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
Weekend Reading: For Brock Hirsche Edition
Robb Engen | March 17, 2018 |
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…
Are ETFs Becoming Too Complex?
Boomer | March 15, 2018 |
Exchange traded funds have surged in popularity as more investors realize the benefits of lower investment costs and broad diversification. They started out as a way for investors to tap into the returns of major stock markets using a nice convenient low-cost package that trades like a stock. With passive investment management, a computer could…
Waiting For An Inheritance
Boomer | March 13, 2018 |
Have you noticed that your senior parents may be reluctant to discuss estate planning with their children? Obviously, there’s the discomfort of talking about death, but there’s also that long-time reluctance about discussing financial issues. This lack of conversation between the generations may be contributing to poor retirement and estate planning. Needing to fund retirement…
The Misguided Beliefs of Financial Advisors
Robb Engen | March 12, 2018 |
Critics of the investment industry, me included, often point to conflicts of interest that lead to higher costs and poorer outcomes for investors. Indeed, a 2015 study on mutual fund fees conducted by the Brondesbury Group determined that financial advisors who receive commissions from selling mutual funds are often biased in selecting funds that offer…
Weekend Reading: Dirty Money Edition
Robb Engen | March 10, 2018 |
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…
Engineering A Better Outcome For Investors
Robb Engen | March 8, 2018 |
When I worked in the hospitality industry our hotel group placed a large emphasis on the profitability of its restaurants and catering departments. Considerable effort was made to drive overall food costs down while at the same time creating a sales culture that pushed the highest margin items to boost revenue. One of the most effective ways…
