How to find out whether a planner is a good match “Financial planners” seem to be around every corner these days. And no wonder. As Baby Boomers retire and Gen-Xers approach middle age, the demand for trustworthy financial advice has never been greater. Yet many...
3 key principles of Madonna’s pop star staying power Long-time pop queen Madonna really hit the big time with the debut of her second album “Like a Virgin.” That was 30 years ago, and she’s been a pop celebrity ever since. Success like that is tough to replicate. How...
Three ways to use your funds – and how they work Gen-Xers, Gen-Yers, and Millennials should all have RRSPs. Sadly, most do not. The smart ones do, and are taking advantage of the powerful long-term compounding and tax-sheltering benefits of this wonderful retirement...
Robyn Thompson is regularly featured in The Toronto Star’s “Money Makeover” series by Deanne Gage. In this recent post, Robyn recommends a plan for a 57-year-old divorced woman who lost her job and is afraid of losing her house, which still carries a large mortgage,...
Good planning relieves stress, promotes overall well-being This is a challenging time for building your wealth and saving for retirement. A new study conducted by Leger Research for the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) noted that money is the number-one...
Trading by headline is a sure way to lose money Q – I have both mutual funds and exchange-traded funds in a self directed brokerage account. They’ve suffered some pretty big losses over the past couple of weeks. Should I be selling my equity funds and switching to...
Bonds offer safe haven, but learn the ropes before you jump in Q – With the stock market plunging, I have been looking to invest in something a bit safer. So I’ve been considering either bonds or bonds funds. What are the risks of investing in bonds? – Asked by R.S....
Robyn Thompson is regularly featured in The Toronto Star’s “Money Makeover” series by Deanne Gage. In this recent post, Robyn helps a couple in their mid-fifties who have amassed $1.3 million in investments, but still need to pay off a loan and clean up and...
Robyn Thompson is regularly featured in The Toronto Star’s “Monday Makeover” series by Deanne Gage. In this recent post, Robyn helps a cash-strapped couple maximize government benefits they’ve forgotten about.
There’s more to it than just dipping into your savings accounts Q – My husband and I are both 45 and set to retire in 15 years. We have the majority of our money invested in mutual funds divided between RRSPs and cash accounts. We are looking to do some planning and...
Start with the basics, and the rest falls into place Q – I am a self-directed investor and mainly trade stocks through an online brokerage service. Do you have any tips for a novice on how to set up a plan to become a successful investor? – Asked by Terri W., Fort...
How the newly-single woman can stay financially fit Q – I am going through a divorce, and I know I need to take charge of my financial future. But I have no idea where to start. Can you help? – Marcia L., Winnipeg, Manitoba A – First of all, don’t fret! As a...