Financial Planning Wisdom
The Optimal RRSP/TFSA Contribution
Now that we are in RRSP season, you may be wondering “How much should I contribute to my RRSP?” The proper way to figure this out is to identify your “optimal RRSP/TFSA contribution”. This is a key factor in every retirement plan.
Read MoreConverting Income to the Right Type with Corporate Class Funds
Investing for income can mean that you have to chose between the most appropriate investment and the most tax-efficient one. You can convert investment income into the right type using corporate class funds. The most highly taxed income is interest. There is a significant benefit for you if you can convert interest income into dividends…
Read MoreTop 5 Asset Allocation Strategies
“Wide diversification is only required when investors do not understand what they are doing.” – Warren Buffett Probably the single most common incorrect quote in investing is: “Asset allocation determines 94% of your investment returns.” The quote refers to a study1 that is misquoted by both the investment industry to market simple investment strategies and by…
Read MoreLifecycle Investing – The Benefits of Diversifying Across Time
“The point is simple: if diversification across asset classes is so good, why not also seek greater diversification across time periods?” – Ian Ayres Last Decade Risk There is a big risk in the way most people save for retirement. The big risk is that the vast majority of the investments most people own during…
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 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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