Hub Blogs

Hub Blogs contains fresh contributions written by Financial Independence Hub staff or contributors that have not appeared elsewhere first, or have been modified or customized for the Hub by the original blogger. In contrast, Top Blogs shows links to the best external financial blogs around the world.

Digital Banking: the smarter way of saving that’s here to stay

 

By Dave Schurman

Special to the Financial Independence Hub

By nature, we’re creatures of habit, but this past year has taught us that necessity clears the way for change. In a relatively short time, we’ve adjusted how we shop, work and study. The same can be said for banking. We’re looking for new ways that check all our boxes: easy, convenient, safe and smart.

What is digital banking?

Easy. It’s like having a financial institution at your fingertips.

Digital banking is fully online: it gives you the same financial products and security you would find in a traditional financial institution without need for expensive bricks and mortar, achieving cost savings that are then passed on to customers in the form of better rates and lower fees. And, the really good news in digital banking is that the “doors are always open,” so you manage your money on your time, not bankers’ time, and you do it from anywhere you want!

Who should consider digital banking?

Pretty much anyone looking for something more. We all like to get more from the services we use. More convenience. A more intuitive experience. More value. Here are the top reasons digital banking has taken off:

  • Low or no monthly fees
  • Better rates
  • Access whenever you need it
  • Easy-to-use and secure online experience
  • Ongoing innovation and updates based on customer feedback

 How do you choose the right digital banking platform?

Shop around.

First, decide which banking products you are looking for. If it is investments, what are you saving for: Retirement, an upcoming purchase or just a rainy day? Are you willing to lock your money in for a period of time to get a higher rate or do you prefer to have quick access to your money? Once you’ve figured out what you are looking for, next look into rates. How does one digital bank compare to another? Searching online is a great place to start. Once you have a shortlist of possible digital banking options, consider the following questions:

  • Is this digital banking solution backed by an established financial institution?
  • Will you have easy access to a real person if you need help or have questions?
  • What do the reviews say?
  • Will you have to pay for fees and, if so, how much?
  • What is the deposit insurance limit?

What is a HISA?

Don’t worry; it’s better than it sounds.

HISA stands for high interest savings account, and here’s what people love about digital HISA accounts: The rates are generally higher than what you get at traditional financial institutions with branches. So, for example, let’s say you find yourself in the middle of a pandemic. You’re not spending as much, so you have more money to save. A good move would be to put your money in a HISA and watch it grow faster. Saven’s HISA offers a competitive 1.55%* rate with no monthly fees, no minimum deposit and free e-transfers and direct deposits! Plus, your money is not locked in, so you can access it at any time.

What about GICs?

A smart choice to give your savings even more of a boost. If you want to lock in, then a Guaranteed Investment Certificate is another great way to save. This option is best for long-term savings at a fixed term (usually anywhere from one to five years). Saven’s GICs offer up to 2.05%**. Our super competitive rates are locked in so you see consistent growth. Continue Reading…

10 Stock Types investors could consider in 2021 

By Emily Roberts

For the Financial Independence Hub

Following a challenging year for us all, we are confident that those reading this and beyond are more than happy to see the back of 2020. As we make our way further into 2021, the pandemic’s impacts are beginning to show themselves more, and we can see the different ways that the pandemic changed our lives in some way or another.

Financially, the last year has been one of the toughest that many of us have ever faced. A large majority of the world population experienced the economic crash of 2008 but have stated that the last year has been similar in some elements but drastically different in others. It is no surprise that experts have estimated that the pandemic’s financial impact across the globe is set to be much worse than that felt back in 2008.

As a result of this, there is little surprise that people are searching for ways that they can be more economic themselves, and how they can improve their current situation. We are seeing more and more people monetizing on their existing skills in every direction, creating a small, online business selling some type of arts and crafts or baked goods.

While these are certainly effective ways of boosting your income following a set-back, this is not the only avenue available to those searching for a side hustle. With an increased interest in the world of cryptocurrency as of late, and with a 350% increase in how many Google searches have been made into Bitcoin, there undoubtedly appears to be an interest in investing our money.

If you are interested in finding out more about investing your money moving forward and the different stock types to consider when exploring this world, you are in luck! Detailed below is a helpful list of the best stock types to consider in 2021. Read on for more.

Before deciding to invest

Particularly when exchanging money, you want to make sure that you have put some thought into this. The last thing that you want to do when attempting to boost your income is to put yourself into any sort of financial difficulty.

Those who are clued up on all thing’s stocks are probably aware that there is risk involved in investing in stocks. But for those who are not, this is one thing that is well worth considering before jumping into this world.

By ensuring that you correctly understand the ins and outs of what you are getting yourself into, you can rest assured that you will be moving money around in a safe manner.

It is worth noting that investing in stocks takes some time and patience; you will not see the results overnight, so it is worth monitoring over time. On that note, let’s get to the main event: what types of stock exist.

Different Stock Types 

  1. Common Stock: As the name here suggests, this is the most common type of stock that exists and which you can invest in. Common stock is an ideal stepping-stone into the world of investment and is suitable for those who are first starting out on their investment journey and building up a portfolio. When you invest in a common stock, you own a share in the stock and in the company’s profit as well. Those who choose to invest in a company through common stock can also expect to get the ability to vote on the company policy and anything else of importance that requires shareholder’s input.
  1. Preferred Stock: This type of stock is often compared to bonds. Unlike common stock, preferred stock pays investors a fixed dividend, whereas the common stock offers investors the opportunity to earn dividends, but these are not guaranteed. Preferred stock is an ideal choice for those looking to invest in something while prioritizing income rather than any sort of long-term growth. Much like that of common stock, those who invest in a company’s preferred stock can vote on matters involving shareholders but are also given more preferential treatment. What’s more, if a company is to go into liquidation or declare bankruptcy, those who own preferred stock are returned their dividends before those who have common stock.
  1. Mining Stocks: Unlike other aspects of the investment world, this may well be a term that not many people are aware of. That said, these are also stocks worth investing in during 2021. More so when wanting to boost your income. Much like our other suggestions, it is advised that those interested in investing into these particular stocks do adequate research levels first. Mining stocks have multiple elements to them, and these are known as either major or junior mining stocks. Major mining stocks are known to work in a similar way to that of blue-chip stocks. On the other hand, junior mining stocks are akin to  penny stocks. To learn more about mining stocks and how you can go about investing into this particular type of stock in 2021, check out the guide created by Wall St Now on their website.
  1. Blue Chip Stock: Following its brief mention previously, we thought it best to explain further what we mean by Blue Chip Stock and why it is one of the best stocks to invest in as we head further into 2021. Blue Chip Stock investors can expect to experience relatively low risks regarding their investment into a business. Companies that allow the opportunity to invest in Blue Chip Stocks are generally considered leaders in their industry. With strong reputations regarding products and services, those who choose to invest in this particular stock can rest assured that they will receive some sort of pay-out at some point.
  1. Cyclical Stocks: Another term those outside the investment world may be unfamiliar with, but another excellent type of stock worth investing in when wanting to make some profit in 2021. Cyclical stock is also known as equity stock and is generally used in businesses and companies that are manufacturing certain goods; this can include cars, houses, and other equipment. Generally speaking, we pay for necessary goods like food and drink on at least a weekly basis. We don’t tend to put a second thought into these purchases, and it is something that we need and therefore pay for often. Cyclical stocks rise and fall in value based on the ups and downs that come with being a business and any external influence. Think of economic crises – much like what we have seen in the last year – as well as economic booms. To make a profit through cyclicals, you would need to purchase a stock in a company during a time when the price is at its lowest. This could be during an economic crisis, so it is certainly worth considering at a time such as the present. To make a profit, simply sit with your investment and be patient until a time when the price has risen, during an economic boom. When investing into cyclical stocks, one thing that should be considered is that during times of recession, the investment you have made could be regarded as worthless. So, make sure to do your research before making the jump.
  1. Defensive Stocks: While on the topic of investment during the recession, our attention turns to the world of Defensive Stocks. Another suggestion for those looking to invest in 2021 is an ideal suggestion on the off chance that we enter another recession in the future. Continue Reading…

“Findependence or Bust” — my interview with Pat Bolland on his new podcast

Pat Bolland, host of The Just Word podcast.

Veteran broadcaster Pat Bolland interviews me on his new podcast: The Just Word with Pat Bolland.

You can find the full interview — which dropped early Tuesday — here.  The episode is titled “Findependence or Bust.” Scroll down a tad if you can’t see it immediately on your screen. It’s audio-only (at least this particular segment) and if it appears to pause on a mobile device, simply press the Play button again and it will resume where it left off.

You can find the podcast on the usual distribution outlets, including Spotify, Apple, Google and others.

I’ve followed Pat’s career in broadcasting and investing for decades and for a time we worked as editor (me) and columnist (Pat) during my stint at MoneySense magazine. Pat was my go-to-source for Fixed Income, although of course he’s extremely knowledgeable about all asset classes.

The interview is a wide-ranging one over Zoom, spanning about 25 minutes, with a particular focus on this website: The Financial Independence Hub. Pat probes me about why and how the site got started, about its demographics and audience and we discuss the difference between traditional Retirement and the concept of Financial Independence (aka Findependence) and the idea of the Financial Life Cycle.

As the title of the segment suggests, he fully fleshes out the word Findependence, including my self-appointed title of CFO, standing uniquely for Chief Findependence Officer.

We address the difference between Wealth Accumulation and so-called “Decumulation,”  and discuss a few Canadian authors of books that focus on the topic, or Retirement in general.

Our respective forays into Cryptocurrencies

Of course, we also covered a lot of ground about investing in general, ranging from cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin and gold/precious metals to robo-advisors and investing in a post-Covid world where vaccines are becoming common enough that investors can start to think about so-called “Recovery” plays.

We chat about what seems to have been the shortest bear market in history (March 2020) and the subsequent volatile markets. I was surprised to discover Pat was an early adopter of Bitcoin, albeit a tiny amount several years ago, which he ultimately bought a set of golf clubs with.

We then moved on to zero-commission trading, young investors trading on Robinhood, and the recent phenomenon of the short squeeze on GameStop and other popular meme stocks promoted on Reddit’s WallStreetBets forum.

Housing, investment real estate and REITs

We also discuss interest rates and housing, debt and financial repression, life expectancy and longevity, and what aging baby boomers like ourselves can expect in Semi-Retirement and (one day!) Full Retirement. We walk about Toronto housing prices and my long-term philosophy that the foundation of Findependence is a paid-for home (articulated in my financial novel, Findependence Day.)

We also address investment real estate and — for those who don’t wish to be a landlord — REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts) or REIT ETFs.

What I’d tell my 35-year old self

Watch near the end for Pat’s question to me about what I’d tell my 35-year-old self if I could go back in time and do it all over again.

Hint: Pat thought my answer was “facetious!”

RBC continues to see increased adoption of digital banking solutions

NOMI Budgets, available through the RBC mobile app.

By Peter Tilton, Senior Vice President, Digital, RBC

(Sponsor content)

Prior to the pandemic, RBC already had a robust digital banking user base.

However, as COVID-19 reached Canada and temporary branch closures took effect, we saw a rapid increase in demand for digital banking solutions.

We quickly pivoted to expand the capabilities of some of our leading digital tools, helping to ensure that clients could access everything they needed from home, including one-on-one appointments with their financial advisor.

Our analytics showed some interesting trends: the first being that many seniors quickly adopted digital banking tools. We saw a 77% increase in average weekly enrolment for digital banking sign-ups amongst users aged 60+, and daily re-engagement amongst these clients increased by 36%.

Digital banking tools also saw an overall increase in demand. For clients who had been with RBC for more than five years, there was more than a 60% increase in average daily digital enrollment throughout the first few months of the pandemic.

Below is a look at some of the tools that helped our clients simplify their day-to-day routines and manage their finances effectively from home.

With MyAdvisor, meet with your financial advisor from home

MyAdvisor offers clients digital access to their personalized financial plans and connects them to an advisor in their community either by live video, phone or in-branch.

In the wake of COVID-19, we saw increased adoption of MyAdvisor. The platform was adapted to allow for an increased volume of client and advisor interactions, including video calls. We also expanded the platform to support a wider group of advisors to help meet every need; for example, Private Banking advisors.

We’ve heard some great feedback on the platform from our advisors, one of whom mentioned that they previously tried to introduce MyAdvisor to a client for two years, but the client declined as they preferred in-person meetings and didn’t use online banking. Given the current physical distancing guidelines, the client decided to try a video meeting through MyAdvisor and was surprised with the ease of use. When the client went to book their future annual review with the same advisor, they requested another MyAdvisor video appointment.

We now have more than 2.23 million clients onboarded onto MyAdvisor with a personalized plan. Between March 2020 and January 2021, the number of completed appointments increased by 84%.

Ask NOMI allows clients to get more comfortable with digital banking

Ask NOMI is an interactive guide to personal banking. Found in the RBC Mobile app, it uses Artificial Intelligence to answer client questions about their accounts, simplify select everyday banking tasks and increase client comfort levels with digital banking. Continue Reading…

10 Mobile Apps for managing money and improving Financial Literacy

By Jasmine Melikyan

Special to the Financial Independence Hub

Nowadays managing financial incomes, investment accounts, and tracking your expenses are simplified due to mobile apps. They provide a more precise picture of earnings and spending so that one can forget about pen and paper to write down all the financial information and sometimes even get messed with numbers.

Everything goes digital and becomes mobile-friendly, and budgeting is not an exception. With 4.78 billion unique mobile users who can easily plan their financial resources via apps, saving them time, these provide a vivid picture of what expenses they can allow themselves and what not, making these applications easy-to access financial trackersthat can keep you in check anytime. The functions of this smart software might sound unusual to the older generation, for whom the only true way is the hand-written notes on the paper; however, they will enjoy it once they try.

Here are 10 mobile apps for managing your money and improving your financial literacy. You need only to give it a shot!

1.) PocketGuard

PocketGuard was launched in 2014 to help people better manage their money. It assists you with several different financial issues.

Once you link your financial account to the app — credit cards, investments, loans, etc. — you can see the big picture of where you stand and what you have at the moment. Due to professionally developed features, you can follow and manage your individual transactions with the app. PocketGuard can take care of your money, reminding you how much you have left in your pocket. The app creates an individual budget form for you based on your income, spendings, bills, or goals. It will help you to better understand your financial situation and spend your money more wisely.

2.) Mint

Mint is a free online platform with financial planning and tracking tools. The app can be used by different devices. Mint is ideal for people who want to be informed about their budgeting, transaction, bills, etc. The app is regularly updated with new and useful features; however, the absence of account reconciliation can make the app unusable.

3.) YNAB

YNAB is a financial application that can be used across iOS and Android operating systems, iPads, desktop computers, Apple Watches, and the Amazon Echo system. The goal of the application is to consider long-term expenses to prevent unexpected spendings. YNAB categorizes transactions, displays financial reports. It is quite a popular app for investors.

4.) Goodbudget

Goodbudget is a money management and expense tracking tool that helps you to stay on top of your finances and bills. It automatically syncs across Android, web, and iPhone and helps you to schedule your transactions or edit your budget as needed. Subscribers get 7 years of transaction history and personal email support for every case.

5.) Honeydue

Honeydue is the perfect app to solve money-related arguments between couples. They can attach their account details and share information about account balances and spendings. The application supports thousands of financial institutions across five countries. Honeydue uses the best practices of the industry to provide you modern and helpful tools and protect your financial data and identity.

6.) Robinhood

Due to the Robinhood app, you can make unlimited commission-free trades in ETFs and stocks, as well as purchase cryptocurrencies with Robinhood Crypto. Robinhood provides fractional shares, which means you can invest in thousands of stocks with a small amount of money.

7.) Ellevest

The goal of this application is to close gender money gaps. It was created especially for women, but clients of the opposite gender are also welcome. Continue Reading…