The power of an easy, basic budget to clear away the financial fog November is Financial Literacy Month in Canada. It’s the government’s way of trying to get people to understand that financial literacy is important for the financial well-being of individuals, and...
Trump’s victory has many concerned about market volatility With the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, many investors believe that a new era of political uncertainty is going to increase stock market volatility. And that leads to questions about whether it...
Why they’re not taxed the same way as GICs As year-end approaches, it’s time to start thinking about the tax implications of distributions from your various investments. This year, the tax consequences of bond mutual funds compared with, say, straight-interest GICs...
Why it pays to pay attention to MERs As new fee transparency rules for advisors and money managers start to kick in, more investors have been asking me about difference between the costs of various mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. It’s a valid question, and...
The trouble with precious metals, gems, coins, and commodities Getting worried about the outcome of the U.S. election? If so, join the growing club. Many pundits believe that whatever the outcome, the result could be negative for financial markets, particularly...
Optimal asset allocation hinges on your risk profile Investors often come across the terms “tactical” and “strategic” asset allocation.” While it might sound like some sort of board game, the terms actually refer to two different types of portfolio management. And...
Tips for paying off the plastic A recent report by credit agency TransUnion paints a scary picture. According to the study, of over 26 million Canadians carrying some sort of variable-rate consumer debt, some 718,000 would not have enough cash to continue making...
Caution: CDIC covers cash deposits and not much else The term “Registered Retirement Savings Plan” conjures up all sorts of visions of guarantees and “official” protection against loss. After all, it’s “registered,” isn’t it? Actually, investments held in your RRSP...
A good financial advisor can get your portfolio working again There’s nothing quite like the thrill of online trading. And a couple of really solid wins can get the adrenaline going. But for some reason you don’t seem to be ahead of the game. Your monthly cost in...
Financial advice for new parents Welcoming a baby to the family is an exciting, challenging time for new parents. And many moms-to-be plan to take advantage of the current 12-month maternity leave (which the Trudeau Liberals have promised to extend to 18 months)....
Ideal for professionals, executives, business owners Looking for ways to enhance your retirement savings beyond a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)? If you don’t already have a pension plan through your employer, and you’re a business owner or executive, or...
Robyn Thompson is featured on CTV’s “Your Morning” show. She chats with host Anne-Marie Mediwake about the November U.S. presidential election, and whether Canadians should take this as an opportunity to reevaluate their...