Why is it so difficult for people to save?
Why do so many people have so much trouble saving? This applies to both high and average earners. The data on how many of us have so little ability to save is alarming. According to a recent survey by GoBankingRates in the United States, people with an income in excess of US $150,000 have trouble […]
The advantages of the mutual fund structure
The structure of a mutual fund has a number of significant advantages for investors that may not be clearly understood. A common misunderstanding about mutual funds is to classify funds, in general, as either good or bad. This categorization has nothing to do with the fund structure, but what investments the funds hold and what […]
Money does not make you happier
Many people think: ‘If only I was richer, I would be happy.’ Not necessarily. Canadians can be ambitious and chase the almighty dollar. But if you are looking for the magic formula to increase happiness, don’t count on that formula being more money. We have known this for several decades. In 1974, economist Richard Easterlin […]
Human brain not built for smart financial decisions
Why is much of financial behaviour so ridiculous? Excuse me if this sounds a little insulting but many people realize they have a very poor track record when it comes to managing their finances. As it turns out, the answer to my question is a short one. Because we are human. Many people think we […]
Mutual funds Survivorship
The investment of choice for most Canadians is mutual funds. If you own a mutual fund this column might be of particular interest. There are endless numbers of mutual funds to choose from and most investors are aware of that. What most investors are not aware of is how often mutual funds are closed down. […]
Ontario does not support banning DSC fees
The momentum to change the way mutual funds are purchased hit an unexpected roadblock. Ontario Finance Minister Vic Fedeli recently announced that the new conservative government did not agree with reforms proposed by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA). The CSA is the umbrella group for all provincial securities commissions. Six years ago, they started an […]
Making the most of Thanksgiving
Have you ever wondered why so many people are stressed about money and material things? The almighty dollar seems to be front and centre in people’s everyday lives. We all seem to want more. This weekend we celebrate Thanksgiving. A time to look back and be thankful for all we have. For some, the occasion […]
Evidence-based investing is highly recommended
I encourage investors to become familiar with publicly available facts and figures, and use the information to direct their investment strategy. Find out what works and what does not work and act accordingly. One of the best sources of investing evidence is provided by the SPIVA® Canada Scorecard and is available online. SPIVA® stands for […]
Do you have an up-to-date will?
In many cases, people who don’t have a will are knowledgeable individuals with financial and real estate assets that will need to be distributed upon their demise. Most people without a will clearly understand they should have one. They have understood this for years but have done nothing about it. I find that curious. The […]
Parents need to save for their children’s education
Parents… it’s time to get serious about your children’s education. September is back to school month and probably the time of year parents focus the most on education. Summer vacation abruptly comes to a close and children are launched into their next academic year. Most Canadians take great pride in education and see the advantages […]