Past Tax Strategy is a Possible Solution to Provide More Residential Rental Units
There is a potential solution for Canada’s current lack of residential rental units, writes Peter Watson. It is an idea that was used in the 1970s when there was also a shortage of rental supply. Offer individual investors tax incentives. Decades ago, the top tax bracket was slightly over 50%, the same as it is […]
Time is running out to improve Canada’s debt issues
Focusing entirely on the dangers of mounting household debt is a disservice to our country, writes Peter Watson. Over a few short years, housing mortgage rates have doubled, or more. This has caused a significant hardship for many homeowners. Many people might not be able to keep up with mortgage payments and are at risk […]
Are You at Risk if Your Bank Fails?
Investors are encouraged to manage their investments to be insured with the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation, writes Peter Watson. The banks that have failed in the US and Europe recently likely had customers that thought their bank would never go out of business. The reality is this can happen, not likely, but can happen. The […]
Artificial Intelligence Will Eliminate Jobs
Artificial intelligence could cost us our jobs, writes Peter Watson. The question for many is when will artificial intelligence take our job. The world is changing at a pace that none of us could have imagined even months ago. There is risk to us all. This change will affect our ability to earn an income. […]
Stock Market Returns can be Misleading
Investors short- term and long-term experience is often very different, writes Peter Watson. Understanding how the stock market performs can be very misleading to how risky and unpleasant the investment experience can be. We have a perfect example of this over the last three years. From 2020 to 2022, the US stock market had a […]
The Holiday Season is a time to reflect
We have a lot to reflect on this past year. For many it will be time for difficult financial decisions caused by some of the unkindest events we could imagine. The world was progressing nicely and then there was COVID-19. That resulted in the most significant reset to our everyday lives that many have experienced […]
Financial Pain Comes From Higher Interest Rates
Interest rate increases are necessary but painful, writes Peter Watson. There is a whole lot of financial pain being inflicted on Canadians. This comes in the form of the Bank of Canada raising interest rates again by one half of one per cent. This is the seventh time in 2022 the central bank has raised […]
Many struggle with high inflation
Managing personal finances is harder during inflationary times, writes Peter Watson. When it comes to how inflation affects Canadians there is good news and bad. Three out of four Canadians reduced their spending to help them cope with higher prices, according to a Maru Public Opinion Survey. The reality is people have different abilities in […]
Stock Market Volatility Can Leave You Depressed
There is a reason why the normal ups and downs of the stock market can leave you depressed, writes Peter Watson. It has to do with human behaviour. People are emotional. Investors value gains and losses differently. A loss has more significance on an investor than a gain of an equal amount. For example, if […]
Investing – A Time to be Brave
Investing in the current climate can be challenging, writes Peter Watson. The stock market has been volatile with many significant declines and bonds, that are meant to be a safe haven, have done poorly too. Then there is that sacred asset that Canadians are so proud of: Homeownership. Rising home values over a prolonged period […]
