Posts by Boomer
Boost Income Yields With Split Shares
Many retirees are looking to boost their income through their investment portfolios. One way to boost your yield, while still maintaining a higher level of safety, is with split shares. What is a split share? A split share is a unique type of derivative investment product (also called a structured product). The “risk/reward” of common…
Read More5 Challenges DIY Investors Face
Many investors like the “do-it-yourself” approach for one or more of the following reasons: To save money on fees They think they can do a better job than their advisor They enjoy the process Perhaps DIY investing was a lot of fun in the beginning. It felt good to fire your advisor. Maybe the prices…
Read MoreThe Plight Of Generation Y
There’s been a lot discussed in the media recently about Generation Y and all the difficulties they are facing today. See this Globe and Mail article, for example. Who are these disadvantaged youngsters? There are differing time frames, but the generally acceptable one refers to the generation born during the 1980’s and early 1990’s –…
Read MoreWhy The Saskatchewan Pension Plan Is Worth A Look
If the company you work for doesn’t offer a pension plan or group RRSP, or you are self-employed, and you’re not interested in spending a lot of time reading and researching about investing, consider the Saskatchewan Pension Plan. Related: Lifetime Pension vs. Commuted Value You don’t have to reside in Saskatchewan to join this pension…
Read MoreDoes Your Spending Need Tending?
To shop is human – to splurge (at least once in a while) is divine. But if your buying habits cause problems with your family, job, and finances you may be an impulse buyer in trouble. Related: What’s Your Purchasing Behaviour Style? Do you: Use shopping to cheer yourself up or make you feel better…
Read More7 Ways To Get Your Kids Involved In Back To School Shopping
Sadly, the end of August means that summer days are dwindling. For families it also means that, if the kids aren’t already back to school, they soon will be. That means shelling out lots of dollars on everything from new sneaks to binders to backpacks. According to the National Retail Federation, the average U.S. family…
Read MoreDividend Investing – Getting Started
Regular readers of Boomer and Echo know we are very enthusiastic about dividend investing. This strategy falls out of favour from time to time. Large dividend paying companies are generally slow growing – you need to hold them for the long term. “Buy and hold” strategies also fall out of favour in periods of good…
Read More30 Signs You Grew Up In A Frugal Family
Did you grow up in a frugal family? Not necessarily poor, but able to stretch a dollar until it cried for mercy? People who were raised by frugal parents can spot each other a mile away. I’ve compiled a list of some of the quirky habits and experiences I grew up with – and some…
Read MoreHow Many Rules Of Money Do You Need?
It seems everywhere I turn I see books and articles about the rules of money: Money magazine has the “20 rules of money” Forbes magazine has the “new 20 rules of money” Both articles are more about how to invest rather than general money management information, however, and they often contradict each other, so they…
Read MoreThe Importance Of Having A Power Of Attorney
Nick was in a serious car accident that left him in a coma for some time. His wife Julia, already emotionally devastated by his condition, discovered she was not able to renegotiate their joint mortgage when it came due for renewal. Gerald’s mother, Nola, is an 87-year-old senior who still lived in their family home. …
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