Think Smart with TMFG

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

Episode 208: Fascinating Study on Investment Returns over 96 Years

The results of a recent DFA (Dimensional Fund Advisors) study on the distribution of investment returns over the last 96 years may surprise you. This study looks at the S&P 500 and the many factors that have affected its performance, from wars to market crashes. How many negative market returns and corrections have we seen, and how often does a major market crash occur? This is on Think Smart with Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon.

 

Key points:
(02:31): How often does a major market crash occur?
(02:55) How good are returns over 96 years?
(03:48) How many times and how much has the stock market been down?
(06:01) What about the good stuff?
(09:14) What do good companies do when bad things happen?
(10:44): Where do we stand right now?
(11:50) How do all these factors apply to having a long-term strategy?

Episode 207: How Many Accounts Do You Really Need?

Do you ever wonder if you really need all those different accounts and the extra time and headache to manage them all? Today on ThinkSmart Financial Advisors, Rob McClelland and Mike Connon discuss the many types of accounts investors might hold and our recommendations for each. Today on ThinkSmart Financial Advisors, Rob McClelland and Mike Connon discuss the many types of accounts investors might hold and our recommendations for each.

Key points:
(05:39): How many investment accounts should you have?
(06:47): What do we recommend as you age?
(07:32): What about TFSAs?
(08:11): How many RESP accounts should you have?
(08:24): What about your Open Account?
(09:07): What should you hold within your investment accounts?
(11:25): Let’s look at some real-world examples of fails.

 

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, and expenses, may all be associated with mutual fund investments. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the Fund Facts and consult your Assante Advisor before investing.

The case study mentioned in this podcast is based on actual scenarios but names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. This case study is provided for illustrative purposes only to provide an example of our process and methodology. The results portrayed is not representative of all of our clients’ experiences.

Episode 206: The Need for Speed: Our Modern-Day Obsession with Making Everything Happen Immediately

Today on ThinkSmart Financial Advisors, Rob McClelland and Mike Connon discuss the pros and cons of choosing speed above all else. Speed has become one of the single most defining elements of so much of our daily lives, from banking, communication, even travel, and leisure, but are there some things for which there is no room for speed? Listen to find out.

Key Points from this Episode:

(00:54): How things used to work
(02:08): Changes in our everyday lives
(03:59): Changes to communications
(05:47): Changes in the financial world
(09:13): How does speed affect your investments?
(10:57): How does the speed mindset differ from the successful investing mindset?

Episode 205: Economic Tradeoffs Are Having Some Pretty Serious Consequences

Life is full of tradeoffs. The biggest tradeoff the government faces today is how it's coping with inflation by increasing interest rates. As you will learn, these choices can have very serious consequences.

Key Points from this Episode:

(02:21): Rising interest rates and inflation
(03:22): How will the government stop inflation?
(06:05): The effect of rising interest rates on housing markets
(06:50): The effect of interest rates on debt
(08:40): The risks of industrial mortgages
(09:45): High risk means high returns
(14:28): How to stay invested
(15:21): Where you spend your money

Episode 204: Interest Rates Still in the Press - An In-Depth Look at the Markets

Interest Rates Still in the Press :

An In-Depth Look at the Markets

When will interest rates cease to go up? The banks continue to try to predict where interest rates will go. But do we actually know anything more today than we did six months ago? Is now a good time to get tactical with your investments? Learn more today on ThinkSmart with Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon.

Key Points from this Episode:

(01:43): Is now a good time to get tactical with your investments?
(01:54): What does a tactical approach look like?
(02:37): Tactical strategy vs. strategic strategy
(03:15): Why are stocks and bonds both down?
(03:52): Why are interest rates and inflation where they are?
(04:34): How did stocks and bonds perform?
(05:20): Demand for US oil
(06:02): Are we heading for another 1929?
(07:13): Is the US dollar safe?
(07:47): The real estate market
(08:41): Cryptocurrency
(09:17): Will the current rally continue?
(09:48): Investing in US real estate
(10:47): Chasing dividend stocks
(13:55): Owning gold

 

Episode 203: Relentless Negativity In Journalism is Harming Our View of the World

Why does the press persist in flogging the negative? Today we take a look at some recent stories in the press that while attention-grabbing may be pretty far from the truth. Is our obsession with getting the next "click" taking over our common sense?

Key Points from this Episode:
(01:27):  Predictions vs. reality in the job market.
(02:48): Stocks in the headlines.
(03:41):  Markets in the headlines.
(05:56): Stories are supporting these outlandish headlines.
(08:23): What is driving modern media in this sensational direction?
(13:29):  What’s really going on out there?