Think Smart with TMFG

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?

Episode 202: Economic Predictions - Are They All They’re Cracked Up to Be?

This week we take an in-depth look at some of the predictions that came from 7 major Canadian financial institutions. We did the math and compared the predictions versus what is actually happening in the economy to see how close and how far off some of them are. 
 

Key Points from this Episode:

(01:02): What is the study of economics really?
(02:52): Prediction of GDP vs. actuals
(03:52): Prediction of inflation vs. actuals
(04:44): The government is planning to bring the consumer price index down no matter the cost
(04:59): Predictions about the unemployment rate and what’s actually happening in the market
(06:30): What's happening with the Bank of Canada rate?
(07:26): Interest rate hikes, how many should we expect?
(09:26): Will there be interest rate cuts?
(09:58): What are 10-year government bonds looking like?
(11:16): The Canadian dollar vs. the US dollar

Episode 201: Recession - Is It Coming?

Could we be headed for another recession? Find out today what the markers are for a typical recession and whether or not you should worry about what's might be on the horizon.

Key Points from this Episode:

(00:55): Why should advisors and investors, worry about recessions?
(01:35): What are the key indicators of a recession?
(03:50): The role of the media in creating panic.
(04:04): How long is the average recession?
(05:08): Why does the market start to go up when a recession is announced?
(07:24): What’s the difference between a recession and a retreat?
(07:48): History of recessions and how bad they were. 
(11:30): What have returns looked like following a recession?
(15:06): What to do if you are planning to retire and a recession is on its way?

Episode 200: 10 Creative Uses for Life Insurance

Life insurance? honestly, who wants to talk about it? But you might be very surprised to hear some unique ways to use life insurance to your benefit. Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon review the strategies discussed in a recent Globe and Mail article on 10 Creative Uses for Life Insurance by Tim Cesnick.
 

Key Points from this Episode:

(02:30) 5, 10, and 20-year term insurance and how it works
(03:16) Using life insurance for retirement savings
(05:06) Funding for a specific purpose
(06:35) Insurance to equalize inheritance 
(07:42) Paying off debts when you die
(09:30) Covering taxes owing when you die
(10:40) Eliminating taxes on death
(12:21) Donating to charity
(13:07) Funding a buy-sell agreement

Episode 199: An Integrated Portfolio and Financial Plan Are the Key to Success

Your financial plan and your portfolio should be managed in tandem by a Financial Advisor. So why go it on your own? Only 5% of professional money managers beat the market 20 years out. The investment choices you make today can affect your entire family for decades or even a lifetime. Listen here to find out how you can ensure your financial future is successful.
 

Key Points from this Episode:

(01:55): Financial product research results
(06:25): Economic cycles
(07:22): Why do you need to integrate the portfolio and the financial plan?
(08:02): Taxation choices
(09:25): Staying on top of all the changes yearly; income, taxes, and estate