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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Q – My financial advisor and I don't see eye to eye on a number of key strategies. I've decided that I want to transfer my investments to another account, but I am not sure how to go about it. Do you have any advice on how to fire my advisor? – Bob L., Guelph,...

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? – Terri W., Fort Erie, Ontario A – Even before you start researching stocks as...

Q – I am a 60 year old man, and I need income. I am not getting what I require to live off of from my investments, and even more frustrating, I am depleting all my assets at a rapid rate. I need a steady stream of income and want to leave something behind for my...

Q – I am a fixed-income investor, and I require income from my investments. I have been looking to invest directly in bonds vs. bonds funds. What are the risks of investing in a bond? – Robin S., Forest, Ontario A – All investments, including bonds, offer a balance...

Q – My financial advisor calls me quite often and asks for my permission to sell one fund for another, stating that the market conditions warrant a change. I am pleased that my advisor is in contact with me, but frankly, I don’t know if I should be saying yes or...