The newest ‘Tax-Free Saving Account’ – How young adults (and even their parents) can take advantage

The Montrealer, April 2023

Many Canadians are anxiously awaiting the availability of the newest ‘Tax-Free Saving Account’, slated to be available in the coming months. The First-Home Savings Account (FHSA) was first proposed in the 2022 Federal Budget to support those trying to save for their first home. Who should consider this plan? How can parents help their children by using this plan? I’ll explain what it is, how it compares to other plans, and how it can best be used.

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Young adults and money – are they ready for the real world?

The Montrealer, March 2023

They make up about a third of the population. They’re often referred to as the social media generation. About two-thirds of them still live at home with their parents. Who are they? They’re the millennials and Gen-Z– ranging in age from 10 to 40 years old. They are mostly the children of Baby Boomers and Gen-Xers.  According to Forbes, they may be the first modern generations to have a future lifestyle less affluent than their parents.

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What to expect for 2023

The Montrealer, February 2023

Good riddance 2022! It may have been a good year in other ways, but from an investment perspective, it was horrible. 2022 was the worst outlier year since 1872 when we look at a combination of stocks and bonds. What can we expect in 2023? We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Welcome to 2023! – Start it off Right

The Montrealer, January 2023

 Undoubtedly, when most people set goals for the upcoming year, they are usually focused on improving health, finances, relationships, and lifestyle. When it comes to improving finances, this can simply mean “taking stock” and making sure all the boxes are checked and you’re dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.

Below is a checklist to help you do a “check-up” on your finances to start the year right. 

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Making a List and Checking it Twice

The Montrealer, December 2022

Tis the time of year when many people make lists – gift lists, guest lists, New Year’s resolution lists. I’m always encouraging my kids to make lists. I love lists! To-do lists. Task lists. Grocery lists. They help me to stay on track and not to forget important things. So it’s no surprise that one of the core elements of our Wealth Management practice is a Financial Planning checklist! 

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Is it time to consider GICs?

The Montrealer, November 2022

With the stock and bond markets continuing to spook many investors, some are asking themselves if GICs might be a good option. This month we’ll take a look at GICs and when they should be considered as an investment option. Firstly, there is no perfect investment. All investments have pros and cons, and in this article, we’ll consider those of GICs. 

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The right portfolio is like finding the right pet

The Montrealer, September 2022

It’s during the bad times we can gain true insight into assessing if the portfolio is a good match and thereby reducing investment stress and anxiety. One of Canada’s major financial institutions advertise their “sleep-at-night portfolios”. It’s not the actual portfolio that will help you sleep at night - it is finding the right match for you. 

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Forget New Year’s Resolutions – try New Year’s Commitments

The Montrealer, January 2022

It’s hard to think about the New Year without thinking about New Year’s Resolutions!  And there is something to be said about the “fresh start effect” – starting a new goal at the beginning of a week, month, season, or in this case the beginning of a new year. According to research it is a good time to start something new or reset.  So why is it that most people fail so miserably at New Year’s resolutions?

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After a rattling start to 2022 – what’s ahead?

The Montrealer, February 2022

Have you ever driven from Ontario into Quebec and without noticing the signs you know without a doubt that you’ve entered Quebec? It goes from a smooth comfortable ride to a rattling from head-to-toe. This is how the markets have transitioned from a smooth 2021 to a bumpy start in 2022.

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First Covid. Now War. How much can the economy handle?

The Montrealer, March 2022

Without a doubt, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has war on everyone’s mind. The human toll, the destruction of families and communities. The stress and anxiety. The effects of which will include long-term physical and psychological harm to children and adults. Not only in Ukraine, but possibly all over the world. 

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Have you ever considered the “What ifs…..?”

The Montrealer, April 2022

You’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and imagined a retirement of leisure – maybe on the golf course or sailing the high seas. Maybe you’re already there or maybe you can see the target in sight. But “what if…?”  What if inflation remains high?  What if markets drop?  What if interest rates skyrocket? What if your spouse dies? What if you divorce? What if…?

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Hopefully you’ve updated your wardrobe, it’s probably time to update your portfolio too!

The Montrealer, May 2022

Did you know that despite Canada’s relatively small population, it’s home to TWO of the world’s largest pension funds – the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)? Together, their value is approaching $1 trillion dollars! If you ever worked in Quebec and/or Canada, you’ve likely got money invested in one of these plans.

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Panic Selling!

The Montrealer, June 2022

If you have watched your recent investment statements with a sinking heart, I want you to know that I understand. I understand the feelings of fear and frustration that some people are experiencing when they look at their investment portfolios during these past months. If you have savings or investments, whether it be bonds, stocks, or cash, you have watched the value of your account decrease.

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Markets are down – don’t miss these golden opportunities

The Montrealer, July 2022.

The most obvious opportunity when the markets are down takes a certain degree of intestinal fortitude: investing while markets are “on sale”. Generally, buying a broad index ETF is a simple solution if you’re not sure what to buy. When toilet paper goes on sale, many people stock up (especially after the PTSD we have from seeing empty shelves during the pandemic); but when the markets “go on sale”, some people run the other way in fear, instead of seizing the opportunity. The very wise Warren Buffett says that investors should “be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”

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How portfolio innovation can protect your wealth

The Montrealer, August 2022

It’s no secret that institutional managers are the “smart money” investors that lead the trends in investment management. That’s why retail investors (i.e. most people) should look to these institutional managers (money managers, pension funds, etc.) for investment guidance. The fact is, most retail investors have remained entrenched in portfolios consisting of only public market securities, while institutional investors have adapted to the changing economic and financial landscape over the past decade or two.

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