Archive for May 2014
Weekend Reading: Crazy MLM Scams Edition
I’ve been following an incredible story in the U.S. where the blogger behind Lazy Man and Money had his identity revealed and received death threats for exposing a multi-level marketing (MLM) scam. LifeVantage, makers of a diet pill called Protandim, has gone to great lengths to discredit the author of Lazy Man and Money – creating…
Read MoreWhy Tax Free Savings Accounts Are Still Misunderstood
The 2008 Federal budget introduced the new investment vehicle called the “Tax Free Savings Account.” It allows Canadians aged 18 and over to contribute the dollar limit for the year, plus any unused contribution room from previous years and any amount you withdrew the year before. Starting in 2009, contribution room accumulates every year. The…
Read MoreWe Who Are About To Die, Etc
Someday, you’re going to die. Thankfully, it probably won’t be at the hands of some enormous gladiator with a mace and a pet lion, but no matter how you go, take a minute right now to imagine what will happen next if you leave a spouse behind. If you’re a confident DIY investor, with a…
Read More5 Questions To Ask Your Money Manager
Many investors are making the decision to manage their own investments. In fact, they can do very well with an index mutual fund or basic ETF portfolio and a consistent, systematic contribution plan. But not everyone wants to “do it themselves.” What if indexing is not your thing? You may have accumulated a substantial balance…
Read MoreHad A Financial Awakening? 5 Steps To Take Control Of Your Finances
We’ve all experienced a moment in our lives when we decided it was time to get serious about our finances. Some call it an “a-ha” moment, or a financial awakening. What triggers this feeling is different for everyone, but it’s common to hit rock bottom – deep in debt and down to your last dime…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Cheap Mortgage Edition
The big news this week was Investors Group taking the mortgage market by storm, offering a 3-year variable rate mortgage at 1.99%. The rate will be offered for a limited time and is only available through Investors Group – not through brokers. As with most limited time offers there are conditions – namely that you…
Read MoreDoes My Bank Deserve My Loyalty?
We’ve finally taken the plunge and sold our house and will be moving to another province. There are a lot of changes in store and details to think about, but luckily I’m a list maker and I have every eventuality covered. One issue I’ve been contemplating is whether to make a clean break with my…
Read MoreBreaking Your Subconscious Money Habits
Everyone has heard of the latte factor – how your daily vice can become a long-term financial burden if you don’t keep it in check. The concept got a bad rap for concentrating on small behavioural changes instead of looking at the big picture. Related: Does your spending need tending? The latte factor concept isn’t…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Why Investor Behaviour Needs To Change Edition
One of my favourite personal finance writers is Carl Richards, the Sketch Guy, and author of The Behaviour Gap. He has a knack for using humour and simple napkin sketches to point out our dumb habits when it comes to money and investing. In this video, Mr. Richards explains why investor behaviour needs to change – particularly when it comes to…
Read MoreNon-Traditional Ways To Buy A House
A recent TD Bank survey showed that while a quarter of first time home buyers did so on their own there is a growing trend of buying a house as a group. In fact four out of 10 people surveyed think that buying property with friends or family members is a great way to get…
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