Weekend Reading: Sell or Hold Edition
When faced with an investment that has substantially increased in value one of the hardest decisions investors have to make is whether to sell or hold. A reader of behavioural psychologist Dan Ariely’s blog asked this question about an investment he made in bitcoin that had increased in value by an incredible 4,000%. He wanted…
Read MoreHelp! Will My Air Miles Expire And Become Worthless?
The Air Miles rewards program underwent major changes back in 2011. First, the popular loyalty program phased out the ability to redeem Air Miles for gift certificates and instead introduced a new feature called Air Miles Cash as a way for its members to redeem their rewards instantly online or at participating retailers. The second and more controversial announcement…
Read MoreAre You Cut Out To Be A Landlord?
Buying an investment property is a popular option for many Canadians looking for different ways to invest their money. Rental properties can provide you with steady monthly income and could appreciate in value over the years. But are you cut out to be a landlord? Finding the right property Finding the right property as an…
Read MoreFiling Taxes: Free Software, Costly Accountant, or Something in Between?
We’re right in the middle of tax season, and while some keeners have already filed, Canadian taxpayers have until May 2nd to submit their personal taxes for 2015. The deadline to file taxes for those who are self-employed is June 15th. There aren’t very many strategies for individuals to save on taxes these days and so…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Pursue Your Passion Edition
I’ve argued before that doing what you love won’t necessarily pay the bills and so the best way to pursue your passion might be on a freelance basis or as a side business while you maintain a regular day job. This blog is a perfect example. It started out as a hobby and an outlet…
Read MoreMoney and Happiness
A famous study co-authored several years ago by Nobel Prize winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman offered some fascinating insights into the relationship between money and happiness. The study, which analyzed the responses of 450,000 Americans, revealed that people who earned less than $75,000 per year were more likely to feel sad or stressed about their day-to-day lives.…
Read MoreWhy An Emergency Fund Is Still A Necessity
There have been a lot of news items (CBC news example) about massive layoffs resulting in bankruptcies, money crunches, and home foreclosures that I wonder if the financial planning concept of having an emergency fund is passé. Lots of people don’t think they need one. They don’t really believe an emergency would happen to them.…
Read MoreNest Wealth vs. Wealthsimple: A Tale of Two Robo-Advisors
This post provides a detailed review of Nest Wealth and Wealthsimple, comparing two of Canada’s leading robo-advisors for your online investing needs. If we’ve learned anything over the past 10 years, thanks to the likes of Uber and Netflix, it’s that no industry is immune to the impact of disruptive technology. Now Canada’s big banks…
Read MoreWorry-Proof Your Investment Plan
When it comes to our financial futures, the one thing we’re most scared of is uncertainty. It would be great if we could look into a crystal ball to see what the future will hold. When you devise your investment plan a lot of assumptions have to be made because we just don’t know what…
Read MoreIs Impulse Buying Setting Back Your Goals?
When it comes to finding extra money for saving in your budget, we’re often told to look at your regular spending patterns. You know the drill – cut out your Starbucks habit, bring your own lunch to work, take the bus. But often it’s the irregular impulse buying that can wreak havoc on your budget. You…
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