Posts by Robb Engen
Investing 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 MoreBuilding Wealth: Your Human Capital vs. Financial Capital
I began my career as a young sales manager in the hospitality industry and earned an annual salary of $26,000. Little did I know at the time that my human capital – as in, the present value of my expected future income throughout my working lifetime – would be worth nearly $3,000,000! I recently did…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Not Another GameStop Explainer Edition
The internet was all atwitter about the stock market this week, more specifically about the performance of GameStop stock, short-selling, hedge funds, and Robinhood (a free stock trading app in the U.S.). Financial journalists, pundits, and amateur investors all offered their hot takes on this ‘Reddit-fuelled’ market frenzy. My inbox also lit up with friends…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: RRSP Tax Tips Edition
The deadline to contribute to your RRSP for the 2020 tax year is just over a month away (March 1, 2021). Now is a great time to take advantage of any unused RRSP contribution room and reduce your net income (and tax burden) for 2020. Remember, your RRSP deduction limit is determined by: Your unused…
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