Happy New Year!
I hope you hear that phrase many times over the next few days.  It is a sincere hope that good health and good fortune will visit you this year.
However, it is also a reminder to go out and make it a great year, by choice. Dream big, set specific, measurable goals, develop a [...]

Once again, I am worrying about the financial future of Canadians.
I’m not referring to the European debt crises, the weakening world economies, the prospects for slow growth and the volatile stock markets. These are all very real sources of concern, but I’m thinking more of things that we can control.
Recently, study after study has shown [...]

Rough markets reaffirm need for proper balance
Okay, folks, we’ve talked about this several times before.  I hope you took it to heart, then, as you will now be relaxed and enjoying your summer, instead of fretting about the markets.
You need to assess your investment portfolio mix regularly, especially when times are good.  At those times, [...]

Latest research is pretty conclusive
As you may have noticed over the years, we try in this column to avoid topics and themes that appear to be totally self-serving.  Today, we break with that practice.
Today, we quote two studies which show that people who have financial plans and financial advisors are significantly more successful in achieving [...]

Tax season is in full swing, and I know people who have already received their refund. Things happen a lot faster in the electronic age, as income tax preparation software improves and electronic filing means that the first people in the queue get their refunds in record time.
Getting cash back at this time year is [...]

A repeatable system to achieve investing success
Last week we touched on some of the psychological factors that help lead to investment success (or failure) and we examined the accuracy of some common beliefs about the investment climate.
The timing is great for part two, as the world stock markets go through turmoil amid chaos in Libya [...]

I want you to pay less tax in 2010.  Let’s see if we can accomplish that goal.
Claim those deductions
Investment expenses such as interest on loans taken out to invest in a business or an income-producing investment are deductible from taxable income.  Fees paid to an investment counsel or investment custodian, rent on a safety [...]

On August 27th, we asked you to tell us what you want to read about in Dollars and Sense, and we took an informal poll on your current habits and satisfaction level with your financial planning.
A big thanks to all of you who responded, as we were flooded with valuable suggestions, insights and wisdom (and [...]

“We are doing a survey…”
I know those are scary words when voiced by a telemarketer at supper time.  However, I need your help, and you can provide it on your own time.
After 16 years of writing the newspaper column Dollars and Sense, and a year of writing this blog, we want to make sure we [...]