Finance Wisdom
Retirement Rookie: Worried about a Market Crash Right After Retiring?
Being worried about a market crash right after retiring is a major fear for many people both before and after taking the plunge. I often hear these anxieties: “I’m scared to retire even though I have enough money in every projection. What happens if there is a market crash right after I retire?” “We just…
Read MoreGo Big or Go Slow: Why 10x Wealth Is Easier Than 2x
This title may be hard to believe, but it is a common theme in coaching for small business entrepreneurs. The concept is from the popular book “10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less” by Dan Sullivan and Dr. Benjamin Hardy. Most of us think about incremental improvements in our…
Read MoreNational Post article: Divorce wiped out her savings. At 65, should Kate start drawing CPP?
The National Post asked me to review the retirement and financial situation of Kate*, a 65-year-old who recently relocated to Alberta after a costly divorce wiped out her savings. She’s determined to rebuild her life and finances, but she has questions: “Can I realistically buy a house, or is renting my best option? How do…
Read MoreNavigating the Financial Advisor Title Trap: Why Fee-For-Service Planners Are the True Superheroes
Are you ever confused by all the different titles that financial planners and advisors use? What types of advice and services do they offer? Which one offers what you are looking for? When you have real worries or questions about your money, “who you gonna call?” Who is the super-hero of advice? In my latest…
Read MoreTop 100 Personal Finance Podcasts in Canada: Ranked #14 by MillionPodcasts
Honoured to be awarded #14 in Top Personal Finance Podcasts in Canada by MillionPodcasts I’m thrilled to share some exciting news—Unconventional Wisdom has been named one of the Top 100 Personal Finance Podcasts in North America by MillionPodcasts. We started it just 2 years ago! Even more exciting? We’re currently ranked #14 in Canada and…
Read MoreNational Post Article: Couple wonders – Is saving $500,000 in investment income enough for couple to meet their retirement goals?
The National Post asked me to review the retirement plan of a mid-career couple from Ontario, Kathy and Trevor, who are trying to simplify their finances and meet some big goals before Kathy retires at 55. Kathy is 50 and Trevor is 53. They live in the GTA and have two adult children about to…
Read MoreWhy Don’t Most Financial Planners Plan Finances?
“If you don’t know where you are going, you will wind up somewhere else.” – Yogi Berra What do you call a financial planner that does not plan finances? I know that sounds funny. But it is an important topic to understand. Most people assume that when they hire a financial planner, they’re getting a…
Read MoreFinancial Advice or Financial Quackery?
“You gotta be careful if you don’t know where you’re going, otherwise you might not get there.” – Yogi Berra How can you tell whether financial advice you receive is real financial advice or financial quackery? Much of what happens in the financial industry is financial quackery, but because the common methods are familiar to…
Read MoreNational Post Article: Couple wonders – Start investing or stick with rental income to build nest egg?
The National Post asked me to review the retirement plan of a blended-family couple in their 40s from British Columbia. Jennifer is 40 and Roland is 49. They live on a rural property with a hobby farm and have four children between the ages of 18 and 22. With three rental properties, $180,000 sitting in…
Read More3 Principles of Successful Investors (UPDATED)
“There are some people who, if they don’t already know, you can’t tell ’em.” – Yogi Berra Are you one of those investors for whom things just seem to always work out well? Getting superior long term returns seems to take little effort. Whatever strategy you use seems to eventually work. You don’t spend much…
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