Tag Archives: Rob Carrick

The Best Retirement Plan is to be Debt Free

Continuing on with our theme of tackling debt this month, tune in to this podcast by two of our favourite personal financial educators – Jim Yih of retirehappy.ca, and Rob Carrick of the Globe and Mail. Jim has written a great article about how debt has become big business for the lenders, and why debt reduction needs to be a priority.

Next time you go to the bank, think about what is really in YOUR best interest, not what just sounds easy and helps the bank make more money. Jim sums it up effectively, “Less debt is better than more but the best debt of all is no debt!”

Book Review – Good, Bad & Downright Awful in Canadian Investments Today

Good, Bad & Downright Awful in Canadian Investments Today by Rob CarrickGood, Bad & Downright Awful in Canadian Investments Today
by Rob Carrick (Personal Financial writer at the Globe & Mail)

Written in 2010, post the financial market debacle of 2008-2009, this book offers a straight talking, no-nonsense, opinionated approach of the investment industry and particularly the various types of investment products. Filled with plenty of on-line resources, it’s a good read, with the benefit of hindsight for some key learning from the last downturn.

Who should read this book?

People looking for a better foundation of investment principles, knowledge, a better understanding of financial verbiage, lessons learned from the last downturn and people who are thinking of opening an on-line brokerage account a.k.a “do-it-yourselfers”.

Key points & take-aways

  • Chapters on Mutual Funds, Stocks, ETFs, Bonds, GICs, Do-it-yourself investing, Investment Advisors and additional resources
  • Suggestions on essential building blocks of a portfolio
  • Solid, low-fee mutual fund investment company recommendations for those looking for help
  • Lessons taught by the 2008-2009 stock market meltdown
  • Cautions regarding traditional Bond mutual funds
  • Reasons to consider becoming a DIY’s & some advice for “novices”
  • Ten traits of a good/bad Advisor
  • Tons of on-line resource information for you to do your own homework!

Renee Verret Money Coach in Toronto ONReviewed by Renée Verret, BComm, Certified Money Coach