August 14 Markets: Weekly Outlook and Key Moves

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Kyle Prevost, editor of Million Dollar Journey and founder of the Canadian Financial Summit, summarizes key financial headlines and provides context for Canadian investors. Deflating expectations Valuations across global markets are increasingly sensitive to inflation readings and the expected path of interest rates, so investors were closely watching the latest U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) … Read more

Transform Your Home Using Items You Already Own

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Canadians spent a lot to make their homes more comfortable early in the COVID-19 pandemic. Between March and September 2020, nearly 45% of Canadians bought furniture, electronics or appliances, and about 37% completed meaningful renovations, according to an Ipsos survey. For renters, however, decorating often comes with limits: you can’t always paint walls or make … Read more

Selling Part of Your Home to a Relative: Tax Implications

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I sold half my principal residence to a family member, and now we all live in the house together. The property continues to be my principal residence. Do I have to pay any capital gains taxes on the sale?—Ellen Selling part of your home to a family member: tax implications If the property remains your … Read more

Markets Update: Week of August 7

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This week, Cut the Crap Investing founder Dale Roberts reviews the latest financial headlines and explains what they mean for Canadian investors. Does this earnings season matter much? The market has been behaving erratically, and this earnings season may be especially noisy and of limited long-term value. For investors, the single most important factor remains … Read more

Alberta First-Time Home Buyers: Why Now Could Be the Right Time

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Are you a first-time home buyer planning to purchase in Alberta? This guide outlines what you need to know about buying property in the province, including how mortgage rules and rates apply, provincial programs for first-time buyers, and current trends in Alberta’s real estate market. Mortgage rules and rates: What to know about buying real … Read more

How COVID Changed My Money Choices: Pandemic Financial Lessons

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If you bought a premium car, left your job, launched a business, or separated from your partner in the last two years, there’s a good chance the pandemic played a role. COVID-19 also nudged many of us toward new hobbies—TikTok, sourdough baking, and endless streaming binges. While those pastimes mainly cost time and pantry staples, … Read more

Weekend Reading: Putting 2016 Investment Returns in Perspective

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Good reads from around the web. I suspect many investors enjoyed excellent returns in 2016. Well-diversified passive portfolios in the UK often topped the 20% mark. Our own model portfolio rose roughly 25% last year. It’s tempting to feel particularly clever after such a year, but avoid the hubris. Don’t rush to change your lifestyle … Read more

Is Cash Dead After COVID-19? The Shift to Cashless Payments

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What caught my eye this week. I’ve been part of a small circle of friends who have debated COVID-19 almost since the beginning of the year. Before that, many of us argued about the future of cash. My view is straightforward: cash use in the West looks set to shrink dramatically, and probably quickly. Most … Read more

How Floating-Rate Bonds Protect You From Rising Interest Rates

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A year ago I published the article below, highlighting two obscure, illiquid securities that could perform well if and when interest rates rise. One is a Nationwide PIB1, and the other is a preference share issued by Investec’s UK arm. In the 12 months since that post, the Nationwide issue has risen about 10% and … Read more