Expiry Dates: How Long Do Products Last?
Some time ago, the manufacturer of Polysporin held a contest to see who had the oldest tube of this antibacterial cream. I thought I had a sure thing with my 25-year-old tube, but I guess I was wrong because I didn’t win. Related: 10 useless kitchen gadgets We all pay attention to expiration dates when…
Read MoreMy 2014 (and final) Portfolio Rate of Return
My DIY investing journey began after the global financial crisis in 2008-09. It wasn’t until markets crashed by as much as 50 percent that I started to take notice of my investment statements and performance. Aside from the significant decline in my portfolio, the most alarming number was the 2.7% MER being paid on a…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Finally Switched To Indexing Edition
For a while now I’ve dithered over when to sell my portfolio of dividend stocks and implement my two-fund ETF solution. The tanking stock market didn’t help – particularly with oil and gas stocks plummeting and a few of my holdings underwater. Behaviourally, I wanted badly to wait until oil prices recovered so I didn’t…
Read MoreManaging Proceeds From Rental Property Sale: A Boomer & Echo Financial Makeover
After the birth of their daughter, the Mitchell’s financial priorities have changed. How can this couple use the sale proceeds from their rental property to kick-start their new financial goals? Family Profile Frank and Tara Mitchell are enjoying a busy family life with 2 ½ year old Lucas and 7 month old baby Mia. Frank…
Read MoreThe Ins and Outs of ETFs
The first Canadian ETF was created in 1989 and called the TIP-35, which tracked the TSE 35. Since then, the ETF market has expanded considerably. Currently, according to BlackRock, there are over 3,000 different ETFs available globally. ETFs started out as a way for investors to tap into the returns of major stock markets using a…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Holiday’s Over Edition
I’ve been on holidays since December 12th and the break has been fantastic, giving me a chance to relax with family and recharge my batteries. Unfortunately, the holiday has come to an end and it’s back to work on Monday. I hope you all enjoyed some time off at Christmas and New Year’s as well. We’ve tinkered…
Read MoreTop Financial Stories And Events Of 2014
2014 had some attention-grabbing financial stories that are no doubt being featured in most business news year-end recaps. Here are some random events that I found of interest. 1. Burger King gobbles up Tim Hortons Canadian’s beloved Tim Hortons chain agreed to a merger with Burger King creating the world’s third largest fast-food company –…
Read MoreNet Worth Update: 2014 Year-End Review
I like to take a snapshot of my finances twice a year in order to see how my financial plan is progressing and whether or not I’m meeting my goals. These net worth updates are encouraging because they reveal how the compounding power of savings and debt reduction add up over time. Related: Net Worth…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Christmas Break Edition
With 2014 quickly winding down I wanted to publish one more edition of weekend reading before we break for Christmas. We hope you all have a relaxing and enjoyable Christmas holiday, and we’ll be back to our regular schedule the week of December 29th. Value of Simple Many investors recognize that Canada has the highest investing fees…
Read MoreWhen Stretching To Buy A Home Makes Financial Sense
The real estate market in Canada has been the subject of much opinion and speculation over the last five years as prices continue to rise to new heights. Houses are over-priced, but by how much? Should prospective buyers wait for a crash before jumping into the market, or should they get in now before they’re…
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