Where Should I Buy My RRSP GICs in My Brokerage Account or At a Bank or Credit Union?

I may have to open a regular RRSP account at Oaken Financial to buy my fixed income GICs.

Get a Guaranteed CDIC Insured 9.75 % Return On Your 3 Year GIC !

Watch out for misleading and tricky advertising for GIC interest rates before you lock your money up at a loss.

With the Bank of Canada Increasing Rates Where Can I Keep My Cash to Get a High Interest Rate?

Interest rates are finally starting to climb so where should I keep my cash?

Canadian Interest Rates Are Rising: Should I Sell My PH&N Bond Fund Units in My Pension Plan?

There are times that I wish I was psychic.

What To Do With the Cash in My RRSP and TFSA Brokerage Accounts

It’s time to park my cash so what can I get for it and how?

Another Teenager TFSA Investing Approach: Buy Stocks In Individual Blue Chip Dividend Paying Or Growth Companies

Here’s another way a teenager could use their TFSA.

If I Keep 50% of My Portfolio in Fixed Income What and Where Do I Keep It?

What goes into my “fixed income” asset class especially in this day of low, but possibly rising, interest rates?

Unstable World Equity Markets: Should I Sell Now and Buy Back In After the Crash?

Will I sell out of equities now to avoid a major market meltdown?

Why Might a Second RESP for a Niece, Nephew, Grandchild, Godchild or Other Loved Child be a Good Idea?

There are times when it might be better to open a second RESP for a child than to hand cash to the parents to put into the first RESP.

Should I Set Up a Second RESP for My Nephew, Niece, Godchild or Other Loved Baby?

You may want to help someone else’s child pay for an education. Here’s some things to consider before opening a RESP for that child.

My Child Is Now 15 (Or 16) What Should I Do with My Self-Directed Brokerage RESP?

Should I move my RESP before my child starts university or college? What should I be invested in and for how long?

What Happens If a Company I Own Shares In Makes a Share Buy Back Offer For Shares Held at BMO InvestorLine?

Every so often something new happens in my brokerage accounts: this time I had to handle a stock buyback properly.

Why I Watch Each Dividend Get Paid to my BMO InvestorLine, CIBC Investor’s Edge and RBC Direct Investing Brokerage Accounts

Why I keep an eye on my dividends and distributions and what happened to NFI’s payments for 2016.

Why Being Old Means I’m Not Upset by the Plunging Canadian Dollar, the Stock Market Meltdown or the Crude Oil Price Crisis

Are you in the Alfred E. Neuman club?

Why Buying an Index Fund ETF Must be for the Long Term Not for a “One Year Wonder”

What investment did I make in 2014 that had a better return in 2015 than XIC or a one-year GIC?

Thank Goodness We Didn’t Dump the Bond Fund Yet!

Sometimes procrastination really does pay dividends.

Is the Tangerine Offer of Cash for Transferring Your RRSPs to Them a Good Deal? Where Should I Consider Keeping my RRSP Investments?

Tangerine is offering a small cash incentive for transferring a large RRSP to them. Is it a good deal? Where else should you consider keeping your RRSP money?

Where Can I Get the Best Rate of Return on my RRSP GIC?

It’s getting harder each year to find a good rate for a GIC even during “RRSP Season.” Here’s what was available today including 2.4% for a 1-year term.

Who Should I Name as the Beneficiary for my Non-Registered Investment Accounts?

I trust that you already know the answer but if not, read on.

With the Drop in the Overnight Rate, What Interest Rate Can I Get On my Cash in my Brokerage Account?

If you have any cash parked in your brokerage account you may want to get it moving.

How Can a Canadian Couple Legally Income Share to Reduce Taxes?

These two strategies allow some income-splitting between spouses regardless of whether they have any children.

How Did Our Investments Perform In 2014? Part Deux

Did we win or lose playing in the market this past year? Unlike previous years where I refused to even open the envelopes, this year I read our statements and report the results here.

How Did Our Investments Perform In 2014? I’ll “Shoyu” Mine! Part One

Well our “under the car seat and behind the couch cushions fund” has had a return of over 250%! Here’s how our other fixed income investments did.

What Was Our Personal Rate of Inflation in 2014 and How Does It Affect Our Retirement Plan?

Why I’m eyeing the crabapples thoughtfully after calculating our 2014 personal rate of inflation.

The TSX Is In Freefall: Time to Buy!

Wow! Good prices: New Money: What should I buy?!

Simplifying and Improving Our RRSPs: a Review of the Progress Made Over 4 Years

How one piece of paper can save your spouse $1 500 or more. This and other things I learned while straightening out the tangled strands of our RRSP skein.

What Are the Common Types of Registered Education Savings Plans and Which is Best?

Where’s a good place to open a RESP if you can’t or won’t invest in the stock market? What about if you want to buy equities but only have a small amount to invest each year? What about investors with large family-plan RESPs who want to buy ETFs? Here are some suggestions and considerations. Please add your own in the comments.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Holding a Self-Directed RESP Account at a Discount Brokerage

We considered many factors before moving our RESP to an online brokerage–here are some to consider.

How Are My “Defensive” Stocks Weathering the Recent Market Dip?

Some of our money is invested in individual stocks which are supposed to be less likely to nosedive when the market slumps. How is that strategy playing out during this recent drop in share prices?

Markets are Falling: When Should I Buy Now or Later? When Will Prices Reach the Bottom?

Ok you’ve found some money to invest with and the markets are slumping–when should you click Buy? A Wishy Washy Investor discusses how to develop your personal investing strategy.

Why Do Markets at All Time Highs Mean a Crash Is Coming? Don’t Stocks Have to Go Up to Be Worthwhile?

Are you still putting new money in the markets or are you building your bunker out of gold bricks?

How Risky Are My Preferred Shares: Should I Sell Now or Hold?

While wading out into the deeper waters of investing have I taken a step that will sink me? What risks am I taking by buying some preferred shares and will the benefits be enough to keep me afloat?

How to Transfer RRSP Cash to a RBC Direct Investing RRSP

It’s time to get some money moved and invested in some ultra-low fee ETFs using my free trades!

Which Self-Directed Brokerages Handle Which RESP Grants, Bonds and Incentives?

Only some of the larger brokerages are offering support for most of the federal and provincial government education savings grants, bonds and incentives. Here’s a list of which brokerages are supporting which grants, and a list of links to read about the different programs from which your child may be eligible to receive money.

How to Sell RBF2010 HISA Fund Units and Immediately Buy a Stock or ETF at RBC Direct Investing

Ack! The deal of the century and all of my money is deposited in my RBC DI HISA RBF2010 funds. Can I get the cash out in time?

Investing for Beginners: Don’t Buy Stocks, ETFs or Mutual Funds in a Non-Registered Investment Account Unless You Know How to Calculate an ACB

Please don’t set up a DRIP for a non-registered (not RRSP, not TFSA) investment if you don’t understand what an ACB is.
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T3 and T5s Lull Unsuspecting Investors Into Expecting a Tax Form for Everything

Online Brokerage Price Wars Spell Savings for Investors

RBC Direct Investing has dropped its requirement for $9.95 trades and some other big bank brokerages have followed suit. What else is on offer?

I’m Not Sure What to Do with My RRSP Money—What Should I Do Till I Decide?

It’s open season for banks angling to land your RRSP dollars. If you don’t want to be hooked like a Sucker on spring migration, instead of rushing into a RRSP investment, you may want to park your contribution in a short-term investment. Here are a few factors to consider and options to evaluate.

How to Set a Stock Price Alert for a RBC Direct Investing Self-Directed Account

As I ponder whether to buy more TD or sell some prior to the upcoming stock split, I check out how to set up a price alert for it using RBC Direct Investing.

How to Buy Equities or ETFs in a RBC Direct Investing Account

There’s one big difference between buying stocks/ETFs at BMO InvestorLine and CIBC Investor’s Edge versus at RBC Direct Investing as I found out when I executed a trade.

How to Check the Current Real Time Price for Shares or ETFs at RBC Direct Investing

I realize that this is a relatively short post but you do realize that there are Snowy Owl’s out there just waiting to be found and photographed, right? I can’t afford to ignore the first sunshine we’ve seen in a week! P.S. Did anyone you know get caught by TWTRQ?

How Long Does It Take to Open a RBC Direct Investing RRSP and Transfer In Cash?

If you’re in a hurry to start trading with a “Big Bank” brokerage you’d better find a hobby to keep you busy so you don’t get too frustrated with the wait.

How to Buy a GIC in a RBC Direct Investing Online Brokerage Account

As I test how to purchase a GIC at RBC Direct Investing, I discover a bug and compare the process to making the same purchase at BMO InvestorLine or CIBC Investor’s Edge. And do brokerages REALLY think that we will buy a lower-rate-paying GIC from their affiliated bank just because they list that product at the top of the offerings?

How to Buy Units in a High Interest Savings Account Fund at RBC Direct Investing

Is anyone else skittish about investing quickly into these high-priced stock markets? While I’m dithering, I tested parking some cash in a HISA fund at RBC Direct Investing. There were a few differences compared to doing the same at InvestorLine and Investor’s Edge that surprised me.

Using the Message Centre Secure Email Function to Contact RBC Direct Investing in Writing

I like to “get it in writing.” If you do, too, here’s how to send your questions to the RBC Direct Investing Support Team by their secure email system.

How Much Can I Contribute to My TFSA? I Turned 18 or Arrived in Canada after 2009

Not everyone is 22 or older nor has been a Canadian Resident their entire life. If you’re a recent immigrant to Canada, a visa student, or you’ve just turned 18, you can check your TFSA contribution limit here if you’ve never made any contributions to a plan.

How Do I Start Getting $9.95 Trades at RBC Direct Investing Now I Have $50 000?

I was surprised and frankly not impressed when I checked into the details of RBC Direct Investing’s $9.95 trades.

Get Ready to Die: Beneficiary and Successor Account Holder Forms for your Online Brokerage Accounts

Are you ready to die? Do you want to shout “hands off my money” at the government as you perish? Do you know the difference between a Successor and a Beneficiary and why it matters? If you’re not part of Canada’s Distinct Society I encourage you to read on.

What Are the Minimum Purchase Requirements and the Interest Rates for GICs at RBC Direct Investing?

When I started looking at the details of buying GICs at RBC Direct Investing, I made one pleasant discovery that may interest GIC-investors.

Using Your RBC Direct Investing Account for the First Time

Finally, I have received all the numbers I need to use my RBC Direct Investing account. If you’re wondering how long that took, read on.

When Should I Switch to a Self-Directed Brokerage Account? As Soon As It’s “No Fee”

When’s the right time to open a self-directed online discount brokerage account? In my case, about 1.5 years ago: Guess I’d better get cracking.

How to Open a RBC Direct Investing RRSP Account Online

As I filled out my online forms to open a RBC Direct Investing account, I was left pondering questions like: Why can a Minister and a Priest open an account but not an Imam or a Rabbi? Why can I report I am a Homemaker but not a Pharmacist? What do they have against the Energy sector? Who in IT (or more likely “the business” thought it was a good idea to create a screen without a Back or Save button or the standard navigation toolbar? Will I get a personal phone call and a free lunch if I select an income of $10,000,000 and over?

Pros and Cons of Buying GICs in a Self-Directed Online Brokerage Account

While there are some good points to buying GICs in a self-directed account with InvestorLine or Investor’s Edge, there are some snags to watch out for, too.