Search found 2497 matches

by George$
31 Jul 2014 10:11
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: TD Direct Investing (was Waterhouse) Service
Replies: 3927
Views: 433294

Re: TD Direct Investing (was Waterhouse) Service

am I to understand correctly that contacting TDDI directly might lead to an offer to pay the transfer fees? Yes. The more aggregate assets you plan to bring in the better. P.S. TDDI has local branch offices in major cities . Perhaps your mom can make an appointment at a nearby branch to discuss her situation, show them what assets she has, negotiate a transfer fee rebate and sign all the paperwork in one go. I agree. This reminds me that some years ago I wanted my CIBC index fund (low MER) at CIBC moved to my TD Webbroker account (from CIBC) - TD offered to cover any CIBC charges for moving and closing CIBC. In addition I received personal telephone call from CIBC to try and keep my account - back then my RRSP fund with CIBC index assets w...
by George$
31 Jul 2014 09:54
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2014)
Replies: 576
Views: 53785

Re: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2014)

If I understand it correctly - 1.3% is the general saving account return - BUT - PCF will give 2% saving account return (0.7 bonus) as of Aug 1 on new moneys (money added above the July 25 balance -if so I should have taken all out on July 24?)) - Tangerine will give 2.5% saving account return (1.2% bonus) as of Aug 1 on new money (money added above the April ? balance) First statement, you are correct on both counts. Second statement, as I write, the Tangerine bonus runs out tomorrow. Chances are good they will continue to match PCF, but nothing out yet. It remains to be seen what the reference date for new moneys will be (my bet: either July 25 or 31). What to do now: if don't already have one, open an account at PCF and Tangerine where ...
by George$
30 Jul 2014 15:55
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2014)
Replies: 576
Views: 53785

Re: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2014)

Hopefully somebody understands it better than I do. Naturally, like everyone else I want to maximize the interest return on free cash - but not lock it in. My situation. - I have 3 different banks holding free cash in saving accounts - TB bank - PCF bank (CIBC) - and Tangerine bank (BNS). And some new rules coming shortly - like on August 1. If I understand it correctly - 1.3% is the general saving account return - BUT - PCF will give 2% saving account return (0.7 bonus) as of Aug 1 on new moneys (money added above the July 25 balance -if so I should have taken all out on July 24?)) - Tangerine will give 2.5% saving account return (1.2% bonus) as of Aug 1 on new money (money added above the April ? balance) - TD - not sure but don't think t...
by George$
14 Jul 2014 06:18
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Best Credit Card
Replies: 844
Views: 90577

Re: Best Credit Card

On the Amazon VISA credit card - I both like it and dislike it.

Last summer we were in Europe. I got an Amazon card - piled it up with money to avoid paying interest on taking out Euro withdrawals. Worked great.

But months later I discovered they cannot handle automatic payment via our bank - I need to do it. Annoying for me and a "dislike". Our TD VISA credit card is better on this.

:wink:
by George$
14 Jul 2014 06:08
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer
Replies: 23
Views: 3131

Re: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer

slim wrote: ... Would the idea be to live on this amount of money? (plus the interest on the fixed income side) Which would be very simple, if you had enough invested......

But nobody has any certainty on the future - what the market will do - what inflation will do - the economy? etc We can never know the future.

True - in the recent past inflation has been low and stable - but that could change completely.

My view is to hope for the best - but also prepare for the worst.

Hope that makes sense ... :wink:
by George$
14 Jul 2014 06:00
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer
Replies: 23
Views: 3131

Re: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer

... When I first read the first part of you post I thought it was simplicity you wanted but really you want to get on the latest and greatest investing fad broad based indexing with ETF's. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I'm sure FWF members on here could come up with some ways to simplify an individual stock portfolio or run a combination of the two. (delay taxation) ... Brian - I don't understand the logic or reasoning in your words. Might you explain more. Later again I don't understand the reason for saying ... .... for someone without any CG switching strategies after 50 years (even if it’s to a good one) may be ok but if he's done well as he has said there must be some huge CG's in there. ... I'm thinking there are two...
by George$
13 Jul 2014 09:53
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer
Replies: 23
Views: 3131

Re: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer

On another front - I'm still trying to educate some charitable donation institutions - that have to handle my MSFT share donations to them. :roll: Yup. While the discount brokers generally transfer donated shares to charities without fees, the charities themselves remain vulnerable to high fees imposed by their brokers. CRA requires that you donate shares in-kind in order not to be liable for capital gains tax. The charities are required to sell those shares as soon as they receive them. So there is no choice but to let the charity's ("full service!") broker feast on much higher brokerage fees and FX vig than you'd attract if you could DIY. Yup yup Bylo. Two points. Why pay $100+ to sell the shares - as most charity institutions ...
by George$
12 Jul 2014 17:09
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer
Replies: 23
Views: 3131

Re: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer

Again much thanks to Adrian and to Longinvest - for the links.

I'm quite familiar with bank currency charges - and how to avoid them - some decades ago - some more recent - like using Amazon credit card when travelling in Europe last summer, etc. On another front - I'm still trying to educate some charitable donation institutions - that have to handle my MSFT share donations to them. :roll:
by George$
12 Jul 2014 14:55
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer
Replies: 23
Views: 3131

Re: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer

Thanks to both Shakes and longinvest. I'm guilty of not doing my homework - that I should do. So thank you. I may be guilty here again. First of all I understand why similar Vanguard ETFs will have higher MERs in Canada than in the US. Obvious reasons - US market is much bigger, started earlier, the registration costs in Canada for 11 provinces is horrible, etc I must confess I am not up on some of the tax issues mentioned in other postings. So let me ask the following - via similar ETFs in Canada and the US. Canada VXC vs in the US for VT. VXC at 0.25% management fee and VT at 0.18%. And VXC is just starting - but VT already at about $5.3 billion in assets. My question - what are the tax differences for the two - for registered RRSP or RRI...
by George$
12 Jul 2014 09:39
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer
Replies: 23
Views: 3131

Vanguard-Canada-ETF => Overview and Primer

Looking for your thoughts. I would like to simplify my investment holdings. I am almost 74 now. Even though I think I know quite a bit about investing (but not everything :roll: ) and done very well in investing over the past 50 years - I now want to simplify our portfolio. I have been a DIY for decades - and not seeking managers. Vanguard ETFs are my choice (Vanguard ETFs - both US ETFs and Canadian ETFs are available - but NOT Vanguard mutual funds in Canada) - for their dependable low cost and for their integrity. Today we hold 5 Vanguard ETFs (VCE, VEA, VBR, VOE, VT) - plus about 58 other individual stocks. I have not bought or sold any shares for several years now. Some of course are a capital gains problem - like MSFT where my cost wa...
by George$
29 Jun 2014 13:13
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: New Ontario Pension
Replies: 77
Views: 4421

Re: New Ontario Pension

.... It's complicated. CPP is not fully funded. I should have been more clear about that and tracked down more than what I had remembered. Sorry. ... My views - "fully funded" or "surplus" or "deficit" in a DB pension is more than complicated - it is misleading and confusing - :evil: What does "fully funded" mean? Isn't this a key question? Of course one compares assets and liabilities - what Liabilities? Do we mean - Liabilities - referred to as "solvency' - but often not including inflation cost or - Liabilities - referred to as "windup" solvency cost - this includes inflation promises or - Liabilities - referred to as "going concern" into the future - with numerous actuari...
by George$
29 Jun 2014 11:15
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: New Ontario Pension
Replies: 77
Views: 4421

Re: New Ontario Pension

Young people vote overwhelmingly Liberal / NDP. It would be very easy to rob them and not face a backlash at the ballot box. .... EXACTLY! So pleased to see others seeing this - goes with other similar words, like - like "intergenerational transfer". I recently presented a powerpoint with the following Conclusions & thoughts - on the UofT pension Urgent need for low cost and effectiveness - in management and in the investment process. Need for truth, simplicity, clarity and understandability Avoid unfair intergenerational or individual transfer of pension assets. Need for a “shared future risk” – between pension plan members and pension sponsors – the future is always uncertain and will always remain so. ** Note: - My own pen...
by George$
28 Jun 2014 11:11
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Better than index funds: Buy a conglomerate’s stock
Replies: 9
Views: 1602

Re: Better than index funds: Buy a conglomerate’s stock

Hi Norm - if you see this maybe you can explain something I don't understand or disagree with you - What do you mean by the words "a single bad bet ..." in -
The firm is stronger than the sum of its parts in many ways, but a single bad bet could conceivably bring the whole thing down.
One bad company in a mutual fund does not bring the "whole thing down" - or does it? How?
by George$
28 Jun 2014 10:27
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Better than index funds: Buy a conglomerate’s stock
Replies: 9
Views: 1602

Better than index funds: Buy a conglomerate’s stock

Methinks today's article by our Norm in Globe&Mail newspaper needs a separate thread - interesting topic that I have been practicing for some time - both Berkshire and Fairfax are two of my largest holdings. Suggest you read Norm's :thumbsup: article.

On web is called - Better than index funds: Buy a conglomerate’s stock

In the Globe the same article is called - Diversify and have Warren Buffett as your manager
Nonetheless, Berkshire Hathaway represents an interesting option for cost-conscious investors who want to pick up a diversified collection of businesses in one handy package.
by George$
27 Jun 2014 11:39
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Clippings 2014
Replies: 290
Views: 30096

Re: Clippings 2014

https://secure.globeadvisor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/gam/20140627/RBMPIKETTYPAYDAYS Again Eric Reguly worth reading - here on "Of Piketty and paydays" - a few words The rich and the super-rich are getting richer. We all know that. The question is why? Every economist on the planet has a theory. Some blame waning productivity gains or workers' losing their war with the robots. Others argue that the "offshoring" of jobs has suppressed wages, still others that lower taxes on capital gains have benefited the investing class. Thomas Piketty, the suddenly famous French economist whose bestselling book, Capital in the Twenty-First Century, has fired up the wealth-gap debate around the world, argues that the inequalities in...
by George$
25 Jun 2014 21:31
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: New Ontario Pension
Replies: 77
Views: 4421

Re: New Ontario Pension

NormR wrote:Looks like Mitzie Hunter will be in charge of setting up the made-in-Ontario pension plan
...
So, a recent MBA is in charge of the new pension scheme. What could possibly go wrong?

Didn't they have someone with a little more experience?
I think (hope?) it depends on her selection of advisors and common sense - and I'm quite impressed with Kathleen Wynne - thus remain optimistic for the time being with Mitzie Hunter.

Sure hope they don't (like Harper has) go for the advice from the managers who are making big $ bonuses.
by George$
24 Jun 2014 10:47
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: How much in high yield stocks?
Replies: 83
Views: 5346

Re: How much in high yield stocks?

Flaccidsteele wrote: ....
As it stands right now, I may be retired but my portfolio is still stuck in 'accumulation' phase. Or perhaps it has always been stuck in 'retirement' phase. Either way, for me, the phases are the same.
...
I'm retired, age 73 - and I'm also stuck in 'accumulation' phase - if it can be called that. It sounds like we have kindred spirits.

Must read more of this thread ... :roll:
by George$
11 Jun 2014 15:47
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Buffett Buffet
Replies: 806
Views: 247088

Re: Buffett Buffet

Another article by Porter Stansberry - on Buffett (thanks to kcowan - :wink: ) Porter Stansberry: I've uncovered a shocking secret about Warren Buffett -- From Porter Stansberry in The S&A Digest: and a bit One last secret. Bloomberg recently broke the story that Buffett now holds less than 20% of Berkshire’s portfolio in bonds. The allocation had fallen to around 15% by the end of last year. Since 2009 (when I began warning about “The End of America” scenario of soaring inflation and the collapse of the U.S. dollar as the world’s reserve currency), Buffett has always been stridently warning about an imminent collapse in bonds - any wisdom out there? :shock: Added later - CAUTION - from - Wikipedia - Frank Porter Stansberry is an Americ...
by George$
11 Jun 2014 14:32
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Buffett Buffet
Replies: 806
Views: 247088

Re: Buffett Buffet

kcowan wrote:This is a piece on how to avoid the adverse effects of inflation:
...

Thanks. Enjoyed it - and it made me find the source reference ... A Much Better Inflation Hedge Than Gold Stocks
By Porter Stansberry -- Wednesday, March 27, 2013
by George$
10 Jun 2014 21:53
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Symbol-FFH)
Replies: 172
Views: 31228

Re: Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited (Symbol-FFH)

A comment and question about Fairfax and Prem Watsa.

I am a long term holder - but I look to see what markets are doing from day to day - via a financial google summary of my portfolio.

Fairfax is bouncing around (bouncing much more than Bershire or MSFT - my other two major holds) - but overall up 32% from my purchase. My take - Watsa is smart and is betting against the equity market - betting we are in a market equity bubble. Although he has lost on this over the last several years - he may do well if the market goes down the tube. Any thoughts on this?

I'm a holder but time will tell if this was wise.

Up today 2.56% to $516 per share. Could be in reverse again tomorrow - :lol:
by George$
09 Jun 2014 10:23
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Any use to anybody?
Replies: 24
Views: 4022

Re: Any use to anybody?

Peculiar_Investor wrote:Poking Norbert, http://libra-investments.com/prefs/quikpik.html is stuck, last "weekly update" was 2014-05-03.
Huh - :? - can you remind me what this is for - I always try to understand what Norbert is doing for us - :thumbsup:
by George$
25 May 2014 12:30
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Portfolio from scratch: Your recommendations?
Replies: 20
Views: 1907

Re: Portfolio from scratch: Your recommendations?

Shakespeare wrote: ... Hedging adds significant costs in the form of tracking errors. Most of us avoid it. ...

I don't hedge for the "cost" reason - but I have not read anything that discusses the hedging cost. Any good reading suggestions would be welcome?
Thanks.

Another thought. I recall talking about this with Francis Chou. I think his reason for offering hedging is to avoid (or minimize?) mutual fund withdrawals due to what looks like a poor investment result - but is really the volatility that can be caused by significant foreign exchange changes
by George$
24 May 2014 10:19
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Blackrock gives existing shareholders the finger
Replies: 17
Views: 2568

Re: Blackrock gives existing shareholders the finger

Today's Globe and Mail - re Blackrock and its CEO Larry Fink World’s largest asset manager rails against companies’ short-term thinking I found it interesting but still keeps me wondering - does one bet on Blackrock shares OR its ETF funds?? - I think neither. Some words from the G&M article - “We need executives in business to start focusing on what is right in the long run,” he said. It’s not just chief executive officers. Mr. Fink is exasperated by investors who are too easily spooked by transitory events and sell their shares, forgetting that they were purchased to fund some far-off goal like retirement. And he’s not pleased with the news media for its second-by-second obsession with what each tiny event means for investments. “Soci...
by George$
22 May 2014 09:03
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Clippings 2014
Replies: 290
Views: 30096

Re: Clippings 2014

Just given:

The Many Errors Of The "Active vs. Passive" Debate -
First, there is NO fund manager alive that can beat an index fund every year, year-after-year, over a long time period even if they simply mimicking the index. This is clearly shown by comparing the Vanguard S&P 500 Index fund as compared to the S&P 500 Index.
by George$
22 May 2014 08:50
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: New Doc's Canadian ETF Portfolio Advice
Replies: 41
Views: 7575

Re: New Doc's Canadian ETF Portfolio Advice

ig17 wrote: ...

BTW, my wife and I are on track to retire at 50. "Running very fast on a slow treadmill" -- what an offensive way to put it -- worked just fine for our family.
:) I'm curious. What do you mean by "retire"?
Quit a job you don't like? Take endless cruises? Watch TV all day? or etc