Wherever I turn these days, I see slumped shoulders and hear sighs of weariness, disappointment and sadness. For almost a year people have hunkered down, given it their best to get through these discouraging times, but many are worn out. Especially in the dark month of January, the news is bleak, and circumstances leave little room for joy. What if I were to tell you … [Read more...] about Need a cup of fresh joy?
Life
Navigating the facets of everyday life including managing finances, growing old, being single, staying healthy and more.
Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes – the shift from a sales culture to an advice culture
Last year (2020) I celebrated 25 years in the business, and I found myself thinking about how things have changed and how they’ve stayed the same. Back in 1995… The shift from a sales culture to an advice culture. More than the specifics though, I found myself thinking about the change in the Zeitgeist between now and then. Specifically, the change in the investment … [Read more...] about Ch, Ch, Ch, Changes – the shift from a sales culture to an advice culture
A year like no other, a year of discovering blossoms in the wilderness
The world’s memories of 2020, including Christmas, will forever stand out in history with a kind of bleakness - a wilderness terrain for the whole of humanity. But even in the wilderness, tiny blossoms show up now and then. They convey a kind of hopefulness to move us forward. Thirteen months ago, I took up a new instrument. If anyone had told me I’d ever learn to play the … [Read more...] about A year like no other, a year of discovering blossoms in the wilderness
Time for some last-minute tax planning
The Duke of Westminster principle remains alive and well here in Canada: taxpayers still have the right to manage their affairs in order to minimize taxes payable. For some, those affairs may include RRSP contributions which have a deadline 60 days after the end of the year, but for most tools the deadline is December 31. Tax planning shouldn’t be left until the end of the … [Read more...] about Time for some last-minute tax planning
Going broke slowly, the true cost of inflation
How much did a chocolate bar cost when you were a child? “10 cents” is the answer for me. At least that’s what the convenience store on the corner of Robson and Thurlow (where I returned bottles that I collected in the neighbourhood) charged. I even remember that it was only 9 cents if I went to the drug store across the street. It’s … [Read more...] about Going broke slowly, the true cost of inflation