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.

10 Business Leaders discuss Role of Budgeting in Debt Reduction

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Image courtesy Featured.com

Exploring the critical role of budgeting in debt reduction and the journey to financial independence, we’ve gathered insights from founders and CEOs among others.

From the disciplined approach of discipline and frugality through budgeting to the strategic perspective of budgeting and debt management for independence, here are the diverse experiences of ten professionals who’ve successfully navigated their finances.

 

 

  • Discipline and Frugality
  • Debt Reduction and Savings
  • A Financial Compass
  • Fiscal Success
  • Navigating Finances
  • Clarity and Control
  • Financial Stability and Empowerment
  • A Roadmap to Financial Freedom
  • Enhanced Financial Control
  • Debt Management for Independence

Discipline and Frugality

Being in a financial crisis is not uncommon for the average person; we have all seen people in our lives suffer under the massive weight of debt and how it subsequently affects our quality of life. To get out of debt, you need to be disciplined and frugal. Following a budget needs to become a regular part of your life so that you can achieve financial freedom sooner rather than later.

When you budget, following a rule like 50/30/20, it helps you manage your income in a way that reduces your debt and allows you to live a fulfilled life while still preparing for any unexpected hiccups in the future.

When you budget following a ratio rule, you need to be flexible with the money allocated for “wants,” i.e., the 30 in the ratio. This means cutting out anything in your life that isn’t necessary—such as buying the extra coffee, eating takeout daily, or subscribing to services that you don’t use.

So, don’t allow yourself to fall into the lifestyle-creep trap. By cutting these non-essentials out, you can funnel the extra money into your essentials and debt repayments—which loosens the burden for you and your future.

That being said, you don’t have to make yourself burnt out from budgeting; it’s okay to treat yourself and splurge a little as a reward for doing well with your financial goals. You just need to know your limits and where to draw the line. — Zach Robbins, Founder, Loanfolk

Debt Reduction and Savings

Budgeting is hugely important for reducing debt and achieving financial independence because it can help you determine how much you can contribute each paycheck toward these goals. For instance, with a budget, you can learn exactly how much you have left over each month after essential expenses, such as rent, groceries, and electricity. Once you have this number, you can allocate a portion of your remaining income to reducing debt and savings.

For me, personally, budgeting helps me realize when I’ve overspent in certain areas and need to rein it in so that I will have enough to put towards savings or debt payoff. — Meredith Lepore, Content Strategist/Editor/Writer, Credello

A Financial Compass

Budgeting plays a crucial role in reducing debt and achieving financial independence. By ensuring you spend within your means, it acts as a financial compass.

For instance, when I faced a mounting credit card debt, which mirrored the national average of around $6,000, budgeting became my lifeline. It wasn’t just about tracking expenses but making conscious choices about spending.

This approach helped me not only clear my debt but also build a savings habit, leading to a more secure financial future. — Tobias Liebsch, Co-Founder, Fintalent.io

Fiscal Success

Budgeting is the financial roadmap to success. As a tech CEO, it’s been my steering wheel on the road to fiscal independence. An example would be when we faced a financial bottleneck. We reevaluated our costs, cutting back on non-essential company perks, and reallocated those funds towards paying down our debt.

Thanks to strategic budgeting, we were debt-free in less than a year. Therefore, proper budgeting isn’t just number-crunching; it’s crucial for cuts, savings, and gains, propelling us toward the land of fiscal freedom. — Abid Salahi, Co-founder & CEO, FinlyWealth

Navigating Finances

The importance of budgeting in the journey toward reducing debt and achieving financial independence cannot be overstated—it’s the financial equivalent of a compass on a voyage across the open sea. Without it, you’re essentially navigating blind, at the mercy of the winds and currents. But with it, you can chart a course to your destination, making informed decisions that keep you on track.

There was a time when my financial situation felt like a sinking ship—credit card debt and personal loans were the water flooding in, and I was desperately bailing it out with a leaky bucket. I realized that if I wanted to reach the shores of financial independence; I needed a better strategy.

That’s when I embraced budgeting with open arms. I started by laying out all my expenses and income, categorizing them with the meticulousness of a librarian. It was eye-opening to see where my money was actually going, rather than where I thought it was going. I discovered leaks in my spending—money trickling away on things that, frankly, weren’t adding much value to my life, like a gym membership I barely used or subscription services that just piled up.

Armed with this knowledge, I began to plug these leaks, reallocating those funds toward paying off my debt. Every dollar saved was like a bucket of water thrown overboard, lightening the load and bringing my ship higher in the water.

But budgeting did more than just help me manage my debt; it empowered me. It transformed my relationship with money from one of anxiety and scarcity to one of control and abundance. Through disciplined budgeting, I was able to pay off my debts significantly faster than I had thought possible. More importantly, it laid the foundation for building savings and investments, guiding me toward the ultimate goal of financial independence.

The journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. There were months when unexpected expenses threw me off course, but because I had a budget, I could adjust my sails and get back on track. Budgeting gave me the flexibility to deal with financial storms without capsizing. — Michael Dion, Chief Finance Nerd, F9 Finance

Clarity and Control

Budgeting is absolutely critical for getting out of debt and achieving financial independence. When I first started trying to pay down my student loans and credit card debt in my early 20s, I felt completely overwhelmed. I was living paycheck to paycheck and had no idea where my money was going each month. Continue Reading…

A Year in Review & Beyond: Navigating Curveballs and Embracing the Future

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By Alizay Fatema, Associate Portfolio Manager, BMO ETFs

(Sponsor Blog)

As we begin the new year, it’s only fitting to cast a retrospective gaze in 2023 and unravel the pivotal moments that altered the landscape of the global markets. 2023 was a year where several themes dominated the global economy while it was still recovering from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Looking in the rear-view mirror, some of the key contributors to financial markets volatility were the banking crisis, inflation concerns and central banks monetary tightening policies, rise of the artificial intelligence and geo-political risks stemming from the ongoing wars.

Unveiling the Banking Turmoil

Unlike the subprime mortgage crisis of 2008 that was triggered by risky mortgage lending practices, the banking upheaval of March 2023 started owing to deficiencies in risk management and lack of proper supervision which ultimately caused multiple small-medium sized regional banks to fail in the U.S.

During the month of March 2023, Silvergate Bank, Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank faced bank runs over fears of their solvency and collapsed [1][2]. As a result, share prices of other banks such as First Republic Bank (FRB), Western Alliance Bancorporation and PacWest Bancorp plunged. FRB was later closed, and its deposits and assets were sold to JP Morgan Chase. Internationally, the jitters of the US banking crisis spilled over into Switzerland, where Credit Suisse collapsed owing to multiple scandals, and was acquired by its competitor, the UBS Group AG, in a buy-out on March 19, 2023 [3].

The Federal Reserve (Fed), Bank of Canada (BoC), European Central Bank, and several other central banks announced significant liquidity measures to calm market turmoil and mitigate the impact of the stress [4].

The Interest Rate Hiking Odyssey

Deeming inflation as transitory during 2021, central banks finally embraced inflation as a persistent problem and engaged in interest rate hiking saga starting from March 2022 which continued into 2023. These aggressive rate hikes had a significant impact on the financial markets as they made borrowing more expensive and led to record high bond yields. The chart below shows that the Fed conducted multiple hikes to bring the rates to 5.5%, highest level in more than 22 years [5]. BoC also increased its policy rate to 5% in a similar fashion.

Any “good news was bad news” in 2023 as robust labour market and resilient economic growth meant that central banks would have to keep interest rates higher for longer to the detriment of equities. Given the effect of monetary policy changes are subject to a lag, we would have to wait and see the full impact on the economy in the coming months.

The Rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshaping the future

2023 left an indelible imprint on the trajectory of technological evolution due to the rise of artificial intelligence and its profound effects that reverberated across numerous industries. We witnessed a pivotal juncture in the progression of generative AI in 2023 ever since Open AI released ChatGPT on November 30, 2022 [6], and within a few months it became one of the fastest growing applications in history and created a massive frenzy in the tech world. Despite concerns about the repercussion of higher interest rates in 2023, investors’ enthusiasm for AI took centre stage and the Nasdaq 100 index achieved the best year in over a decade owing to a stellar performance of the leading tech companies.

The Ascendance of Money Market ETFs in an Uncertain Financial Landscape

Assets in money-markets, high-interest savings accounts (HISAs) and other cash-like investments reached an all-time high during 2023 after the most aggressive monetary tightening cycle that was started by the Fed & BoC in 2022.  There is nearly $6 trillion parked in these funds and cash deposits in the U.S. [7], and over $25 billion in cash and HISA ETFs in Canada.

Yielding over 5%, these money market funds attracted retail investors, serving as a great avenue to park cash with guaranteed liquidity, minimum risk, low volatility, and flexibility. However, the recent shift in the Fed & BoC stance is signaling the end of the tightening campaign and projecting rate cuts in 2024. The latest ruling by office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to uphold 100% liquidity requirements on HISA ETFs may impact the dynamic of these money market/HISA funds during this year.

Geopolitical Risks amidst two Ongoing Conflicts

2023 went down in history as being a year marked by two big wars: an ongoing conflict in Ukraine that started in 2022 as it fights off a Russian invasion and the outbreak of violence in the Middle East in October 2023 between Israel and Hamas [8].

Fear of potential escalation in the Middle East conflict and prospects of the war spilling over in the wider region added to uneasiness in the markets as the region is a crucial supplier of energy and a key shipping passageway. The market reacted to the news of the conflict by shifting towards safe-haven assets as this unforeseen geopolitical event increased uncertainties [9].

Dodging Recession, Double Digit Equity Returns and a Comeback in Fixed Income

During 2023, many investors feared that higher-for-longer interest rates would trigger a recession in the U.S and would take a toll on corporate profits and bond returns. As the Fed embarked upon the most aggressive rate hiking cycle, the yield curve inverted, sending a classic warning signal of a looming recession.

Moreover, the U.S. Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing index dropped below 50 in November 2023, indicating a contraction in manufacturing activity. Despite having the highest prediction of a recession with heightened volatility in the markets throughout 2023, the US economy avoided recession and equities posted double digit returns. Moreover, fixed income rebounded in 2023 and reported positive returns after persistently declining for two years, thanks to the bond rally in the last two months of 2023 as markets priced in rate cuts for early 2024.

The Canadian economy also dodged recession, largely attributed to substantial immigration which bolstered overall spending and economic growth. However, the GDP per capita declined, indicating that spending hasn’t matched the influx of newcomers primarily due to the increasing costs of home ownership and rent further exacerbating the housing crisis.

 

“Index returns do not reflect transactions costs, or the deduction of other fees and expenses and it is not possible to invest directly in an Index. Past performance is not indicative of future results.”

 Could 2024 be the Year of Fixed Income?

After having a humbling experience in 2023, the market consensus has now shifted for 2024 with the majority of fund managers in the U.S. expecting a soft landing for the economy [10], which might fuel rate cuts now that the sky-high inflation is subsiding and heading down towards the Fed’s & BoC’s target.

The chance of higher policy rates going forward is slimmer and the potential for rate cuts in 2024 is much stronger if inflation cools off further, the labour market weakens, consumer demand diminishes, and economic growth slows down. Both central banks indicated that future policy decisions will be data dependent and any rate cuts in 2024 will be contingent on inflation cooling off meaningfully, i.e., in line with their 2% target.

The market is currently anticipating rates to remain elevated till Q2 of 2024 as the labour market still seems robust and the December Consumer Price Index (CPI) print pushed the expectation of rate cuts even further. Continue Reading…

Where does the Tech Sector stand after Winter Earnings Season?

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By Ambrose O’Callaghan, Harvest ETFs

(Sponsor Content)

The technology sector has put together a strong performance in the year-over-year period as of early afternoon trading on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

For example, the S&P 500 Information Technology Index has delivered a year-over-year return of 47% at the time of this writing.

The tech sector, and the United States stock market at large, has been dominated by the performance of the “Magnificent 7” in 2023 and early 2024. The “Magnificent 7” are Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla. Today, we’ll explore the performance of two big names and get a handle on the tech sector at large after many of the biggest names have unveiled their final batch of earnings for fiscal 2023.

“Tech companies have generally managed to report solid earnings so far this quarter,” says Harvest ETFs Portfolio Manager James Learmonth. “That highlighted continued strength in spending on artificial intelligence initiatives. In the shorter term, there has been a significant run in the sector over the past year and while there exists some potential for a consolidation period, momentum has continued, and the growth drivers remain in place.”

James Learmonth manages the Harvest Tech Achievers Growth & Income ETF (HTA:TSX). This ETF seeks to tap into large-cap tech companies that now lead this sector. HTA holds those leading companies to deliver both income and the growth opportunities investors seek in tech.

Which tech company’s earnings beat expectations in the winter of 2024?

Meta Platforms, which is one of the premier equally weighted holdings in HTA, unveiled its fourth quarter (Q4) and full-year fiscal 2023 earnings on Friday, February 2, 2024. The company reported adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of US$5.33 on revenue of US$40.1 billion in the final quarter of fiscal 2023: up from reported revenue of US$32.2 billion in Q4 FY2022. It beat analysts’ expectations with its Q4 2023 performance.

The company delivered advertising revenue of US$38.7 billion, which also beat analyst projections. Moreover, Meta reported 2.11 billion Facebook daily active users (DAUs). Ad impressions rose 21% from the prior year while the average price per ad declined by 2%. Meta also announced an additional $50 billion in share buybacks and its first-ever quarterly dividend payment.

Microsoft also put together a very strong earnings report. The multinational technology giant delivered revenue growth of 18% year-over-year to US$62.0 billion in the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Meanwhile, operating income jumped 33% to US$27.0 billion. Net income rose 33% to US$21.9 billion while non-GAAP net income delivered 26% growth. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) were reported at US$2.93 – up 33% compared to the previous year.

Shares of Microsoft have jumped 13% in the year-to-date period as of late morning trading on Friday, February 9, 2024. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms stock has surged 36% over the same period. These are the kind of equities that HTA seeks to harness to fuel growth and provide income through covered calls to Unitholders.

Where the tech sector is headed going forward

While this period of impressive earnings is encouraging, Portfolio Manager James Learmonth is monitoring any changes in momentum that “could come from the risk of a pause in spending at some point as companies ‘digest’ the equipment purchased over the past 12 months or so from the roll-out of new products … Many end user focused companies have yet to definitively demonstrate that they can effectively monetize AI solutions to the degree currently expected by investors. That is why we want to own the best-in-class companies that have proven platforms to capitalize on the long-term trend.”

He continued: “We remain positive on the sector over the intermediate to longer term. Growth drivers, such as artificial intelligence, cloud-based infrastructure, and other digital transformation initiatives, continue to drive spending. Cybersecurity also remains a key area of investment in an increasingly connected world, particularly given today’s geopolitical climate.”

How HTA is positioned in the current climate

At the time of writing, HTA has 40% exposure to software as a sub-sector, 29% in semiconductors & semiconductor equipment, and 10% in communication equipment. In June 2023, Bloomberg Intelligence projected that Generative AI had the potential to become a US$1.3 trillion market by 2032. The increased demand for generative AI products could add about US$280 billion of new software revenue, according to the research report. Continue Reading…

Mastering Monetization: A Comprehensive Guide for Podcast Owners

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Image courtesy Canada’s Podcast

By Philip Bliss

Special to Financial Independence Hub

As a podcast owner, the dream goes beyond sharing your passion and insights with the world: it includes turning that passion into a sustainable source of income. Monetizing your podcast requires strategic planning, consistent effort, and a deep understanding of your audience. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through practical steps, timelines, and essential tasks to help you successfully monetize your podcast.

Task 1: Define Your Niche and Audience (Timeline: 1-2 weeks)

Before diving into monetization strategies, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your podcast’s niche and target audience. Identify the topics that resonate most with your listeners and refine your content to cater to their interests. This process involves analyzing your current audience demographics, studying popular episodes, and researching industry trends. This step lays the foundation for effective monetization by ensuring that your content aligns with the needs and preferences of your audience.

Task 2: Optimize Your Content and Branding (Timeline: 2-4 weeks)

Enhance your podcast’s marketability by investing time in optimizing your content and branding. Develop a memorable podcast name, design eye-catching cover art, and create a compelling podcast description. Consistency in branding helps build a strong identity, making it easier for potential sponsors and advertisers to recognize and trust your podcast.

Image courtesy Canada’s Podcast/unsplash royalty free

Task 3: Build a Solid Listener Base (Timeline: Ongoing)

Monetization success relies heavily on having a dedicated and engaged audience. Implement strategies to grow your listener base, such as promoting your podcast on social media, collaborating with other podcasters, and encouraging audience interaction through surveys or Q&A sessions. A strong and loyal community is an attractive proposition for potential sponsors and advertisers.

Task 4: Research and Approach Potential Sponsors (Timeline: 4-6 weeks)

Identify companies or products that align with your podcast’s theme and audience. Craft a compelling pitch that highlights the value of advertising on your podcast, emphasizing your reach and engagement metrics. Reach out to potential sponsors via email or through networking events, showcasing the unique opportunities your podcast offers for their brand exposure. Continue Reading…

Retired Money: Plan for Retirement Income for Life with Fred Vettese’s PERC

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My latest MoneySense Retired Money column focuses on a free retirement calculator called PERC, plus the accompanying new third edition of Fred Vettese’s book, Retirement Income for Life: Getting More Without Saving More.

You can find the full column by clicking on the highlighted headline: Retirement Income for Life: Why Canadian retirees love Frederick Vettese’s books and his PERC. Alternatively, go to MoneySense.ca and click on the latest Retired Money column.

As the column notes, I have previously reviewed the earlier editions of the book but any retiree or near retiree will find it invaluable and well worth the C$26.95 price. Also, there is a free eBook offer.

PERC of course is an acronym and stands for Personal Enhanced Retirement Calculator.

PERC is itself a chapter title (chapter 15 of the third edition) and constitutes the fourth of five “enhancements” Vettese describes for getting more without saving more. Vettese developed PERC while writing the first edition in 2018: it is available at no charge at perc-pro.ca.

In another generous offer, anyone who buys the print edition can get a free ebook version by emailing details of proof of purchase to ebook@ecwpress.com.

I reviewed the previous (second) edition of Fred’s book for the Retired Money column back in October 2020, which you can read by clicking on the highlighted headline: Near retirement without a Defined Benefit pension? Here’s what you need to know. Continue Reading…