Archive for February 2024
48 Best ETFs in Canada – March 2024
Back when I first started writing about personal finance back in 2005, the Best ETFs in Canada ranking was a pretty short list! There was no such thing as a Canadian all-in-one ETF (also called portfolios ETFs) like there are today. While a big part of my portfolio is still in Canadian dividend stocks, Canadian…
Read MoreQuestrade Review 2024
Is Questrade Safe & Secure? One of the most common questions that I have gotten in the comments below is: Is investing my money through a Questrade online brokerage account safe? Is Questrade as safe as RBC, TD, CIBC, ScotiaBank, and BMO? – MDJ reader The answer: Yes! Here’s the deal. Off the top Questrade is…
Read MoreInvesting In Canadian Wide Moat Stocks
I am a cautious investor given that I am in the semi-retirement stage. While I would acknowledge that growth is important for a retiree or near-retiree, I want most of our equity positions to be in the quality or high-quality camp so that I can sleep easy at night. That’s why a portfolio that invests…
Read MoreWhat is Income Splitting?
Income splitting is a tax-saving strategy that divides a stream of income between family members (usually two spouses). The goal is to apportion as much of the higher-earning family member’s income to other family members, in an effort to get that higher-earning spouse into a lower tax bracket. Some economists and policy wonks have made…
Read MoreBest Canadian Railway Dividend Stocks in 2024
The two best Canadian railway stocks are part of an exclusive club in Canada. According to Morningstar Canada, in 2023 there were only five Canadian wide moat stocks. The list is short: RBC, TD, Enbridge, and then our two Canadian railway dividend all-stars: Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) and Canadian National Railway (CNR). The Morningstar wide…
Read MoreIs National Bank Stock a Good Buy Right Now?
National Bank of Canada has demonstrated its resilience in the face of market challenges, standing out as a great investment opportunity in the coming years. Its historical performance reflects a commitment to stability and growth, with recent advancements reflecting its proactive approach to evolving market dynamics. However, it’s essential to consider the broader context of…
Read MoreIs BCE Stock a Good Buy Right Now?
If you’re considering investing in BCE stock in 2024, evaluating the company’s performance, dividend growth, and the latest developments in the telecommunications industry can help you make your decision. Being informed about BCE’s recent advancements is crucial in determining whether it is a wise investment choice, and comparing it with its fellow Canadian telecommunication competitors…
Read MoreIs CNR Stock A Good Buy Right Now?
If you’re considering investing in Canadian National Railway (CNR) stock in 2024, it is important to evaluate the company’s performance, dividend growth, and recent developments in the railway industry. Staying informed about CNR’s recent advancements and industry trends is crucial in determining whether it is a wise investment choice. Additionally, comparing CNR with other Canadian…
Read MoreManaging Money In Retirement – Investing with Cognitive Decline
Since writing Canada’s first online course that looked at how to create a DIY financial plan for your retirement, I’ve gotten a few inquiries about a topic that is quite delicate, and generally isn’t much fun to talk about. (By the way, you can see what the course is all about by clicking here.) I’m…
Read MoreOAS in Canada: Clawbacks, Eligibility and Payment Dates
Old Age Security – better known as OAS – is one of the least understood aspects of Canadian retirement planning that I’ve come across. In order to full wrap your head around OAS and how you can get the most out of it for your particular situation, this deep dive is going to cover: (use…
Read MoreHow to Become a Millionaire in Canada
I am sure that most of us out there have wondered what’s the quickest way to get rich in Canada. While we don’t advise getting involved with a “get rich quick” scheme, I thought I would outline practical steps you can take to get you on your journey to becoming Canada’s next millionaire. In fact,…
Read MoreWealthsimple Review 2024
What is Wealthsimple? Wealthsimple was founded back in 2014 by Michael Katchen, Brett Huneycutt and Rudy Adler. I gotta say that I really liked the company even more in its first few years than in its current iteration. For the first five years of its existence, Wealthsimple was solely focused on the product that is…
Read MoreTD Direct Investing Review 2024
What is TD Direct Investing Brokerage? The TD Directing Investing online brokerage is a solid option, even though it doesn’t quite make it to the top of my list of Canada’s best online discount brokerages. As Canada’s second biggest bank (and one of our largest companies, period) it’s probably not a surprise that the TD…
Read MoreRBC Direct Investing Review 2024: Fees, ETFs, Account Options and More
What is RBC Direct Investing? The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) was one of the first banks in the country to pioneer DIY investing for the everyday investor. With RBC Direct Investing, you can trade Canadian and US stocks, ETFs, mutual funds and bonds. You can fund and manage your registered investment accounts (TFSA, RRSP,…
Read MoreQuestrade vs Interactive Brokers
When it comes to the showdown between Questrade and Interactive Brokers my analysis and answer might surprise you! Canadian DIY investors are spoiled for choice these days, and while both of these brokerages rank amongst Canada’s best online brokers, I personally have decided to go in another direction all together. Questrade has been a favorite…
Read MoreCPP Ultimate Guide – Eligibility, Payment Dates, Withdrawals & More
Most Canadians know the Canada Pension Plan as a government account they pay money into every month when they are working, and then when they retire, CPP means a cheque or automated deposit that arrives every month. Sounds simple enough right? Well… There are many layers to CPP! It’s one of those topics in Canadian…
Read MoreQuestrade vs Qtrade in 2024
Back in 2008 when I started writing about Canadian online brokers, the Qtrade vs Questrade rivalry was already in full swing, with each having their share of avid supporters. Sixteen years later, I would say the main difference is that both Qtrade and Questrade have opened up an even wider gap between themselves and Canada’s…
Read MoreThe Best Credit Unions in Canada 2024
In today’s financial landscape, Canadians have no shortage of financial institutions to choose from. There’s a growing number of online banks, as well as traditional big banks, and also a variety of credit unions. While it’s often the big banks that have the most notoriety, today we are going to explore the best credit unions…
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