No Stupid Investing Questions
I write a lot about investing and always try my best to use plain language and real life examples to explain investment strategies, describe different products, and identify best practices. But I fully recognize that investing is a foreign concept to many people, especially if you’re new to investing or have always handed over your…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Revenge Travel Edition
It has been 13 months since we’ve travelled anywhere outside of our provincial borders. Trips to Italy and the U.K. were cancelled and we’ve spent the past year cooped-up at home (for the most part) fantasizing about future travel plans. With vaccines now rolling out across the world there’s growing optimism that we’ll return to…
Read More4 Famous Wills in History (and What They Can Teach Canadians About Estate Planning)
If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that we need to be prepared for the unexpected. Emergency planning has never been more top of mind for Canadians, and yet Willful research shows 57% of Canadians don’t have a will. End-of-life planning typically isn’t at the top of our to-do lists because it can be complex,…
Read MoreInvesting In Times Of Uncertainty
It’s easy to stick to your long-term investing plan when times are good. Indeed, if your investment portfolio had any U.S. market exposure at all over the past 12 years you’ve likely enjoyed nearly uninterrupted growth. Of course, there are always bumps in the road. Stocks fell sharply in a short period between February and…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: What’s Going On With Bonds Edition
Bonds are meant to be the ballast that helps smooth out volatility in your portfolio. They act as a cushion – the steady yet unspectacular asset class that balances the unpredictable movement of stocks. But a sudden decrease in bond prices has investors looking for answers. In short, bond yields are on the rise because…
Read MoreEngen’s Annual Letter To Householders
Inspired by the folksy wisdom in Warren Buffett’s annual letter to Berkshire shareholders (scheduled for Feb 27, 2021), I decided to write my own letter. I don’t have any shareholders so this letter is written to my family, or my householders. Alas, I don’t expect anyone to make the pilgrimage to Lethbridge, Alberta for our…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Distracted Investors Edition
It’s easy for investors to get distracted away from their primary goals these days. Bitcoin is already up 94% year-to-date. The ARK Innovation ETF (NYSE: ARKK) has posted returns 19.45% so far this year. Meme-stock darling GameStop (NYSE: GME) is still up 133.68% on the year even after its historic rise and fall. Clean energy…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Retirement Heaven or Hell Edition
Retirement isn’t just about the numbers (have I saved enough, how much can I spend). It’s a new chapter in your life that can last 30 years or more. You need to consider what you’re retiring to, not just what you’re retiring from. That’s exactly what author Mike Drak explores in his latest book, Retirement…
Read MoreEirene Cremations: Shining a Light on the Cost of Dying
Some industries are known for their lack of transparency – placing consumers at an incredible disadvantage. The cost of financial advice, a new vehicle, or a cell phone plan (to name a few) can vary widely and it’s not always clear if consumers are getting a fair deal. Technology has helped balance the scales, offering…
Read MoreTurboTax Full Service Self Employed Review
This year is going to be one of the strangest and (potentially) most complicated years for tax filing. Jobs were lost and hours cut during the pandemic. The federal government responded by introducing the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), among a host of other measures to protect workers…
Read More