In the last year we have seen oil prices drop by 50 %, and yet we still see increases of gas prices at pumps in Kelowna. Many are a protesting pipeline development, while other countries economies are slumping. What’s going on? I listened this podcast from American Public Media – Market Place Weekend on the labour day weekend. Well worth the(…)
Investing & Saving
High Debt Low Saving Very Wealthy
I watched this great documentary the other day that explains what I have been seeing over the last 10 years. Baby Boomer’s are caring high personal debt, saving less, and yet are more wealthy than they were a decade ago. How is this possible? (And make sure to check out the video link on the(…)
Retirement Income – Not All Income is Created Equal 2/3
When planning for retirement, not all income is created equal. Some income is guaranteed some is not. Some income is flexible some is less flexible. The key to creating a balanced income in retirement is to diversify your financial assets and income streams. This is the focus of the second part of my series on Retirement Income(…)
Retirement Income – How much is Enough Part 1/3
The image of retirement is one of luxury vacations, golfing with your friends 3 days a week and spending time with/and spoiling the grand children. The reality for many is pinching pennies, limited travel and maybe dinner out once a month. Many baby boomer’s are finding the costs of their lifestyle are too much to(…)
Caring for Aging Parents
The reality for many of us in North America … we will be dealing with the care issues of a parent/family member for 10-15 years. These issues did not exist a generation ago. Life expectancy was only the late 60’s for men and early 70’s for women. Today more people are living beyond 90-100 and care in(…)
Stock Trading Reality
Have you every thought of getting rich by buying gold, investing in a technology IPO, or hitting the jackpot with a stock tip. To be honest I have. I seems we all have a desire to hit the jackpot in our lives. With all the money that can be made in stock market … many(…)
Top Financial Scams
Every year scamers take millions of North American’s for billions of dollars. With easy access to the internet the ability to reach an endless supply of potential new marks, almost anyone can become a professional con artist. According to the Better Business Bureau in 2010 Roofers had the most inquiries at 2,409,190 the most complaints were levied(…)
Budgeting Part 1
Lets face it. It is so much easier to spend than save. We live in a spending culture. We work, we spend, we work, we spend … such is the way we live our lives in North America. Spending is like a disease … if left untreated the credit card bills start to grow. Does this(…)
Stressed Financial Life
Stress is becoming a way of life for many of us. Regardless of income many are starting to feel the pinch … and keeping up each month is harder than has ever been. I have noticed after a number of meetings with my clients in the last 6 months, incomes are under pressure, personal debt(…)
Costly Pet Ownership
Are you a pet owner? If you are you among a large group in Canada. From what I have been able to find there are some where in the neighbourhood of 8 million domesticated dogs and cats in Canada. Lets be honest, when you decided to get an animal did you consider the financial costs(…)