Ellen Roseman

This company has been around for 20 years offering low-cost online wills and power of attorney forms. I spoke to the CEO on my podcast. If you want to compare the providers of online will kits in Canada, here’s an article at the Retire Happy blog by…

Don’t blame the homeowners for not anticipating higher rates on variable mortgages. In this post, Leslie S. looks at the guidance provided to borrowers by Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem, such as, “you can be confident rates will be low for a…

Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan took a $95-million write down on its investment in the crypto currency exchange FTX. What can we as individual investors learn from this event? 1. Picking stocks is really hard - even well-established investment firms…

An excellent commentary by FAIR Canada on a consumer protection initiative by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario. In an attempt to raise the standards for financial advisors and planners, it actually lowered them. Why did FSRA…

When storied news anchor Lisa LaFlamme’s contract was ended by the network after letting her hair go grey, Unilever (Dove) and The Wendy's Company were quick to jump on the #KeeptheGrey movement. What went right? What went wrong?    Introducing our…

Urgent! You Really Need a Will

What is the future of money? Is cash going the way of the dodo? Will it be replaced by cryptocurrency and electronic transfers sent online? I’ll be the moderator of a panel discussion at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, taking place on Tuesday,…

An important new study by the investor Office at the OSC. Looks at how gamification techniques can be used to influence retail investors’ behaviour in both positive and negative ways.

Trading platforms that reward do-it-yourself investors through “gamification” strategies are increasing the risk of losses in online portfolios.

How can this shameful situation continue to exist in Canada? The Ombudsman has a skilled staff, familiar with calculating investors’ losses arising from poor financial advice. Why should financial institutions be allowed to negotiate lower than…

Self-Directed Investing and Online Brokerages

"According to J.D. Power, only 14% of investors using 'full-service' advisors are getting comprehensive financial advice." With 300,000+ "financial advisors", this implies about 45,000 are actually focused on advice... "The Holistic Advisor…

FAIR Canada continues to shine a light on issues that can help investors stay informed about their rights and protecting themselves from harm. In our October newsletter, we discuss regulators clamping down on misleading social media “finfluencers”…

Recent surveys from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA) and the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) suggest many Canadians are overconfident in their financial knowledge. Seventy-eight percent of CPA survey respondents felt…

You covered a lot of ground in a short time, Laurie, offering good advice to borrowers about lenders to avoid. You have a tough message to deliver right now because the economic outlook isn’t promising. Things will get worse before they get…

Do you have books taking over your home or office? Do you try to trim them back? Not an easy task.

“a rubber stamp for the status quo.” This is why Dan Hallett, CFA, CFP and I get along. We even us the same language. #regulation #financialadvisor #financialplanner

"I hope this is a record I hold for a very short period of time, and can't wait to cheer on whoever holds it next." She was told her idea was "too niche". She was told it would make a good "lifestyle business". She was dismissed by investors who…

It’s taken me a few days to process what has happened in SW Florida. The destruction and sheer catastrophe in Fort Myers is near and dear to my heart. As many of you know, I have made Fort Myers my second home since 2008. My family took up roots…

Our Money Stories And How They Affect Our Finances