Once you achieve Financial Independence, you may choose to leave salaried employment but with decades of vibrant life ahead, it’s too soon to do nothing. The new stage of life between traditional employment and Full Retirement we call Victory Lap, or Victory Lap Retirement (also the title of a new book to be published in August 2016. You can pre-order now at VictoryLapRetirement.com). You may choose to start a business, go back to school or launch an Encore Act or Legacy Career. Perhaps you become a free agent, consultant, freelance writer or to change careers and re-enter the corporate world or government.
By Dale Roberts, Retirement Club/cutthecrapinvesting
Special to Financial Independence Hub
It appears to be an overlooked part of retirement planning. While we should always invest within our risk tolerance level we should also match our investment portfolios to the retirement cash flow plan. The plan gives the marching orders for each account. If you create a portfolio-to-plan mismatch, you could increase the risk of depleting an account too soon. On the other side if you are too conservative where an account has the time horizon to run, you create opportunity cost. You missed the opportunity to create significantly more wealth over time.
As always the following is not advice.
We can look to the Canadian asset allocation ETFs for a lesson on risk and asset allocation. In that post that tracks the performance of the asset allocation ETF providers, you’ll find this key table.
Source: Dale/ETF providers. Keep in mind there is no guarantee of returns for any period
We can see that when our time horizon is short we create conservative portfolios with lots of bonds and cash. When we have a longer time horizon of 10 years and more, we can be more aggressive perhaps even holding an all-equity portfolio. But once again, risk tolerance permitting.
I recently discussed risk and common mistakes on the BMO ETF Insights YouTube channel.
In the accumulation stage we might pay attention to this chart if you are saving for a home and plan to buy within the next two years. If would be very risk to hold those home down payment funds in an all equity (XEQT-T) portfolio. Your $100,000 could quickly be turned into $50,000 in a severe bear market.
Sequence of returns risk in retirement
Risk gets flipped in retirement. In the accumulation stage if you have 20 years to go before retirement and we enter a severe bear market, “great”. You can now buy your companies/equities at fire-sale prices. Over time that can generate a boost to your wealth creation. You own more of those great companies. Continue Reading…
My latest MoneySense Retired Money column has just been published. You can find the whole column by clicking on the hyperlink here: Online Influencers Grow Up.
When it comes to financial influencers, the popular term is Finfluencer, a contraction similar to my own Findependence for Financial Independence.
The column was inspired by an interesting gathering of Canadian finfluencers organized by BMO ETFs, which occurred in the first half of June. The BMO Creator Insights Forum was held at Cboe Canada in Toronto and it ran a scrolling feed of domestic finfluencers which included Yours Truly.
Back in April of 2025, the OSC released a research report titled Social Media and Retail Investing: The Rise of Finfluencers, which found investors are indeed quite influenced by Finfluencers: OSC research on 655 Canadian retail investors found 35% of them had made a financial decision based on advice from a Finfluencer. Furthermore, 24% of 1,465 Canadian social media users (both investors and non investors) exposed to finance-related social media posts were found to have purchased the promoted assets, versus just 7% those not so exposed.
“Financial advice on social media is appealing because retail investors perceive it to be accessible, free, and informative,” the OSC said, “While retail investors believe finfluencers are generally motivated by self-interest, about 40% of investors believe that the finfluencers they follow are trustworthy. Those who have made a financial decision based on finfluencer advice were seven times more likely to trust finfluencers they follow.”
To be sure, it appears the more successful ones can make money at it: one BMO slide showed that the global influencer market is worth US$33 billion in 2025, up 35% from US$24 billion a year earlier; and it estimated C$1.9 billion Canadian spending by corporations on Finfluencer marketing in 2025, up 23% from 2024. One in six Canadian retail investors have purchased an Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) because they heard about it on some form of social media.
The MoneySense column highlights the experiences of several (mostly young) Canadian Finfluencers, whose channels typically are YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and a few other platforms. They describe how they got their starts and built commnities that can eventually be monetized. It can be hard work in the early years, as with any one starting a business, and a precious commodity is building and maintaining reader or viewer trust.
Regulatory considerations for Finfluencers
The BMO Creator event closed with a more cautious overview of the regulatory risks corporations and Finfluencers jointly bear. One of the last slides, titled “Be Proactive!” advised Finfluencers to read the OSC notice, review their existing content inventory, evaluate services for registerable activities or disclosure requirements, Follow sponsorship disclosure requirements, Be careful of who you help endorse or promote and to Seek legal help to help stay compliant.
In short, whether you’re a seasoned investor (in both senses of the word) or still working, it’s very much a Buyer Beware world out there, while if you’re a content creator of any age, Trust is not a commodity to be abused or taken for granted. As Adrian Bar warned, content creators are better off passing on what might have otherwise become lucrative partnerships if it compromises trust with their audience down the line.
Good on creators like that but if you’re a consumer or investor, wait until a Finfluencer has earned your trust; until then, take pronouncements on YouTube or other platforms with the proverbial grain of salt.
This is not a regular blog but a notice of a special event this site is organizing in cooperation with TSInetwork.ca and The Successful Investor’s Patrick Mckeough, whose numerous guest blogs will be well known to this site’s regular readers.
The markets in 2025 were volatile, largely due to the implementation of U.S. tariffs. Despite this, investors who stayed the course were rewarded as markets finished the year on a stronger footing.
That said, a new challenge emerged in 2025 that carried into this year: Artificial Intelligence stocks.
Markets are once again volatile, and many investors are asking:
Should I invest in AI stocks? If so, which companies make sense? … OR
Is there a risk of an AI bubble that could impact the broader market?
In short: what should Successful Investors do?
In an exclusive webinar created by TSInetwork.ca and The Successful Investor, we’ll address these questions and more next Tuesday, July 7th, at 11:30 am EST.
This is a valuable opportunity for readers of Findependence Hub to hear insights based on Pat McKeough’s investment approach. As regular subscribers will know, Pat has been contributing guest blogs to Findependence Hub since its inception in 2014.
We’ll also leave plenty of time to answer your own questions about AI, current market conditions, and what to expect for the remainder of 2026.
As a thank you for attending, you are also eligible to receive a complimentary wealth management consultation with Bob Wiseman, a member of the Successful Investor Client Onboarding Team.
Please feel free to invite a family member or friend: just forward this blog via your email and have them click the “Register Now” button above.
Retirement doesn’t always unfold the way you imagined, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. While many people envision spending their later years with a long-term partner, life can take unexpected turns. Whether you’ve experienced a gray divorce or simply found yourself entering your golden years on your own, a solo retirement can feel like unfamiliar territory.
Create an Action Plan
Solo retirement has increasingly become a reality, with about 28% of Americans age 65 and older living alone. However, the good news is that retiring solo doesn’t mean sacrificing financial security or personal fulfillment. In fact, it can be an opportunity to refocus your priorities to reflect your unique needs. You just need to take actionable steps to adapt your financial plan to this new reality, which can help you gain peace of mind.
1. Revisit your Financial Numbers
The first step is updating your financial assumptions, as you might experience the extra costs of living alone or single’s tax, as it’s more commonly known. Many retirement plans are built around shared expenses and savings goals and the expectation that two people will contribute to household finances.
As such, start by reviewing your retirement budget and identifying what has changed. Consider expenses like housing, healthcare and insurance. Some costs may be lower when living alone, allowing you to reallocate funds to your top priorities.
This is also a good time to update your income projections and withdrawal strategy, as having an accurate picture of your finances can help you make thoughtful decisions about spending and future planning.
2. Adjust your Investment Strategy
A solo retirement can be an opportunity to take a fresh look at your investments and ensure they support the life you want to build. Rather than focusing solely on what has changed, consider how your portfolio can be adapted to provide both stability and continued growth throughout retirement. Review your asset allocation to ensure it aligns with your current needs and balances growth investments to protect against inflation.
At the same time, avoid making emotional investment decisions during major life transitions. For example, about 36% of adults getting divorced are aged 50 or older. This could lead to emotional investment decisions that later cause uncertainty and instability.
This may also be an ideal time to create or refine a comprehensive retirement income plan. Coordinating sources such as Social Security, pensions and investment withdrawals lets you build a predictable income stream that supports your lifestyle and reduces uncertainty.
3. Build a strong Support Network
One of the greatest advantages of planning for a solo retirement is the opportunity to intentionally create a network that supports both your financial well-being and your quality of life. While retirement planning often focuses on savings and investments, the relationships and resources around you can be just as valuable.
If you’ve experienced gray divorce, laying your grievances to rest can heal your family and make the path forward much simpler. Take time to strengthen connections with the people and communities that enrich your life, as family, friends and neighbors can play meaningful roles in helping you stay engaged and supported.
This is also a great time to organize your legal and financial documents. Review powers of attorney, healthcare directives, and beneficiary designations to ensure your wishes are documented and that trusted individuals are prepared to help. This planning brings peace of mind and confidence in retirement.
4. Rethink your Living Arrangements
An unexpected solo retirement can be the perfect opportunity to create a living situation that better supports the lifestyle you want in the years ahead. While housing is often one of the largest retirement expenses, it can also be one of the most flexible parts of your financial plan. Continue Reading…
Nearing financial independence? Growth stocks alone may leave gaps. Find out how a broader, more diverse portfolio can support income and stability.
Adobe Stock: Kiattisak
By Dan Coconate
Special to Financial Independence Hub
As you move closer to financial independence, understanding why your portfolio needs more than just growth stocks can help you make clearer decisions.
Growth stocks often attract attention during strong markets because investors expect future earnings to increase over time.
While that potential can be valuable, these investments can also experience drastic declines when market conditions change. A portfolio that includes different sources of return may provide a steadier experience and help support your goals through a wider range of economic environments.
Growth Stocks do not always Lead
Growth stocks often perform well when investors are optimistic about the future and willing to pay more for expected earnings. The challenge is that market leadership shifts over time, and periods of strong growth-stock performance are often followed by stretches when other investments take the lead.
As you approach Financial Independence, relying too heavily on one investment style can increase your exposure to timing risk. If market conditions turn negative just as you begin making withdrawals, you may be forced to sell investments at lower prices than expected.
Income adds more Breathing Room
Many Canadians pursuing Financial Independence want their investments to do more than simply grow in value. They also want their portfolio to support everyday spending needs without requiring constant asset sales. Investments that generate income can play an important role in creating that flexibility.
Rather than depending entirely on future appreciation, a diversified portfolio can offer a combination of growth potential and ongoing cash flow. This approach may help you feel more comfortable during market downturns.
Inflation Changes the Picture
Inflation directly affects your lifestyle by gradually increasing the cost of living. Even modest inflation can reduce purchasing power over a long Financial Independence journey. For that reason, some investors explore additional ways to diversify their portfolios.
Discussions around real assets and investing in commodities often arise because these investments may respond differently to inflationary pressures. The goal is not to own everything, but to understand whether your portfolio has enough variety to handle changing economic conditions.
Risk feels Different near Financial Independence
Risk takes on a different meaning once you are no longer relying on employment income to support your financial goals. During your working years, market declines may feel temporary because new contributions continue to flow into your accounts.
Near Financial Independence, however, a significant downturn can have a larger impact because withdrawals may begin at the same time. A broader mix of investments can help reduce the influence of any single market trend and provide a more resilient foundation for the years ahead.
A Wider Mix builds more Confidence
You do not need a complicated investment strategy to make meaningful progress toward Financial Independence. In many cases, a simple and diversified portfolio can provide a stronger foundation than one built entirely around growth stocks. Understanding why your portfolio needs more than growth stocks encourages you to think beyond returns alone. A wider mix of assets can help stabilize your finances and make it easier to stay committed to your plan.
Dan Coconate is a local Chicagoland freelance writer who has been in the industry since graduating from college in 2019. He currently lives in the Chicagoland area where he is pursuing his multiple interests in journalism.
Posted By 
Posted By 
