How Do You Measure Your Rate of Return?
All investors care deeply about their returns, and with good reason. If you’re an active investor, you’ll want to compare the performance of your portfolio to an index benchmark to see whether you (or [...]
TD e-Series Returns for 2020
The TD e-Series index mutual funds remain a useful alternative to the asset allocation ETFs that take centre stage in my model portfolios. Following on the heels of our detailed look at the performanc [...]
Finding ETF Pairs for Tax-Loss Selling
In my previous blog, accompanied by Justin’s video tutorial, we looked at tax-loss harvesting, and more specifically, how to stay on the right side of the superficial loss rule. A quick recap: effecti [...]
How to Avoid Superficial Losses
Tax-loss selling—also known as tax-loss harvesting—is a technique for proactively realizing capital losses in your portfolio. It might seem counterintuitive: why would you want to “sell low”? In fact, [...]
Is VRIF Right for Your Portfolio?
In my last few posts, I introduced the newly launched Vanguard Retirement Income ETF Portfolio (VRIF), explained where its 4% distribution comes from, and considered whether that payout is sustainable [...]
How to Set Up a Hands-Off ETF Portfolio
For DIY investors, asset allocation ETFs may be the greatest gift to come along in decades. It’s never been easier or cheaper to build a globally diversified portfolio that needs almost no maintenance [...]
You don’t need an optimal portfolio, you just need an excellent one
All-in-one ETF portfolios make investing easier and cheaper than ever [Globe & Mail]
Using GICs in a fixed income portfolio
GICs get little respect, but these humble investments can play a useful role in a balanced portfolio [MoneySense]
A New Rebalancing Spreadsheet for ETFs
It’s easy enough to build an index fund portfolio with your desired mix of stocks and bonds. But as any experienced investor knows, your asset allocation changes over time as markets move in different [...]
Beyond One-Stop ETF Shopping
The new asset allocation ETFs launched by Vanguard and iShares in 2018 have made it easier than ever for investors to build a low-cost balanced portfolio. If you want a globally diversified mix of 80% [...]