Active versus passive investment styles A friend of mine says she invests in a “couch potato portfolio,” and her returns are higher than my portfolio of mutual funds, which the company says is actively managed! I’m not sure I understand what a “couch potato” portfolio...
Permanent life policies pitch savings growth... at a price If you’ve ever shopped for life insurance, you’ll know you can quickly get tangled up in a thicket of plans, policies, terms, exclusions, riders, benefits, and all the other paraphernalia that comes with...
5 questions you should ask yourself about your advisor Finding a financial advisor can be like choosing a flavor from the 56 listed at your local ice cream store. They all sound good, but some are better than others. To help you narrow down your search, here are five...
4 financial planning principles for the soon-to-be-married Many newlywed couples I talk to in my financial planning practice are of the high net worth variety. They are often professionals or executives and each brings to the marriage a fairly robust net worth and...
It’s not all piney woods and gorgeous sunsets The cabin in the woods or cottage by the lake can make a great retreat from the big smoke. But with vacation properties in prime areas pushing a million bucks or more, buying one has become a major financial planning...
Insured annuity strategy guarantees an estate too One of the big questions facing new retirees is how to protect your income during retirement while leaving something to children or grandchildren in your will. Straight annuities can provide a guaranteed stream of...
…And why a refund isn’t a good thing in the first place If you filed a tax return in April, by now, you’ll have received a Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. Sometimes it’s accompanied by a tax refund cheque. If it’s substantial, it might even feel...
Calculating your critical illness and disability insurance needs Congratulations! You’re a successful businessperson. You’ve finally achieved that magical HNW designation – that’s “high net worth.” You’re a busy professional, executive, or business owner, and you’re...
There are better ways to generate retirement income “T series” mutual funds, so named because they are supposedly “tax efficient,” have become a popular type of mutual fund for investors seeking a steady, high annual cash payout. The payout rate is given in the name...
High cost, tight restrictions make it poor value for the money You’ve bought a new house, and you’re sitting with the bank’s loans officer ready to sign for that mortgage. Then she casually asks, “Would you like mortgage insurance with that?” Almost like your waiter...
Why market timing strategies are bad for your portfolio “Sell in May, go away, and don’t come back til Labour Day.” This year especially, investors might be tempted to do so, because markets have been on a tear, and the experts say they’re due for a correction. Catchy...
Where’s your retirement income hiding? Where will my retirement income come from? A worryingly large number of higher-tax-bracket individuals I talk to these days ask me that same question. After looking at their Canada Pension Plan payment, perhaps some employer...