By Ian Ardill

Happy New Year!  It’s time to reinvigorate the conversations we are having with you, our clients, and give even more attention to ensuring we are on top of what might need tweaking in your world.

With that in mind, please watch the above video.  And here, in brief, are three key points I would like to make at the outset of 2024:

1

The markets rallied in 2023, and we anticipate they will again perform well this year.

Markets are a leading indicator of the economy, and so we are not surprised to see that long-term bonds and borrowing rates are already coming down and there is considerable consensus that the Bank of Canada will continue to reduce interest rates this year, which bodes well for the economy. 

In this environment, investors who have most or all of their money in one basket (in GICs, for example) are, on balance, less likely to experience returns as positive as they would by taking a more measured, balanced approach. 

In other words, stay diversified. More on that just below. 

2

Avoid a mentality of chasing “winners.”  As they ultimately did last year, we expect the markets to perform relatively strongly this year.  When people see a strong market – in equities, let’s say – they tend to want to invest in companies whose stock price has risen substantially.  The problem with that mentality is that if that company proceeds to have a less positive year, the winner-chasing mentality is to sell it – resulting in the investor committing the classic error of buying high and selling low.

Referring back to point #1 above, the recommended approach is to be balanced and measured, with a mix of assets that are private and public, equities and fixed income.

3

Everyone’s circumstances, including yours, are unique.  We are here to walk with you throughout your financial life.  Just reach out to us.

On behalf of the entire team here at Ardill Group, I am wishing the happiest year to you and yours!

PS Here is an article from the Fraser Institute that makes for an interesting read:  24 facts for 2024—Canadians should understand impact of government policies.

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Private Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 717 5698
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

The post Let’s start the year off right first appeared on Ardill Group.

RRSP season is here. Should you be investing in them?

It’s not the no-brainer that some in the media would have you believe. For some people, the answer is no. For others, it is a yes. And what about TFSAs?

Here’s one thing for sure: we will carefully walk you through how the options fit your unique financial situation. We have had clients tell us that no one had ever thoroughly reviewed the pros and cons with them, like we have.

Want to talk about it? I look forward to hearing from you.
Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Private Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 717 5698
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

The post RRSPs: Should You? first appeared on Ardill Group.

I am facing the imminent loss of my 85-year-old brother to aggressive cancer.  Struggling with feelings of guilt, I realize that caring for my brother in the hospital is accompanied by thoughts of my own mortality during the drive home—a seemingly selfish introspection.

I hope that my reflection in this post prompts readers to engage in healthy discussions with family and friends about mortality, an inevitable aspect of life.  

For me, the truth is that it’s taken me until now, age 76, to get in touch with my mortality.  

It did not happen when I was 13, when a grandparent passed away.  Although I felt sorry to see them go, the true understanding of mortality eluded me. 

It did not happen in my early 20s, when my father died after an eight-year battle with cancer.
It did not happen even after the death of my wife, Karyn, which brought me profound grief and sadness.
I am not proud that it has taken me until now.  At least for me, it has taken the influence of age for me to finally get here. I also look at it with the eyes of a former financial advisor, and also through the lens of retirement, because I realize that there are really two stages in the retired years:

• The first stage, in which one has more control over their life than ever before
• The second stage, in which one has less control over their life than ever before

Thus, I think the biggest question is this:  how to navigate the second stage?

My brother’s declining health has led me to think deeply about mortality, so I have included those thoughts at the “PS” following my signature, below.  For readers who appreciate brevity, I will now turn to three key takeaways on how to navigate the second stage of retirement:

1. The more you talk about your mortality with your loved ones, the better.  Have an open dialogue and bring them along in the process.
2. Have a plan that your family is a part of, both financially and emotionally.  Ensure your wishes and desires are clearly understood by family and loved ones, so they can execute upon them.
3. Have a clear economic plan to transition family assets, so everyone can avoid the hurt feelings and unnecessary pain that so often occur when assets are transitioned haphazardly and with missed opportunities.

And here is a fourth point: always know that we are here to support and encourage you throughout your life.  Please reach out to us.

Very best wishes,
John Ardill
Founder and Mentor
Ardill Group
Direct: 1 416 400 5882
Office: 1 905 907 7000
john@ardillgroup.com

PS:

• The impact of mortality varies among individuals, influenced by factors such as age, culture, life stage, health status, and the presence of dependents. 
• Mortality is a personal journey, closely intertwined with one’s own relationship with the duration of life on this planet. 
• Considerations on the perception and understanding of mortality include the developmental stages of children, the existential questions faced by adolescents, and the varying levels of acceptance and concerns about legacy experienced by adults.
• Health and vulnerability play a crucial role, with infants and the elderly being more vulnerable to the impact of mortality due to health issues and quality of life considerations.
• Dependents and responsibilities, such as those of parents and caregivers, further shape the relationship with mortality.
• Life goals and achievements influence how mortality is perceived, with younger adults driven by aspirations, while those in midlife reassess goals and ponder their legacy in the face of mortality.
• Cultural and religious beliefs significantly shape attitudes toward mortality, with different cultures having diverse rituals, beliefs about an afterlife, and perspectives on the meaning of life and death.
• When individuals confront their impending mortality, their thoughts can vary widely, influenced by personal beliefs, cultural backgrounds, life experiences, and emotional states.
• Common ways in which people approach mortality include reflecting on life, spiritual and religious perspectives, fear and anxiety, and acceptance – each providing unique insights into the human experience.
• I believe there is a lack of open conversation about mortality in North America. We, and our descendants, would all benefit from a more frank discussion.

PPS!  I highly recommend this short e-book, Living an Unsinkable Life:  How to Bounce Back from Difficult Times, Be Happy NOW and Live the Life of Your Dreams.

The post Getting in touch with mortality first appeared on Ardill Group.

By Ian Ardill

Check out my Money Match interview with John Kearley, president of asset manager Millennium III.  

Here it is in a nutshell:  Millennium III is an opportunity for investors to participate in commercial real estate without all the associated risks, and experience a good opportunity to receive long-term income and tax-efficient investing – all in a way different than a REIT. 

Click above to watch!

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Private Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 717 5698
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

All exempt market securities dealing and advising is provided by Raintree Financial Solutions (RFS), Ian Ardill in their capacity as registered dealing representatives of RFS and is subject to the review and supervision of RFS. Ardill Group, the representatives in their capacity as an insurance agent of Ardill Group, only provides insurance services for which it is licensed. It is not registered or authorized to deal in or advise on exempt market securities and does not supervise activities as performed by RFS or its registered dealing representatives.

The post Video: Millennium III first appeared on Ardill Group.

By Ian Ardill

I find this to be a fascinating story.  

A few years ago, Darren Krissie, CEO and Founder of Skyward Equity Partners, saw an opportunity to consolidate, under one umbrella, industrial businesses in Western Canada.  The result?  There are already three cash-flow positive businesses you can invest in.  

Check out what I learned in our Money Match interview.

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Private Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 717 5698
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

All exempt market securities dealing and advising is provided by Raintree Financial Solutions (RFS), Ian Ardill in their capacity as registered dealing representatives of RFS and is subject to the review and supervision of RFS. Ardill Group, the representatives in their capacity as an insurance agent of Ardill Group, only provides insurance services for which it is licensed. It is not registered or authorized to deal in or advise on exempt market securities and does not supervise activities as performed by RFS or its registered dealing representatives.

The post Video: Skyward Equity Partners first appeared on Ardill Group.

As we declare in our brand foundation, We are fanatical about providing consistent service. As one more step to ensure we deliver on this promise, we have a new dedicated phone number for each team member.  Here they are:

Ian: 1 905 769 2004
Ale: 1 289 266 4002
Darlene: 1 647 250 7057

Talk soon.

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Private Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 717 5698
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

Image by Ka Kit Pang – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=143182133

The post Call us on these new numbers! first appeared on Ardill Group.