The $0 rent hack: Is house-sitting the answer to the housing crisis?
House-sitting offers financial benefits that might help reduce the high cost of housing, writes Peter Watson. Owning or renting a house can be very expensive, so it is time to consider some creative options. One idea is to be a house-sitter. Many people go away for the winter and summer. They do not want to […]
Kick-start 2026: Here’s how to establish a reliable retirement savings plan for your future
Starting a savings plan early can help you achieve your financial goals, writes Peter Watson. We have a New Year’s resolution for you. Hopefully, it will help you achieve your lifelong financial goals. It starts with planning how you will earn income for the rest of your life, and it comes in two stages. During […]
Here is a look at how the good and bad of 2025 will shape Ontario’s future
The negative impact of tariffs can lead us to a better future, writes Peter Watson. History will look back on 2025 as a pivotal year for Canada. Most years see change, but the change resulting from this past year will go down as very important to the evolution of our country. A year-in-review should be […]
OVERHAUL NEEDED: Why the Ministry of Health needs to modernize its controls of physician billings
OHIP billing system is antiquated and needs to be updated, as the monitoring costs were developed in the 1980s, writes Peter Watson. A recent report by the Ontario Auditor General revealed new information involving physician billings. However, some of the issues identified as problems were highlighted in a previous auditor’s report nearly 10 years ago. […]
Money matters, but what truly fuels your life? Here’s how money supports your priorities
The role of money is to support your priorities in life, writes Peter Watson. Money, money, money. We spend a lot of time thinking about the almighty dollar. There are many things more important than the size of your bank account. At this time of year, it’s a good time to reflect on what is […]
Investing can feel like an emotional roller-coaster, but great gains take time and patience
Long-term investors are advised not to try and time the market, writes Peter Watson. There are many reasons why you might attempt to time the stock market. But beware: timing the market can be a costly mistake. You might decide to sell your investment because of the negative research you have read or done on […]
Does your career have a Plan B in case your job disappears because of AI?
The rapid growth of AI means you need to have a back-up plan for employment, writes Peter Watson. Most people enjoying a solid career based on their qualifications and ability cannot imagine being suddenly unemployed. Under normal circumstances, sudden unemployment is very unlikely. However, now we are in the new world of artificial intelligence and […]
Credit Rating is Key to Your Ability to Arrange a Loan
The downgrade of the US credit rating should be a lesson to us all, writes Peter Watson. There is a similarity in how both individuals and countries qualify to borrow money. It is based on the risk of the loan. For example, if you are living within your means and your income is sufficient to […]
Knowledge is a Key to Investing Success
Using what is known about investing should lead to better investment results, writes Peter Watson. Some of the keys to successful investing were discussed during a summertime interview on Bloomberg with David Booth, Co-founder, and Chairman of Dimensional Fund Advisors. I will give the key comments of the interview and then provide information to support […]
Financial Concerns are Growing for Many Canadians
Economic uncertainty is a reality, so this is a good time to reevaluate your personal finances, writes Peter Watson. There are early warning symptoms that more Canadian borrowers are starting to struggle with their finances. It’s a combination of increased difficulty keeping up with mortgage and credit card payments. Plus, we are living in a […]