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Canadians in retirement, or those nearing retirement, are faced with unique challenges in the present-day market. Interest rates have moved up from their historic lows since 2022. The benchmark rate for the Bank of Canada (BoC) reached its zenith of 5.00% in July 2023.
Economic headwinds forced the hand of the BoC in 2024 and 2025. The benchmark rate now sits at 2.75% as of July 7, 2025. More rate cuts are expected before the end of the year. This downward trend for interest rates means that investors who want a secure investment while outpacing inflation may have to look beyond GICs and other fixed-income products in this changing climate. Market volatility is another headwind investors are now contending with, spurred on by a new and aggressive U.S. administration.
There was enthusiasm surrounding the broader economy and the stock market coming into 2025. The previous GOP administration cultivated a reputation as a market-friendly one in the late 2010s. That momentum ground to a halt due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the perception of a market-friendly GOP largely remained.
Investor sentiment soured in the spring, in large part due to the uncertainty surrounding U.S. government policy, particularly when it comes to trade. Trade tensions have remained elevated, but sentiment has improved into the summer as markets have normalized.
Uncertainty in the spring contributed to elevated levels of market volatility. Some names suffered steep retracements in the first half of April. However, the 90-day pause announced on tariffs led to a dramatic reversal. That led to a rapid recovery for the broader U.S. market. Despite the improved conditions, this market is unique in that lingering trade policy uncertainty is fueling negative sentiment. Headline risk will continue to be elevated through the second half of 2025.
A research note from Vanguard earlier this year speculated that volatility was likely to remain. This is due to factors like policy uncertainty, disruptive currents in the economy like Artificial Intelligence development, and the shifting policy of the Federal Reserve.
Demand for Low Volatility products has increased in this environment. These ETFs offer Canadian retirees a pure low-volatility play with exposure to 100% Canadian equities.
Harvest Low Volatility ETFs: A Smoother Investment Experience
Harvest’s new Low Volatility ETF suite may be appealing to defensive and long-term investors. This approach to equity investing is factor-based, disciplined, outcome-oriented, is designed to mitigate risk, as well as provide long-term growth. Moreover, the suite includes a high-income solution that generates monthly cash distributions through an active covered call writing strategy.
Low Volatility strategies can outperform in bull or bear markets. They follow a portfolio construction and investment strategy that is built to limit downside while capturing the upside. Investors can capture gains more efficiently by minimizing risk during periods of market turbulence.
The Harvest Low Volatility Equity ETF (HVOL:TSX) holds 40 top Canadian equities. These equities will be ranked and weighted by their risk score and market cap weight, with a 4% maximum weight per name. HVOL’s Canadian equities are scored according to risk and fundamental metrics.
Low Volatility – Portfolio Construction
Source: Harvest Portfolios Group, Inc. April 2025.
Low-volatility strategies have existed in the market since the 2007-2008 financial crisis. However, these strategies have typically followed a generic approach.
The Harvest approach utilizes multiple risk metrics to achieve its stated goals. These include Beta, Volatility, and fundamental analysis. Harvest emphasizes a robust portfolio construction to achieve a defensive low volatility portfolio and superior upside capture. Continue Reading…
Discover practical strategies for achieving Financial Independence beyond the confines of a traditional job.
This article presents expert-backed advice on creating multiple income streams and aligning work with personal goals. Learn how to leverage your skills, build value-based income, and take concrete steps towards your vision of financial freedom.
Leverage Your Skills for Side Income
Transform Evenings into Venture Capital
Build Value-based Income Streams
Adopt a Side Hustle Mindset
Future-Proof your Professional Value
Align Work with your Core Purpose
Build a Financial Foundation first
Get Specific about your Goals
Cut Expenses to Create Options
Leverage your Skills for Side Income
In today’s evolving job market, many professionals find themselves tethered to traditional 9-to-5 roles: secure, yes, but often creatively or financially stifling. The desire for financial freedom is not just about escaping the office; it’s about reclaiming time, purpose, and the ability to design life on your own terms. We’ve worked with countless individuals who once felt exactly this way: stuck, uncertain, but ready for a change.
If you’re feeling trapped in a conventional job, the most important first step is to acknowledge that your desire for more isn’t selfish: it’s strategic. Financial freedom isn’t just about money; it’s about choices. And that journey starts by understanding your own value in the marketplace.
Step 1: Audit Your Skills and Strengths
Take stock of what you’re naturally good at and how those skills can translate into high-demand, high-autonomy industries. Digital skills like coding, copywriting, digital marketing, or consulting are especially valuable in today’s freelance and remote economy. Ask yourself: If I had to solve someone’s problem for a fee: what could I offer today?
Step 2: Start a Low-Risk Side Income Stream
This doesn’t mean quitting your job immediately. Start small: freelancing on Upwork, tutoring online, offering resume reviews, or starting a blog or YouTube channel around a niche you know well. Build proof of concept without jeopardizing your current income.
Step 3: Invest in a Career Coach or Mentor
Working with a coach can help you shortcut the confusion. We help clients identify the right path forward based on their lifestyle goals, not just job titles. Our structured guidance has helped people launch side businesses, shift into more flexible roles, or double their income by making strategic pivots.
According to a 2024 report by LinkedIn Workforce Insights, over 60% of professionals under 40 are actively seeking roles that offer greater flexibility and autonomy. Additionally, Harvard Business Review found that professionals who pursue “career portfolios” — multiple income streams from various skill-based services — report 43% higher job satisfaction and 31% faster income growth than peers in static roles.
Feeling stuck isn’t the end of your story: it’s a signal. A signal that you’re ready for change. We believe that financial freedom isn’t just for the lucky few—it’s for anyone willing to make bold, informed moves. — Miriam Groom, CEO, Mindful Career inc., Mindful Career Coaching
Transform Evenings into Venture Capital
If you’re feeling stuck in a traditional job and craving more financial freedom, you’re not alone: and you’re not broken. That restless feeling? It’s your internal compass telling you that what you’re doing no longer aligns with where you want to go. My advice? Don’t silence it: study it.
The most powerful first step I ever took was treating my evenings and weekends like venture capital. Instead of doom-scrolling or complaining about my 9-to-5, I built skills that made me valuable outside of it. I didn’t quit blindly. I audited my strengths, explored high-leverage models like consulting and digital products, and tested small bets until one clicked. It was less about passion and more about leverage: where can I help people, solve problems, and get paid well for it?
If you’re after financial freedom, don’t chase quick wins. Chase agency. Build something that compounds. Start by learning one monetizable skill: something you can offer tomorrow. Package it, test it, refine it. You don’t need to be loud online or have a business plan that wins awards. You need to take the first step: and then the next.
What I’ve learned from growing multiple businesses and coaching founders is this: freedom doesn’t arrive fully formed. It’s built in the margins before it becomes the main thing. So if you’re reading this wondering if it’s too late or too risky: it’s not. Your current job might pay the bills, but it doesn’t have to define your ceiling. — John Mac, Serial Entrepreneur, UNIT
Build Value-based Income Streams
If you feel stuck in a traditional job, it’s because your income is locked to your hours. Financial freedom begins when you earn based on value, not time. The fastest path is building a side income that proves you’re worth more than your salary. That means selling a skill — marketing, coding, design, sales strategy — directly to people who need results, not resumes.
I replaced my paycheck by packaging my experience into targeted offers. One client became two. Two became four. The process wasn’t complicated. I identified a problem, built a simple solution, and sold it. The first $1,000 didn’t change my life. It changed my mindset. From there, scaling was execution, not hope.
Most people stall because they’re waiting for the perfect idea or ideal conditions. Neither exists. Start by solving one problem for one customer. Build income that’s not tied to your boss. Cut costs, track results, and reinvest profits. Don’t romanticize the idea of freedom. Make it measurable. Give yourself a deadline to match and then exceed your job income.
You’re not trapped. You’re unproven. The solution isn’t to quit. The solution is to validate your value outside the structure you’ve been conditioned to depend on. You move forward the moment you stop waiting. — Steven Mitts, Entrepreneurial Coach, Steven Mitts
Adopt a Side Hustle Mindset
Traditional jobs are great for many reasons, but I completely understand. I was stuck in a normal or traditional 9-5 job, and the only thing I was dreaming about was freedom. This feeling is more common than you might think, so anyone who is experiencing it, you are not alone. The best advice I can offer is to change your mindset, more specifically, to adopt a side hustle mindset.
Think about what you currently have in your job: stability, which hopefully provides a decent income. This is a huge asset. Use this stability to your advantage; don’t think of it as a cage, but rather as your investment stream to financial freedom. Then, make a list of the skills you have, things that you like (passions) that could be monetized, or if you’ve noticed a problem that many people experience and you may have the solution, it could be your golden ticket.
Once you have your idea, don’t quit your day job. Dedicate a small but consistent chunk of your time each week to your new adventure (5 hours to start with will do). When it comes to the steps I’d recommend you take, there is only one: validate your idea. Do your research; you don’t want to waste countless hours on something that is already thriving. Once validated, begin your journey. Draw up a business plan, get a name (register it), open a bank account (do not use your personal one), then start. Take that first bold step. It is incredibly exciting, and it can induce a whole heap of fear, but you will never know if you don’t take it.
My encouragement is this: every great entrepreneur started with a tiny step. No one jumps into success; it is built from the ground up. — Aiden Higgins, Senior Editor and Writer, The Broke Backpacker
Future-Proof your Professional Value
Honestly, the biggest shift for professionals feeling trapped isn’t just leaving a traditional role: it’s strategically future-proofing their value. Research shows 65% of workers who feel ‘stuck’ actually suffer from skill obsolescence, yet those who dedicate just 5 hours weekly to learning in-demand capabilities like automation fluency or data-driven decision-making see a 47% faster transition to higher-paying, flexible roles.
Start by auditing daily tasks for automation potential: this reveals immediate efficiency gains and highlights valuable skills to develop. Platforms offering certified, applied learning in operational tech turn that insight into tangible leverage. That frustration? It’s actually a compass pointing toward untapped potential.
Financial freedom isn’t about escaping the grind; it’s about equipping yourself to command the work that matters. Every expert was once someone who decided their growth couldn’t wait for permission. — Anupa Rongala, CEO, Invensis Technologies
Align Work with your Core Purpose
First, define your freedom.
I’ve sat across from many successful people who feel completely trapped by their traditional jobs. My advice is always to stop focusing on the financial spreadsheet and start with a psychological one. The feeling of being “stuck” is rarely about money alone; true freedom comes from aligning your work with your “why.” Continue Reading…
Let’s talk about something that doesn’t always get the spotlight but absolutely deserves it: ETF fee cuts. BMO Exchange Traded Funds recently lowered the management fees on some of its All-in-One Asset Allocation ETFs, and this is a meaningful win for investors who care about long-term growth.
Lowering fees, even by a small amount, can have a big impact over time. Here’s what the change means, why it matters, and how it could make a difference in your portfolio.
First, What’s an Asset Allocation ETF?
If you’re into DIY investing but don’t want to micromanage your portfolio, these ETFs are your best friend. With just one ticker, you get:
Instant diversification across stocks, bonds, and global markets
Automatic rebalancing to keep your risk level in check
Options for every risk profile, from conservative to all-equity.
In short: they’re a low-cost, low-maintenance way to invest.
The management fee change: 0.18% ➡️ 0.15%
As of this year, BMO has trimmed the management fee on some of its Asset Allocation ETFs: from 0.18% to 0.15%. That includes portfolios in the suite from ZCON, BMOs Conservative ETF all the way to ZEQT, the BMO All-Equity ETF.
These already-cost-efficient ETFs are now providing even greater value to investors. Over time, that reduction can translate into meaningful savings: especially when you factor in compounding.
Let’s do the Math
Say you invest $50,000 in an Asset Allocation ETF and leave it for 25 years, earning an average return of 6% annually:
With a 0.18% fee, your portfolio would grow to around $204,384.
At a 0.15% fee, it would grow to $205,926.
That’s $1,542 more in your pocket just from a lower management fee. And remember: this is with no extra effort, no added risk, and no change in your investment approach. Just more of your money working for you.
And if you’re investing more, contributing regularly, or holding for longer? The savings become even more impactful.
Why this matters
We’re all keeping a closer eye on costs these days, and rightfully so. Lower fees help ensure more of your investment returns stay with you. That’s especially important in periods of market volatility or when you’re working toward long-term goals like retirement, homeownership, or education savings. Continue Reading…
Side hustles are a great way to develop a side income, and gaining professional certifications can help boost your credibility. You can build off existing education or learn something entirely new.
There may be several certification programs to choose from in your desired industry. Most can be completed online, giving you ample flexibility to gain knowledge no matter where you’re located. The programs often require education, testing and background checks, and certification fees vary.
Discover how to strategically acquire professional certifications that unlock lucrative side-income opportunities.
In-demand Fields and Certifications to consider
Market demand plays a large role in the success of your side hustle and income. Consider these popular industries and certifications you’ll need to obtain:
Accounting and Finance
Manage assets for businesses and individuals. Those interested in accounting and finance should have an eye for detail and an understanding of business operations.
Licensed Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) prepare taxes and audits for individuals and businesses. You will be able to work and earn throughout the calendar year, not only during tax season, and earn an average US $51,000 to $74,000 starting salary.
Are you interested in certifying financial documents for loans? You can become a notary loan signing agent with the National Notary Association (NNA) and Loan Signing System certifications. These two certifications command respect in the industry and set you up for success. Learn about the proper execution of loan signing and how to get more loan signing jobs.
Technology Fields
There are many tech-based gigs to consider for innovators and problem-solvers. With the potential to make US $60 per hour as a cybersecurity professional, technology licenses can lead to lucrative side hustles.
The CompTIA Security+ certification is a great option if you want to get started with cybersecurity or tech support. This globally recognized certification gives you the skills you need to work as an IT support specialist, help desk technician or technical support analyst. You can also consider the Google IT Support Professional Certificate for information technology jobs.
OpenAI, Nvidia and Google are among the top Artificial Intelligence companies in 2025. This booming industry is expected to be worth US$1.33 trillion by 2030, making it an ideal field to get into. Some machine learning programs to consider are the entry-level Azure AI Fundamentals and the advanced Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer program.
Medical and Health
This industry offers a comprehensive range of care and lucrative salaries. Outpatient and administrative positions may provide flexibility and remote opportunities. Those with interpersonal skills may be more suited for the field.
Do you want to get started with telehealth? Become a Certified Professional by the American Heart Association. This side hustle can offer remote flexibility for providers and patients. You can learn how to manage medical records with the Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) certification or discover medical coding with a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) license.
As the second half of 2025 unfolds, many Canadians are grappling with economic uncertainty. Headlines about slowing growth, persistent inflation, and global trade tensions may have many wondering whether their portfolio is ready for what’s next. While economists debate whether Canada is teetering on the edge of a recession or not, the real concern for investors is ensuring their financial future remains secure. Here are some items to consider to help protect your investments during turbulent times.
Understand the Economic Landscape
Economic indicators suggest Canada’s economy is under strain. The Bank of Canada has maintained elevated interest rates to curb inflation, which — while cooling — remains a concern at around 2.5% in mid-2025. This has slowed consumer spending, impacting sectors like retail and manufacturing. The S&P/TSX Composite Index — heavily weighted toward financials, energy, and materials — has seen volatility, with energy stocks particularly vulnerable due to fluctuating oil prices amid geopolitical tensions. A potential recession could further pressure corporate profits, leading to declines in stock prices, especially in cyclical industries.
Diversify to reduce Risk
Diversification remains the key to maintaining a resilient portfolio. Spreading investments across asset classes — such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and even alternative assets like gold or infrastructure — can cushion against market swings. For instance, while equities may falter in a downturn, government bonds or fixed-income securities often provide stability. Within stocks, consider balancing exposure between cyclical sectors (e.g., consumer discretionary) and defensive ones (e.g., utilities or healthcare). Geographic diversification is also key, as international markets, particularly in the U.S. or emerging economies, can offset domestic weaknesses.
Avoid emotional decisions
Market dips can test even the steadiest investor. Panic-selling during a downturn often locks in losses and derails long-term goals. Historical data shows that markets recover over time. For example, after the 2008 financial crisis, the TSX rebounded significantly within a few years. Staying focused on your investment horizon — whether it’s retirement in 20 years or a home purchase in five — helps avoid knee-jerk reactions. Regular portfolio rebalancing ensures your asset mix aligns with your risk tolerance and objectives.
Leverage professional Advice
If you are feeling uncertain about the current economic environment and how it may impact your portfolio, now is an ideal time to consult an Investment Advisor. A professional can assess whether your portfolio is positioned to weather volatility and aligns with your financial goals. Continue Reading…
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