Efficient Markets

Welcome to episode 24 of Retire Me!

On today's show we wrap up our series on Key Questions for the Long Term Investor.  Today's question is: Should I make changes to my portfolio based on what I am hearing in the news?

In the second segment, I announce some format changes and new content that I am working on for the rest of the summer and the fall.

Detailed notes and visuals will be on my blog shortly at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me

Thanks for listening, and Happy Canada Day!

Mark

Welcome to episode 23 of Retire Me.

Today we discuss how to handle your employee stock options.  Specifically, we discuss how do you view your stock options/RSU's in the context of your overall financial planning.  I outline the advice I give clients when deciding what to do with the proceeds of stock options/RSU's.  I discuss the tax implications of RSU's and stock options at a high level.  I also discuss reasons why it can be difficult to part with your stocks, even if you know that it is the sensible thing to do.

From there, we continue in our series Key Questions for the Long Term Investor.  This week's question is:  Will frequent changes in my investment portfolio help me achieve investment success.  The short answer is no, but market timing is probably the most frequent investor mistake that I see clients making.  I talk about the top 3 market timing mistakes that I see people making and explain why timing the market is so damaging for the long-term investor.

Detailed show notes, charts, and links will be available on my blog this week at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me.

Thanks for listening!

Mark

Welcome to Episode 22 of Retire Me!

Today we discuss income splitting opportunities for everyone (not just retirees).  To remember the opportunities, think of SPLITS.

S - Spousal RRSP's

P - Pay the Bills (higher income spouse)

L - Loans at fair market value

I - Income on income (second generation income)

T- TFSA's for family members

S - pay a reasonable salary to family members for working in your business

From there, we continue with our series on Key Questions for the Long Term Investor with Question 6 - Should I invest internationally.  The answer is a resounding YES.  Adding international stocks and bonds has historically increased your return and reduced your volatility over time.  

Full show notes and links will be on my blog shortly at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me

Thanks for listening and have a great week!

Mark

Welcome to Episode 21 of Retire Me!

On today's show, I outline 6 proactive steps that you can take if you believe that you might get laid off from your employer.  You can put yourself in a better position to get through a layoff and set yourself up for success going forward.

From there, we dive into Question #5 of our series Key Questions for the Long Term Investor" and we discuss the question : Is there a better way to build a portfolio?

Full notes, links, and charts for this episode will be available soon on by blog at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me

Thanks for listening!

Mark

Hello, welcome to Episode 20 of Retire Me.

Today we continue with our series: Key Questions for the Long Term Investor - Do I Need to Outsmart the Market to be a Successful Investor?

From there, we move into a discussion about how to choose the right mix of stocks and bonds in a portfolio.  

We discuss Larry Swedroe's framework for assessing your risk tolerance by considering your ability, willingness, and need to take risk

We discuss the single question that matters most when trying to determine your own risk tolerance - your "Get Me Out" point, or GMO.

We discuss why now is a great time to re-assess your risk tolerance.

Show notes and links will be available shortly on my blog at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me

Thanks for listening!

Mark

Welcome to Episode 19 of Retire Me.

Today I discuss an article written by Alexandra MacQueen.  Alexandra describes several ways the Coronavirus pandemic could change the way we think about retirement in Canada.

1) Retirement dates could be moved back

2) Retirees will be more debt-averse

3) Retirees will be drawn to more guaranteed income products like annuities

I also continue with the series: Key Questions for the Long Term Investor.

Question 3: If I choose a fund because of strong past performance, does that mean it will do well in the future?

Charts and links used in the podcast will be available shortly at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to Episode 18 of Retire Me.

On the podcast today:

1) An update on programs available to seniors

2) 6 steps that you can take with your employer to maximize COVID 19 benefits - An Article from Tim Cestnick

3) Key Questions for the Long Term Investor - Question 2 - Can I pick an actively-managed fund that survives and outperforms?

Detailed notes and links will be on my blog shortly at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to Episode 17 of Retire Me.

Today, we discuss Larry Swedroe's new book "Your Complete Guide to a Successful and Secure Retirement".  Larry is a prolific author and practitioner in the investment and retirement space.  We talk about the key elements to a successful retirement.  

This list has nothing to to with numbers and figures.  It has everything to do with your passions, your purpose, and your growth.  It applies to retirees, and to anyone who wants to build a purpose-driven life.

I also introduce a 9 part series entitled "Key Questions for Long Term Investors" where I lay out my investment philosophy.  This will dovetail into a longer series I'm going to do on factor investing, and form the foundation for a weekly segment I will do on investments going forward.

Detailed links and show notes will be posted to my blog at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me shortly.

Thanks for listening,

Mark

Hello, welcome to Retire Me episode 16!

On today's show, we talk about the recent economic data and why it is confusing to see markets rise in the face of really bad economic news.

I describe the reasons why markets and the economy don't always match and and what that means for investors.

Detailed show notes will be posted shortly to my blog at www.walhoutfinancial.ca/retire-me

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to Episode 15 of Retire Me!

Today on the show we discuss whether it makes sense to carry a mortgage into retirement, or whether paying off the mortgage is more sensible for a soon-to-be retiree.

We discuss:

1. Indebtedness of soon-to-be retirees in Canada
2. The two main schools of thought regarding mortgages in retirement
   1. Pay down their mortgage aggressively in the 5 years heading into retirement; or
   2. Re-finance their mortgage, carry it into retirement, and save the rest in their investment portfolio
3. Our hypothetical couple, John and Jane, and their approach to whether they should
4. We explain why a known rate of return on paying down your mortgage can lead to a better outcome than investing in stocks and bonds heading into retirement
5. The profile of a retiree who can feel comfortable carrying a mortgage into retirement

Links of resources used and show notes can be found on my blog shortly at www.walhoutfinancial.ca

Thanks for listening!

Mark