Archive for December 2016
Weekend Reading: Happy New Year Edition
A new year means new resolutions and goals, many of which will surely be related to improving our finances. So whether it’s paying off that credit card balance, starting to save for retirement, finding the courage to ask for a raise, or circling your retirement date on the 2017 calendar, my mom and I would…
Read MoreVictory Lap Retirement: Book Review and Giveaway
There’s a growing body of evidence that suggests postponing retirement – even by just one year – can lead to a longer, healthier life. The reality is that we’re living longer and saving less. Something has to give. But another year or two spent pushing paper in a cubicle is probably not the holy retirement…
Read MoreNet Worth Update: 2016 Year-End Review
I like to use the week between Christmas and the new year to take stock of my personal finances, reflect on the year that was, and plan out my goals for next year. I’ve already shared my 2017 financial goals, so now it’s time to update my net worth statement. As you know, I’m on a…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Christmas Edition
With Christmas around the corner we’d like to send a thank-you to all of our readers for supporting the Boomer & Echo blog this year. It’s been an amazing year, starting with a long overdue re-design of the blog (thanks to Justin Bouchard at Top Shelf Web Solutions), plus a commitment to add more photos and visual elements…
Read MoreThe Steady March Of Inflation
What were you doing in 2006? Maybe you were humming the latest Beyonce hit Check on It, or standing in line with your kids to see Ice Age: The Meltdown. Or, maybe you were discovering the newest social media craze and opening a Facebook account. Conservative Stephen Harper became our new Prime Minister, defeating Liberal…
Read MoreI Want To Buy A House In 3 Years. Should I Invest My Down Payment?
Interest rates on savings accounts and GICs are abysmal these days, so it can be tempting to put your hard earned savings into the stock market for a chance to juice your returns. But how and where you save and invest depends a lot on your time horizon – when do you need the money?…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: More Banks Behaving Badly Edition
BMO will pay back almost $50 million to clients who were overcharged on their mutual funds and investment accounts. The settlement was worked out by the Ontario Securities Commission, which said BMO “self-reported” the problem and there was no evidence of dishonest conduct by BMO. But something fishy is going on when the OSC has already…
Read MoreMy 2017 Financial Goals
I’m a bit of a money nerd. Not only do I blog about money but I also get excited about my year-end financial checklist and putting together a budget and financial goals for next year. I’ve used this blog as a way to set financial goals and hold myself accountable to achieve them. While…
Read More5 Things Missing From Your Retirement Budget
When preparing your retirement budget, it’s sometimes hard to anticipate every expense. One of the biggest mistakes newly retired people make is underestimating how much they will spend to afford a comfortable lifestyle. They end up overspending because they miss some necessary expenses. Underestimating expenses, or having several “one time” expenses can derail your budget and…
Read MoreHow To Save For Large Purchases
As a financial blogger I get asked all the time how to save for large purchases such as a vacation, renovation, or an expensive Christmas season. My answer is pretty simple: make a spending plan at the start of the year. I’ve been tracking my spending for many years and one thing that has allowed me to…
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