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Three principles for battling market anxiety
What to do when markets seem to go crazy When stock markets suddenly begin to drop alarmingly as they did at the beginning of February, many investors will contact their brokers and advisors and start selling things. Others, however, seem not to be so anxious, and...
Volatility returns to markets
More normal trading patterns likely to emerge Volatility returned to the stock markets, seemingly very suddenly, at the beginning of February. It was hard to avoid panicky headlines shouting about the 1,175-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Monday,...
How to choose a financial planner who’s right for you
10 topics to cover during the interview Increasingly, younger people, especially businesspeople, professionals, and managers, are reaching the stage in their careers where they need the help of a financial planner. But where do you begin? And what kinds of...
How to bring order to your personal financial chaos
Decide what you really, really want Around this time of year, many people are beset by doubts and anxieties about their financial situation – especially after the no-holds-barred holiday spending season. But don’t despair – there’s a way to bring order to your...
How – and why – to review your portfolio
Avoid falling into the unintended investment-risk trap Looking at your annual bottom-line performance is, of course, key. But it doesn’t tell the whole story. Conducting an annual investment review over and above the pure performance number tells you not only how...
Which investment expenses are deductible in 2017?
Not everything is, so make sure you claim the correct ones With year-end rapidly approaching, many investors have been going through their financial statements and slips to see what kind of investment or investment-related expenses they’ve paid through the year,...
Year-end tax tips
Act before Dec. 31 to get these tax benefits for 2017 The holiday season is fast approaching. And with the lights and festivities, investors and taxpayers will also have visions of year-end tax planning dancing in their heads. Well, maybe not, but there are...
Money Makeover: These teachers need a lesson in finance
Robyn Thompson is regularly featured in The Toronto Star’s “Money Makeover” series by Deanne Gage. This month, Money Makeover takes a look at Angela and Roy, two primary school teachers who earn high incomes but are clueless about investments. They need to save for...
Financial literacy: How to escape the credit card debt trap
How to control spending and cut credit card balances November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. And this year’s theme is “Take charge of your finances: It pays to know.” That little slogan was never more true than when dealing with personal debt, especially...
How to thwart cyber-thieves, fraudsters, and scammers
Key cyber-security principles to keep your money safe online October was Cyber Security Awareness Month in Canada. It’s traditionally the time industry experts and governments have set aside for talking up all things related to online security in your everyday...
Avoid Market Excitement Syndrome!
Stock markets are setting records daily. Ignore it! “The market will fluctuate.” That old bit of market wisdom is ascribed to Gilded Age financier J.P. Morgan, and is as true today as it was a hundred years ago. The primal emotions of fear and greed are ultimately...
Now’s the time for RRSP planning
Don’t wait until the last day of February! Typically, you’ll get the RRSP contribution song and dance starting somewhere in January and lasting until the end of February. It’s really just a marketing push by financial institutions to scare you into giving them...