Posts by Robb Engen
More Ways The Investment Industry Is Screwing Canadians
A client reached out to me for advice after her financial advisor at BMO Nesbitt Burns dumped her earlier this summer. The advisor was looking to scale back his practice and she was one of the unfortunate investors he was “letting go”. The client, let’s call her Jane, shared the “transition” letter with me and…
Read MoreWhy Cheques Won’t Disappear Anytime Soon
Retailers stopped accepting cheques several years ago as consumer preferences shifted from paper to plastic. Many feared that the final nail in the coffin for cheques came when the federal government announced plans to phase out cheques for Canada Pension Plan payments and tax refunds by April 2016. After that it will be direct deposit…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Contest Winners Edition
The financial blogging community is outstanding in the way it supports each other online. It was evident when reading the comments on our anniversary post this week that many of you came here for the first time after a mention on another blog. Our top referring sites over the last four years include Carrick on Money,…
Read MoreCelebrating Four Years Of Boomer & Echo
When I clicked ‘publish’ for the first time four years ago I never thought this blog would have grown into something life changing. What started off as a mom and son blogging team trying to differentiate ourselves in the personal finance niche turned into so much more. Our articles have been featured in the Globe and Mail, MoneySense,…
Read MoreWhy Options Mean Freedom When It Comes To Retirement
Saving outside of my defined benefit pension plan will give me several options to consider when it comes to retirement. To me, options mean freedom, even though I’ll be faced with some tough choices. Here’s why: Related: Why I save outside my defined benefit pension plan According to my plan provider, I should be able…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Robo-Advisor Edition
The term “robo-advisor” refers to an online service that uses an algorithm to help you choose and manage your investments. Automated financial advice is already up and running in the U.S. and is now generating buzz in Canada as firms such as NestWealth, ShareOwner, and WealthSimple look to set up shop here. The service is based around clients…
Read MoreHow Automation And Habit Combine To Produce Amazing Results
Recently I made a small change in my diet that had a big impact on my weight and overall health. At breakfast every day I would eat a whole bagel with peanut butter or cream cheese. The meal came to about 450 calories. A few months ago I cut that portion in half, eliminating 225 calories…
Read MoreWhich Credit Cards Are Best For Earning Rewards?
One of the most frequent questions readers ask is which credit cards are best for earning rewards. Unfortunately, the most common answer is “it depends”. Do you prefer travel rewards or cash back? How much do you spend every month, and in which categories do you spend the most (i.e. groceries, gas, travel)? As for…
Read MoreDo You Need A Real Estate Agent to Sell Your Home?
Any real estate agent will tell you the service he or she provides is worth every penny. But in a hot real estate market like Toronto, do you really need one? According to the latest figures from the Toronto Real Estate Board, the average home sells in just 20 days, so you can see why some home…
Read MoreA Simple Way To Boost Your Retirement Savings
One of the core tenets of financial planning is to pay yourself first. Automating your savings is a painless way to save for retirement and, in all likelihood, you’ll barely notice that you’re living on less. Most experts suggest putting away 10 percent of your income for retirement, but that number might seem out of…
Read More