Think Smart with TMFG

Episode 218: How to Avoid Getting Audited by the CRA

No one ever expects to get audited by the CRA. Today on ThinkSmart Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon walk you through the best practices to avoid a CRA audit and how best to handle it if you do.

Key points:
(00:23): Why do people get audited?
(01:35): What we do to ensure you don’t get audited
(03:03): Why you could be at risk too
(03:56): False alarms
(04:27): The difference between CRA and the IRS
(08:20): How do most people fare after an audit?
(09:27): Suggestions on how to avoid an audit
(10:36): Why making changes can get you flagged
(14:15): Don’t make it easy for the CRA to single you out

 

Episode 217: Structured Investments, Stock Picking with ChatGPT and Conflicts of Interest at the Big Banks

Can AI be used to stock pick? What might you be losing out on if you have structured investments and what conflicts of interest do the big banks face when helping you choose financial products? This and more today on ThinkSmart with Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon. 

 

Key points:

(00:50): Can ChatGPT be used to stock pick?
(03:24): What did ChatGPT have to say for itself?
(04:28): Structured investments, are they the dream investment?
(05:44): What are you missing out on with structured investments?
(06:49): Structured investments are still commission based
(07:09): The big banks and conflicts of interest

Episode 216: How Often Does Factor Investing Work?

We've been using factor investing for over 19 years, discover why. Today on ThinkSmart Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon do a deep dive into factor investing. What they are, how they work, and why we believe they are the best way to invest your money.

 

Key points:

(01:19): How to look at factors
(01:46): Fighting FOMO
(02:05): Deep dive on the 3 factor
(03:22): Small Cap vs. Large Cap
(05:02): What does switching investment strategies cost you?
(05:25): Profitability Factor
(06:47): Value vs. Growth
(09:09): Looking at a value, profitability, and small-cap tilted portfolio
(09:52): The disadvantage of “indexing”

Episode 215: The Housing Market and How to Help Your Kids with their First Home

The housing market has cooled less than expected as inventory is limited, and prices remain high. Today we explore how to take advantage of your existing investments, and which accounts to use to assist your children buy their first-time home. As well we discuss best practices for young people trying to save for that new home.

Key points:
(00:54): What’s happening in the housing market?
(02:02): Helping your kids with their first home?
(02:19): Which account should that money come from?
(04:25): What else are we seeing parents help their kids with?
(05:42): Where should your kids be saving?
(07:42): How does the new First Home Savings Account work?
(10:01): How to make the FHSA work to your advantage

Episode 214: Saving for a University Education is Taking a Hit

With mortgage rates continuing to climb, many people are diverting money earmarked for education savings to cover their newly acquired interest payments. Listen here to find out what your strategy should look like.

Key points:
(00:58): Mortgage rates are still on the rise 
(02:01): What do you need to earn to offset those new terms?
(02:33): What are people doing to make up for that increase in their mortgages?
(03:32): What’s the most important thing to maintain when you find yourself in this predicament?
(06:47): Securing your education fund
(08:34): RESP strategies
(09:05): What is an in-trust account?

Episode 213: AI, is it Good or Bad, and What the Heck is ChatGPT?

Is AI helping us replace mundane jobs and allowing us to go further with our abilities? Or will it replace what makes us uniquely human? ChatGPT is one of many astounding technologies that are being developed today. Listen and find out how it all works. 

Key points:

(02:15): Concerns over AI
(04:01): What is ChatGPT?
(05:23): Issues with ChatGPT
(07:41): How to deal with these emerging technologies
(08:12): What is the true potential of these types of technologies?
(09:23): How does it stack up in terms of customer service?
(10:20): How these technologies could impact your investments
(11:50): Is it “Big Brother”

Episode 212: The World’s Wealthiest Cities

Today on ThinkSmart Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon review Visual Capitalist's report on the 10 wealthiest cities in the world.

Key points:

(00:48): How did the report break it down?
(01:12): What makes some of these places so desirable?
(02:32): Starting the countdown to the wealthiest cities 
(03:12): What do the tax rates look like in these wealthy cities?
(07:13): How does the tax rate affect the city’s high net worth?

Episode 211: How to Increase Your Retirement Income

Who wouldn't like a little more cash flow in their retirement plan? Today on ThinkSmart Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon take you through the various portfolio strategies; increasing either growth or equities in your portfolio to increase your overall returns.

Key points:

(01:03): What is the Monte Carlo analysis?
(01:41): What is the makeup of different investment portfolios?
(03:35): 60/40 investment portfolio
(04:47): The 50/50 investment portfolio
(07:11): Let’s look at the 70/30 portfolio
(08:21): The 80/20 portfolio can be a bit volatile
(10:00): The 90/10 investment portfolio
(11:09): Cash cushion
(12:03): The bond market

Episode 210: Why Do People Break Up with Their Financial Advisors?

Today on ThinkSmart, Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon review the April 12th Morning Star article "Why do people break up with their Financial Advisor?" You might be surprised by what makes the top of the list.

Key points:
(01:21): The importance of quality financial advice
(02:25): The importance of your relationship with your Advisor
(03:39): The importance of the cost of services
(06:36): They are capable of managing their own money
(08:15): Lack of Advisor communications
(08:53): What should you look for in your Advisor?
(09:45): You have to keep your clients' goals in mind
(10:57): How often should you be reviewing your plan?
(11:36): Regular communication is invaluable
(12:50)  Making sure you are getting reasonable returns.
(14:24): Risk return factor

Episode 209: Why You Need An Estate Planning Checklist

Today on ThinkSmart, Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon will walk you step-by-step through an estate planning checklist. You will learn the best practices for ensuring the future of your estate and the importance of having one in place. 

Key points:
(02:33): Best practices for wills and executors
(05:30): Charitable giving
(05:58): Best practices for power of attorney
(07:55): Best practices for beneficiaries
(09:20): What are the benefits of a successor annuitant?
(10:34): How do we recommend you handle life insurance policies?
(17:22): How to deal with the house and the cottage