Benefits of starting to invest early in Ontario: Why age matters
Starting to invest early in life can provide you with experience that could lead to better investment outcomes, writes Peter Watson. We recommend you start investing as early in life as possible. This could apply to parents who establish an investment fund for their children. Investors should be encouraged to take a long-term approach. Meaning, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Will stock values plummet if we have a recession?
Understanding how stock markets work and how they have performed during recent sessions can educate investors about the potential stock value outcomes if we have a recession, writes Peter Watson. Will stock values plummet if we have a recession? That is a major question for many investors who worry that the current trade war with […]
Investor Behavior Risk Can Be Costly
Investor behavior can be more of a risk than investing in stocks, writes Peter Watson. There are two types of investment risk and the one that is based on investor behavior can often be the costliest. The timing of this article is Influenced by President Donald Trump introducing tariffs that caused significant stock market volatility. […]
Formula for a Winning Investment Strategy
Following a simple investment strategy can lead to financial success, writes Peter Watson. It is very easy for investors to make mistakes when managing their investment portfolio. Many investors attempt to build their portfolio by choosing individual stocks to purchase or hiring a manager that would do that for them. The hope is to outperform […]
Understanding stock market returns
As investors, it is important to realize the “highs and lows” of the stock market. What’s interesting is that American stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 index, gained 25% in 2024. That was the first time in several decades there have been two back-to-back years with over 20% return. As an investor who owns […]
Learn From Mistakes of Two Political Leaders When Preparing for Retirement
Learning from the mistakes of two political leaders can make us understand how important it is to plan for retirement, writes Peter Watson. Beware when planning for retirement. Life does not always evolve as you might have hoped. Key assumptions are made about when you will retire, and the cash flow needed to maintain your […]