Financial Library

Basics For a Wise Financial Strategy

Basics for a Wise Financial Strategy | AdvisorNet E-Newsletter October 2024

Before a sky scraper can reach for the clouds, it needs a very strong foundation. Once the building is complete, the foundation is virtually unseen. The same goes for our financial strategies. Following are the basics of a strong financial foundation:

Budget – Governments and businesses use budgets to properly allocate resources. It’s known as good business. A budget can help you figure out where your hard earned income is going and to identify ways to cut spending or increase savings.

But I'm Invincible

But I'm Invincible | E-Newsletter | September 2024

Most people have a false sense of security by believing that they will not be victims of a critical illness like cancer, heart attack or stroke; and if they are, that the healthcare system will look after them. Nothing could be further from the truth.

September Heat and Back to School

It's early September as I'm writing this, and once again, over 30 degrees outside. Here in Calgary, we've hit 30 degrees or more numerous times this year. Historically, Calgary only hits 30 or higher around five days per year1. This summer we hit at least 30 degrees twelve times2. It has been a very hot summer. While it's been nice for us, we know how much the people of Jasper, Alberta have gone through this year. The forest fire outside Jasper devastated the town. It made headlines around the world and left many without a home.

Passing it on to Your Heirs

Ralph and Mary have accumulated a nice estate, a good portion of it in cash. They want to leave it all to their children when they die, but they also want to do something for them today. Being part of the Savings Generation, they are reluctant to give large sums to their kids today, as they are part of the Spending Generation. Ralph and Mary also want to treat their children as fairly as possible.

When someone dies, their estate falls into three basic categories:

The Safe Investing Dilemma

As John nears retirement, he is becoming concerned about covering his future living costs with income from only interest-bearing investments. Along with many other investors globally who have poured trillions of dollars into government bonds over the past decade, John wants to feel safe and have his money guaranteed. But the price of safety in a low interest rate world is higher than you may realize.

One Hot Summer

July of 2024 was one very hot month here in Calgary. It was also hot up in Gull Lake, Alberta where my mom lives, and it was hot in Montana when my sister and I did a road trip down to Missoula and Butte at the end of last month. It was a busy month between the Calgary Stampede, lots of client meetings and the brother-sister road trip we got in! This year's Stampede was the highest attended of all-time, so a great success for the city1. The heat may have made it a bit uncomfortable, but obviously not enough to keep people away!

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