With the second quarter of 2018 having recently drawn to a close, I wanted to provide a brief update on some of the main themes that emerged for investment markets over the period. Following a particularly volatile start to the…
The Effects of Rising Interest Rates
Earlier this week The Bank of Canada increased its benchmark interest rate to 1.5%; this rate hike prompted Canada’s six big banks to raise their prime lending rate by a quarter of a percentage point to 3.7%. This rate hike…
7 Myths about Financial Planning
Myth #1: You Don’t Need One Whether you have a lot of money or very little a sound financial plan will help point you in the right direction – towards your long term goals. Whether they are to minimize taxes,…
Summer Vacation – Canadians Staying Home by Choice
Many Canadians are electing not to travel to the U.S. this year as an act of solidarity; choosing not to give their hard earned money to a country actively hostile towards us, our Prime Minister and current trade negotiations. Besides,…
Financial Tips for Same-Sex Couples
We are wrapping up World Pride month and Toronto is getting ready to host thousands of same-sex couples celebrating their march towards equality. The number of same-sex couples has doubled in Canada in the last ten years, making up almost…
Dad Gets Another Raise
As dads across the country celebrate Father’s Day this Sunday, they can relish in the fact their household value has once again increased. According to the annual Father’s Day Index released by Insure.com the value of fathers bumped up to…
You’ve been asked to be an Executor; now what?
It’s not the kind of question that comes up every day; so before you accept automatically you should know what will be expected of you. Although you may be flattered by the request, your willingness to be someone’s executor should…
Stress Testing your Mortgage
As of January 1st this year The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) implemented new rules increasing the minimum qualifying rate for uninsured mortgages. For those Canadians trying to qualify for a mortgage, the rules are more commonly…
Getting Married?
Last weekend Harry and Meghan officially kicked off the 2018 wedding season; if you’re planning on doing the same this summer here are a few things to consider: Upon marriage your Will becomes null and void, so make sure…
Putting Market Volatility in Perspective
Naturally investors would only like to see their portfolios continue to go up, but that is not reality, stock markets will always rise and fall; two steps forward, one step back. Why? The stock market is comprised of publicly…