Weekend Reading – The Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Edition!

Weekend Reading – The Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Edition!

Wow…almost another year in the books.

Where on earth does the time go?

Welcome to my latest (and early!) Weekend Reading edition where I share some of my favourite articles from the week that was across the personal finance and investing blogosphere.

In a year like no other, it’s hard not to take some additional time this holiday season to reflect.

Certainly, I’ve had a great year running the blog and I want to thank you for that.

Hard to believe 2021 will be my 12th year running this site.

At the time of this post, some by the numbers stuff for fun….

• 810,101 – the number of pageviews on this site in just 2020.
• 29,712 – the number of approved comments on all posts across the site.
• 1,390 – the number of total blogposts published since the site was launched many years ago.

What can I say? I’ve been busy.

via GIPHY

But, so have you on the site. Thanks for your comments, engagement and sharing this site with others.

Thank you!

While I will probably get to a few blogposts between now and 2021, the most important milestone message I want to give is this:  a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you!

Enjoy these articles below that I found interesting over the last week or so; I’ll be around in the coming days to post new material or whatever else comes to mind.

Best wishes everyone, stay well.

Mark

Need help with TFSA investing next year?

With new TFSA contribution room opening up in January, now is a great time to start getting your investing house in order to contribute to this gem of an account.

Here are some articles from my site (and others) that should help you make some great decisions:

I think you should strive to max out your TFSA first, every year because…

How to diversify my TFSA using ETFs

Should you transfer stocks from your taxable account into your TFSA? Maybe, but be careful. 

Should I transfer stocks into my TFSA?

Jon Chevreau shared some tips, for retirees, how to make the most of their TFSA in retirement.

One great example: make some RRSP withdrawals early, if you can, since the TFSA “has a great fit with the RRSP/RRIF, complementing one another throughout your investing marathon.”

Jon also reminds you about something I discuss quite a bit: “For younger people, the TFSA may be their only investment plan while, for the older cohort TFSAs must be integrated with a total plan that includes pensions, annuities, non-registered savings, RRSPs and RRIFs.” 

Other Weekend Reading…

Retire by 40 shared how the three biggest expenses can hurt your financial independence dreams.

His thinking aligns well with my insights. It’s not coffee that is stealing your early retirement.

Two expenses stealing your early retirement dreams (that are not coffee)

Tawcan shared how “living off dividends” might work if you take advantage of geo-arbitrage.

Want to invest like a Dividend King? Dividend Growth Investor has the goods.

As we know from Mike Heroux, Dividend Stocks (can) Rock – he’s back to share one of his favourite holdings that’s ready to embrace electric vehicles.

Last but not least, don’t forget my book giveaway for The Grumpy Accountant. I’ll be giving away a copy of this book early in 2021 to help your tax season efforts 🙂

Reader question of the week!

Hi Mark,

I have a question regarding TFSA contribution timing. I have the cash saved up for my 2021 contribution. I’d like to get it in early in January to get it to work, but I’m wary of the recent run up in values. What are your thoughts on buying in ASAP vs. waiting for a dip or breaking up the buys over a few months? Maybe you could mention this in your weekly email sometime?

I might not be the only one trying to figure this out!

I enjoy your weekly emails!

Another great question!  I will add this one to my running list of FAQs here for community building.

Essentially, your question is: is it better to do lump sum investing (invest now) or dollar cost averaging (invest over time)?

Here is my thesis on this.

I prefer to invest money, when I have it, as in now. So, I’m in favour of lump sum investing versus dollar cost averaging (DCA).

Why?

First, I have no idea if the stock market is going to go up or down tomorrow, next week, next month or otherwise. But, I do know lump sum investing gets my money working for me as soon as possible.

Second, given markets tend to go up over time, you have a better chance of ending up with more money by investing in equities at once versus in phases over time. Of course, there are absolutely times when stocks go down, significantly, and stay down. Market volatility can occur. The challenge, we don’t know when that will happen. But overall, you’re more likely via chance to be giving up investment gains through dollar-cost averaging instead of lump sum investing.

Three, and maybe my most important point for you, think of DCA as market timing. You are strategically setting up intervals or timing your purchases that may or may not work out when it comes to market pricing.

That said, the DCA approach can make you emotionally feel better since you’re not investing lump sums of money at once. It may seem less risky, therefore feelings that are reducing your stress by potentially reducing the impact of market volatility. This is not wrong whatsoever, it’s just your plan.

I liken these types of decisions like paying off a mortgage – very aggressively. Some people swear by it even though it might not make the best financial/mathematical/logical sense. It doesn’t mean it is flat-out wrong.

Saving, investing and more are much more emotional decisions than we tend to recognize. So, if it makes you “feel better” to go with DCA, then do it. Dollar-cost averaging aims to avoid mistakes of making a lump sum decision that could be poorly timed. Only in hindsight will we all know if that decision is correct!

Finally, for the investing inspiration file!

This couple has worked hard to save and invest $1.2 million dollars by their early-50s, but without a pension, they are not sure if they “have enough” to retire on until their late-90s.

Do they have enough? I provide an answer and so does a fee-only-planner.

Read on to find out, should your spending goal be about $50,000 per year after-tax.

They have $1.2 million and no pensions, can they retire?

Happy Holidays and Investing!