Since the starts of the Iran war on Feb 28, major global stock indexes have dropped an average of 3-5%, with the exception of the energy sector – boosted by the thread in the Strait or Hormuz – where major oil companies gained over $130 billion in combined market value during the first weeks of…
There’s something seductive about timing the market. Waiting for the perfect dip. Holding cash for the “inevitable crash.” Believing you’ll buy right before the rebound. I used to think that way. In fact, I managed to pull it off more than once, scoring some great deals that I continue to hold till this day, and…
I’ll admit it: I used to hear about Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund and think, “Must be nice to have oil money.” This is coming from someone who lives in Canada, a country with even more oil and natural resources. But as I dug deeper into how they actually manage that cash, I realized…
Have you ever looked at your workplace pension or RRSP and felt like you were staring at a bowl of alphabet soup? Between “Active Portfolios,” “Target Date Funds,” and “Index Funds,” it’s easy to just click “Default” and hope for the best. That is exactly where I was. I had my balance spread across nearly…
The world of investing has been undergoing a major overhaul in the last few years, making it easier for more and more people to get into the markets, build wealth, and take control of their financial futures. With innovations in technology, the rise of low-cost brokerage platforms, and an ever-growing range of investment options, opportunities…
If you’re like me, not a day goes by without some reminder about the price of Bitcoin or a headline related to cryptocurrency developments. It’s almost unavoidable — especially if social media algorithms are feeding off your interest in Bitcoin and crypto-related news. While I’m happily invested with a small position I bought in Bitcoin…
Few things in life are guaranteed: death, taxes (in most places), experiencing all four seasons (again, in most places), and the stock market crashing every few years. We are currently in one of those cycles—this time, driven by the Trump tariffs. The market is experiencing wild swings, mostly trending downward, occasionally interrupted by brief upswings—often…
Is it just me, or have mutual funds become virtually irrelevant and rarely talked about of least? At least to veteran, seasoned or those in the FIRE movement. To fill the void, ETFs have become all the rage in the world of investing. Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) are similar to mutual funds, but the big…
Following from our recent article on must-know financial and investing phrases, we have 20 more popular phrases in the world of investing and personal finance. Know and master these if you want to elevate your level of wealth and reach financial freedom faster. To some, these may just words or beautiful quotes. To the financially…
There are a lot of numbers, formulas and ratios in personal finance, and one that you have likely heard of is the 60/40 portfolio or investment strategy. This is a type of investment strategy that allocates 60% of the portfolio to stocks (equities) and 40% to bonds (fixed income). This approach strives to balance the…
It is almost a cornerstone of my investment philosophy, at least for now and over the past few years: I virtually never touch a stock that doesn’t pay a dividend. In fact, not just any dividend—it has to be a good one, with a yield of at least 4% to 6%. This approach has worked…
If you want to enjoy your journey in personal finance, it is to keep things simple and focused on clear, achievable goals that align with your vision of financial freedom. With that being the case and in my effort to simplify my dividend investment plan, I have done the hard math to be able to…
When it comes to investing, things can quickly get complicated, or you can choose to keep it simple. One way to simplify investing is by opting for index funds, which have been gaining popularity over the last two decades. However, even index fund investing can become overwhelming when faced with the task of choosing from…
In a previous post from September, we covered some famous adages and sayings from the world of personal finance. In this post, we go over other adages and sayings, but this time from the world of investing. These timeless investment adages serve as guiding principles, offering simple yet profound advice for navigating the complexities of financial markets. Each saying offers a unique perspective, but together, they emphasize the importance of discipline, patience, and an informed approach to investing. Integrating these principles into your own strategy might not guarantee success, but they provide a solid foundation for making smarter, more resilient financial decisions. Remember, investing is a journey, and the best strategies are those aligned with your financial goals, risk tolerance, and market understanding.
If you’re new to the world of investing, you’ve likely encountered terms like index funds and ETFs, which have recently gained significant popularity. These are examples of “directed investments,” appealing for their hands-off approach, low costs, and other benefits. On the other hand, there is the traditional method of investing, where individuals research and select…
As part of my investment strategy, my portfolio is spread across several accounts, including a work-funded account and others where I pay no transaction fees. Additionally, I set aside a fixed amount each week, and once it reaches a certain threshold, I use that money to purchase new investments, such as stocks, bonds, or ETFs….
I’ve been actively investing—and even dabbling in stock trading—for over 15 years. Yet, in a twist that surprises even me, it wasn’t until this year that I finally ventured into the world of index funds, those elusive ETFs I’d somehow overlooked for so long. Why did it take me so long? And more importantly, what…
The more I delved into investing over the years, the more I kept reading about the ‘never sell a stock’ crowd, those who refuse to sell virtually any of their good stocks, even if the revenue from it could bail them out of jail! But after my own experience with investing for the last 15…
I will never forget the day I used ChatGPT for the first time, shortly after its release in late November 2022. I asked it a seemingly simple question: ‘What date was 900 days ago?’ As a new tool, it was reasonable to expect it to handle such a basic query. However, it fumbled the answer…
Getting started is better than waiting for perfection or never starting at all. When I first ventured into investing around 2009, I didn’t possess much knowledge, but I was eager to begin and gain some experience. It turned out to be a challenging start, marked by various mistakes that ultimately contributed to my growth as…
Deciding whether to reinvest your dividend returns or spend them entirely depends on various factors such as your age, lifestyle, and financial goals. On one hand, reinvesting dividends can be a prudent choice, especially for those looking to build wealth steadily over time. On the other hand, spending all dividend returns may be suitable for individuals who have already attained financial independence or have specific yearly return objectives in mind
It is safe to say, no billionaire – and most millionaires – would have reached their level of financial success, without some form of investment. Investment doesn’t have to be about stocks or mutual funds, and may include buying land, investing in a business, real estate etc.
Cryptocurrency and Bitcoin have become increasingly popular investment options for investors in the last few years. While some see them as a high-risk gamble, others may see them differently, as a potential opportunity for significant returns. So, should you consider cryptocurrency and Bitcoin when investing or as a way of diversifying your investment? First and…