2024 Fidelity Retirement Report (CNW Group/Fidelity Investments Canada ULC) More than four in five (82%) Canadian retirees say inflation is having a negative financial impact on them in retirement, according to a just-released report from Fidelity Investments Canada ULC. The 2024 Fidelity Retirement Report also found that 43% of pre-retirees say the rising cost of living is delaying when they think they will retire. In addition, 59% of retirees report helping their non-student adult children in retirement: both with day-to-day expenses as well as big-ticket items like home purchases, weddings ..read more

Many dream of retirement, but as the big day approaches, some experience a surprising emotion: fear. Billy and Akaisha Kaderli, your guides to navigating retirement, delve into the anxieties that can lurk beneath the surface of financial preparedness. RetireEarlyLifestyle.com/iStock By Billy and Akaisha Kaderli Special to Financial Independence Hub All of your ducks are in a row. You have saved and carefully invested for years, and the personal discipline is about to pay off. So why is there apprehension in the bottom of your belly? Let’s be honest. There is risk involved, and the future no lo ..read more

  By Ted Rechtshaffen, CFP Special to Financial Independence Hub As you may know, the recent Federal Budget announcement had a few important changes that can have an impact for some, but certainly not all.  The most discussed has been the increase to the capital gains tax. The most directly impacted are those with investments in a Corporation or a Trust.  Not only will they face an increase in taxes on every dollar of capital gains (not just after $250,000 as it is on personal accounts), but this is forcing some important near term decision making. For many people in this situ ..read more

Image courtesy BMO ETFs/Getty Images By Chris Heakes, CFA (Sponsor Blog) Gold prices have gained more than 14% since late last year, renewing market interest for the precious metal. Recent gains have been driven by an expectation that the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) is getting closer to reducing its trendsetting overnight rate, which led to a weaker U.S. dollar index to close 2023. In recent months, inflation concerns have ramped back up with recent U.S. CPI data coming in slightly ahead of expectations. While consumer prices continue to trend in the right direction, higher shipping costs are b ..read more

By Jack Roberts Special to Financial Independence Hub 2024 brings exciting opportunities for homebuyers in the real estate market. The market is poised for growth with the ongoing demand for housing and favorable economic conditions. However, buyers must navigate this landscape with informed decision-making.  With interest rates expected to be cut by the Fed, the real estate market could experience a boom, and there are various options available for homebuyers. That said, it’s essential for potential buyers to prepare their finances ahead of time and explore affordable mortgage options ..read more

Image MyOwnAdvisor/Pexels By Mark Seed, myownadvisor Special to Financial Independence Hub This article from Larry Swedroe recently caught my eye: Should Long-Term Investors Be 100% in Equities? (Own stocks for the long run at your peril). Interesting headline and catchy, but we know stocks for the long-run can work for long investing periods. Otherwise, nobody would take on this form of investing risk for any reward… That said, Swedroe does raise a few interesting factoids from his reference in the article about stocks in the long-run: “Over the 150 years from 1792 to 1941, the performance o ..read more

My latest MoneySense Retired Money looks in more detail at the National Institute of Ageing’s recent series of papers on CPP (and OAS). As the Hub reported on April 11th, few Canadians are aware that delaying CPP benefits to age 70 can more than double (2.2 times actually) eventual monthly benefits compared to taking it early at age 60. That blog reproduced a chart from the NIA that showed just how much money Canadians are leaving on the table by NOT deferring benefits as long as possible. The other major chart from the NIA paper is reproduced above, showing just how important most retirees v ..read more

Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels Understanding the impact of financial education on wealth-building, we’ve gathered insights from Directors, Founders, and CEOs, among others, to share their experiences and lessons. From fostering open family financial talks to the importance of reinvesting profits for startup growth, explore the eleven valuable strategies these experts attribute to achieving financial independence. Foster Open Family Financial Talks Invest in Low-Cost Index Funds Leverage Compound Interest Early Learn from Real Estate Investment Implement Simple Numbers Cash Flow Manageme ..read more

  Boating is an adventure at any age, but it often becomes a lifestyle for retirees. If you’ve ever considered trying to save up for a boat one day this could be a good read. With a couple of these financial tips, you’ll be well on your way to living your boating dream!   Adobe Image courtesy Logical Position/Visionsi By Dan Coconate Special to Financial Independence Hub  Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and a well-deserved break from the toils of work. For many, it’s the perfect time for ticking off items on the bucket list and enjoying activities they couldn’t ..read more

ADRs (American Depository Receipts) are a great way for investors to invest in foreign stocks Our view on foreign investing is that for most investors, U.S. stocks can provide all the foreign exposure they need. We also feel that virtually all Canadian investors should have 20% to 30% of their portfolios in the U.S. stocks that we recommend in our Wall Street Stock Forecaster newsletter. If you want to add more foreign content, you could buy individual stocks. But for most investors, directly investing in foreign stocks can add an extra layer of risk and expense. As well, timely ..read more