The mutual fund industry is dying. Last year $1.3 trillion dollars (that’s trillion with a T) flowed out of mutual funds and $754 billion flowed into ETFs. Why? Because study after study has shown that very few, if any, mutual fund managers are able to justify their...

Retirement isn’t anything on its own. It’s not something you can do to fill your days. It’s an empty concept. To make it meaningful, you have to fill it up with activities and relationships, things to do, people to see, places to go. Too often we get too focused on...

People who fail to reach their financial goals often fail to acknowledge the reality of their current situation. This can take one of two forms. The first is a kind of blind optimism. These people say things like, “It’ll sort itself out.” Or, “Things will be better...

Investing in yourself doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. It can be as simple as reading more books about things that interest you or that might be useful for your life. I’m always surprised by how few people take the time to regularly read. I just started...

The reason a house is a good investment for most people has almost nothing to do with the returns. Depending on where you live, it’s true that you might be better off renting and investing the difference. In some ways, you’ll be better diversified and have more...

Consistency is what separates the people who accomplish their goals from the people who don’t. You need to regularly, routinely, habitually do the things you know will move you closer to where you want to be. It’s the people who save a percentage off the top of every...

Canadians don’t switch banks often. Or ever really. A common joke in finance is that people are more likely to get divorced than they are to switch banks. And, at least according to some surveys, it’s true. Some estimates show that 80% of Canadians have never switched...

What makes the most financial sense on paper isn’t necessarily what makes the most sense for your life. In your area right now, it might be cheaper to rent than to own your home. But ownership has many psychological benefits that might make it worth the cost. It might...

How you’re doing financially impacts how you’re doing in general. With the double whammy of high inflation and rising interest rates, many Canadians aren’t doing well. According to a survey from 2022, 35% of Canadians say worrying about their finances is leading to...

You’re only going to make so much money in your life. To reach your financial goals, you need a plan and a system to help you make the most of it. To help people do that, we focus on: 1. Maximizing income 2. Reducing expenses 3. Minimizing taxes Maximizing income is...

Weekly market commentary is far more likely to increase your stress levels than your investment returns. Report after report. Quarterly earnings calls, forecasts and predictions. What the Bank of Canada or Federal Reserve is up to this month. It’s all just noise. If...