Category Archives: investing

Risk Free Returns or Return Free Risk

Over the past few years there has been a flight out of equities and into government bonds. People fear the volatility that has plagued equities since 2008. This strategy appears to have worked. However, there is risk associated with this … Continue reading

Posted in financial goals, financial planning, investing, retirement, security, world | Comments Off

Confusion About the Tax-Free Savings Account

It appears that some confusion has developed over the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). Much of the problem may be directly attributed to the name. The word “Savings” seems to imply for most people that the TFSA deposit must be made … Continue reading

Posted in financial goals, financial planning, investing, saving | Comments Off

The Death of Old Age Security

Today’s retirees were born into a world of entitlement in which the employer, the union and the government provided a defined-benefit retirement plan and financial security from cradle to grave. This scene is changing fast. As Canadians age we are … Continue reading

Posted in budget, financial goals, financial planning, investing, retirement, saving, security | Comments Off

What is Financial Planning?

When most people hear the term “financial planning”, they automatically think it has something to do with savings and investing. This is only part of the definition. Although saving and investing is an integral component of financial planning, there is … Continue reading

Posted in budget, financial goals, financial planning, investing, retirement, saving, security | Comments Off

Is Volatility Making You Weary?

Volatility is defined as sudden and sharp movements in both directions. We are specifically speaking about the volatility of global investment markets. The year 2011 has been one of the more volatile years in history. Market trends these days don’t … Continue reading

Posted in investing, security | Comments Off

Comments on World Events

We are often asked to give our views and comment on the current media headlines and world events. While we are humbled and honoured by this request, we are neither an economist nor a market timer. We cannot gaze into … Continue reading

Posted in investing, security, world | Comments Off

Volatility Can Be Your Friend

Over the past year we have seen much market volatility, causing many investors to feel anything but settled. So why would we suggest that market volatility can be your friend? It’s simple: fear and panic leads to a dislocation between … Continue reading

Posted in investing, security | Comments Off

Having Confidence in Equities

Recent market weakness is causing concern for many. Are we seeing the beginning of the dreaded double dip in equity prices that has been widely predicted by the popular media since the “meltdown” of 2008-2009? But before we get emotionally … Continue reading

Posted in investing, security, world | Comments Off

Gold, Anyone?

Yes, the price of this shinny yellow metal has been going almost straight up since 1999. Yet we coach our loyal clients to “stay away.” Why would we be doing this? It’s simple: gold, like all other commodities, is speculative. … Continue reading

Posted in investing, saving, security, world | Comments Off

Fun Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund as a Couple

When you are part of a working couple, it can be hard to find time to spend together and put the fun back into your life. Unlike when you were dating, it seems that now many things stand in the … Continue reading

Posted in budget, financial planning, investing | 5 Comments