Posts Tagged ‘Investing’

One investment that is eligible to be held in your RRSP is your mortgage.  You need to have enough cash, or assets that can be converted to cash, and hold your mortgage in a self-directed RRSP.  You then make your mortgage payments to the RRSP instead of a financial institution. You can fund your own…

We strive to provide you with useful information on how to be a savvy investor.  When it comes to investment fraud, the more you know about what to look for and be wary of, the better prepared you will be if you get approached with an investment opportunity. BlueHedge: Online Fraud Campaign The Canadian Securities…

The Canadian Securities Administrators now (as of July 2011) require all Mutual Fund companies to provide a new disclosure document for mutual fund investors. These documents are called Fund Facts and they replace the simplified prospectus (although these are still available upon request if you want additional information). Investors were previously provided with a simplified…

Borrowing money for investment purposes offers the ability to gain financial leverage.  Leveraging when used prudently can dramatically magnify your goals, adding some muscle to your portfolio more quickly. You are familiar with the concept of leveraging if you have ever: Borrowed to make a contribution to your RRSP Bought securities on margin from your…

It’s been a while since I’ve given an update on my RRSP portfolio.  I made RRSP contributions for 10 years when I worked in the private sector (taking advantage of employer matching contributions), but I changed careers in late 2009 and moved to the public sector.  Now that a significant portion of my salary goes…

There is an entire industry devoted to helping adults save for retirement. Company pensions do not exist any more except in few rare instances, and even when they do, the current economic environment and the increasing job mobility makes it difficult for any employee to put in enough years at an employer to grow it…

Many companies offer a DRIP, or dividend reinvestment plan, which permit stockholders of record to buy additional shares directly from the issuing company with money earned from dividends, instead of receiving the dividend in cash.  Most DRIPs are free of charge while some charge a nominal fee for reinvestment. A DRIP is a great way…

Tax Free Savings Accounts are excellent savings vehicles for Canadians.  They can be used for short term savings goals, or as part of a longer term retirement strategy. Canadians start building contribution room in their Tax Free Savings Accounts once they turn 18.  Money can be withdrawn from a TFSA at any time, with no…

Nothing gets customers riled up like the announcement of a fee increase.  Banks and utilities often draw the ire of customers, and for good reason.  Canadians have been getting nickel-and-dimed by the big banks and utility companies for years Scotiabank and CIBC will increase fees on personal bank accounts beginning March 1st and April 1st,…