90 days – 2.00% + MORE Dec 14th

TORONTO – The Toronto stock market is expected to advance modestly during 2015 but with much less reliance on the energy sector after oil and gas companies sold off in a year-end rout amid tumbling oil prices.
Analysts say the lift will come from two of this year’s best-performing sectors — consumer and industrial stocks — that will benefit from an improving U.S. economy, lower oil prices and a Canadian currency that has been buffeted by falling commodity prices.
“Lower oil prices end up being a massive fiscal boost and it’s going to benefit consumers and transportation companies, railways, airlines, things like that,” said Paul Vaillancourt, executive vice-president of private wealth at Fiera Capital in Calgary, noting that a weaker Canadian dollar benefits industrials, lumber, and housing.
The TSX had been up almost 15 per cent year to date at mid-summer, but was on course to end 2014 barely in positive territory. At mid-December, the index was up a slight 150 points or 1…

This GIC rate is offered by Oaken Financial and was updated on 2014-10-06. Click on the link above to get more details or apply online.

To keep me honest and focused I post my financial goals on My Own Advisor.  One thing I’ve learned over the years is I have a much better chance at realizing my goals if I keep tabs on them, and often.
Here’s a recap of what we tried to accomplish starting in early 2014:

Continue putting $300 lump sum payments on our mortgage every month ($3,600).
Maximize both Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) ($11,000).
Increase Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions by $200 per month ($2,400).

I’m very proud to report we nailed every goal but one – the most recent entry.
1. Continue putting $300 lump sum payments on our mortgage every month ($3,600)
Done!  With our mortgage expected to be under $200k sometime during the 2015 calendar year, there is actually some light at the end of the our mortgage tunnel.  If we keep up our prepayment schedule I’m predicting we’ll be mortgage free by the end of 2020.
2. Maximize both Tax Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) ($11,000)
Done!  I had some stocks that pay dividends in a non-registered account so I moved some of those holdings into my TFSA earlier this year…

This GIC rate is offered by DUCA Financial Services and was updated on 2014-11-28. Click on the link above to get more details or apply online.

This GIC rate is offered by Oaken Financial and was updated on 2014-10-06. Click on the link above to get more details or apply online.