Looking to change who I have managing my RRSP's and funds, anyone have someone they love and recommend? I prefer someone that is flexible and will allow the potential use of the new CEDB/CDEF's.

Thanks

I was never in favor of a personal investor, they look after themselves first. Go talk to Brad Bissett at TD. I'm not sure about CEDB/CDEF"s.

Andrew Bartlett @ Scotia MacLeod

Who do you think the guy at a major bank is looking out for? Not to mention they tend to push their own funds vs others.

Fund Managers at banks don't work on a commission, they earn a salary, so basically thay're working for you the investor. They can also sell other funds besides the banks. Their fees are a heck alot cheaper than if you go to a private investor. I have investments that i have with a personal investor from 3-4 years ago that i cannot transfer to the bank yet because of the loaded fees he's added.. I could go on and on, but i'll leave it at that.

Ishares is a way to go if you want to do it on your own. If you are knowledgeable about mutuals etc. you could save yourself loaded fees. I don't have any personally myself, I'm too busy and probably too lazy to bother and keep track of it myself. It would be nice if we could start a section on the form here about investing and trade tidbits of info. for any of us that may invest a little.

True, fund managers @ banks don't get a commission but they do have quotas and get a bonus for reaching them, and don't fool yourself, they are working for the bank not you, hence the low return on your investments. Banks just can't do what a personal investor can, such as offer a guaranteed monthly income for life.

A personal investor can guarantee a certain monthly income? Sign me up.

A personal investor can guarantee a certain monthly income? Sign me up.

Be careful. Real inflation is much higher than the government's CPI figures, and your interest rate will need to be higher than inflation just to 'break even'.

GEORGE ATHANASSAKOS
Special to The Globe and Mail
Monday, Sep. 10 2012

Something does not make sense. In February, the year-over-year inflation rate in the U.S. was 2.1 per cent and in Canada 2.2 per cent.

But inflation today doesn't seem to be just about 2 per cent. It feels much higher.

We all experience higher inflation when we go shopping. Although food, fuel, consumer goods and so on have gone up by more than 30 per cent in the past two years, the CPI has barely moved. But the markets for real assets - gold, food, energy and commodities - continue to rise, which suggests inflation.

I expect bond investors to wake up eventually, lick their wounds and then kick themselves for being so gullible as to believe the reported inflation statistics.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-in ... cle624542/

The purchasing power of our 'fiat' dollars will take a real hit when the USA eventually devalues it's dollar, so spend it while you can, preferably on real estate.

When I realized that I was actually paying the Royal Bank to store the few dollars I'd managed to save I used it to build a summer cottage.

Ed

Yes, they sure can, if you have something to invest.

hate to burst your bubble but there are no guarantees.

I'm sure that you meant to say that a competant personal investor will do his best to ensure that every effort is made to try and provide you with a reasonable return on your investment.

No, I meant what I said, I invested a sum of money with a personal investor and I get a guaranteed monthly income for life. I get monthly statements directly from the companies he has invested in and before I went with him I had a friend who is knowledgable in investing and a lawyer check all docs before I signed. Some have dropped a bit, but nothing like they dropped when I was with the bank, and it doesn't affect my income.

Personal Investor?

That would imply you have money to invest. this is Canada, we pay taxes.

I guess that we are caught up in semantics.

Yes, any good investment should provide one with a good return.

However, it is possible that companies will go bankrupt, personal investors can swindle investors money, stock markets crash, real estate bubbles burst, countries invade other countries, etc.

No one can make a guarantee without explaining the possibility of a loss in your investment.

The better the investor, the better the stable return on investment.

I will be the first to tell you that I know very little about investing, that is why it took me two years to decide what the heck to do. I had money in some investements in a main stream bank and watched it going more down that up. I inquired about a guaranteed monthly income, as I planned to retire with a very small pension. The bank officers came up with a few ideas but no guarenteed amount. I finally got in touch with my now financial advisor, though a friend who knew him for yrs. Because a lot of my investments are in insurance companies they are protected, the same as funds in a bank. All I know is, that after investigating this company and advice of professionals I tursted, I have a fixed amount coming in and peace of mind. Who knows, I guess it is possible that some of the things you mentioned could happen tomorrow, but I feel it was the best choice for me and my situation.

That's the main thing.

I guess I was just trying to stress that there are no guarantees, just better probabilities (insurance companies are not immune to financial mishaps, such as AIG)

Also, with better reliability comes lower returns, which may or may not be enough for someone to live on in every case.

I just wouldn't want someone to think that just by having a financial adviser, they've got it made.

Yes, you are right, investing is scary business and a lot of people have lost their shirts, for sure. It took me a few years of sleepless nights not knowing what to do after I lost my husband. It's not that I have a lot invested, quite the opposite, I just had to find a way to make it last. After three years, so far so good. I agree, the lower the risk the lower the return.