Chairman’s Message: 2020 Hindsight?
If I had told you in the Fall of 2016 – not even five years ago – that Elon Musk would be the richest man in the world, a global pandemic would virtually shut down the entire world, and a…
How to Make a Million Dollars in a TFSA Account
Note: In the Northwood Perspective newsletter, we usually target our writing to current and prospective family office clients (i.e. those with $10M+ of investable assets). However, we are also aware that many other people read our newsletter on a regular…
Chairman’s Message: An Honest Self-Assessment
In recent days, I have been seeing more and more families who are accumulating significant amounts of capital, selling businesses, experiencing family changes, and getting older. Many are beginning to think about whether a family office now makes sense for…
How To Position Your Portfolio in Advance of the US Election
Quick quiz: Which U.S. President of the last 70 years presided over the largest overall percentage gain in the stock market? If you answered Bill Clinton, you are correct. Over his eight years in office from 1993-2001 the S&P 500…
Book Review: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
The things that matter most in personal finance are boring. Spend less than you earn. Invest in a diversified portfolio. Choose an investment strategy that you can stick with when markets get rough. Avoid risking what you have to reach…
Chairman’s Message: Successful Crisis Management
Two friends are out camping. They hear a cry for help and rush into a fast-flowing stream to save a drowning child… only to see another struggling child drift by… and then another, and another. As one of the campers…
COVID-19… A Tax Planning Opportunity?
Dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic has been, to say the least, a challenge. Having to social distance, balance our work and family lives as we work from home, and watch our investments ride a roller coaster have all created stress…
Yin and Yang: The Importance of Effective Implementation, along with Planning
The storm that raged through the financial markets in the first quarter of 2020 has eased somewhat, allowing investors a chance to catch their breath and assess the impact. While the possibility of further market distress and upheaval in the…
Why Plans Are Useless, but Planning Is Indispensable
I started my military career in an Army Reserve unit, the Royal Regiment of Canada. It was there that I was first introduced to the “7 Ps”, an adage widely popular across the armed forces of many English-speaking nations: “Proper…
Chairman’s Message: Building Bridges
When a new or prospective client first meets with us, they often ask: What should my asset mix be? Is now a good time to invest? Which managers do you recommend? What about passive investing options? What tax planning opportunities…
