Just Starting Out - My Own Advisor

Just starting out – how to get started with investing

Posted on July 2, 2019 by Mark | 17 Comments

Just starting out – how to get started with investing Investing can be daunting. So much to think about. So many options. Just starting out – how to get started with investing? I have some answers in today’s post. There…

Great income and no financial literacy – what you can learn from this

Posted on February 7, 2017 by Mark | 16 Comments

The Financial Facelift articles in the Globe and Mail are usually pretty interesting – and a recent one got my attention. A recent edition of this series profiled a mid-40s couple with two teenage children earning a combined $244,000 per…

Self-directed investing 101

Posted on January 23, 2017 by Mark | 10 Comments

The investment industry has evolved – that’s a great thing for investors. We now have more choices than ever before regarding where, how much, and how often to invest our money. With more choices available to us however that can…

Before you start investing do these three things

Posted on June 19, 2016 by Mark | 27 Comments

Before you start investing do these three things In the My Own Advisor inbox I continue to get emails from readers about starting their investing journey. I’m going to revisit a few things I strongly believe in that should help you out…

Saving and investing resources for newbies

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Mark | 17 Comments

Saving and investing resources for newbies Every month the My Own Advisor inbox gets emails from readers who are just starting out on their investing journey. Again, thanks for your emails folks and keep them coming. It’s been some time since…

What to buy with $1,000 to invest?

Posted on August 9, 2015 by Mark | 20 Comments

I read some interesting advice in this Globe and Mail article recently – what to buy if you only have $1,000 to invest. Some experts said investing in global equities will offer the most diversification. I would agree investing abroad…

Attention Millennials – Here is your game plan for retirement

Posted on June 14, 2015 by Mark | 10 Comments

A few months ago I got an email from a reader as a follow-up to this post: You make a lot of great points in your previous post–I especially like how you said to own the banks themselves instead of…

Seven Smart Investing Principles for Everyone

Posted on April 26, 2015 by Mark | 19 Comments

Last fall, I obtained a copy of this document from PWL Capital entitled Seven Principles of Smart Investing. After reading this through this white paper I reflected upon how we’re applying these principles. 1. Ignore ‘hot’ investment tips We do. …

After the golden rule of personal finance follow these ones

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Mark | 31 Comments

Let’s be blunt, you can likely sum up personal finance into a few principles: Pay yourself first. Spend less than you make. You can add in “invest the difference” if you really want to. The golden rule of personal finance…

Reader Question – Just Starting Out – Help Needed

Posted on February 8, 2015 by Mark | 19 Comments

Reader Question – Just Starting Out – Help Needed In the My Own Advisor inbox recently I got some emails from readers about just starting their investing journey. Thanks for your emails folks, keep them coming. Today’s post will offer some…

8 things I’ve discovered about money

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Mark | 40 Comments

In recent discussions with some folks and to play off Preet Banerjee’s blog name (where does all our money go) I was reflecting on some things I’ve discovered about spending and money – here they are. Owning a house is…

Help! I’m just starting to invest

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Mark | 22 Comments

Help! I’m just starting to invest Should you save? Should you invest? If you invest, what should you invest in? Do you need a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)? What about the Tax Free Savings Account first? Do you need an…