Why you need to be optimistic when investing
Personal investing is influenced by how you think, writes Peter Watson. Are you pessimistic or optimistic? If you are pessimistic about the future, you likely would not want to invest in the stock market. As we all know the stock market has no guarantee of future results. Some years you lose. The recent pandemic provides […]
New Year’s Resolution: Is it Time for a Career Change?
Rethink your current career to see if you should make a change, writes Peter Watson. Financial success starts with your ability to earn an income. Your employment is not just a job, it is your current livelihood and your future financial security. It makes perfect sense to periodically evaluate your working life. Consider making this […]
Are you afraid of losing all your investments
Fear of losing money is a real challenge for investors, writes Peter Watson. There is a strong element of fear when it comes to investing. If your entire portfolio is invested in one or two stocks, then the risk of losing most or all of your money should be a significant concern. Many investors today […]
Canadians Will Spend More This Holiday Season
Holiday spending will increase this holiday season, writes Peter Watson. Holiday spending is forecasted to rise sharply from last year. After the pandemic lockdown, Canadians want to shop, celebrate, and spoil friends and family. This insight is according to Deloitte Canada’s 2021 Holiday Retail Outlook. Holiday spending during 2021 is expected to increase 31 per […]
What Companies Should You Invest?
Owning many stocks in your portfolio may be a good investment strategy, writes Peter Watson. My suggestion is to change your perspective on investing. Don’t focus on which companies to invest. Expand your focus to be much broader. Considering having a globally diversified portfolio that could have many different companies. In effect, you are buying […]
Investing Can Be Simple: Do What Works
Picking the best mutual fund is a difficult task, writes Peter Watson. You would hope for two things: The mutual fund would stay in business, and the fund will outperform its benchmark. In 2001 there were 2,900 US-based equity mutual funds. Twenty years later only 41 per cent of those funds were still in existence. […]
Tax Avoidance Hurts Us All
It is unfair that most Canadians pay their fair share of taxes while some of the rich and famous do not, writes Peter Watson. The world has just had another glimpse of how the privileged have avoided taxes. This round of tax avoidance has been named the Pandora Papers. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists […]
Banks Push Back on Investor Protection Reform
Banks and regulators at odds on proposed reforms aimed at protecting investors, writes Peter Watson. New reforms designed to provide better protection of individual investors has hit a major speedbump. Starting at the end of 2021, financial advisors are required to have a better understanding of the investment products they sell. This includes understanding alternative […]
Mortgage debt is a financial risk
Excessive mortgage debt is a financial risk for many homeowners, writes Peter Watson. The nagging issue of excessive mortgage debt held by Canadians continues. There is new information that the risk of excess borrowing is getting worse. This has significant implications for homeowners that might get caught carrying too much debt. Also, there is considerable […]
Federal Election 2021: Will it Affect My Investments?
Investors wonder how the federal election results will affect their investment, writes Peter Watson. Investors have two questions. Who will win the federal election and how will this affect my investments? We will look at the United States for some insight. It has a two-party system. Democrats are considered more socialistic and the Republicans more […]