Investment Planning
New TFSA Limit Reaches Close—But Not Quite—to Proposed $11,000
Last month, the federal budget revealed that the new Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) limit had been raised from $5,500 to $10,000 per year. While this is nearly doubled the original limit, it falls short of the expected $11,000. Still, the 82% increase in contribution room will have a significant change in your financial planning. In…
How to Respond to Market Crashes
Oftentimes, we hear on the news that the markets have crashed, but bear in mind that the media frequently dramatize events and make it seem as if things are really crazy. While things may become a little hectic, the real question is how you respond to such events. In today’s blog post, I will talk…
Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA)—Myths and Tips
Today, I want to talk about a relatively new investment tool—the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). The Tax-Free Savings Account was launched in 2009 and many people are becoming aware of it today. But how much do you really know about them? What are the rules you need to follow? What is the right time to…
TFSA VS RRSP – Where’s The Best Place for Your Money
A recent online survey conducted in November by Ipsos Reid showed that of over 1200 Canadians, 36% aren’t even contributing to an RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan). If that many people aren’t taking advantage of this age-old investment vehicle, imagine how many are not using the much newer TFSA (Tax Free Savings Account). Add to…
Tax Free Savings Accounts and Deferred Sales Charges
There is a potential time bomb lurking in Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) that have investments in them that were purchased using a Deferred Sales Charge (DSC) compensation model. When I did the math on this, it just reinforced my rationale for encouraging advisors to invest their clients money using no-load investments. The best way…
August 9th, 2011 – Stock market action commentary
Markets have been trading for two sessions now since the US was downgraded by S&P. While the net effect is a decline in stock prices and bond yields (bond prices higher), markets shot ahead today after the US Fed committed to keep interests rates low until at least mid-2013. Volatility has been stunning with vicious…
Beyond the Lost Decade
As we said goodbye to 2009, there was a lot to celebrate — we closed out a year of spectacular gains on world stock markets. But while 2009 was a great year, it also marked the end of one of the worst decades for stock performance in history. As of December 31, 2009, the S&P500…
2009 — The Year It Paid Off to Stay In
Congratulations! You rode out the 2008 market correction without changing course – and now it’s paid off (and what a payoff). Although we experienced an extremely tough year in global markets in 2008, those who stayed invested – and invested more – benefited from one of the biggest stock market rallies since 1979. Close to home,…