Posts by Robb Engen
5 Lessons Learned About Investing
Five years ago I opened a discount brokerage account – transferring $25,000 from my HSBC mutual fund account to TD Waterhouse – to start investing in individual stocks. Here are 5 lessons learned about investing over the last five years: A rising tide lifts all boats I’ve learned to recognize the difference between skill and…
Read MoreWater Heater Rentals: Do Ontario Residents Get Hosed?
As an Albertan who writes a column for an Ontario-based newspaper, I’m often reminded of the many differences between our two provinces. Health care premiums, HST, and land transfer taxes aren’t part of the Alberta landscape. Another difference I’ve observed is that many Ontario residents rent a water heater for their home, but in Alberta…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Working On The CFP Edition
I’ve spent the last few months completing the first of four online courses for the CFP certification program. The four courses include retirement planning, risk management and estate planning, strategic investment planning, and income tax planning. The retirement planning course offers a comprehensive look at topics such as: government-sponsored retirement income programs employer-sponsored pension plans…
Read MoreWhy SCENE Rewards Is One Of Canada’s Hidden Gems
We don’t go to the movies too often any more because we either need to find a babysitter or else we haul the entire family to the latest kids’ flick (and there’s only so much Frozen I can take). But recently I’ve uncovered a hidden gem among rewards programs in Canada – the SCENE rewards…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Crazy MLM Scams Edition
I’ve been following an incredible story in the U.S. where the blogger behind Lazy Man and Money had his identity revealed and received death threats for exposing a multi-level marketing (MLM) scam. LifeVantage, makers of a diet pill called Protandim, has gone to great lengths to discredit the author of Lazy Man and Money – creating…
Read MoreHad A Financial Awakening? 5 Steps To Take Control Of Your Finances
We’ve all experienced a moment in our lives when we decided it was time to get serious about our finances. Some call it an “a-ha” moment, or a financial awakening. What triggers this feeling is different for everyone, but it’s common to hit rock bottom – deep in debt and down to your last dime…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Cheap Mortgage Edition
The big news this week was Investors Group taking the mortgage market by storm, offering a 3-year variable rate mortgage at 1.99%. The rate will be offered for a limited time and is only available through Investors Group – not through brokers. As with most limited time offers there are conditions – namely that you…
Read MoreBreaking Your Subconscious Money Habits
Everyone has heard of the latte factor – how your daily vice can become a long-term financial burden if you don’t keep it in check. The concept got a bad rap for concentrating on small behavioural changes instead of looking at the big picture. Related: Does your spending need tending? The latte factor concept isn’t…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Why Investor Behaviour Needs To Change Edition
One of my favourite personal finance writers is Carl Richards, the Sketch Guy, and author of The Behaviour Gap. He has a knack for using humour and simple napkin sketches to point out our dumb habits when it comes to money and investing. In this video, Mr. Richards explains why investor behaviour needs to change – particularly when it comes to…
Read MoreThe 4 Best Strategies for Successful Life Insurance Applications
Whether you are hard to insure or have been declined for life insurance in the past, getting the coverage you need may seem impossible, but there are a few things you can do to help maximize your chance of being approved for life insurance. There are many reasons why insurance companies may decline coverage or…
Read More