Think Smart with TMFG

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

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