First steps to financial literacy We are becoming an increasingly cashless society. And where we once taught our kids about money by “saving their pennies” in a piggybank, pennies have disappeared. Eventually, so will nickels, and possibly dimes. As society...
First steps to financial literacy When it comes to registered savings plans, Canadians have two popular options: Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs). Each has its advantages and drawbacks. But ultimately, there’s no...
First steps to financial literacy Life insurance and related products come in many different variations. These include life insurance policies, segregated funds, and annuities. Sometimes, it seems, there are too many variations, most of them confusing and seemingly...
First steps to financial literacy For most people, “budget” is the ultimate financial six-character four-letter word. It’s viewed as a distasteful chore, and something to be avoided. And often, even if an attempt at budgeting is made, it’s soon set aside as...
Learn the basics of securing your financial future If you’ve taken sensible financial advice and are committed to a regular savings and investment program, you might have already built up a substantial nest egg in your RRSPs and TFSAs. If you are, in fact, in this...
Separation and divorce are extremely stressful life changes. But add the challenges of dividing assets and sorting out finances, and the stress level goes right though the red zone, especially for women, who often have greater financial needs when custody of...
Refining your investment style from a menu of choices “Active” and “passive” portfolio management used to be fairly straightforward. Active investors traded frequently in individual stocks in an effort to beat the market, while passive investors relied on...
How to ensure you get value for the cost of advice The financial advice business is a big one. Advocis, the Financial Advisors Association of Canada, represents more than 17,000 members across the country. And the Investment Funds Institute of Canada reports that...
How to start building a portfolio that’s right for you As the big stock market indexes scale to new highs, seemingly daily, a growing number of novice investors are tempted to open online trading accounts and get into the game, for fear of missing out. Trouble is,...
September is the time to get down to business September is typically a time for fresh starts. Vacations are over and schools are opening again. This year, especially, has more of a “fresh start” feel to it with Covid restrictions lifting and a return to normalcy on...
A guide to doing retirement right The Baby-Boom retirement wave is happening now. But just how ready are you if you’re in this bulging demographic? Some have already retired and are enjoying their new “career after their career.” Others are still wondering whether...
Manage risk, stabilize returns Have you noticed? Stock markets have been climbing to new highs through the summer. And the growth stock sector continues to be expensive. Value stocks, holding true to their name, generally are not. In fact, according to Yardeni...