Financial Planning Simplified
I’m Robb — the guy behind Boomer & Echo. I’ve been a personal finance blogger since 2010 and an advice-only financial planner since 2015. I help regular Canadians with regular problems make smarter decisions about their money — without selling them a thing.
My philosophy is simple: Money shouldn’t be complicated.
You don’t need 17 bank accounts, 12 ETFs, or a side hustle to retire comfortably. You just need a good plan, grounded in what really matters to you.
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New Articles from Robb
From The Boomer & Echo Mailbag: Designating A RRIF Beneficiary
Boomer | October 27, 2016 |
Q. I will soon be converting my RRSP into a RRIF. Currently the beneficiary is my estate. I was told I could save money if I named my children as equal beneficiaries. What are the tax implications of doing this? When there is no “qualified” beneficiary – i.e. spouse or dependent child or grandchild –…
Some Debts Can’t Be Avoided. Here’s How To Keep Debt To A Minimum
Boomer | October 25, 2016 |
There’s been a lot of attention in the media about the high level of consumer debt Canadians are indulging in compared to their disposable income. Easy access to inexpensive credit and little stigma attached to being in debt, as well as the pressure felt to keep up with society’s image of success makes overconsumption a…
Cool It. The Feds Aren’t Killing The Housing Market
Robb Engen | October 23, 2016 |
Allow me to riff on the housing market and how recent changes to mortgage rules will affect Canadian homebuyers. To recap, the feds stepped in and introduced a mortgage rate stress test for fixed term mortgages of five years or more. The stress test, which already existed for variable and 1-4 year fixed terms, stated…
Weekend Reading: Justwealth Edition
Robb Engen | October 22, 2016 |
Here at Boomer & Echo we’re big fans of the robo-advisor model that gives investors the chance to build a low cost, diversified portfolio of ETFs and not worry about the hassle of buying, selling, and rebalancing on their own. Just set up regular contributions to your account and the robo-advisor allocates your dollars into a portfolio of ETFs…
When Do You Stop Helping Your Adult Children?
Boomer | October 20, 2016 |
Rodney and Carol retired in their early sixties. A few years later their youngest child, Greg, lost his graphic arts job and decided to start a small manufacturing business. To start the company, he got his parents to invest $50,000. They wanted to help their son succeed in his dream, so they made the investment….
Save Money By Avoiding Costly Add-Ons
Boomer | October 18, 2016 |
There have been numerous studies showing how people who pay for their purchases by credit card spend more money than if they would have paid by cash because they upgrade or buy impulsively. But, a lot of people pay off their balances in full each month and use their credit cards for various reasons –…
