Welcome to some Weekend Reading friends, thanks for visiting. Earlier this week, I got some mail from a few Brookfield companies I own, that related to a “U.S. Tax Package”. That was a little concerning but I have since figured out the issue and I intend to write a post about it in the coming weeks. That’s one of the challenges being a DIY investor, investing in individual stocks no less, you must stay on top of things and be tax savvy.
Earlier this week I launched yet another giveaway on my site – this one about a toolkit targeted to parents and educators who want to teach children about money – M is for Money – a kid’s guide to financial literacy. #MisforMoneyCA. Kudos to the author Teresa Cascioli for a neat initiative.
A few days ago I revisited this retirement case study. I believe the couple is in this article can easily retire in 10 years but then again, everyone’s goals in life are different. Check it out and tell me yours thoughts – would that be “enough” money and assets for you?
Thanks for supporting this site and being a fan. Have a great weekend!
Mark
In the Globe and Mail recently, here’s what $1.2 million can get you in the housing market. In most cases, luxury.
Ever seen this U.S. debt clock? Crazy. Last time I checked debt per U.S. taxpayer exceeded $160,000 but revenue was around $28,000. Good luck with that.
Tom Bradley shared five investing keys that don’t get enough attention. I like this point: “For long-term investors who are well diversified, loss of capital is not an issue, nor is short-term volatility, although both feature prominently in today’s discourse.”
Sure Dividend told us what he thinks the best U.S. dividend ETF is.
On She Budgets, here’s how a $20,000 investing loss was a great decision.
Dividend Value Builder profiled a company I expect will raise its dividend again this year.
I’ve questioned a few traditional financial rules on my site. Here is another – rethinking this bond matches your age formula.
Right about now, you’re probably getting a tax refund back from CRA or maybe you’re expecting one based on your 2015 tax file submission. Remember if you spend the RRSP refund then investing and maxing out your TFSA makes more sense.
I disagree with this: retirement planning should not require reliability from our government. At least this should be your mindset. Whether Old Age Security (OAS) payments start at 65 or 67, or 57 or 77, you should be planning on your own retirement and consider government benefits as surplus income not essential for living expenses.
Michael James on Money discussed bonds vs. annuities as part of your retirement plan. I think if you need steady income and if you’re likely to live a long life, annuities make sense. That’s a few “ifs” though.
Dividend Growth Investor had a take on focused (dividend) investing.
My friend The Blunt Bean Counter highlighted some changes that arrived with our recent federal budget.
This Tangerine Money-Back Credit Card is getting lots of love, of late. Starting this week all Canadians can now apply for the new MasterCard that is offering 4% Money-Back Rewards for the first three months in two categories of choice and 1% Money-Back Rewards on all other purchases, with no annual fee. Pretty good – just make sure you don’t carry a balance 🙂
Mark
My name is Mark Seed - the founder, editor and owner of My Own Advisor. As my own DIY financial advisor, I've surpassed my goal and now investing beyond the 7-figure portfolio to start semi-retirement with. Find out how, what I did, and what you can learn to tailor your own financial independence path. Join the newsletter read by thousands each day, always FREE.
US debt: fortunately the accounting doesn’t work that way, just makes for a catchy headline. And really, in a debt-based global economy, does it really matter? Governments are not run like households.
Tom Bradley: agreed. Purchasing power loss is the main risk for those with a 25+ year investment time frame.
OAS Reliability: if we can’t count on stable government retirement payments then stop taking the funding from us with such reliability, e.g. income tax. Why am I (involuntarily) paying into CPP/OAS if I can’t count it as a component of my retirement income? I think far too many people view government payment with a very unsupported bias.
Tangerine: oh, goodie! Another debt card!
See US debt clock…
Weekend!
Yes, I’m aware of the math for the U.S. debt clock math but I found the discrepancy very interesting… no?
What I’m saying about OAS and CPP, is not to bank on it – life can throw curves anytime between when you get paid and actually get paid. In the end, look after yourself – surely you support that line of thinking 🙂
Happy w/e SST.
Cheers,
Mark
This is faulty and biased thinking.
On one hand you give full credence to your own powers of investment choices to ensure retirement income, on the other hand you completely dismiss any and all government efforts to do the same.
What’s the probability of your efforts failing/faltering versus the government’s efforts?
Even your statement to “look after yourself” isn’t right because, according to your current investment path, you are relying on corporate management to look after you via dividend payments etc.
You can’t apply “life can throw curves anytime between when you get paid and actually get paid” to government programs but not to corporate entities. As we’ve witnessed with the Halloween Massacre, the government can not only change its own rules but it can also toy with corporate rules, something you seem to ignore.
OAS has been around for almost 100 years, CPP for 50 — without failure of payment. Part of your investment foundation is based on long-term dividend track record, how many on your dividend list have the same record as the government?
I reiterate, what’s the probability of your retirement devised payments faultering versus the government’s structure? If you have no answer then your answer is based on unfounded bias.
Yes, somewhat biased. For context, what I mean SST, I am saving and investing and trying to keep the mindset I will now worry about what government benefits will or won’t be provided for our retirement. We will save and invest what we can, and avoid any heavy reliance of CPP and OAS to pay for retirement expenses.
Do I fully expect to be paid some CPP and OAS? Yes. Will that be the maximums for each? No. How much? I’m not going to worry about that now.
I will simply focus on what I can do now and in the short-term to save and invest wisely. This has nothing to do with the probability of (government) default. I simply mean I will focus on what I can control for the future: good money choices; good savings habits; good investing habits; smart tax decisions. These habits have absolutely nothing to do with the government programs I may receive in the future. 🙂
Mark,
Thanks for the mention. As far as PG, I think it is a hold at most today. Without growth in earnings, future dividend growth will be limited. Let’s see if they can kick start growth again.
Have a nice weekend!
Dividend Growth Investor
I owe you an email reply 🙂 Have a great weekend and thanks for the support here and via social media.
Tom Bradley certainly has a way of cutting through the BS. Thanks for the mention.
Yes, he does. He’s good at it 🙂 Cheers!
Thanks for sharing these great articles 🙂
Have a nice weekend!
All the best and thanks for reading and supporting!
Thanks for linking to my article on The Best Dividend ETF in your weekend reading!
Happy to include Ben. Best wishes.
Thank you for including my Procter & Gamble dividend stock analysis in your Weekend Reading!