Personal Finance

Opinion

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ESG, ru OK?

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 18, 2026

It’s been a rough year, depending on your viewpoint, for the world.

That’s especially true for folks who believe in climate change science, as they watch the largest economic power in the world make statements like: “We are driving a dagger straight into the heart of the climate change religion.”

That’s a March 2025 statement by Lee Zeldin, head of the Environmental Protection Agency in the United States.

Since then, the Trump administration hasn’t just embraced climate scepticism, it’s seemingly tried to accelerate climate change, repealing protections while rapidly expanding oil and gas, and even coal development.

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NASA

The Moon and Earth align in the same frame, each partially illuminated by the Sun.
NASA The Moon and Earth align in the same frame, each partially illuminated by the Sun.

Lunar voyage coincides with heated anticipation of SpaceX going public

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Lunar voyage coincides with heated anticipation of SpaceX going public

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026

Space is arguably the final frontier of capitalism. While the recent NASA Artemis II mission captures our imagination, another event has stirred investors’ imaginations.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), Tesla chief executive officer Elon Musk’s space company, reportedly filed initial paperwork this month for its initial public offering.

Likely the most anticipated and valuable privately held company to list on a stock exchange, SpaceX Technologies has targeted a market value as high as US$2 trillion, according to Bloomberg News.

Speculation aside, investors have reason to be enthusiastic, says Eva Ados, chief investment strategist at ERShares, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) provider. SpaceX “is very well-diversified: space, telecom, and AI (artificial intelligence).”

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Saturday, Apr. 11, 2026

Freepik

Target sales. Clients attraction accuracy, shopping list, consumerism idea. Retail service customer, shopper with trolley cartoon character. Vector isolated concept metaphor illustration
Freepik Target sales. Clients attraction accuracy, shopping list, consumerism idea. Retail service customer, shopper with trolley cartoon character. Vector isolated concept metaphor illustration

Consume, at what cost?

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Consume, at what cost?

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

Consumers are the kings, queens, servants and paupers of the market economy, increasingly relied upon to drive growth.

A recent study points to many struggling to keep up — a sign of growing income inequality post-COVID-19 pandemic.

The report from RBC highlights wealth growing faster for those at the top, while others are experiencing their share declining.

“There’s a lot of questions regarding consumption in the (United) States … with this narrative about the K-shaped economy,” says Rachel Battaglia, an RBC economist and co-author of Affordability: Decoding Canada’s uneven household realities.

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Saturday, Mar. 28, 2026

Freepik

While some DIYers invest to save for retirement, many are already retired, have good pensions and invest as a hobby rather than for financial need.
Freepik While some DIYers invest to save for retirement, many are already retired, have good pensions and invest as a hobby rather than for financial need.

Winnipeg retiree recounts making contrarian trade of buying shares of big bank hit by scandal

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Winnipeg retiree recounts making contrarian trade of buying shares of big bank hit by scandal

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

Jim has been retired for more than 20 years from a managerial role in the private sector. He and his wife live comfortably off their pensions; their adult children are leading productive, independent lives; and he has no financial need to take investment risk.

For the Winnipeg man in his eighth decade, investing is a hobby, and the big Canadian banks — RBC, BMO, CIBC, TD and Scotiabank — have long piqued his capitalist curiosity.

“TD Bank has always been my favourite investment,” he says, adding it is the couple’s largest holding.

Jim likes it was a leader in moving into the United States, a highly fragmented financial market.

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Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026

Freepik

Recession of money value on finance market. Price increase, business risk, coins and percentage rate flat vector illustration. Economy, inflation concept for banner, website design or landing web page
Freepik Recession of money value on finance market. Price increase, business risk, coins and percentage rate flat vector illustration. Economy, inflation concept for banner, website design or landing web page

Grim yield to reap

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Grim yield to reap

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

Inflation may be less of a concern with the post-COVID-19 pandemic price jump a little more in the rear-view mirror each month.

However, the scars remain. Inflation of the recent past is now the new normal of everyday prices — be it groceries, vacation or borrowing to buy a home.

The bout of recent high inflation has also left investors with a new sense of uncertainty.

Bonds still offer portfolio protection against declining stocks after a negative economic “surprise,” says Robert Wilson, portfolio strategist and head of innovation at PICTON Investments.

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Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026

Sandra Monaco photo

‘If you say, “I want to have a better financial life,” but your self-talk is, “My family didn’t have any money; I grew up poor, and who am I really to save?” it will be very hard to change,’ says personal finance author Kelley Keehn.
Sandra Monaco photo ‘If you say, “I want to have a better financial life,” but your self-talk is, “My family didn’t have any money; I grew up poor, and who am I really to save?” it will be very hard to change,’ says personal finance author Kelley Keehn.

Money mind-shift New book from renowned Canadian financial author aims to help you ‘Save Yourself’

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Money mind-shift New book from renowned Canadian financial author aims to help you ‘Save Yourself’

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026

If your goal for 2026 is getting into better financial shape, one of Canada’s most renowned personal finance experts is throwing you a self-rescue line.

Kelley Keehn has recently published her 12th personal finance book in the last 20 years, Save Yourself: a New Approach to Thinking About Money and Taking Control of Your Financial Future. She spoke with the Free Press about taking a different tact to helping Canadians to make positive financial change.

Her new book comes at the right time, released in January when many make resolutions about being better with money.

As with past efforts, Keehn has sought to provide advice on the behavioural aspects of finance. But with Save Yourself, she upped the ante with neuroscience to help readers understand how human brains handle the subject of money. “My first book was over 20 years ago on the psychology of money, but it was anecdotal because there was little research on the psychology of money.”

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Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026
Ready, set, invest!

If you’re among many Canadians not investing but looking to start, consider these tips

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

If you’re among many Canadians not investing but looking to start, consider these tips

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

If you’d call yourself an “investor,” give yourself a pat on the back.

Despite this personal finance activity almost being a requirement to achieve financial milestones — notably retirement, especially amid the quality decline in workplace pensions — it’s likely millions of Canadian adults aren’t investing much, if at all.

One recent survey by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (recently featured in a Money Matters column) found 43 per cent of women and 56 per cent of men consider themselves investors.

Even though more men report being investors, there is still arguably a significant portion who don’t. Seeing yourself as not being an investor does not mean you don’t actually have investments.

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Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026

Antoni Shkraba Studio / Pexels
Antoni Shkraba Studio / Pexels

Acclimatizing to new normal

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Preview

Acclimatizing to new normal

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

The start of 2025 was a Rorschach test for investors.

Some saw the return of U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House as beneficial; others expressed concern he’d tear up trade deals, impose tariffs and spark more inflation.

The past year saw a mix of both.

The United States did unleash a storm of trade strife and inflation, while down from its 2022-23 peak, did not fade entirely.

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Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025
It’s all funds, games until …

Regulators up surveillance of ‘gamification’ techniques used to game investors (potentially) of their money

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Preview

Regulators up surveillance of ‘gamification’ techniques used to game investors (potentially) of their money

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

Fun and games aren’t just for children this holiday season. Turns out, investing is increasingly gamified.

However, it’s more of a year-round thing, as online investment platforms use “gamification” techniques, which can make the business of dollars and cents a little more fun.

In essence, gamification involves leveraging powerful behavioural psychology tools that nudge, through video game-like design, consumers toward engaging in certain behaviours — for better and for worse.

Canada’s largest investment regulator — the Ontario Securities Commission — has conducted a few studies examining gamification to understand its potential for benefiting and harming investors.

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Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025

Pexels

Becca Mintz, head of credit and data at Capital One, says credit cards are a double-edged sword: they’re convenient and build a credit history, but high interest costs sting if you’re unable to pay the balance.
Pexels Becca Mintz, head of credit and data at Capital One, says credit cards are a double-edged sword: they’re convenient and build a credit history, but high interest costs sting if you’re unable to pay the balance.

How the pinch steals Christmas

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

How the pinch steals Christmas

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025

Pinched pocketbooks can have many people feeling more Grinch-like than a Jolly Ole St. Nick vibe this holiday season.

A recent survey from CPA (Chartered Professional Accountants) Canada found gift budgets this year are going up 10 per cent over last year to reach $661 on average. That’s not counting all the other costs — food, travel, entertainment — that also swell in December.

Bank of Canada inflation data shows prices are 20 per cent higher than pre-COVID-19 pandemic, and Statistics Canada data points to the average wage growing less than $2 to reach $35.20 an hour.

The CPA study found a growing number plan to use credit, 49 per cent, up slightly from last year. That is relatively in line with Bank of Canada data showing 46 per cent of Canadians typically carry a balance on their credit cards, says Li Zhang, financial education advocate with CPA Canada. “That balance will probably be bigger after the holidays.”

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Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025
Gift that keeps giving

Gift that keeps giving

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Gift that keeps giving

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Imagine a gift this holiday season that could one day be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. And it would all start with the impetus to contribute to a little-known registered savings plan.

It’s fairly common for grandparents to contribute to their grandkids’ Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), helping the children and their parents, who are increasingly cash-strapped with a myriad of other costs, save for post-secondary education.

But contributing to a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) can be even more life-changing.

“You’re giving somebody something that could potentially be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars over time,” says Alyssa Mitha, director of tax and estate planning at Mackenzie Investments.

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Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025

Anne Nygard / Unsplash

Called the ‘Halloween Effect,’ the U.S. stock market typically provides its best returns from Oct. 31 until the start of May.
Anne Nygard / Unsplash Called the ‘Halloween Effect,’ the U.S. stock market typically provides its best returns from Oct. 31 until the start of May.

Halloween spare change

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Preview

Halloween spare change

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

It’s a spooky time of year, in more ways than one.

Halloween approaches with its legions of ghouls, ghosts and KPop Demon Hunters (the hottest costume this year, by the way).

The increasingly longer nights, shorter days and looming winter may also deepen a sense of dread already manifesting amid concerns over the economy and household finances.

Tariff upheaval is potentially driving a stake into the heart of the Canadian — and global — economy.

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Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Alexander Ward / Unsplash

‘You used to stand outside a stadium to sell a ticket and they’ll lock you up for that, but these guys can now do it legally online,’ Joe Ruicci says of the high-priced resale market.
Alexander Ward / Unsplash ‘You used to stand outside a stadium to sell a ticket and they’ll lock you up for that, but these guys can now do it legally online,’ Joe Ruicci says of the high-priced resale market.

Cost to see your favourite performers has soared thanks to reselling

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Cost to see your favourite performers has soared thanks to reselling

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

The law of supply and demand is alive and well when it comes to seeing your favourite performer or sports team, live and in person.

Concert tickets, notably to American music superstar Taylor Swift’s recent Eras Tour, can be so in demand, buyers are willing to pay thousands on legal resale sites.

Key players to lay blame upon are undoubtedly resellers — organized crime in faraway jurisdictions or maybe just a tech-savy teenager next door.

Whoever they are, many use bots (software purchased online) allowing them to rapidly and repeatedly purchase tickets on sale from generally the one main ticket source: Ticketmaster.

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Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025

Seth Wenig / The Associated Press

Financial information is displayed at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Wednesday.
Seth Wenig / The Associated Press Financial information is displayed at the New York Stock Exchange in New York on Wednesday.

What spirit animal are you?

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Preview

What spirit animal are you?

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025

Markets surge and retreat on growing volatility driven by the collective feelings of hundreds of millions of investors.

These “animal spirits” — a term coined by economist John Maynard Keynes to describe how instinct and emotions drive economic activity — have leaned toward greed, exuberance more often than not with the U.S. and Canadian stocks markets recently reaching all-time highs.

Maybe investors are euphoric about the impact of artificial intelligence or perhaps many buy what U.S. President Donald Trump is selling: a so-called new “Golden age of America.”

Whatever the driver, these animal spirits give some investment professionals pause.

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Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025
Quest for semiconductor supremacy

Demand for increasingly complex chips soars, presenting opportunity to profitably power portfolios

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Preview

Demand for increasingly complex chips soars, presenting opportunity to profitably power portfolios

Joel Schlesinger 6 minute read Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025

Call it the quest for the most chips. As the companies and governments seek to leverage the potential of artificial intelligence, semiconductors have risen to the top of their shopping list.

For investors, this demand has manifested materially — at least for those who have exposure to the U.S. stock market. The world’s largest publicly traded company, Nvidia Corp., is a semiconductor producer that, until the advent of generative AI search engines like ChatGPT, was best known for making graphics computer chips for video gaming.

Even the other big tech companies that dominate the U.S. stock market rely on Nvidia in most instances to provide semiconductors for their cloud computing and AI-powered capabilities. What’s more, most of these firms also have research and development arms dedicated to designing their own chips.

“On a high level, semiconductors ultimately manage the flow of electricity in equipment,” says Alexander Smahtin, senior analyst at Global X Investments Canada Inc.

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Saturday, Sep. 27, 2025
Extracurricular costs creep

Parents beware of expensive activities as children age (but still pay for anyway)

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Preview

Parents beware of expensive activities as children age (but still pay for anyway)

Joel Schlesinger 5 minute read Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025

It’s getting creepy at this time of year for many families with children.

It’s not just the Halloween marketing arriving weeks in advance; it’s the cost creep many parents experience as their children return to school this month. School fees, supplies and clothes are one set of costs. Another, often larger financial outlay is registration fees and equipment for hockey, riding, figure skating, indoor soccer and many more.

You name the activity; there are likely parents willing to pay thousands for their children to be active outside of house and school.

“It really does creep up as your child gets older,” says Treena Nault, a certified financial planner at IG Private Wealth Management in Winnipeg.

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Saturday, Sep. 13, 2025

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