The Labor Market In September 248,000 new jobs were created in the U.S. 🙂 The national unemployment rate dropped from 6.1% to 5.9%, the lowest since 2008. This must mean we’re almost back at pre-recession, full employment right? Well if you ask people on the streets how they feel about the strong labor market recovery, many of them will not know… Read More »
While GICs bear certain similarities to other investment products like mutual funds, bonds, CDs, and time/term deposits, they remain distinct from other types of investment vehicles. So what is a GIC? A Guaranteed Investment Certificate is a financial product, usually presenting virtually no risk to the investor’s principle, with the potential for returns. Minimum GIC investments usually start… Read More »
Last Fall I made some bold predictions that low interest rates are staying until 2016, which will keep the housing market stable. I also suggested that investing in parts manufacturers like Magna International would be a profitable venture due to the consumer’s love for cars 😀 Fast forward to today and it looks like events are unfolding thus… Read More »
In ancient Rome, the Denarius currency started out as a 4.5 gram coin made of almost pure silver. But over time the amount of silver content in the coin was reduced to just 2%. The Denarius had become almost worthless thanks to inflation and had to be replaced by a new currency, the Argenteus. In the 17th century… Read More »
Some people have a fear of losing money. This prevents them from taking the necessary risk with their investments, like buying stocks, to give the best probability of a long term return. The S&P500 returned 20% over the last 12 months, so anyone who holds American stocks like me have probably done well with their net worth over… Read More »
Last year I spoke with representatives from the insurance industry to learn about how life insurance works from a client’s point of view. There seems to be 2 difference kinds of insurance plans: term, and permanent. Term life insurance will insure someone for a specified length of time like 5, 10, or 20 years. A premium is paid… Read More »