Tip Once you have determined your investment goals, ETFs can be used to gain exposure to virtually any market or industry sector in the world. While ETFs offer a number of benefits, including low cost and myriad investment options, ETF investing can lead investors to make unwise decisions. In addition, not all ETFs are alike. Management fees, execution prices and tracking discrepancies can cause unpleasant surprises for investors. How do ETFs work? With ETFs, you can add dive

Get on the same page financially through better communication. Money can be a tough subject to talk about. Differences in values, attitudes and financial priorities can make conversations about money a cause of stress and conflict. It might seem easier to put the topic on ice, especially with the added strain of an ongoing pandemic and economic uncertainty. But in difficult times, it’s more important than ever to ensure that you and your partner are aligned and working toward

Tip Bonds are generally considered to be low-risk investments, but high-yield bonds issued by smaller companies and emerging market governments are obviously riskier and, in that sense, more like equities. Individual bonds may be the best known type of fixed income security, but the category also includes fixed income funds, ETFs, GICs, and money market funds. Fixed income funds are professionally managed portfolios that invest in individual fixed income securities. How do bo

Understanding your financial personality. An emotionally driven decision is relatively harmless when, for example, you step up to the ice cream counter and choose a flavour from a vast, tempting selection. But when it comes to managing your money, emotions have a way of affecting your decisions that could, unfortunately, cost you more than the price of an ice cream cone. Snap judgments, cognitive biases and outside influences that you are largely unaware of just might be stan

Tip Stocks are generally considered riskier investments than cash or bonds, because their value can change rapidly. The incentive, though, is that they can offer bigger potential returns over the long run. Those higher potential returns may be necessary to some investors in order to meet investment goals. How do stocks work? We’ve all heard the term “stock market,” but what does it really mean? Let’s run through some basic definitions to help understand how and where stocks a

Answering a few commonly asked questions. When it comes to planning for the future, there’s a lot to think about, and one important element involves support for loved ones. Financial security is a big part of that support, and that’s where life insurance can help. However, this big topic can feel complicated, leaving many people unsure of how to get started. The best advice is to set up a meeting with your advisor, who can walk you through all the different types of life insu

How do asset classes work? Each asset class are suitable for different investors but depend on individual circumstances and risk and return profiles. Equities (stocks and shares) Having equity in a company basically means owning a part of it through stocks and shares. These earn money in several ways; most simply, when the company’s stock price rises, your shares are worth more. But that’s not all. If a company is doing well, it can occasionally pay out some of its profits to

Furnish your home financing strategy with some fundamental facts. Becoming a homeowner is an exciting achievement, and for most people, it’s the biggest single purchase of their lives. Most also won’t be able to pay for that home in one fell swoop and will need a mortgage. A mortgage is a loan that covers the remaining cost of the home after the down payment. What you might not realize is that there are distinct types of mortgages that offer different benefits for specific ne

A TFSA allows you to save for all your shorter- to longer-term goals, from an annual vacation to buying a home, on a tax-free basis. We break down the basics of a TFSA to help you navigate this investment account option. What is a TFSA? A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a type of investment account that allows you to save and grow your money tax-free. How does a TFSA work? A TFSA can be opened by any Canadian resident with a Social Insurance Number who has reached the age