Sharon T., Toronto, Ontario A – When you invest in mutual funds you are investing in the markets. These days, the markets in both bonds and [...]