Posts by shelby@shelbyart.com

It’s a fair question but not one easily answered.  Far too many considerations to throw numbers out to the masses. Let’s consider the “risk-free” rate of return.  We’ll call this the rate the bank would give you in a cashable GIC with full CDIC protection.  It’s a little less than the rate of reported inflation…

It took a long time for me to come around but on whole, I prefer monthly obligations.  At least for those things I would deem needs.  For those on a fixed but modest income monthly billing can make a lot of sense and is my recommendation to clients where appropriate. Sure, there are those diligent…

At some point, this question comes to everyone’s mind.  Many nearing retirement never really thought about it.  Like most, they just got busy with life until one day they described the number of cheques they were due in months rather than years. If you are already retired with no prospect of gaining additional income you…

Chances are you have one or more in your wallet and a new pre-approval in your mailbox.  This financial toll booth is nearing a necessity in today’s society. Unless you live in a home still surrounded by a moat it’s pretty difficult to get by without one.  Airlines, hotels and car rental agencies are pretty…

If it stands to reason that some may choose to unlock a portion of their equity in their homes to meet the demands of longevity it must also mean that a much larger portion should look to increase their cash flow by all means.  One such opportunity to do so would be to participate in…

The passing of former Finance Minister Jim Flaherty got me to thinking about the subject of legacies.  At the age of 64 his life ended far too soon.  He oversaw many new programs including the Tax Free Savings Account and Registered Disability Savings Programs and was one of the steadiest hands on the levers that…

Along with millions of Canadians I followed the Winter Olympics with great interest. In terms of medal count, Russia was tops.  This is part of their legacy along with the unfathomable $51 plus billion they spent for the right to have games in the mother land.  Canada managed third as the Own the Podium campaign…

There are many reasons to consider the purchase of life insurance.  For those in retirement, I can think of 4 primary reasons; 1) to maximize the value of an estate 2) to equalize an estate as in the case of a blended-marriage 3) to provide proceeds immediately or privately without having to wait for probate…

You’ve likely seen the ads of “David.”  He’s the smooth talking, white-haired gentlemen promising high returns, no risk and his personal guarantee.  In one ad he proclaims that, “you couldn’t stop me anyways, it happens all the time,” before boarding his yacht and sailing off with all your money. The ads are often humorous and…

$200 Billion Buoyed by strong returns across all sectors this is the latest estimate of what the Canada Pension Plan is currently worth. It’s big, it’s prominent and it is run by a large and sophisticated organization known as the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB).   They in turn subcontract various portfolios to chosen experts…