The Empowered Investor

In this episode, we dissect the intricate world of dividend investing, breaking down common assumptions and exploring its role within a well-rounded investment strategy. We'll delve into the impact of dividend reinvestment on total returns, the tax advantages of controlling distributions, and the importance of not relying solely on dividend paying stocks for diversification. Our discussion will shed light on the psychological allure of dividends during market volatility and why a broader perspective that includes capital appreciation is crucial for wealth growth. Join Lawrence and Keith as they navigate the complexities of dividends, offering insights that challenge the status quo and empower you as an investor. Key Topics: Thank you for listening! Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & Associates Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

In this episode, we continue our in-depth look at international diversification strategies for Canadians. Building on last week’s conversation, today we ask the burning question: How much should you invest in different global markets - US, International or Emerging Markets? We dive into the nuances of valuations and expected returns adding clarity and confidence in global diversified portfolios. Learn why Canadians should rethink their home bias in investing, especially when our national market constitutes just 3% of the global stock market. We also revisit Vanguard's recommendation that 70% of your equity holdings should be invested outside of Canada. Discover the critical interplay between valuations and historical returns, helping you understand and embrace an investment strategy that is truly global and diversified. Join Keith and Marcelo as they guide you through the maze of international investing backed by the latest research and expert opinions. Thank you for tuning in! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & AssociatesVanguard Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112. Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

In today's episode, we highlight the benefits of global diversification for Canadian investors. We highlight actionable strategies for Canadians looking to invest outside their home turf, making the once-challenging access to US and international markets more straightforward and affordable. We start by reviewing the groundbreaking work by Henry Markowitz on modern portfolio theory, illuminating how diversification can help you gain better returns with less volatility. We discuss the Canadian investor tendency towards home bias in investments and discuss the merits of looking beyond national borders. Wrapping up the episode, we point to a recent Vanguard report that outlines the ideal equity allocation for Canadian investors. Join your hosts Keith & Marcelo as they guide you through this intricate yet vital topic, helping you craft a global investment strategy that's well-rounded and research based. Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & AssociatesVanguard Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Behavioural Biases and Investment Decisions Have you ever found yourself blindly following the crowd, even when deep down you knew it wasn’t the right decision? Have you ever wondered if the way your brain thinks is tricking you and influencing your investment choices, sometimes leading you astray? In this episode, we delve into the fascinating world of behavioral biases and their profound impact on investment decisions. Join us on a thought-provoking journey as we explore the hidden survival instincts that drive our actions, often without us even realizing it. Discover why humans may not be naturally wired to make rational decisions when it comes to navigating our financial path. We shed light on concepts like herding behavior, the pitfalls of overconfidence, and the dangers of confirmation bias and more. Throughout our exploration, we weave in real-world examples to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of human behavior and its significant role in investment choices. Join hosts Marcelo Taboada and Lawrence Greenberg as they share practical strategies to counteract these ingrained biases and foster decision-making processes that are both rational and aligned with your financial aspirations. Thank you for tuning in! Mitigating Investment Biases: Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & Associates Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Improves decision making for all investors. Have you ever wondered whether your financial decisions align with your future goals? Do our emotions play a pivotal role in shaping our financial choices, and influencing our long-term outcomes? Join your hosts Marcelo Taboada, Lawrence Greenberg, and Jackson Matthews as they discuss takeaways from Morgan Housel’s book, Psychology of Money. It’s an incredible personal finance book filled with great concepts and stories that can help improve decision making for all investors. Thank you for tuning in! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & AssociatesThe Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness - Morgan Housel Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Lifestyle creep—a subtle increase in expenses as income grows—can have a substantial impact on your financial future. It is a subtle yet powerful force that can silently erode your retirement plans. Ignoring this phenomenon can have serious consequences, potentially downgrading your anticipated lifestyle and derailing your wealth-building goals. Recognizing the importance of aligning yourself with the right financial influences can be a game-changer in successful retirement planning. Join Keith and Marcelo as they dive deep into effective strategies that will help you circumvent the lifestyle creep trap. They’ll shed light on how this pervasive trend affects retirement planning and equip you with the knowledge you need to safeguard your financial well-being. Empower yourself with this invaluable information and set yourself up for a successful future. Thank you for tuning in and taking control of your financial destiny! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Today, we delve into the art of crafting a rewarding retirement with Susan Hogan, an expert coach specializing in the non-financial aspects of retirement. Susan staunchly believes retirement has the potential to be the happiest phase of one's life, leading her to develop her coaching program, Inspired Retirement, to help retirees uncover their unique paths to a gratifying and purposeful retirement. Inspired Retirement demystifies non-financial retirement planning, offering invaluable insights and support for those on the cusp of retirement and recent retirees alike. It's here that individuals learn to navigate the physical, mental, social, and emotional facets of retirement and create their personalized, non-financial retirement blueprint. Join us on this enlightening episode where we cover retirement preparation, dementia prevention, lifestyle transformation, the empowering journey to self-discovery in retirement, and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better PortfoliosInspired RetirementThe Retirement Quotient Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and

Mid-year review - inflation down, resilient economy, stocks up: As of now, recession concerns haven't materialized as many had predicted six months to one year ago. In 2023, portfolios are positive so far, with most asset classes having + ytd returns including; bonds, Canadian, US and international stocks. The development and growing influence of artificial intelligence is capturing investors' imaginations, and creating investor enthusiasm. In this episode Marcelo and Keith discuss ytd investment observations that include; why investors should stay clear of investment narratives, why investors should continue investing on a global basis, the performance of growth versus value stocks, investor benefits of opening economies, and the challenges and opportunities posed by higher interest rates. Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Chat GPTTulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Many Canadian retirees homeowners are home equity-rich but investment-light. Whether it’s to fund their 20 to 30 years retirement or simply to access money for a project without a monthly repayment obligation, a reverse mortgage can offer an opportunity to unlock that home equity and provide much-needed cash flow. Today we’re joined by experienced independent mortgage broker Morgan Englebretsen to talk about the ins and outs of reverse mortgages and what Canadian homeowners need to know to make an informed decision. In this episode, Morgan and Keith talk about the ideal candidates for a reverse mortgage, current reverse mortgage trends, which institutions issue reverse mortgages, the rules and costs around the reverse mortgages, how they are repaid, alternatives to reverse mortgages, and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Morgan Englebretsen on InstagramMorgan Englebretsen on TikTokMortgage Architects WebsiteThe Empowered Investor | Episode 74: Navigating mortgages and high interest rates with specialist Morgan EnglebretsenCHIP Reverse MortgageEquitable Bank Reverse MortgageTulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on

With so much of our lives online, are you aware of the risks you face? Despite only 5-10% of people reporting fraud, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre received fraud and cybercrime reports totaling a staggering $530 million in victim losses in 2021. From phishing scams to ransomware and identity theft, the responsibility ends up on us as individuals to ensure we protect ourselves from cyberattacks as far as possible. Today Marcello is joined by cybersecurity expert James Fournier to talk about protecting yourself against cyber threats and what to do if you fall victim. James has been in the industry for over 20 years, and he’s seen it evolve and the different trends that crop up over time. As a technology expert, he has an emphasis on cybersecurity, and he’s a wealth of knowledge in the field. In this episode, James and Marcello discuss what cybersecurity really means, the foundations everyone should have to protect themselves, online security's do's and don'ts, why you need to use two-factor authentication and password managers, red flags to avoid, and so much more! James has been instrumental in training us at TMA on what to be aware of what to do and what not to do, and we think you’ll learn a lot from what he has to share. Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: James Fournier’s Website | JFITS.caTulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook,

Canada's housing affordability crisis has put the purchase of a home out of reach for many young aspiring homeowners. The government created the first home savings account (FHSA) in response. An FHSA is a vehicle people can use to save for purchasing their first home while receiving a tax deduction on contributions. The money grows tax-free, and you can use it to buy a house without needing to refund the account; unlike the RRSP's Home Buyers' Plan. Keith and Marcelo first spoke about the FHSA when it was announced in June 2022, and today they're coming back with more answers as we head towards the account's rollout. In this episode, Marcelo and Keith talk about what exactly an FHSA is, how it works, who benefits from using them, how it may impact the housing crisis, and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: The Empowered Investor | Episode 56: Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA)Tulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Will I have enough money to retire comfortably? Am I on track? Should I be saving more? These are the types of questions clients bring to us daily. We turn to financial planning and modelling into the future using expected returns to answer them. Expected returns estimate the average return that an investment or portfolio should generate over time. Being able to create realistic projections requires starting with appropriately developed expected returns. In this episode, Marcelo and Keith talk about how investors and advisors should use expected returns, what you need to know about how they’re determined, why they’re essential for retirement projections, the organizations that create expected returns, and so much more! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: 2023 Projection Assumption GuidelinesElroy Dimson, Paul Marsh & Mike Staunton’s Book | Triumph of the Optimists: 101 Years of Global Investment ReturnsTulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Whether you're a first-time home buyer or a seasoned real estate investor, understanding the intricacies of mortgages is a game-changer in your financial journey. Navigating the mortgage journey can be an intimidating experience, and mistakes can have long-lasting consequences. With many potential pitfalls, confusing jargon, and seemingly endless options, proper guidance throughout the mortgage process is invaluable. Today we’re joined by experienced independent mortgage broker Morgan Englebretsen to break down the ins and outs of mortgages, ensuring that you have the knowledge you need to make informed decisions. In this episode, Morgan and Marcelo discuss how to get ready for the mortgage process, strategies you can use to save money, why it’s sometimes worth it to get a higher interest rate, how to decide how much of a deposit to make, the benefits of working with a mortgage broker, what to think about when deciding between lenders, the fixed and variable costs of buying a property, Morgan’s advice for a first-time home buyer and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Morgan Englebretsen on InstagramMorgan Englebretsen on TikTokMortgage Architects WebsiteTulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on

With Tax Day on the horizon, tax tips, tricks, and hacks are being shared more than ever. From making charitable donations to incorporating and running everything through a company, word on the street is that the wealthy use particular tax strategies to minimize the amount of tax they owe. But while it might be tempting to try them, making the wrong decision about your taxes is an expensive mistake that can cost you many times more than what you would have paid initially. To help make sure you’re on the right track, tax specialist Réginald Pierre-Louis is back for part two of our tax myth series. Réginald has more than ten years of practice in the field and has a great way of making complex taxation rules and legislation more understandable so you can make sure you’re filing accurately. In this episode, Marcelo and Réginald talk about why it’s challenging to define a threshold for richness, how facts and feelings shape our perspective, what research shows about who pays the most taxes, and why many of the commonly shared “rich people” tax strategies might not be suitable for you. Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Réginald Pierre-Louis on LinkedInTulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on

It’s getting to be that time of the year again— Tax Day is approaching and you start hearing conflicting things from friends and family about what is—and what isn’t—okay when filing your taxes. There’s a lot of misinformation out there about various deductions, loopholes, and write-offs that can get you into hot water if you blindly follow someone else’s bad advice. We’ve all heard people saying the rich don’t pay taxes, and the government is robbing us, or horror stories of being taxed at over 50% once your income is more than $100,000. Social media has amplified the problem, spreading myths as fast as truth and making it difficult to know what’s fact and fiction. Add in recent changes in the tax laws and you are left feeling confused and unsure of where to go for the right answers. Countering bad advice, especially during tax season, is crucial. So we reached out to expert and tax specialist Réginald Pierre-Louis to bust several tax myths and give you the facts to help ensure that you file accurate returns. His expertise can help ensure that you receive money the government owes you and avoid penalties for underreporting. In this episode, Marcelo and Réginald break down common tax mistakes and misconceptions, explore why these tax myths are so widespread, and share the facts you need to know as a Canadian investor. Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Réginald Pierre-Louis on LinkedInÉpisode 18: Mythes et croyances populaires en fiscalité (partie 1)Épisode 19: Mythes et croyances populaires en fiscalité (partie 2)Revenu Québec Guidance | Employees Who Receive TipsTulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on

Every year more complexity is added to the Canadian tax system, making it difficult for taxpayers to keep up to date. Understanding how to properly file your tax return and take advantage of deductions and credits can put more money back in your pocket, which can go a long way in achieving your financial goals. Your tax returns also entitle you to certain social benefits, and appreciating the various requirements can help you avoid costly mistakes. Whether working with a tax professional or filing yourself, there's always something new to learn about taxes. To help you gain clarity for this tax season, we’re doing a deep dive into Canadian tax returns with our colleague, Hugh Campbell. Keith and Hugh discuss why it’s essential to file your taxes accurately and on time, when spouses should file together, how requirements differ across provinces, the tax benefits of RRSPs and tax-free savings accounts, how to ensure you’re maximizing your allowable deductions, additional filing requirements for investors with foreign assets, and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: Tulett, Matthews & AssociatesKeith Matthews’ Book | The Empowered Investor: A Guide to Building Better Portfolios Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on...

Financial fraud is a serious issue that has unfortunately cost many investors their hard-earned savings. Although technology has helped fraudsters find new ways to dupe investors, the same core themes appear again and again. From Ponzi schemes to fake investment opportunities, these scams lure investors in with promises of high returns and low risk. In reality, there’s no increased reward without increased risk, and even when these plots are revealed, many people never recover what they invested. The best way to protect yourself is to be aware of the warning signs and educate yourself on the steps you can take to protect your investments. In this episode, Keith and Marcelo explore the world of financial fraud, some famous examples of these schemes, how they work, how you can safeguard your finances, and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Mentioned in this Episode: ● Netflix Documentary | Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street ● Diana B. Henriques’ Book | The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust ● John Carreyrou’s Book | Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup ● Movie | Norbourg ● Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) ● Ontario Securities Commission ○ Investment Fraud Checklist ● Canadian Securities Administrators ● Bethany McLean & Peter Elkind’s Book | The Smartest Guys in the Room: The Amazing Rise and...

We’re in the middle of client meeting season at Tulett, Matthews & Associates. Over the years, the way we conduct these meetings has evolved as we incorporate client feedback and continuously work to provide the best wealth management experience possible. At the core, effective client meetings are about transparency and empowering investors with the right level of detail to move forward confidently, with a clear vision of their financial future. In this episode, Marcelo and Keith talk about how the relationship between financial advisors and clients has evolved, the TMA approach to client meetings, the elements we believe are essential, and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

When you’re intentional in your planning, you’re more likely to get the experiences you want out of life. Curiosity and continuous learning are a big part of our firm’s culture. The team is always sharing ideas, whether through podcasts, research articles, or books. Recently, Marcelo came up with a brilliant idea to take it to the next level, and now we have our own library at Tulett, Matthews & Associates. We’re excited to have this resource for the team and clients. In honour of that, today, we’re doing things differently. In this episode, Marcelo and Keith review a book from our library - Die With Zero by Bill Perkins. The book's concept centers around the idea that you’ve worked hard for your money, and you should optimize it by maximizing the life experiences that bring you purpose and fulfilment. We talk about Bill Perkins’ take on the problem with conventional advice about retirement planning, his framework for life enjoyment, potential pitfalls from neglecting your financial foundations, how we advise clients to plan for the experiences they desire, the case for giving away your wealth based on when it has the most impact, and so much more! Thank you for listening! Key Topics: Die With ZeroDie With ZeroDie With Zero Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And feel free to drop us a line at lawrence@tma-invest.com or 514-695-0096 ext.112 Follow Tulett, Matthews & Associates on social media on LinkedIn, Facebook, and more! Follow The Empowered Investor on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Maintaining perspective and long-term discipline ​With significant declines in specific segments of the financial market, inflation rates we haven’t seen in decades, and geopolitical conflicts escalating, 2022 was a turbulent year for the average investor. Investors who maintained perspective and long-term discipline by committing to a fundamentally sound investment plan were able to weather through the periods of market uncertainty and stay on the path to building wealth. Four core principles help our clients maintain diversified, well-balanced investment portfolios and become financially secure forever. Stay diversifiedTune out the noiseDon’t chase market trendsDon’t speculate For the new year’s first episode, we are reflecting on key themes and lessons from 2022 and what they mean for Canadian investors. In this episode, Marcelo and Keith talk about how different asset classes performed over the year, central themes in the investment world, how investors should think about 2023, positive returns on the horizon, and so much more! Thank you for listening! For additional insights read our 2022 Market Review: A Changing Investment Landscape. Financial highs, lows and what’s in store for 2023 Thanks for Listening! Be sure to subscribe on Apple, Google, Spotify, or...