Natasha DiCienzo, Wealth Advisor

07/04/2022

The good news about weak markets is the future reward.

Though we might not be through our current bout of volatility, drawdowns like the one we are experiencing tend to increase future returns dramatically. Stay the course on long-term investments and see the benefits in the years to come.
Stocks are trading at discounted future price earnings and many are trading below value of cash and short term investments.

From our June 2022 Newsletter.

05/30/2022

This topic has come up so many times in the last couple months.... Should we give money to our kids now or should we wait?

We have 3 questions to ask before making the decision to gift a significant amount now instead of through a will:
1) Have you done a financial plan to make sure you can afford the gift?
2) Are you ready to give up control?
3) Are there concerns to protect funds from divorce or creditors?

This is an older article but has quality, relevant information.

There are emotional and financial advantages to providing a living inheritance, experts say

05/02/2022

Check out our April Newsletter.
We cover:
- Recent market volatility
- Are markets "cheap" yet
- The coming "First Time Home Savings Account"

Market update: I invite you to catch up on the most recent edition of Portfolio Perspectives. Recent market volatility is from concerns of rising interest rates, inflation, and oil prices. We have seen these concerns show in pricing across equity, housing, and fixed income markets. Equity prices may...

04/25/2022

While today's uncertain macroeconomic environment is creating risk for securities - especially fixed-rate assets- it's also generating opportunities for investors able to withstand a bumpy ride. Remain disciplined and focused on reaching your long-term goals.

With this chart, I would say, that the point of maximum fear, is also the point of maximum reward.

03/23/2022

Interest rates are rising and Scotiabank has increased their rate forecast to 3.0% by 2023.

Our best advise when investing and living in a rising rate environment:
- Stay away from longer-term bonds, consider a laddered bond strategy or short-dated bonds instead
- Look to stocks: stocks that are positively correlated with rising rates are generally financials, consumer products, retailers, and industrials
- Higher risk stocks and bonds will see effects of rising rates more than high quality stocks and bonds. Cash-rich, low debt companies will prove to do well in comparison.
- Review your mortgage with a mortgage broker and your financial advisor

If rising interest rates make you nervous, make sure to speak to a financial professional about your situation.

One of Canada’s largest banks just made the most aggressive interest rate forecast yet. Scotiabank now sees the Bank of Canada (BoC) overnight rate hitting 3.0% by next year. The bank acknowledges it’s an aggressive call, but it’s needed to control inflation. They feel the BoC kept rates too l...

03/01/2022

This Saturday March 5th I'm speaking at the Women in Capital Markets Wealth Management Career Day.
Do you know or are you a student interested in a career in wealth management? This event is free and open to students of all genders.

WCM & Manulife present Wealth Management Career DayJoin WCM virtually on Saturday, March 5th, 2022 from 12-3 pm ET for the first Wealth Management Career...

02/08/2022

March 1, 2022 is the deadline to contribute to your RRSP for the 2021 tax year! The amount you can contribute this year depends on your income and RRSP room (max 2021 room of $27,830).

As long as you have the available RRSP room, any money you put into an RRSP before March 1, 2022 will deducted from your taxable income from 2021 and either reduce your tax bill or result in a bigger tax refund for you!
This flow-chart was created to get you thinking and not to provide actual direction. Have you done a financial plan incorporating your TFSA, RRSP, and corporation? Curious what your money means to you in 10, 20, 30+ years?

RRSP quick facts: https://enrichedthinking.scotiawealthmanagement.com/2021/12/13/rrsp-quick-facts/resource-link/pdf/

01/31/2022

I love this meme.
Everyone should have a financial plan. Take control of your life and your finances. There is no time like the present to plan for your dream working life and retirement life.

01/21/2022

"How Often Should You Expect a Stock Market Correction?"

"Since 1950, The S&P500 has had an average drawdown of 13.6% over the course of a calendar year.

Over this 72 year period, based on my calculations, there have been 36 double-digit corrections, 10 bear markets and 6 crashes.

This means, on average the S&P500 has experienced:
- a correction once every 2 years (10%+)
- a bear market once every 7 years (20%+)
- a crash every 12 years (30%+) "

Seeing through the volatility in markets and sticking with your investment philosophy is what will reward you in the long-term.

How Often Should You Expect a Stock Market Correction? Posted January 20, 2022 by Ben Carlson A reader asks: I just started investing in 2020 and this is my first real correction. I know downturns are inevitable but how much longer do you think this can last? Should I change the way I invest now tha...

01/19/2022

Do you know what you're paying in tax? Do you have a plan for how to minimize your total tax in your lifetime?

Knowing your marginal tax bracket can be useful in planning how much you should contribute to RRSPs in a year or how much you should pay yourself from your business.
The RRSP deadline is March 1, 2022 to offset income from 2021.

It's a great time to plan for your RRSP contribution and to ensure your business is paying you enough personally.

Understanding these numbers:
These are the MARGINAL tax brackets you pay on the dollars between each bracket.
Note that the first $10,880 you make is tax free in Ontario and the first $13,808 (for taxpayers with a net income of $151,978 or less) is tax free from a federal tax perspective.

01/11/2022

We took some time New Years Day to write a short 2021 markets in review and to share our 2022 outlook.

Looking back, some highlights include:

- Our team acted on the inflation trend in Q1 of 2021 by reducing our fixed income exposure. Where appropriate we shifted further into equities and alternatives.

Looking Forward:

- We are not concerned with long-term inflation or significant increases in interest rates.

- Government has shifted a significant amount of risk from individuals and corporations into their own hands. This should help to sustain markets and the economy into the coming few years.

2021 in review: U.S. and Canadian markets were higher in 2021, marking a third straight year of positive gains for both the U.S. and Canada. Record high markets were fueled by fiscal stimulus, expansion of government balance sheets, and stable financial conditions (like ultra-low interest rates). Re...

01/04/2022

It's 2022, that means Canadians can add another $6,000 to their TFSAs!

TFSAs are great for investors of all ages. Not sure what types of investment are suitable for a TFSA or how to fit a TFSA in your retirement or estate plan? Contact our team.

Please note: if you became a resident of Canada after age 18, after 2009, or were an established resident of another country after age 18 or 2009 this contribution room may be different for you.