If there’s one key word to describe financial markets during the past 12 months it’s disruption. This is because new opportunities and novel challenges worldwide have established themselves in the midst of varying levels of lockdowns and restrictions around the world.
One incredibly impactful change was the Bank of Canada’s decision in March 2020 to slash and now commit to its historically low rate of the “effective lower bound of ¼ percent” for the indefinite future. This decision resets and changes the game for many of the assumptions and predictions that you may have about investing and saving.
If you…
When I start discussions about investing or financial planning, I find that nearly every client I serve is concerned about the “market crashing” or “losing all their money.” This is called market risk (or systematic risk by some), and for sure it’s a risk and we definitely stress test for it. Some more experienced investors will discuss systemic risk, like what happened with the Lehman Brothers in 2008. And to be sure there many other types of risks the deeper you go.
However, I’ve found that few realize the true impact of inflation risk and how it effects their portfolio…
“PayPal had these goals of creating a new currency. We failed at that, and we just created a new payment system. I think Bitcoin has succeeded on the level of a new currency, but the payment system is somewhat lacking. It’s very hard to use, and that’s the big challenge on the Bitcoin side.”
Peter Thiel, a Co-Founder of PayPal
What is cryptocurrency?
Really, cryptocurrency is a funny thing. It’s made headlines for making people millionaires overnight, and companies worth billions that haven’t even launched a service or product. …
My IG Advantage
As a financial planner, I work with sophisticated investors who appreciate the value of good advice and professionally managed portfolio construction, yet also want the flexibility and “automation” (if you will) of discretionary management in order to take advantage of new investment opportunities as they arise in North American and global markets.
As I talk with clients who weren’t 100% with their previous advisors, I notice again and again that the caliber of access to global asset managers I can provide them access to is simply unparalleled, and this is something I remind myself to not assume that prospective investors…
“PayPal had these goals of creating a new currency. We failed at that, and we just created a new payment system. I think Bitcoin has succeeded on the level of a new currency, but the payment system is somewhat lacking. It’s very hard to use, and that’s the big challenge on the Bitcoin side.”
Peter Thiel, a Co-Founder of PayPal
What is cryptocurrency?
Really, cryptocurrency is a funny thing. It’s made headlines for making people millionaires overnight, and companies worth billions that haven’t even launched a service or product. …
If you are someone with a successful business or high income right now who has weathered well, or even prospered, during the COVID-19 pandemic and you have a desire to do good in our world, then this is an important article to read.
It’s almost a cliche to say it, but it’s the truth. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic North America, and much of the world, is facing a crisis. …
Retirement means the beginning of a new journey in your life.
If you are a pre- or recent retiree and are not 100% how to avoid “underliving” due to fear of overspending, or are not totally sure how to find purpose in your new phase of life, then this will be an important article to read.
Despite common perceptions, retirement should NOT mean the end of using your time, skills, and talents to solve complex problems or create inspiring art. To be sure, there’s nothing wrong with putting on sandals and relaxing at the beach longer than usual. …
Here are two statements, one brief, the other not-so-brief, let’s call it.
- “The sky is blue”
- “Despite common belief, colour is not an objective data point. Rather, it’s a visual property that is only perceived through specific physiological and cognitive processes, and it’s largely shaped by visual contexts. So, when the sun’s light particles hit the Earth’s atmosphere and travel through various gases and other matter, those with short and small waves are scattered more widely. The result is that humans visually perceive the “expanse of air” above us (phenomenologically speaking) as “blue” in standard English.
Naively, one may claim…
David Sigrist
Entrepreneur, Linguist, Financial Consultant
