Weekend Reading: Reboot Your Portfolio Edition

Weekend Reading: Reboot Your Portfolio Edition

Reboot Your Portfolio: 9 Steps to Successful Investing with ETFs is a new book written by Canadian Couch Potato blogger and PWL Capital portfolio manager Dan Bortolotti.

Simply put, this book is the definitive guide to building an index investing portfolio today, brought to you by the author who is synonymous with this low cost, passive investing approach.

If you’re new to index investing, Reboot Your Portfolio takes you through everything you need to know from the research on active versus passive investing, the difference between ‘average’ returns and ‘market’ returns, how to pick an appropriate asset mix, which investments to avoid, how to avoid analysis paralysis, and how to select the right ETFs to meet your goals. 

You’ll also learn about more tactical strategies, like how to choose the right discount broker (or robo advisor), how to transfer your existing accounts, tricks of the trade on how to place an order, use DRIPs, when it makes sense to use US-listed ETFs, and whether to adopt a ‘smart-beta’ approach to your indexing strategy.

One of the challenges of writing specifically about how to invest in ETFs is naming the specific funds to use to build the portfolio. New products are constantly coming to market (or closing shop), costs change, and so a newly published guide can quickly become stale.

Dan deftly avoids talking about specific ETFs throughout the book by emphasizing process over products. In fact, selecting your ETFs doesn’t even come up until step 5, after setting your financial goals, identifying your savings rate, finding the right asset mix between stocks and bonds, and determining an appropriate geographical representation for your portfolio.

I like this approach because there’s so much more to investing than saving 0.04% MER by picking this fund over that one. The book offers a complete roadmap to becoming a successful index investor with ETFs.

Yes, product selection is important and Dan explains how to pick the right ETF(s), but the principles of keeping costs low, diversifying broadly, staying within your risk tolerance, and tuning out the noise is ultimately what matters more. 

Dan started blogging around the same time I did (2010) and his writing was a huge influence on my own investing journey. I was a stock picker for many years, if you recall, focusing on Canadian dividend payers. Dan’s excellent writing, not just around the merits of index investing but also on busting dividend myths, helped me eventually switch to an indexing strategy and I haven’t looked back.

I think I would have switched sooner if the ETF product landscape was as evolved as it is today. Dan’s Couch Potato model portfolios often contained 7-10 individual ETFs, which I thought (and still think) was far too complicated for a supposedly lazy portfolio.

Today, index investors can build a low cost, globally diversified, and risk appropriate portfolio with just a single ETF.

Related: Exactly How I Invest My Own Money

The book isn’t just for index investing newbies. There’s something for everyone. I love the analogies Dan uses throughout the book and I’ll share some of my favourite ones that I plan on incorporating into my conversations with clients.

On risk tolerance:

You may have been asked to consider scenarios such as: “If your fund dropped in value by 10% in one year, would you sell, buy more, or do nothing?”

Dan says such hypothetical scenarios can only tell you so much. “It’s like being asked, how long could you keep your arm in a bucket of ice water before the pain caused you to remove it?” Could you really make a useful estimate? 

He says unless you have experience submerging your limbs into freezing liquids, you can only guess. In the same way, no investor truly knows his pain threshold until he’s watched his portfolio get ravaged.

On home country bias:

Some investors argue that Canada’s market is too small to justify an equal share alongside the US and overseas markets. But Dan says there are good arguments for over-weighting Canadian equities that have nothing to do with patriotism.

A 2014 Vanguard paper found that the least volatile equity portfolios (for Canadian investors) contained between 20% and 40% Canadian stocks. 

Ironically, this Vanguard report was actually designed to encourage investors to hold a smaller share of Canadian equities, not a larger one. Their data suggested the average Canadian investor held about 60% of their equities in domestic stocks.

On investing a lump sum:

Investors may feel paralyzed by the thought of investing a large lump sum: “What if I invest it all today and the market drops 5% next week? I’m going to feel like an idiot.”

Dan says this decision might be easier if you reframe it. Imagine you received a $200,000 cash inheritance and you’re nervous about investing it because you feel stocks are overvalued and bonds will suffer if interest rates rise. Should you hold onto the cash until it feels right to invest?

“Now flip the question around and imagine you instead inherited a $200,000 portfolio of stocks and bonds. Would you immediately sell everything and sit on the cash? This is exactly the same decision presented in two different ways, yet most people would likely answer yes to the first and no to the second. If you wouldn’t be willing to sell your inherited stocks and bonds, then you shouldn’t be reluctant to invest your cash.”

In Reboot Your Portfolio Dan shows exactly why he’s an award winning journalist and has a cult-like following online. This book is a must read if you’re curious about index investing, looking to take the plunge into ETFs, or even if you’re already a dedicated indexer.

Dan was generous enough to offer Boomer & Echo readers a chance to win a free copy of Reboot Your Portfolio. Just leave a comment below and let me know what type of investor you are (bank managed mutual funds, robo advisor, individual stocks, ETFs, or some hybrid approach).

I’ll leave the contest open until Friday November 12th at 5 p.m. EST and then announce the winner in the next edition of Weekend Reading.

More from Dan Bortolotti:

Dan returns to MoneySense to share how overcome investing FOMO.

Preet Banerjee interviews Dan (the godfather of index investing in Canada) on the Mostly Money podcast.

Promo of the Week:

My friend and travel expert Barry Choi has released a beginner’s guide to travel hacking for lazy people.

Barry’s tips have directly improved my own travel hacking techniques and allowed me to save thousands of dollars on flights and hotels, not to mention levelling up my game to be able to book business class tickets and other luxury perks.

This 10-part guide (or full e-book) teaches you everything you need to do to maximize your credit card rewards (earning) and maximizing the redemption of these rewards (burning). 

Weekend Reading:

Speaking of travel hacking, here’s a free tip from our partners at Credit Card Genius – the best bonus value EVER from RBC Avion Visa Infinite card.

Earlier this week I offered a sensible RRSP versus TFSA comparison.

On Young & Thrifty I shared the smart and lazy millennial’s approach to investing using all-in-one ETFs.

Robin Wigglesworth says it’s time to relearn lessons about the power of passive investing.

Rob Carrick shares six things a brutally honest banker would tell you about mortgages, HELOCs, and market-linked GICs:

“The problem with Financial Literacy Month is that it allows the conversation about smart money habits to be co-opted by the very companies that effectively force us to raise our financial literacy game. Mostly, the big banks.”

Global’s Erica Alini interviews Ben Felix and Bridget Casey about how to protect your savings from inflation.

Millionaire Teacher Andrew Hallam calls crypto investing the world’s largest behavioural experiment.

Of Dollars and Data blogger Nick Maggiulli discusses the fear and loathing in cryptoland.

Here’s Ben Felix explaining how to decide between renting and buying a home:

Fee-only planner Jason Heath walks through how to draw money out of your corporation in retirement.

Finally, here’s Rick Steves on the return of travel and why it matters.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, everyone! Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Reboot Your Portfolio.

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106 Comments

  1. Sel F on November 7, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    I am an hybrid investor. Almost all in ETFs/Individual stocks and Robo advisor. I do have a small percentage of mutual funds that are doing quite good and i have held them for about 21 years.

    • ffsquared. on November 7, 2021 at 2:09 pm

      I have ETFs for RRSP and TFSA accounts with a robo advisor as I’m a passive investor. Rather invest my time and energy in my family and friends than spend time managing my investments. Life is short. Better to invest in people and experiences than in accruing a monetary fortune.

      • DSB on November 7, 2021 at 7:04 pm

        I’m a couch potato investor and invest in ETFs. I would love to learn more to continue to advance e my knowledge on index investing!

      • Ian Crawford on November 8, 2021 at 11:13 am

        I’m a hybrid investor I guess, my RRSP is totally in traditional mutual funds managed by a small boutique financial advisor, I have some money that I use to invest in stocks and some ETFs at a discount brokerage, part of my work pension is an Manulife RSP that I actively manage through select mutual funds they offer and I started a PAC investing in other non registered mutuals as the size of my RSP portfolio gets me a sizeable fee reduction……also recently started using a robo to see how it compares…..I think i need a reboot …..too many things going on

      • Kevin Jack on November 14, 2021 at 5:16 pm

        A mix, about 99% with a Robo advisor right now, and recently opened a self directed account with Questrade (trying to use up some remaining room in my tfsa). Wanted to get comfortable doing it myself with smaller amounts before looking at transfering all of my RRSP and tfsa into an Assest allocation etf (xeqt,xgro/veqt,vgro, etc.) at Questrade.

    • tom yung on November 7, 2021 at 2:16 pm

      I am slowly switching from mutual funds and individual stocks to index and ETF.
      I invested through banks and are now more inclined to invest through wealthsimple to save fees.

  2. Rebooted Investor on November 7, 2021 at 12:37 pm

    Great summary of Dan’s new book! I look forward to reading it. I’m index ETFs all the way, but I do suggest roboadvisors or TD e-series to friends who don’t want to deal with regular manual purchases.

    • Jeff on November 7, 2021 at 4:10 pm

      I had no idea the Couch Potatoe was writing a book. I’m a hybrid investor who is slowly switching to self directed all in one ETF investing.

      • JohnnyP on November 7, 2021 at 6:14 pm

        Looks like it would be an interesting new book to read thanks for the insight. I am a self directed investor with a mix of ETFs as well as individual stocks.

  3. Kim C on November 7, 2021 at 12:38 pm

    I would love a copy of Dan’s Reboot your Portfolio book. Not just for myself but for my adult children to read. I am a hybrid investor – some Canadian dividend paying stocks and then index/ETF’s for diversification. Thanks!

  4. KB on November 7, 2021 at 12:46 pm

    Dan has been integral in my investing journey. I would love to get a free copy of his book but in the end, I’ll pick it up for sure.

  5. Kevin on November 7, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    ETF investor here. Found both your blog and Dan’s in 2020 but wish I would have found them sooner!

    • Kyle Klages on November 7, 2021 at 1:02 pm

      Looking forward to reading the book, it’s on order from Amazon

  6. Carol A. on November 7, 2021 at 12:51 pm

    Hybrid investor for now dividend stocks and ETFs.

  7. Mario on November 7, 2021 at 12:55 pm

    For me, I am more a passive investor and deal with a financial planner. None the less, I have also a portfolio with a brokerage firm where I can trade ETF and stocks a few times a year. Would love to read “Reboot Your Portfolio” and improve my investment knowledge.

  8. James r on November 7, 2021 at 12:57 pm

    Mostly gics. Some etfs. Would love a copy of the book.I truly have fomo.

  9. Sandra Butchko on November 7, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    This book sounds like a great read – glad to hear it is on Amazon. Thank you for the overview of the book.

  10. Rick on November 7, 2021 at 1:13 pm

    I have always had a preference for index investing, but the MER has affected my decision making more than it should. I have recently been switching to all index ETF as I realize my wife has very little interest in investing and I think having only one or 2 global ETF’s in our portfolio will make managing our investments much easier and more successful once I am no longer around. I also think one of the 80% equity / 20% bond portfolio’s will be more successful than any advisor or robo-fund, particularly after fees and the likelihood of the advisor constantly suggesting a change to improve their wealth/income.

  11. Dan P on November 7, 2021 at 1:20 pm

    Broad equity markets ETFs for us. Heavy emphasis on US markets with some global equity ETF’s in the mix. In the process now of converting to be totally in these, and out of, the few remaining single company shares and one remaining Mutual Fund. I too would be very interested in reading Dan’s book.

  12. Alan J on November 7, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    Our portfolio is mainly in ETFs and individual stocks, with some long-held mutual funds that would have costly tax consequences if we sold them.

  13. Tamara on November 7, 2021 at 1:30 pm

    I am a complete newbie to self-management. Have used an advisor for the last 10 years but am eager to dip my toes into the water. This resource sounds perfect for me!

  14. Joe C. on November 7, 2021 at 1:45 pm

    I would love to read the book . I am a newbie investor and so far all my investments are in VEQT and no income funds. I am investing for longterm.

  15. Matt on November 7, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    Great column as usual! Thanks for highlighting this, will no doubt be very helpful, even for experienced index investors! Keep up the great work!

  16. Michael Shoesmith on November 7, 2021 at 1:47 pm

    Super excited to check out this book! I’m an ETF investor with an SRI lens 🙂

  17. Ralph Backé on November 7, 2021 at 1:53 pm

    I am all over the place woth a very small portfolio. I have invested in individual stocks, etf’d canadian and american and in crypto curriences.

  18. James Laroche on November 7, 2021 at 1:56 pm

    I am a kind of hybrid investor. I have a portion in GIC’s, a portions in etf’s, a portion in REIT’s, and some stocks in the Canadian and US markets. My portfolio is checked every 6 months and there are portions that has not changed in years.
    Thank you for your article, as always very interesting and mind changing.

  19. Tristan R. Roux on November 7, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    This book is now on my reading list!

  20. Jen on November 7, 2021 at 2:14 pm

    Mutual funds were the primary investment vehicle for me until ETFs became more mainstream, so I would say I’m a hybrid investor. Would love a copy of the book to expand further knowledge.

  21. Bob McCabe on November 7, 2021 at 2:19 pm

    Retired almost 3 years ago and I’m invested in balanced asset allocation ETF and growth for TFSA.

  22. Larry J on November 7, 2021 at 2:24 pm

    I had been following Dan on the Canadian Couch Potato for a couple years before making the plunge, pulling all my investments from an advisor in 2010 and opening accounts at BMO Investorline. I am now retired, and am enjoying the fruits of passive investing. I have just recently moved all assets into a single ‘all-in-one’ ETF, something the Canadian Couch Potato recommended some time ago. Now there will be no rebalancing ‘fun’ at year end … but that’s OK…

  23. Danica on November 7, 2021 at 2:26 pm

    My larger portfolio is 90% ETFs, with a couple of tech stocks. I built most of it using Dan’s original Couch Potato approach. My smaller portfolio, which is like my sandbox, is all stock. That’s the one I allow myself to have a bit of fun with.

  24. Rich on November 7, 2021 at 2:40 pm

    Mostly in individual stocks but all dividends are going into an all-in-one ETF.

  25. Gail Bebee on November 7, 2021 at 2:48 pm

    I am an ETF investor for the passive part of my portfolio, and use a few lower cost, highly rated mutual funds (Mawer, Capital Group) for the active side. My philosophy is to cover all the bases (active and passive) since nobody really knows what will happen in the future.

    • Schoombee Erasmus on November 7, 2021 at 3:02 pm

      ETF’s all the way!

  26. Geoff on November 7, 2021 at 3:10 pm

    So there’s a reason to have 30% Canadian stock in an ETF even though Canada represents only 3% of the global capitalization? I’ll have to find that Vanguard article.

  27. Ryan on November 7, 2021 at 3:17 pm

    ETF investor here through Questrade. Would be interested in reading the book as Canadian Couch Potato blog was what convinced me to make the switch from advisor to passive ETF.

  28. James R on November 7, 2021 at 3:21 pm

    Dan’s book sounds like an awesome read!

    I’m mostly a dividend investor loosely following the BTSX strategy, but I also hold a couple of Venture stocks that have done well. I advise my kids to mostly invest in ETFs but they also each hold a couple of individual stocks as well.

    • Phyllis on November 7, 2021 at 4:57 pm

      Thanks to you and your mom we switched our RRSPs from high fee mutual funds to low fee index ETFs. We opened TFSAs after all-in-one ETFs became available and are tempted to switch our 3-ETF RRSPs to all-in-one funds as well. It’s just so simple. I will buy Dan’s book, unless I win it:)

  29. Randy Luke on November 7, 2021 at 3:35 pm

    Made the switch to all Index ETF’s with Questrade back in 2017 and am glad I did.
    Worked with Rob to review my financial / retirement plan and all looks good.
    Would love to get my hands on a copy of Dan’s book as a refresher to all the research I did prior to making the switch.

  30. sheila on November 7, 2021 at 3:46 pm

    Hybrid investor-mutual fund and ETF. Hoping to transfer all mutual fund to my Questrade account.

  31. Lynda on November 7, 2021 at 3:53 pm

    I am a hybrid investor…some individual stocks and ETF’s. Look g forward to reading the book!

  32. John Kuzniarz on November 7, 2021 at 4:22 pm

    I am a hybrid investor. I have many different types of investments but mostly with a broker.

  33. Michelle on November 7, 2021 at 4:41 pm

    Self-directed: a few individual stocks and ETFs. And I could sure use all the help I can get. 🙂

  34. Nathalie on November 7, 2021 at 4:43 pm

    I would love to read this book. I’ve been investing in index funds for several years, but moving to etfs now.

  35. Jiggs on November 7, 2021 at 4:55 pm

    100% index investor using asset allocation ETF. Simple, effective and suits my personality:)

  36. Teresa on November 7, 2021 at 4:57 pm

    All ETFs – and Canadian Couch Potato convinced me to go that route several years ago.

  37. Kathryn on November 7, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    Hybrid investor: couch potato ETFs in the Registered accounts, and Canadian dividend paying stocks in the non-registered. Thanks to all of you financial bloggers for sharing your knowledge and helping me to cut the cord from my high MER bank mutual funds a few years ago. Would love to read Dan’s book!

  38. Jim on November 7, 2021 at 5:16 pm

    SOUNDs mean interesting interesting read. I love my eTFs, but always worry about them cycling out of style so to speak.

  39. Geoff Anderton on November 7, 2021 at 5:31 pm

    Great article and very timely. I am invested in one mutual find and one ETF trying to keep it simple.

    Would love to read the book

  40. Jim on November 7, 2021 at 6:01 pm

    I’ve been a fan of Dan Bartolotti for years. I miss his podcast!

  41. Bryan in BC on November 7, 2021 at 6:06 pm

    I’m an experienced ETF index investor plus I’ve also been ‘playing’ with the BTSX method for a while now (and I’m happy with its results!). Having said that, “Reboot Your Portfolio” sounds like a great read – an old dog can surely learn new tricks, no?

  42. Sébastien Desforges on November 7, 2021 at 6:16 pm

    ETF investor here! Dan has done so much for Canadians and always finds the best way to reframe situations.

  43. Bhaskar Naik on November 7, 2021 at 6:23 pm

    I’m almost 100 percent ETF Investor now. Own a few individual stocks to satisfy the active investment urge!

    Am a great fan of Dan and would love to read his new book!

    Bhaskar

  44. Karen on November 7, 2021 at 6:28 pm

    All in one index ETFs DIY investing through Questrade. In the process of moving my PRIF mutual funds through Manulife to self-directed ETFs at Questrade as well. Enjoy your articles

  45. Cathy on November 7, 2021 at 6:48 pm

    We became more educated, and thanks to Dan and yourself and other informative people, we moved from mutual funds to ETFs. We are so much better off and would love to win a copy of Dan’s book.

  46. Sharon Johnson on November 7, 2021 at 7:00 pm

    I am a hybrid investor and on a learning curve. I have a few stocks and a few ETFs and a pool of uninvested cash. The book will be a great help!

  47. Curt on November 7, 2021 at 7:55 pm

    Bought the book. Waiting for it to arrive. I am 100% self-directed and ETF. Give the book to someone else. We’ll all benefit from being more informed. Robb, your endorsement reinforces my confidence in the decision to buy. Can’t wait to dig into it…

  48. Jane Hladky on November 7, 2021 at 8:01 pm

    Index funds for rrsp, some stocks and etfs for TFSA…boook sounds great!!

  49. Natalya on November 7, 2021 at 9:07 pm

    I would love to read Dan’s new book! I do invest primarily in index funds.

  50. Paul B. on November 7, 2021 at 10:26 pm

    Hybrid investor here. Mostly self-directed with low-cost index ETFs and also some individual stocks, some growth-oriented ETFs, some robo-advisor accounts, and even mutual funds through my work investment plan since it’s the only option.

  51. Alice Lawless on November 7, 2021 at 10:53 pm

    I’m a self directed ETF investor through iTrade who likes the Couch Potato approach. I love buying when things are tanking but am challenged to invest a small cash inheritance given market conditions. You have given me food for thought about if I had inherited stocks instead. Thank you.

  52. Rod P on November 7, 2021 at 11:00 pm

    ETF investor. I always enjoyed reading Dan’s blog – it really got me started on using ETFs. I will definitely read his book!

  53. Craig on November 8, 2021 at 12:39 am

    I’m mostly a DIY investor based on Dan’s early Couch Potato models, but I do have some Mutual Funds in my RRSP. Would be interested in Dan’s thoughts in his latest book 🙂

  54. Jill on November 8, 2021 at 1:58 am

    I have been an ETF investor for years thanks to Dan, MoneySense and the Couch Potato investing strategy. I would love to read his new book.

  55. Paul on November 8, 2021 at 4:07 am

    I took the commuted value and invested all of it ,save 10000 , with a big mutual fund company…I am now in the process of finding a better more knowledgeable advisor….
    Looking for help in deciding how to wind down my investment to make the best financial sense..
    as an aside the 10000 invested in ethereum has grown to 17000 in just 6 months…

  56. Cam Stott on November 8, 2021 at 4:55 am

    Lately I’ve been into VEQT, but would love to read Dan’s new book to get better insight into index investing.

  57. Yael Kabir on November 8, 2021 at 5:02 am

    Last year I switched from an advisor managed income portfolio to a self-directed ETF portfolio as a result of my daughter directing me to the Canadian Couch Potato blog. It was a smart move.

  58. Marc on November 8, 2021 at 5:09 am

    ETFs and a few individual stocks here. Dan’s podcast was great would like to see the next round!

  59. Chris on November 8, 2021 at 5:18 am

    I’m a self-directed ETF investor. I’ve been doing that for probably 15 years or so, after dabbling in stock picking. I’m a US citizen who recently moved to Canada as a permanent resident, so I’m still learning about the Canadian investing landscape. And I still have a ways to go before I have a significant home country bias (currently sitting at just 3.6% CAD equity). My plan was to build it up to at least 10%, but after reading this maybe I’ll aim for 20%.

  60. David S. on November 8, 2021 at 5:59 am

    I am a huge fan of the all-in-one ETFs and made the decision three years ago to switch my investments to one of the iShares options. And have never looked back,

    Dan the Couch Potato man wrote several articles on these ETFs that were very helpful in making this life-changing decision. Thanks Dan!

  61. Joanne on November 8, 2021 at 6:03 am

    I’m a hybrid investor, dividend stocks and ETFs. I learned about ETFs from my son and have moved to ETFs not only for their lower fees (was totally crazy to be paying the good customer rate of 1% with an investment advisor I rarely heard from!) but how simple can it be to go with ETFs. Definitely simplifies my life and recognizes my investing knowledge limitations.
    Would love a copy of this guru’s book! Appreciate the invaluable resources and information you provide Robb.

  62. John P on November 8, 2021 at 6:06 am

    I am currently a hybrid investor of stocks and ETFs. Hoping to win a copy of this book to become more of an ETF investor.

  63. Devin on November 8, 2021 at 6:07 am

    Great summary. Looking forward to reading the book. I’m hybrid about 90% ETF’s and 10% some stocks that I want a bit more exposure to.

  64. Mark McCormick on November 8, 2021 at 6:31 am

    Hi all,

    A very informative article. I am a hybrid investor – a combination of stocks and ETF’s.

    I am looking forward to reading this book and also pass along copies to my two sons.

  65. Don M on November 8, 2021 at 6:35 am

    Dan got me into couch potato investing with ETFs thanks to his clearly-worded blog. Transitioned away from costly mutual funds in 2011-2013. I always went to Dan’s blog first to read his latest pearls of wisdom. (And the April Fools entries were always entertaining!)

  66. Carla on November 8, 2021 at 7:35 am

    I would love to read Dan’s book. I’ve switched to ETFs just recently.

  67. Tubbs on November 8, 2021 at 7:48 am

    Thanks to some great advice from blogs like B&E, I finally broke free from my Jurassic-era big bank mutual fund and am all in now with a single EFT (80/20 mix) through Wealth Simple Trade. The platform is simple to use and engaging. Would highly recommend!

  68. Paul Brennan on November 8, 2021 at 8:40 am

    I’m an etf investor. Actually learned how to from Moneysense magazine and Dan’s writings.

  69. Deborah S on November 8, 2021 at 8:42 am

    Coming from the States, I’ve been an ETF investor for some years, together with some individual bonds (all in US retirement accounts). Now that we’ve been home in Canada for a while, we have assets to invest here, again in ETFs. I’ve read several of Dan’s columns and look forward to reading his latest book.

  70. Dan on November 8, 2021 at 8:48 am

    ETF investor for my TFSA (and 1k of an individual stock for play). Low-MER employee group-funds for my RRSP.

  71. Gary on November 8, 2021 at 8:50 am

    I would love a copy of Reboot your Portfolio for myself, my spouse and my adult children to read. We are hybrid investors, using online brokers to hold individual US & Canadian dividend paying stocks as well as ETFs & low MER mutual funds.

  72. Bryan on November 8, 2021 at 8:59 am

    ETF investor here. Hoping to make sure I’m as tax-friendly and fee-limiting as I can be. Always been a fan of Dan and was wondering where he was holed up and what he was doing. Well I am sure this will be worth the wait. Thanks for the chance to win, Robb!

  73. Jan on November 8, 2021 at 9:51 am

    I have followed Dan’s Couch Potato portfolio and advice for quite a few years now. I have introduced the CC Portfolio to my nieces and nephews as they were ready for investing knowledge. My youngest sister recently asked me about investing knowledge and again I introduced her to Dan’s advice. If I do win the book, it will be well used within the family. If I don’t it will be strongly recommended and well read. thank you Dan for writing this book and for all the years you have been instrumental in spreading the word. Well done. I hope you continue the journey for all those who have yet to be introduced to the CCP.

  74. Helmut on November 8, 2021 at 10:19 am

    Dan rocks! Thanks for the good review. Book is already ordered. It will go on my kids’ “mandatory reading list” for sure…
    I am a big fan of Dan’s 3 ETF Couch Potato portfolio in all my accounts. Should I ever bump into Dan, he definitely will be treated to a small drip coffee… 😉

  75. Kurt Sanderson on November 8, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    I would love to win this book. I was a stock picker until I discovered VGRO!

  76. Deb on November 8, 2021 at 12:47 pm

    I’ve been a mutual fund investor for over 20 years. I started investing in index mutual funds by following Dan’s Couch Potato Portfolio about 10 years ago – and it served me well. This year, I took the plunge and dipped my toe in an all-in-one ETF. The plan is to gradually move completely over to index funds and ETFs, while finally bidding adieu to high-cost traditional mutual funds.
    I would love to win this book to help guide me with my ETF decisions.

    • Barb Day on November 8, 2021 at 4:02 pm

      I’m fully into ETF at Wealthsimple as Rob recommended almost a year ago. Works for me and reduced stress. Thanks. Barb

  77. TC on November 8, 2021 at 11:34 pm

    I’m an ETF investor.

  78. Johnny Aruba on November 9, 2021 at 7:48 am

    My investments are mixed. I use a Financial Advisor . They invest most of my money in funds that have a significant MER usually 4%. I also invest some on my own. Mostly indexed as it has that appeal of market returns. I have delayed CPP for now, but took OAS. I have a meager DB pension in the 25K annual range. I have used the financial planning offered by the FA and it seems to be running well. My RSP withdrawals have not exceeded the returns inside that account, so I am living below my means, as my FA says.

  79. John A on November 9, 2021 at 8:32 am

    ETF investor here, and at my stage simplification sounds like a great idea!

  80. Greg on November 9, 2021 at 10:26 am

    I’d love to win this book. The Canadian Couch Potato website and they instigated my move to ETF’s 10 years ago from mutual funds and I couldn’t be happier. I miss his podcasts which ended a couple of years ago- highly recommend them if you have not listened to them. If I don’t win the book I’ll buy it.

    My wife and I have 80% of our investments in ETF’s, 10% in a DB plan (counted as fixed income) and about 10% invested my company’s stock, which I trim from time to time. We have self managed accounts with CIBC as well as RSP’s through our employers pension plans.

  81. Jerri on November 9, 2021 at 2:08 pm

    Hybrid investor here – ETFs and dividend stocks

  82. Kim Kearney on November 9, 2021 at 4:03 pm

    I am new (invested in April 2021) to Index investing and opted for Vanguard’s Asset Allocation ETFs for the majority of my portfolio using the TD Platform. I also have a few stocks to keep me tapped into the market but this may also be a source of distraction. In this first year, my main concern is the impact of the performance of the Fixed Income ETFs on the overall performance of the Asset Allocation ETFs. I am hoping that guidance from persons like Robb and Dan’s book will give me comfort with my investment decisions or the courage to make informed adjustments. I am sharing my knowledge and experience with my adult children who are both Index Investors and have the opportunity to benefit more than I did due to their long term time horizon. Keep those great articles coming Robb!

  83. Cedrick Thivierge on November 9, 2021 at 6:30 pm

    I’m an hybrid investor too, I have ETFs (VEQT and HGRO) and mutual funds.

  84. David @ Filled With Money on November 9, 2021 at 7:11 pm

    Index fund investing will ALWAYS be the way to go! Good investing strategy is crucial to better your financial life.

  85. Colby on November 9, 2021 at 8:36 pm

    I am a hybrid investor. Opened a self directed TFSA this year in which I have been passively investing in ETF’s and a few stocks. Slowly switching all my invest accounts from the big bank to Questrade. Would love to get a copy of this book!

  86. Michael Mok on November 10, 2021 at 2:37 pm

    I am an individual stock investor as it is always a challenge / interest to do individual stock pick. However, after I go through your articles in this blog, I prefer index ETFs now. It provides a hassle free and safety net for personal investment. More, it enables a low cost investing. Why not ?

    Thank you very much.

  87. Bob on November 10, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    I invest in primarily balanced mutual funds, some stocks the odd GIC, considering ETF’s but do not feel educated enough yet

  88. Sabrina on November 10, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    I am 100% individual stocks but I would like to move to more ETFs so I don’t have to worry about being on top of each stock. Dan’s book would be a valuable asset! Thank you for the giveaway!

  89. M. Malo on November 11, 2021 at 7:04 am

    I’ve been a DIY investor since 2017 thanks to Andrew Hallam, Dan Bortolotti and Justin Bender. I’m so happy I read them. They made my family save tens of thousands in useless management fees and helped me adjust my investment to my level of risk tolerance. I’m looking forward to reading Dan’s updated view on the subject.

    Thanks also to you, Robb. I’ve been reading your blog for years now.

  90. Darby on November 11, 2021 at 8:08 am

    I have been reading Dan’s CCP blog for years. I have his first book – The Perfect Portfolio. I am an index investor thanks to all the information Dan has shared over the years on his blog. Not long after finding the CCP blog I found boomer&echo and have been reading it for years now too. Lots of good advice on both blogs.

  91. Mason Lin on November 11, 2021 at 9:47 am

    Thanks for the great articles! I am a index investor with a portion tilted to factors.

  92. Audrey on November 11, 2021 at 2:35 pm

    I started to invest after I read the Dan’s posts at CANADIAN COUCH POTATO about 10 years ago. I need to reboot my portfolio… Thank you for the great advice!

  93. Christina on November 11, 2021 at 5:15 pm

    I’m mainly an etf investor with a few legacy mawer funds. I always want to learn more though and would like to win the book.

  94. Ant Yu on November 11, 2021 at 11:11 pm

    equity ETFs and stocks!

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