Manage debt more efficiently to free up money for other goals

MANAGE DEBT We all have debt at different points in our lives. When we were studying, many of us took out student loans. We use loans to buy cars, mortgages to buy houses, credit cards for convenience and lines of credit to bridge cash flow gaps. With so many different debts, it’s easy to lose track of the costs to […]

We all have biases, and some can affect investment decisions and have a negative impact on returns. However, being aware of your investment biases can help you avoid them. Investment home bias Familiarity keeps many investors’ portfolios concentrated in Canada. This restricts opportunities, diversification and growth potential. While it’s true that Canada has many strong businesses, they represent a small […]

MUTUAL FUNDS The tide may be turning for investors in Europe. After several years of challenging economic news, there’s a sense of renewed optimism. A survey of investment managers released in September 20151 found that nearly half (49%) of respondents believe European equities are undervalued — or trading at attractive prices. Economies in the Eurozone are benefiting from the European […]

With the recent volatility in the equity markets, some investors have likened investing funds to walking a tightrope between choppy equity funds and the ongoing lethargy of bond and income funds. You might even think of it as a “Goldilocks” environment: equity funds are too hot for many investors’ taste, while fixed-income funds are too cold. So what’s the mutual […]

TAX-FREE ESTATE PLANNING Most of us know about the importance of designating qualified beneficiaries for our Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) and Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs). But what about your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)? You can – and should – take steps to protect those assets in much the same way as your other registered plans. The first thing […]

The world is in motion, physically, and economically, and politically. Here at home, we’ve just elected a new prime minister, and the U.S. will be going through its election process come November. As if to further affirm that change is afoot, growth in the investment markets seems to be shifting away from the developing world and back toward the more […]

FOCUS ON MUTUAL FUNDS Is getting more exercise one of your New Year’s Resolutions? It’s a perennial favourite, and a good idea. While you’re at it, here are three exercises to help ensure your mutual fund portfolio is in top shape. Balance. The key to good physical fitness is balance. The same is true for your fiscal fitness. The New […]

INVESTMENT PLANNING You may have been shocked at just how much your kids raked in over this past holiday season. Clearly, giving cash in lieu of “stuff” is becoming more commonplace. Between those gifts and extra hours on the job in December, your young tycoons might be sitting on a sizeable sum. What can they do with that money besides […]

INVESTMENT STRATEGY   It’s the mutual fund investor’s annual dilemma: Contribute to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)? It’s rarely as simple as picking one or the other. To get the most long-term benefit from both plans, we need to take a closer look at your income and your tax bracket — both current […]