Monthly Payments can be a Financial Sink Hole
Accumulating too many monthly payment plans can sabotage your financial well-being, writes Peter Wastson. Things you purchase are often priced in a manner that is too good to resist. That is a significant financial risk. Buying a car is a perfect example. Assume you are in the market and find a car you like, and […]
COVID-19 Chaos Disconnected from Stock Market Performance
This year has been the most confusing time that many investors have experienced during their lifetime, writes Peter Watson. S&P 500 Index performance in 2020 seems disconnected to the damaging impact COVID-19 has had on the economy. Early in the year COVID-19 spread around the globe, accelerating change in many areas of the world economy. […]
Debt levels are dangerously high and is a risk for us all
Deferred costs, such as mortgage payments and billions of federal support, have camouflaged our financial weakness and the dangers of staggering amounts of debt, writes Peter Watson. Debt is good and debt can be dangerously bad. That is an issue that affects us all. The magic of debt can be every consumers’ dream. Without any […]
Will the US Election Affect Stock Values?
Fama/French Total US Market Research Index 1929 to 2020 shows the increasing value of US stocks. The political party of the President has not been a significant influence on stock market performance. Will the US election outcome affect the value of your US stocks? This is a question that investors are asking these days as […]
Speech From The Throne: Our Path Forward
The Speech from the Throne outlined the federal government’s plan to deal with COVID-19 and the financial support it intends to offer Canadians, writes Peter Watson. Last week, the Liberals gave Canadians the equivalent of a Business Plan. The Speech from the Throne provided a strategic direction for the government. The main objective is COVID-19 […]
Office work in the future has changed forever
Covid-19 has changed the lives of millions of Canadians who work in an office, writes Peter Watson. After suddenly being sent home to work remotely, people are now realizing they are far more efficient at their job. They are spending far less money commuting and they are more available for home duties, particularly with young […]
Employment Insurance logic needs to be fixed
Employment Insurance logic has to align its goals with the recipient, writes Peter Watson. Today a story. But first a common business principal. Anytime you have a business relationship it is to your advantage that all parties are hoping for the same outcome. For example, if you work for a company a bonus could be […]
Scams and fraud are a real threat
Canadians need to re-think how we combat scams and other attempts of theft, writes Peter Watson Scams and frauds are part of everyday life. Policing is difficult because most cases are not reported. The Canadian Anti-Fraud website is a useful source of information. Protect yourself by anticipating fraud attempts will occur against you. As an […]
Home Ownership Dangerously More Accessible
Allowing more homeowners to qualify to purchase a home has many inherent risks. Buyer Beware, writes Peter Watson. A change allowing more home buyers to qualify for a larger mortgage started April 6, 2020. This move could backfire. The change has to do with the “stress test” implemented a few years ago to help cool […]
Stock market volatile annual returns
The formula for success is holding stocks for the long-term, writes Peter Watson. Since 1926, as reported by S&P, the average annual return for the US stock market is very close to 10 per cent. That includes the Great Depression of 1929, one of many times the stock market crashed. Returns vary between positive and […]