Blog

Jun252016

"The dumb money effect... bad timing is at the heart of this."

THE UK LEAVING THE EU… NOT A TIME FOR PANIC

Yesterday, we woke to news that the citizens of the UK have voted to leave the European Union. While polls hinted that the ‘Leave’ camp may win the day, financial markets were prepared for a ‘Stay’ victory in the weeks leading up to yesterday’s referendum. As a result,...

Feb182014

Can I retire WHEN I want, to do WHAT I want?!

RETIREMENT READINESS AND THE BIG QUESTION…

By Rick Tomalty on February 18, 2014 in Budgeting , Financial Advisors , Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Investing , Life Insurance , Pension Plans , Retirement Planning , Saving , The Value of Advice with 0 comments

My memory takes me back a number of years now to a gathering at a pool party in a friend’s backyard. I was part of a group of men standing together, cups in hand, chatting about the approaching retirement of a number in the group. I find that it’s in such a setting...

Aug282013

Commuting your Pension: An option worth exploring.

TIME FOR A FINAL COMMUTE BEFORE RETIRING?

By Rick Tomalty on August 28, 2013 in Commuting your pension , Defined Benefit Pension Plans , Defined Contribution Pension Plans , Financial Advisors , Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Investing , Pension Plans , Retirement Planning , The Value of Advice with 0 comments

I think back to my university sociology classes where we studied demographic graphs until my eyes crossed, and how much more meaning those charts have 30 years later! “If I knew then what I know now”… I suppose that’s a common sentiment that many of us...

Apr012013

Setting your goal is emotional; attaining it calls for logic and discipline.

IF THE SOCK FITS…

By Rick Tomalty on April 01, 2013 in Budgeting , Financial Advisors , Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Retirement Planning , Saving , Spending behaviours , The Value of Advice with 1 comments

For some reason, I was particularly puzzled that morning. Perhaps it was one too many late-night hockey games, or maybe the early morning darkness had me disoriented, but I was struggling with a decision that I make about 300 mornings each year. In the darkness, I could make...

Mar302013

MY SEASON WITH THE SUPER HEROES

By Rick Tomalty on March 30, 2013 in On the Personal Side with 0 comments

One of the greatest pleasures that my job allows is the flexible time to spend being involved in community sports. This year I was part of the coaching team for a rowdy group of nine and ten year old boys (okay…one or two were rowdy enough for everybody!). Today...

Mar012013

We're all guilty of it...

IT’S HARD NOT TO JUDGE THE BOOK…

By Rick Tomalty on March 01, 2013 in Financial Advisors , Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Financial Philosophy , Investing , Life Insurance , Retirement Planning , The Value of Advice with 0 comments

Time for a pop quiz: what do former NBA star Dennis Rodman and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un have in common? Answer: Nothing. Yet I had to shake my head as I listened to the interviews broadcast this morning on CBC Radio One’s morning show, The Current as the guest host...

Jan312013

RRSPs, as an inheritance, often miss the mark

FROM HERE TO HEIR: WHY YOUR RRSP MAY MAKE A DISAPPOINTING

By Rick Tomalty on January 31, 2013 in Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Retirement Planning , Spending behaviours with 0 comments

I accepted the recent invitation to submit an article to an emerging online publication entitled Managing your Wealth. The invitation fit nicely with my passion to contribute to the financial literacy of individuals and their families, and I in turn invite you to check it...

Jan242013

Strategic asset allocation accounts for 90% of a portfolio's return.

TEMPTED TO ROLL THE DICE?

By Rick Tomalty on January 24, 2013 in Financial Advisors , Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Financial Philosophy , Investing , Retirement Planning , Saving , The Value of Advice with 0 comments

I had just returned from the ice surface to the dressing room, got settled in my place and was starting to remove my hockey gear when the question seemingly came out of nowhere, sent in my direction. The friend who posed the question knew my profession as a financial advisor...

Oct162012

People do measurably better with a financial advisor than without one.

GO FIGURE…!

By Rick Tomalty on October 16, 2012 in Budgeting , Estate Planning , Financial Advisors , Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Investing , Life Insurance , Retirement Planning , Saving , The Value of Advice with 0 comments

Just today, I woke up to a newscast that informed us of the resignation of a prominent political figure in our area. I suppose that were I more politically “plugged in”, I might have seen this coming and been less surprised by this development. However, not to be left out of...

Sep082012

Financial basics that will help you start and finish strong

A VIRTUAL VISIT TO COSTCO GARNERS GOOD ADVICE

By Rick Tomalty on September 08, 2012 in Budgeting , Estate Planning , Financial Decision-making , Financial Literacy , Investing , Retirement Planning , The Value of Advice with 0 comments

At least once a week, our family visits the Mecca of consumerism – that bastion of capitalism – Costco. We joke amongst ourselves that we can never get out of Costco without a receipt for at least $100. It seems, though, that they stock their shelves with more than just...