Can investing in low volatility ETFs actually be the proverbial 'free lunch'? Is it actually possible to improve returns and reduce risk?

Our guest on the show is Chris Heakes, Director & Portfolio Manager at BMO Global Asset Management. Chris and I take a deep dive on low volatility exchange-traded funds. We discuss what they are, how they work, how they've performed, and how they can actually help investors to achieve their goals.

Finally, we address what’s going on in the markets, why low volatility investments have become a critical part of so many investors' portfolios and how you can incorporate it into your strategy.

I can still remember that morning in March 1994 when I walked into my new office and began my career as an advisor. This year in 2024, I'm proud to celebrate my 30th anniversary as a wealth advisor. I'd like to think that I have learned a few good lessons throughout my career. So in honour of my 30 years as a wealth advisor, I'm sharing my top 30 lessons for investor success.

Empty Nesting Done Right.

In this episode of Living Richer, I share with you the top lessons I have learned from the world's best investor – Warren Buffett. His advice is pretty simple and definitely worth a listen for any investor.

Finding the right wealth advisor is a consequential decision and one that shouldn’t be rushed into. It’s a relationship that will hopefully last for years and have a big impact on your long-term financial wellbeing. But how do you go about finding the right person?

In today’s episode, I’m going to break down for you the key steps to take and share what I believe are the 10 most important questions to ask a prospective advisor. We’ll also talk about the red flags you should watch out for, so that by the end of this episode, you’ll feel well-equipped to begin your search.

2023 was a year of rapidly rising interest rates and inflation that has forced us all to consider cost-saving opportunities. That’s where tax planning come in - after all, it’s not what you make, it’s what you keep! As we approach year-end, there are a few strategies that you might want to take advantage of to reduce your current and future tax bill. In this episode we’ll cover:

• Important tax dates (2:50)
• Where to get started (4:52)
• Important moves to consider (6:42)
• Reviewing your portfolio’s tax efficiency (9:45)
• Retirement planning (12:19)
• Education funding options (14:42)
• Estate planning & charitable giving (16:41)

If you’re in a high tax bracket and looking for ways to minimize this cost, don’t miss this episode!

You can find our comprehensive “2023 Year-End Tax Planning Opportunities” guide under our “Tools & Resources” under the “Knowledge Centre” tab.

With higher inflation, higher interest rates, a potential recession on the horizon and economic headlines flooded with negativity, many are feeling scared and concerned about their financial future.

In this episode, Mark, and Living Richer team member, Carol Da Silva discuss address the concerns they’ve been hearing from clients and listeners, and discuss the best way to move forward. They talk about the importance of having a solid financial plan, when to re-evaluate your goals, important things to consider when reviewing your budget and strategies for retirees, drawing from investments.

For many homeowners, financing their retirement will require accessing the equity in their single largest asset - which means selling their house. In addition to the financial considerations, aging in place also has important physical and social challenges.

In this episode, Mark connects with Michael Shuster a senior’s real estate specialist. They discuss the antiquated stigma that has traditionally been associated with retirement homes, important considerations to take into account when making the decision to down-size, the biggest challenges that seniors face when going through this process, and how their adult children (or grandchildren) can help them overcome these.

Lastly, Michael shares his top tips for maximizing the value of your home so that you can be in the best financial position to afford your ideal retirement lifestyle.

For additional resources, check out our blog post “Helping Seniors Downsize”.

When planning for retirement, most people don't focus on health concerns, yet the reality is that seven out of 10 people over 65 will eventually need long-term care. This can have a major impact not only for an individual but also for the entire family.

In this podcast, Mark interviews elder care consultant, Jeanette Bock, CPCA. Jeanette works with seniors and families to guide them through the many life choices they face as they age. During our discussion, Jeanette shares her top planning tips to ensure you or an aging loved one can make informed decisions to ease life transitions.

If you’re looking for more resources on this topic, check out our blog post “Planning for Your Later Years”.