Building Wealth

For the first 30 or so years of working, saving and investing, you’ll be first in the mode of getting out of the hole (paying down debt), and then building your net worth (that’s wealth accumulation.). But don’t forget, wealth accumulation isn’t the ultimate goal. Decumulation is! (a separate category here at the Hub).

5 Steps to a Victorious Retirement

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Who doesn’t want a Victorious Retirement?

Just in time for the long weekend and Canada’s 150th birthday, MoneySense.ca has just published a 5-part series on retirement, going from deciding what you want to working longer, the Ages & Stages by decade, being a snowbird, and finally what to do once you finally reached the hallowed land of Retirement/Findependence/Victory Lap.

Here’s a summary of each piece (all written by Yours Truly), and links to the full articles:

1.) The first step: What do you really want?

Take a custom approach to retirement planning. There’s no point fretting too much about retirement and how much to save if you haven’t first determined what you want to DO once you’re retired. For starters, how are you going to fill those 2,000 hours a year you use to spend in the office and commuting? Click here for full article.

 

2.) We live longer. Why not work longer?

Ask questions about a retirement plan that’s right for you. Life expectancies are on the rise: more and more Baby Boomers can expect to become centenarians and that probably goes double for their children, the Millennials. Makes sense to consider working a little longer, if only part-time. Or if you really dislike your chosen profession, go back to school or retrain and find something you’d really enjoy doing in your golden years: preferably something that pays! Click here for full article.

 

3.) Snowbird? Learn the “substantial presence” test

Learn the tax pitfalls of retiring to the sun in the U.S. It all depends on how long you plan to stay down south each year: the formula isn’t simple. If you don’t relish the thought of paying tax to two countries, you may want to make sure you’re not considered to have a “substantial presence” in the U.S.  Click here for full article.

4.) Your retirement plan has a life cycle

Retirement planning strategies for every age. Every decade from your 20s to your 70s and beyond should take you a little further along the journey to financial independence/Retirement. Just like we all share the same fate in our human life cycle, so it is with the financial life cycle. Click here for full article.

 

5.) Retirement planning —after you retire

The plan doesn’t stop when you stop working.

My co-authored book Victory Lap Retirement features on its cover what appears to be a sprinter breaking through the finish line of a long marathon. But that doesn’t mean we’re saying Retirement is a literal finish line and with it the end of striving and purpose. In fact, we’re saying a “Victory Lap” really only begins when you reach the “finish line” of financial independence, or Findependence.

There will still be a big adjustment as you move from Wealth Accumulation to the De-accumulation or “Decumulation” phase: less earned income and more passive sources of income. And you’ll need to master the tax aspects because Tax may be one of the biggest expenses in Retirement. Click here for full article.

5 common mistakes when working with an advisor

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Chris Ambridge

By Chris Ambridge, Transcend

Special to the Financial Independence Hub

Canadians are often faced with complex and nondescript investment products that can be overwhelming.  As such, most people need professional advice. With personal recommendations as one of the most common forms of referrals, selecting the right advisor should also be based on qualifications, fees that won’t gouge, and the advisors autonomy to act in the best interest of the customer.

However, many people are now spending a significant amount of time surfing the web and seeking advice online, where it can be difficult to distinguish expert advice from the inept.

In Canada, 96% of registered advisors are “dealing representatives,” which means they are salespersons not legally required to look after your best interests. On the other hand, just over 4,000 advisors are registered in categories where they must act as true fiduciaries and are legally required to deliver clients advice that must be in their best interest. While there are many financial advisors who look after their clients in the same way as true fiduciaries and deliver exceptional support and guidance, there are a whopping 118,000-plus advisors who do not have to adhere to such standards.

As an investor in search of an advisor, your goal should be to find the right person to help you reach your future financial goals. While you can correct a poor choice down the road, you would have wasted valuable time and may have actually suffered financial setbacks. It is therefore paramount you avoid the following mistakes:

Mistake #1

Don’t fall for the opening pitch. No matter how enticing the discussion and no matter how obvious the initial set of benefits are, chances are you are only seeing one side of the equation. No one wants to reveal their warts, especial right off the bat. So take your time to establish a rapport with the advisor. Trust comes with knowledge and clarity so make your first appointment about gathering information and creating a connection.

Mistake #2

If investments and products are the first subject of conversation before attempting to build a profile of you and your family, take a pass. Remember you are looking for someone that can give you personalized advice and not a canned spiel or off-the-shelf solution. If the advisor starts talking about investments before understanding your fears then you should think twice.

Mistake #3

Continue Reading…

Top global investment trends of 2017

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By Sia Hasan

Special to the Financial Independence Hub

One of the most important things anyone can do for their future is to invest. There are many ways to build wealth over time if you start early and stay consistent no matter what the market is doing.

There are many global investment trends in 2017 that you need to know about. With all the changes that are going on around the world, this is one of the most important things you can look at changing in your personal finances. When it comes to investing, it pays to look at ways that you can improve constantly.

Real Estate

In many parts of the world, real estate is starting to heat up. With fewer properties on the market, many investors want to take advantage of real estate demand. In some developing nations, there are still opportunities to invest in growing areas. In certain places like the United States, the real estate market is so competitive that it is difficult to find a solid deal for the future. You always need to think five or ten years down the road when you are investing in real estate. This is true whether you are buying a home to flip or if you are just buying a home to rent out.

One other reason to consider real estate is that interest rates are still low. With the low rates, the amount of interest you have to pay on your debt is minimized and you can make more money as an investor. If you borrow money this year, it will be cheaper than in the future.

Equities (Stock Market)

When it comes to investing in the stock market, many are worried that we are in bubble territory. The stock market has been on a positive run for nearly a decade now. At some point, there is going to be a correction, and no one wants to invest right before a crash. If you are going to invest in the stock market, you need to have a plan for the future. Investing in the stock market is all about thinking many years down the road. Continue Reading…

Chinese A-shares to go mainstream with inclusion in MSCI EM Index

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(Sponsored Content)

Chinese equities will be going mainstream next year following a decision by the MSCI to include 222 China A-shares in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index (EMI). China A-shares were traditionally only available to domestic and qualified institutional investors, but have recently expanded global investor access through the Hongkong-Shanghai and Hongkong-Shenzhen Stock Connect programs.

The A-share market, including shares from Shanghai and Shenzhen markets, is worth roughly $7.5 trillion, the world’s second largest after the New York Stock Exchange and Nasdaq.[i]

“The decision to include China’s A-shares on the MSCI Emerging market index is very positive for the onshore listed companies as well as foreign retail and institutional investors, who will now benefit from more investment opportunities in China’s domestic growth” says Christine Tan, Chief Investment Officer and Senior Portfolio Manager with Excel Investment Counsel Inc.  “This decision comes after four years of consideration, during which the Chinese regulators have made many positive changes to improve investor access to the onshore equity market.”

Christine Tan

“These A-share corporations will benefit from increased investor interest and flows,” says Tan. “In turn, mutual funds such as the Excel China Fund and Excel Chindia Fund will now invest directly in China-listed companies for further diversification and access to sectors that were not well-represented on the HongKong exchange.”

Almost $18 billion to move into Chinese stocks

According to the MSCI, the inclusion of A-shares on the index will result in about $17 billion to $18 billion of global assets moving into Chinese stocks initially. Continue Reading…

6 ways to ensure you won’t outlive your money

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“Retirement: World’s longest coffee break.” —Author Unknown

Over the years you’ve taken plenty of advice, saved and invested diligently. Now you and your family are knocking on retirement’s door or, perhaps, in its midst.

The good news is the family members will likely live longer than before. The flip side is that more money may be required to fully fund retirement lifestyle.

Let’s assume that retirement spans from age 60 to 90, often longer. Many worry that the money won’t last and runs out during retirement.

Analyze life expectancy of the immediate family members for both spouses or partners. Specifically, review the current ages of grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and cousins.

Some are petrified at the mere thought of such a prospect becoming reality. The question becomes what you can do to at least contain this situation.

I summarize six essential ideas designed to ballpark your lifestyle needs and help your retirement money last:

1. Family life expectancy

Analyze life expectancy of the immediate family members for both spouses or partners. Specifically, review the current ages of grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts and cousins. Get familiar with the ages attained by family members that have passed away. Pay attention to patterns of critical illness and longevity.

Today, it is commonplace for many to live well into their 80s. It is wise planning for a family to expect that at least one spouse could easily live past age 90. Another expectation is that family longevity continues to increase. Updating the retirement projection refreshes the family’s capital needs for the desired lifestyle.

2. Becoming too conservative
Continue Reading…