DEEP DIVE
In Depth Article – Heavy on the facts and details definitely for the committed reader.

Rob's Read

Why Are We So Scared?

AdvisorAnalyst.com:

"I always find this time of year to be self-reflective. Year-end provides a natural point for critiquing past performance and fitting it into a broader investing context. These holidays in particular have a way of foisting this perspective upon me, and with deep meaning. As a parent of two young kids, my holidays now kick off with Halloween. Perhaps stuck in this spirit, I find myself wondering: Why are we so scared?

I can’t seem to shake this sense that we live in a culture that’s scared. I see a number of signs across the economic, political, and investment landscapes that seem support this observation. To be sure, this is not universally true on an individual level. However, as a culture we seem to have lost our mojo, our swagger, and the confidence that fuels significant economic advancements."

View Full Article

Rob McClelland RFP, CFP, HBA Vice President, Co-Branch Owner, Senior Financial Planning Advisor The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

LIFESTYLE
Light Read – Fun and Enjoyable!

Lifestyle

Think like a Target-Date retirement fund

How do you invest successfully in the stock market? Answer: Buy low, sell high! Not a novel idea, but one that is consistently overlooked. More often than not, long-term investors are employing the opposite strategy – buying high and selling low – which typically results in an overly-anxious and underwhelming investment experience. Not to mention, a less desirable retirement lifestyle…

The concept of buying low and selling high is a strategy employed by target-date retirement funds. Here in Canada, many employers utilize these types of funds in their Defined Contribution Pension Plans offered to their employees.

In short, target-date retirement funds invest in a combination of stocks and bonds. The longer the duration to retirement, the higher the percentage exposure to stocks. The shorter the duration to retirement (or if in retirement), the higher the exposure to bonds. Over time, the fund automatically reduces the stock exposure and increases the bond exposure as the “target retirement date” approaches.

While invested in the fund, investors don’t have to worry about how it is being managed through daily, weekly, monthly, even annual volatility. The fund adjusts its weightings (percentage between stocks and bonds) automatically by increasing the stock exposure when the market drops and reducing the stock exposure when the market goes up. No timing the market. Just staying true to the target percentages of stocks and bonds.

This, my friends, is called “rebalancing” – an unemotional and simplest method to buy low and sell high. At The McClelland Financial Group, we employ rebalancing in the management of our clients’ portfolios. The only downside with target-date retirement funds is that they don’t necessarily accommodate its investors’ unique situations or timeframes. Through our investment management process, we can provide the flexibility of maintaining a more aggressive portfolio (if necessary) as the target retirement date approaches. Whether it’s a target-date retirement fund or regular rebalancing, buying low and selling high has never been easier.

Carlo Cansino FMA, FCSI, CFP Senior Financial Advisor The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

TEAM UP
Uplifting, thoughtful points and articles of interest from our team members

Crunch Your Way to Hydration

Cucumbers don’t get much credit.
That’s about to change …

FitnessAndWellnessNews.com:

"Cukes do not resemble the frequently praised power produce. They aren’t dark in deep color or leafy. Almost everyone eats them because of their mild taste, unlike kale, cranberries, or Brussels sprouts. Hence, it is often incorrectly assumed cucumbers lack nutritional value. Not true! Here are reasons you can get away with serving this easy side without guilt.

You Can Only Drink So Much

Managing your daily fluid intake can be a challenge– and a boring one! By your third water refill, your taste buds may be crying for variety. At about 96 percent water, cucumbers are the solution. Boost your hydration by crunching on these. They also add refreshing flavor to water. Add a couple slices for a little joy in your next chug. They are low in calories so snack away! "

View the full article..

Stella Walter Office Receptionist The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

LIFESTYLE
Light Read – Fun and Enjoyable!

Lifestyle

7 hard lessons the most
successful people master by age 35

Throughout life we learn some valuable lessons we wish we knew earlier in life but of course, hindsight is 20/20. Unfortunately there are many things we learn in life that we can't learn from traditional education. These so called life lessons have the potential to change our whole trajectory as an individual. This article posted by Leah Thomas highlights 7 lessons the most successful people master by age 35. The sooner you learn these, the more your life can benefit from them.

Read 7 hard lessons the most successful people master by age 35 on BusinessInsider.com

Michael Ams B.Com. Strategic Associate The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

Millennial MOMENT
Light Read – Need to know information for the Millennial in you

Millennial Moment

Most Canadians believe
they will never be debt free

We live in a society now that is heavily influenced by consumerism and what you have. Couple that with rising costs of living and it is no wonder that most Canadians are severely in debt. The article linked below looks at how much debt has impacted our society and puts the importance of paying down debt into perspective.

Read "Two in five Canadians believe they will never be debt-free" at GlobalNews.ca

John Iaconetti B.A.S., Spec. Hons. Administrative Studies (Finance) Financial Advisor The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

THINK SMART
Podcast – Listen to Mike and Rob and their latest thoughts and industry insights

Think Smart Podcast

Take control of your financial destiny with great insights, tips and advice from the team at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

Four Wanderers of the World
Tales from four great clients that we would like to share with you. We will have instalments along the way as they travel exciting and exotic new places around the globe. Written by Martin and Juliet Irish and Howard and Roberta Goldby.

Goa

After spending a hectic 9 days city hopping through the Golden Triangle and Amritsar, it was time to slow down the pace. We flew to GOA and were then driven for about an hour south, to spend 6 nights at the Karma Royal Palms resort in Benaulim, GOA. We can also report that none of us had a true definition of a Delhi belly, even though Howard came close!

Goa is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan, and geographically separated from the Deccan highlands by the Western Ghats. It is surrounded by the Indian states of Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast. It is India's smallest state by area and the fourth-smallest by population. Goa has the highest GDP per capita among all Indian states, two and a half times that of the country. It was ranked the best-placed state by the Eleventh Finance Commission for its infrastructure and ranked on top for the best quality of life in India by the National Commission on Population based on the 12 Indicators.

Click here for the full blog post!

WHAT’S NEW?
Light Read – Updates on need to know details for Assante clients on technology and industry changes

Introducing Box

We are excited to introduce the latest technology on secure file sharing to help simplify your financial life. With that in mind, we would like to share your personal box folder with you. This allows you greater control and freedom when it comes to your important files.

If this is something you’re interested in, please click below to inform us. No need to reply if you do not want access.

YES, I would like to access BOX

Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a Member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. This material is provided for general information and is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to compile this material from reliable sources however no warranty can be made as to its accuracy or completeness. Before acting on any of the above, please make sure to see me for individual financial advice based on your personal circumstances. Insurance products and services are provided through Assante Estate and Insurance Services Inc.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses, may all be associated with mutual fund investments. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the Fund Facts and consult your Assante Advisor before investing.

Certain employees of (TMFG Tax Service) maintain a relationship with Assante Capital Management Ltd. (“Assante”) through which they sell investment products. The relationship that they have with Assante does not include tax preparation services which (TMFG Tax Service) is solely responsible. (TMFG Tax Service) is not associated in any way with Assante, and Assante has no responsibility for the tax preparation services offered by (TMFG Tax Service).

*Please note that a live recording may be conducted at our workshops. Consent will be obtained, should you be captured in the video.

**All personal information will only be used in accordance with your consent, and in compliance with Assante's Privacy Policy.

Let's keep communicating. We value our relationship with you and want to stay in touch, whether it's regarding events or newsletters. In brief, The McClelland Financial Group aims to provide you with information that is relevant to you. As you are likely aware, on July 1, 2014 Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) came into force which requires your consent to receive electronic communications.

If we do not receive an unsubscribe email from you we will continue e-communications under the implied consent provisions under CASL. **