Posts by Ed Rempel
Truly Active Managers Outperform – Being Different is Key
The popular opinion among investors supported by many studies claims that most fund managers underperform their index, so you are better off just investing in an index fund or ETF (Exchange Traded Fund). However, truly “active” fund managers have significantly outperformed their indexes after all fees over the long term, based on a very comprehensive…
Read MoreAvoid the 5-Year Fixed Mortgage Trap
Number 3 on our list of things on which Canadians waste the most money is 5-year fixed mortgages. They are marketed as being safe and a good protection against a sharp rise in interest rates. The reality, though, is that they are nearly always a huge waste money, they limit your flexibility and result in…
Read MoreTFSA vs RRSP – Clawbacks & Income Tax on Seniors
“The future ain’t what it used to be.” – Yogi Berra Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA’s) were announced in the 2009 federal budget. At first, it seemed they would be not nearly as useful as RRSP’s since there would be no tax refunds for contributing. However, we are starting to analyze TFSA’s and it seems…
Read More6 Common Myths about Stock Market Returns
How did you do with the 12 questions in the first article of this series? We have found that most investors have quite exaggerated views about long term stock market returns, mainly believing they are much more erratic than they are.
Read MoreCommon Myths about Stock Market Risk
How did you do with the 12 questions in stock market quiz? We have found that most investors have quite exaggerated views about stock market risks, especially after 2008.
Read MoreHow Risky is the Stock Market – How accurate are your perceptions? (Quiz)
“Half the lies they tell about me aren’t true.” – Yogi Berra We talk with people and read articles and books every day about investing, and are constantly shocked at how little most people know about the real risks and returns of the stock markets. The bear market of 2008 has only made the…
Read MoreWhat’s Important About Money to You?
It’s not about the money. What is your real inner motivation for how you handle money – how do you spend it, and how and why do you save it? Having talked to thousands of people about their money, we have found that money is very emotional for people. How you handle it reveals what…
Read MoreIrrational Pessimism?
“It was impossible to get a conversation going; everybody was talking too much.” – Yogi Berra In 1996, Fed Chairman Alan Greenspan coined the term “irrational exuberance” to describe what he felt was unjustified speculation in the stock market as the S&P 500 rose past 744. Now, 12 years later, the S&P500 has moved past…
Read MoreHow to Take Advantage of the Market After the Crash of 2008
“It’s never happened in the World Series history – and it hasn’t happened since.” – Yogi Berra 2008 was a difficult year, producing results not seen in recent history. In past bear markets, some sectors and significant groups of investors still made money. In 2008 only 4 of 3,438 equity mutual funds showed a profit.…
Read MoreTax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) – How should we use it?
The only reason I need these gloves is ’cause of my hands. – Yogi Berra 2009 brings one exciting new development – TFSAs. You may have seen a bunch of news coverage about them. We consider them to be the best new retirement savings vehicle since RRSPs. For many, perhaps most Canadians, they will be…
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