Think Smart with TMFG

Episode 198: Unique Ways to Increase Your Retirement Income

You would think that most sources of retirement income are taxed at relatively the same rate but you would be wrong. Today on ThinkSmart Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon compare the various sources of potential income from capital gains to interest income, dividends, how they fare against the Canadian tax system, and which you might be able to use to your advantage.

Key Points from this Episode:

(01:45): Comparison of incomes

(02:53): Capital gains
(03:53): Dividend Income
(04:40): Salary, Money Market, GICs, Rental Properties

 

Episode 197: The Greatest Portfolio of All time

Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon discuss a recent in-depth study on the markets and rolling returns from the Advisor publication Horsesmouth. This fascinating study spans five decades. Listen today to find out what the "GOAT" (greatest of all time) portfolios is.

(02:52): The all-cash portfolio and how it fares.
(04:10): The half-cash, half-bond portfolio.
(06:20): The 60/40 portfolio.
(06:55): The diversified portfolio.
(11:20): Evidence of equity returns.

Episode 196: 10 Attributes of Great Financial Advisors

Not all Financial Advisors are created equally. Listen here to find out what 10 most important qualities to look for in your Financial Advisor; some may be a bit of a surprise.

 

Key Points from this Episode:

(00:54): The Advisor’s mission
(02:37): What clients are you able to work with successfully?
(04:09): How important is authenticity in an Advisor?
(05:40): How does intellectual curiosity help make a good Advisor?
(06:41): Why your Advisor should always be asking you questions.
(08:27): Red Light Green Light for clients and Advisors?
(09:10): What is 10X?
(10:02): Why is growth in the business crucial?
(13:01): Why discipline is an important trait in an Advisor?

Episode 195: Why is it So Difficult to Beat the Market?

It doesn't seem like it should be that hard to beat the market. The trouble is that many more factors play a role in your investment success than you realize. There are over 400 billion dollars in stock trades a day all with one objective; to make money. Professionals and laymen alike are all working with bits of information trying to give their best guess at how things will turn out. Listen today to find out why it’s next to impossible to beat the market every time.

 

Key Points from this Episode:

[00:02:00] Interesting info on how stock pricing works

[00:02:30] How does dollar-weighted knowledge work?  

[00:02:30] Professional market knowledge does it measure up?

[00:05:00] So why is it so difficult to beat the market?

[00:08:25] Evidence of mutual funds and ETF successes and failures.

Episode 194: Cash Solutions

Why your cash should be making money for you and not for your bank.

While interest rate hikes can be daunting for those who are carrying large amounts of debt they can be a boon to those who are holding funds in cash. Today on ThinkSmart Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon go in-depth on the topic of cash holdings. They will discuss various products from high-interest savings accounts, and GICs, to money market funds, short-term bonds, and more. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each, and how you might capture that extra interest that belongs to you? 

Episode 193: It’s Time to Travel Again!

Our best practices for travel in 2023. How are things looking out there in the travel world? Listen today to hear our advice and feedback from our recent travels abroad on everything from flights, to hotels, and rental cars. 

Episode 192: Rising Interest Rates Might Not Be All Bad?

We just keep getting slammed by interest rates from all sides. This is especially problematic for those who are still coping with debts or mortgages. But on the other hand, there are actually some benefits. Listen today to find out why the rising interest rates might be unfathomably positive.

Episode 191: The Disengaged Spouse

Evidence shows that women outpace men in lifespan by a minimum of five years. Yet we often see that only one partner does all the financial heavy lifting while the other remains disengaged and uninformed. Ensuring that both partners are engaged in understanding their finances is crucial to the future of the surviving spouse. Not only does it provide the arena for developing a shared vision of your plan it allows you to highlight any unforeseen discrepancies. If you consider yourself or your spouse disengaged, it's not too late. Listen today to Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon to discover your next steps.

Episode 190: Liquid vs. Illiquid Assets

Let’s talk liquidity. How liquid is your portfolio? How does fixed income affect your buying power? What will fit your needs best? Will it be GICs, bonds, cash or stocks, and mutual funds? Listen today to Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon as they discuss how these financial products work individually and in combination to create an ideal investment strategy.

Episode 189: Why Rebalancing a Portfolio is Important

Rebalancing is a very important element of a sound and profitable investment philosophy. Listen today to Senior Financial Advisors Rob McClelland and Mike Connon as they explain why and how the rebalancing of your portfolio works to your advantage.