Retirement Planning Wisdom
Can You Be Confident in the Stock Market? (UPDATED)
Which is true? To invest effectively for your future, it is vital to be confident in your investments. Here is the historical data to give you a clear picture of what long-term investors can expect. By the end, you’ll have a clearer answer to the big question: Is the stock market the best way to…
Read MoreRealizing You Somehow Became Wealthy
I often talk with people who realize—almost by surprise—that they’ve become wealthy. They never really thought of themselves as wealthy, but after years of saving and investing effectively, it hits them: I’m actually wealthy. And let me tell you—being wealthy feels different. In my latest YouTube video, podcast episode, and blog post I talk about:…
Read MoreRetiring Right Before or During a Recession. Debunking “Sequence of Returns Risk”. (Canadian Financial Summit 2024)
Bloggers and advisors constantly warn about the “Sequence of Returns Risk”—the fear that retiring right before or during a market crash will drain your savings too quickly. This fear often leads retirees to make poor investment choices, resulting in: But how real is this risk? And do the conventional solutions—like investing in bonds or following…
Read MoreNational Post Article: Now retired, how do we withdraw funds without running out of money?
The National Post asked me to review the finances of Walter and Joanne, a retired couple in their late 60s, who have been struggling for years with the same question: How do we draw income from our investments in the most tax-efficient way—so we can maintain our lifestyle without running out of money? They’ve built…
Read MoreCanadian Affairs Article: Can James, 71, and Valerie, 63, afford to move to a nicer neighbourhood?
Canadian Affairs asked me to review the financial situation of James and Valerie, a retired couple in Montreal. They dream of traveling twice a year, upgrading to a nicer neighbourhood, and replacing their car in a few years—all while maintaining a comfortable retirement with $64,000 a year in spending for the next decade. Currently, their…
Read More7 Best Ideas to Optimize the Smith Manoeuvre (Canadian Financial Summit 2024)
With its quirky name, the Smith Manoeuvre might sound unconventional, but it’s a strategy that truly works—when done by the right people, in the right way, over the long term. From crafting over 1,000 professional Financial Plans, I’ve seen firsthand how the Smith Manoeuvre can transform your finances, helping Canadians use their home equity to…
Read MoreNational Post Article: Couple shy of retirement goals with $2.1 million portfolio
The National Post asked me to review the finances of Tom and Amanda, a semi-retired couple in their early 60s, who are debt-free, own a $1.9 million home in Southwestern Ontario, and plan to spend $115,000–$120,000 annually in retirement. Tom and Amanda enjoy part-time consulting work, which brings in $24,000 annually before tax, but the…
Read MoreNew Study Supports 100% Equity Investing for Life
For years, conventional wisdom has preached the benefits of diversifying between stocks & bonds and gradually shifting to safer investments as we age. But what if these widely accepted strategies are fundamentally flawed? A newly published, high-quality study is flipping the script on traditional investment advice, making a compelling case for a 100% equity strategy…
Read MoreNational Post Article: With law-school loans and divorce paid off, couple unsure how to use freed-up funds
The National Post asked me to review the finances of a remarried Edmonton couple in their 40s with four children, navigating how to use $14,000 in freed-up monthly cash flow after paying off significant debts. Daniella, a 45-year-old lawyer, earns $200,000 after tax annually and wants to build savings, invest, and eventually buy two properties…
Read MoreRRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies
Ever wondered how you can get the money out of your RRSP with a minimum of tax? RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies can allow you to withdraw from your RRSP or RRIF and have very little income show on your tax return. However, there are some tricky complications, and these strategies are not for everyone. In my…
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