Posts by Robb Engen
Weekend Reading: Do What You Love Edition
I’ve long been a proponent that people should pursue their dreams and not settle for a less-than-inspiring career. However, in many cases, doing what you love doesn’t necessarily put food on the table or pay the bills. Take this woman, recently featured in the Financial Post, who wanted to quit her public sector career at…
Read MoreProjecting Investment Returns And Inflation
Earlier this year, the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) updated the numbers it uses for projected investment returns and inflation. Financial planners use these numbers as guidelines when projecting retirement needs and income for their clients. The FPSC’s latest guidelines for 2015 peg annual inflation at 2 percent and make the following assumptions for investments…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Back From Vacation Edition
We spent 10 days on vacation in the Okanagan Valley. The trip was fantastic – our kids loved everything, from visits to Kangaroo Creek Farm and Atlantis Waterslides, to the lazy days on the beach and in the pool, and my wife and I enjoyed several wine tours and one awesome child-free day (thanks to my…
Read MoreHow This Unconventional Pairing Can Save You Money On Your Investments
The financial services industry would have you believe that individual investors don’t want to pay upfront for investment advice – in fact, the industry claims that investors prefer to pay for financial advice through fees that are part of their mutual funds. But we all know that mutual funds in Canada cost too much and…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Another Rate Cut Edition
The Bank of Canada cut interest rates again this week – putting its key overnight rate at 0.50 percent – amid talk of weak economic growth and fear of a recession. While not great news for the Canadian economy and our falling loonie, the move is welcome for those like me who have variable rate…
Read MoreAmazon’s #PrimeDayFail
Amazon held a one-day sale Wednesday that was billed to be bigger than Black Friday. It was not. On Prime Day, the online behemoth offered a smattering of deals to customers who had purchased its $79 annual Prime membership, a service which gives members free two-day shipping on most items, plus cloud storage for photos…
Read MoreA Well-Endowed Retirement Fund
College Athletics is a world of haves and have-nots. At the pinnacle of intercollegiate sport is the University of Texas, which boasts annual revenues in excess of $165 million and aims to have a $200 million operating budget by 2020. Texas is one of just a handful of self-funded athletics programs in the country. Money…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Summer Holiday Edition
My wife and I enjoy spending our summer vacation in the beautiful B.C. interior. This year we’re venturing a little further than usual, travelling to Kelowna and staying 10 nights in the Okanagan. It’ll be great to see my parents for the first time since they moved to Kelowna from Calgary last summer. We were worried how our…
Read MoreWhen Free Isn’t Exactly Free: The Shocking Truth About Aeroplan Rewards
As the competition for travel rewards heats up one recurring problem for the Aeroplan rewards program is that its members are on the hook to pay for any fees, taxes, and fuel surcharges when they redeem their points for travel. Other travel rewards programs, such as RBC’s Avion, TD’s First Class, and CIBC’s Aventura, allow…
Read MoreNet Worth Update: 2015 Mid-Year Review
I like to take a snapshot of my financial situation every six months to review my progress and make sure I’m on track to reach my goals. I want to be a millionaire by the end of 2021 – the year I turn 41 – and become financial free by 2025. That’s the dream, anyway.…
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