Introducing CI Direct Investing
Today, we’re excited to announce that WealthBar is now CI Direct Investing. Last year, we were acquired by CI Financial—a diversified wealth management firm and one of Canada’s...
3 Ways to Set Your Kids Up for Financial Success
The kids are back in the classroom and leaves are starting to turn — change is in the air. Now is the perfect time to start a new...
Better Together. WealthBar (Now CI Direct Investing) to Become Part of CI Financial Group
Today, I am happy to announce that the WealthBar (now CI Direct Investing) team will begin an exciting new chapter as a part of the CI Financial group...
Co-Founder Chris Nicola Takes Home the Win
“This week, the WealthBar (now CI Direct Investing) Co-Founder and COO, at age 39 was recognized in Business in Vancouver’s Forty Under 40 awards in their Dec. 4...
How to retire and fill 40 hours a week
“Can you believe it, honey? Friday’s my last day at work! Time sure flies. I can’t wait to start spending all of our free time together!” Did this...
Thinking Responsibly About Socially Responsible Investing
“Do the right thing.” That’s the new corporate motto for Alphabet, Google’s parent company, putting a more proactive spin on Google’s “Don’t Be Evil." But what does the new motto mean, exactly? That...
Term insurance vs. mortgage insurance. A tale of 2 brothers
Buying a home is a big deal. That’s why you really want to be able to trust the people who are helping you. But when your banker or mortgage...
Thrifty and Thoughtful Gift Ideas for the Holidays
Doing some last-minute holiday shopping? The urge to spend is almost irresistible. Saving money might be the furthest thing from your mind. But around holiday time, I try...
A Conversation About Retirement Income Planning and Being Realistic About Goals
How can you make that abrupt shift from saving to retirement spending? What can you do to make sure the CRA isn’t your biggest beneficiary? Do Canadians in...
Yes, You can Transfer Your RRSP or TFSA and Unlock Your Small LIRA
OK, maybe they don’t like you. Maybe you got audited and the Canada Revenue Agency found something fishy. Maybe someone who actually works at the CRA (a spurned lover,...
Canadians investing in the age of Trump
In my recent update to clients about performance, ‘Making Investing Great Again,’ I talked a bit about the Donald Trump effect on the markets. Love him or hate...
Burned by Bank Scandals? Get Honest Financial Advice
I wouldn’t claim that all of the big banks are caught up in scandals over high-pressure sales tactics. The people working at the big banks can tell you...
Happy Back-to-School New Year!
Happy New Year! No, I have not lost my calendar. September is a time of many ends and new beginnings. The kids are back in school, the weather...
CI Direct Investing’s All-in-One Guide to Understanding Retirement Savings Options: Part 2
Welcome to part two of CI Direct Investing’s guide to retirement savings options. In part one, we learned about the types of retirement savings mandated by the Canadian...
CI Direct Investing’s All-in-One Guide to Understanding Retirement Savings Options: Part I
Making sense of retirement is the number one financial planning issue facing Canadians. Whether you are 20 or 60, there will be a point in your life when...
The Four Investment Fees You Don’t Know About
Investment fees are talked about so much nowadays, and there has been such strong downward pressure, that it is becoming increasingly harder for a company to justify their...
The Cost of Waiting. The Impact of Delayed Retirement Savings
Humans are hardwired to prefer immediate gratification. Sure, our financial advisers emphasize long-term investing. But we want to buy stuff now. Investment can come later, right? It turns...
Your Personal Finance Journey. TFSA, RRSP and Bank Accounts
When you're in this business, you spend a lot of time talking to people about their finances. On the clock, off the clock, at the supermarket, at the...
How Safe Is Your Money
Companies go out of business all the time. It happens. And when we are about to entrust our life saving to a financial company, we may want to...
Understanding Your Insurance Needs
Why do Canadians buy insurance? Well, if you've ever met someone who sells insurance, you might have heard something along these lines. "Buy insurance for peace of mind!...
The Traits Of An Insurance Policy
An insurance policy is a contract between a person and a company in which the company takes on a financial burden on behalf of a person under certain...
Finance 101. What’s in your insurance policy?
An insurance policy is a contract between a person and a company in which the company takes on a financial burden on behalf of a person under certain...