www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, December 27, 2012 · 46 Year roundup: the Top 10 tips and advice from 2012 S ince this is the last column of the year, we'll summarize the Top 10 articles of 2012. We define Top 10 as the 10 financial coaching topics most useful to readers when managing their own financial objectives. · One: Beware of hidden investment fees. Canada has some of the most expensive investment fees in the world. Being hidden makes it difficult for investors to understand how much these fees erode investment returns. Low interest rates and volatile stock markets mean now, in bignamessmalltheatre T H E O A women. Retirement planning is a delicate balancing act between your amount of wealth and life expectancy. Women live longer lives, therefore, they face more financial risk during their final years. · Four: Beware of the K V I L L E C E N T R E F O R T H E P E R F O R M I N G A R T S real estate bubble. Many people think real estate Paradiso Restaurant presents will always appre THE NUMBER 14 ciate in value, but Friday January 25, 2013 it's just another asset class. All "Delightful, dazzling, brilliant...astounding! This bus ride is so exhilarating that you investments can don't really care where you get off." go up and down. ~ New York Daily News Europe and the U.S. have demonstrated how Oakville Nissan presents quickly real estate PETER & THE WOLF particular, is not a time you can afford to over-pay on fees because they will erode the value of your portfolio. · Two: Baby boomers should carefully plan for retirement because they will retire at a time when life expectancy is as long as it has ever been. The greatest financial risk for boomers is running out of money during retirement. · Three: Women live longer than men, so any potential retirement problems men might have are significantly more of a threat to Dollars & Sense By Peter Watson values can decline. When interest rates eventually increase, mortgages will be more expensive with the likelihood of putting downward pressure on house prices. · Five: Change the relationship you have with your advisor for the better. Be pro-active and make sure your advisor understands your needs. · Six: Trust your instincts because you are smarter than you think. Investors do not always understand the specifics of an investment strategy but you should be guided by your instincts. This is particularly relevant if you feel uneasy about anything you are doing. · Seven: There are pitfalls to running out of money during retirement because of overspending. The Governor of the Bank of Canada and our Minister of Finance have both warned about the dangers of overspending. Personal debt levels are at a historic high and many older Canadians will enter retirement with debt. When interest rates rise, this is going to harm many families. · Eight: Investors who attempt to outsmart the market and aim for superior returns by engaging in active trading or hiring expensive investment managers are likely going to be disappointed with their results. The science of investing has shown, through extensive academic research, this conventional approach does not usually add any value. · Nine: Retirement planning should be done by forecasting future cash flow sources of income and expenses. The arithmetic is not that difficult and without that detail, your retirement dream is downgraded to just a retirement hope. It is too important not to ask your advisor to forecast your financial future. · Ten: This is the same as the first -- high and hidden investment fees. There are potential changes coming to the investment services business that will help investors to clearly see and understand their investment fees. To repeat what was said in an August column: how could this have taken so long? So that concludes the final column of 2012. We hope you have enjoyed the advice given and that it has helped you with your investments and financial planning. We wish you all the best. Happy New Year. -- Submitted by Peter Watson, MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI. Sunday January 27, 2013 "...a stunningly picturesque and musical play that brings young audiences into deep connection with the wonders of music." ~ KEVIN BRUCE, kbamonline.com BOxiNG BOxiNG BOxiNG Oakville Infiniti presents PEGGY BAKER Lose Weight, FeeL great in 2013 WEEk EEk WEE SpEcial Sp cial START YOUR GOODLIFE TODAY * Saturday February 9, 2013 "Like fine wine, she gets better with age... today her dancing embraces the power of stillness and the resonance of silence." ~ MICHAEL CRABB, National Post No MoNey DowN No eNrolMeNt! 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