Around the Blogosphere

Generation X, those born between 1966 and 1981, are feeling the financial squeeze. A Franklin Templeton survey made headlines this week as it revealed that many Gen Xers are being stretched beyond their financial limits. One quarter of Generation X have saved nothing for retirement, with many citing too low of income and/or too high…

A work conference had me off to Kelowna for two days of meetings. Trouble is, I’d miss my daughter’s birthday. Not cool. The solution: Bring the whole family out for a bit of a getaway prior to the conference. We love to escape to the Okanagan once every year or so. What’s not to love?…

Financial literacy leader Jane Rooney released a two-year progress report on the advancements in financial literacy research in Canada. The National Strategy was created to mobilize and engage public, private and non-profit sectors to strengthen the financial literacy of Canadians and empower them to manage money and debt wisely; plan and save for the future; and…

My wife and I are saving for a big trip next year – our dream vacation to Ireland. While we’re light on trip details right now I’m busy thinking about the best way to get us there. One option is to use Aeroplan miles. We have approximately 160,000 Aeroplan miles right now and we could…

Online brokerages are strictly prohibited from providing advice, yet many still offer mutual funds that come with trailer fees – which are in place to charge for ongoing advice. See the dilemma? DIY clients who purchase these mutual funds are being charged for advice they cannot and will not receive. Recently, a proposed class action…

I guess it’s only human nature to get skittish whenever markets fall. Those feelings are exasperated for investors who have yet to experience a true bear market (2000, 2008). This year has been particularly difficult for neophyte investors who haven’t yet learned the patience and discipline of a long-term investor. For example, on any given…

The first quarter of 2018 was a tough one for investors. It started on February 5th with the worst single-day point drop in history for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which fell 1,175 points that day. Indeed, market volatility was back and, according to some pundits, here to stay. Stock markets can be manic, prone…

Financial author Rob Brown, of Wealthing Like Rabbits fame, is on a cross-country financial literacy tour. His mission: target universities and colleges across the country and speak to post-secondary students, new graduates, and young alumni about the importance of financial literacy. There’s a lot of talk about developing and improving financial literacy curriculum in high…

Just over two years ago Brock Hirsche, the 23-year-old captain of the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team, was diagnosed with testicular cancer. It’s a disease most commonly found in men aged 15-35 and one that hit the Pronghorn family hard as three members of the program were diagnosed with testicular cancer within the…

I recently binge-watched a six-part documentary series on Netflix called Dirty Money. Each episode digs into an egregious example of corporate corruption, from cars that cheat emissions tests, to crippling pay day loans, to the great maple syrup heist in Quebec a few years back. All six episodes are worth watching (unless you don’t feel…