We watched the news with shock and horror as Vladimir Putin waged war on Ukraine, killing thousands of innocents and displacing millions more. The cost to the Ukrainian people is massive. We cannot express deep enough sympathies to them, their families and friends, and all the other victims of war. While it seems almost petty to even bring it up, Putin’s actions have … [Read more...] about War in Ukraine impacted stock markets
Finances
The building blocks of financial success
“What are the core principles we want to teach our children about money?” This was one of the many questions my wife and I had when our children were young. After much thought, we landed on the building blocks of financial success in these four principles: • Generosity – giving back • Saving – setting funds aside for the future • Freedom – spending … [Read more...] about The building blocks of financial success
Risky Business, the hidden costs of bank deposits
Recently a reader asked me to discuss term bank deposit options, guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), and alternatives considering the crazy low interest rates being offered right now. And that got me thinking about risk. I just looked up the rates available at a major big bank right now – a 5-year non-cashable GIC pays 1.40% per year1 You could go to a smaller … [Read more...] about Risky Business, the hidden costs of bank deposits
What is a fair price for financial advice?
I’ve written in the past about the value of advice and how good advice pays for itself. The important question is not should I get advice? But rather, what is a reasonable price to pay for advice? To answer that, I think we need to look at two separate pieces: 1. What is reasonable to pay for investment management, and 2. What is a fair price for general … [Read more...] about What is a fair price for financial advice?
OAS changes bring a bit of extra cash
Are you 75 or older? Do you know someone who is? Get ready for a little bonus! You (or they) are in for a bit of extra cash in the coming year due to some tweaks happening to the Old Age Security (OAS) system. A bit of background. The self-proclaimed purpose of the OAS program is “to ensure a minimum income for seniors and help reduce the incidence of low income … [Read more...] about OAS changes bring a bit of extra cash