• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Refresh Financial Secured Credit Card
  • Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada
  • Contact Me
  • About Me
  • Neo Financial – Secured Credit Card

Smart Borrowing

How to Prosper Financially

Finance

Best High Interest Savings Accounts in Canada

August 4, 2022 by Ben Leave a Comment

All of us have long term financial goals. Everybody has something a little more expensive they’ve had their eye on and want to save up for. Sometimes you may just want to grow money that you have but aren’t spending. A high interest savings account is one of the best ways to do this. High interest savings accounts are risk and hands free, all while earning you interest on your money to help you do whatever you can dream.

With the current worldwide economic situation improving as we near the end of the global pandemic, interest rates are rising at many Canadian banks. This means that it is a great time to put your money somewhere where it can appreciate. There are things you have to watch out for though. Many banks’ marketing strategies involve a tactic which temporarily boosts the interest rate of a given HISA (High Interest Savings Account) to make it more desirable. After the first few months the rate decreases to the usual and comparatively miniscule interest percentage. As long as you know that the normal interest rate is still good, you won’t be unpleasantly surprised.

You may be asking yourself why people have regular savings accounts if the high interest counterparts earn more interest. High interest accounts oftentimes have some drawbacks or conditions when compared to normal savings accounts. These can include a limited amount of monthly withdrawals or a minimum account balance.

TD High Interest Savings Accounts

TD has two accounts that fall under high interest. The first offers an interest rate of 0.05% as long as your balance is over $5000. The second account is called the ePremium savings account. It offers 0. 5% but your balance has to be double at $10,000. If you have the ability to maintain such a balance, this account could work for you. The account offers unlimited free online transfers to other TD accounts. Although transaction fees are high with the regular high savings account, if you plan on keeping the money there and not spending it too much, it can work just fine.

RBC High Interest eSavings Account

RBC’s eSavings account offers an interest rate of 0.5%. This is the same as TD’s ePremium account. Both accounts have no monthly fees but RBC has the big advantage of not requiring a minimum account balance. Transfers to other RBC accounts are free and you even get one ATM withdrawal per month, free of charge. If you sign up by August 31 2022 you can get a promotional interest rate of 3.0% for the first three months.

BMO High Interest Savings Accounts

BMO has a fairly simple account called the BMO smart saver account which has similar features to TD’s simpler account. It has the same interest rate of 0.05% and no monthly fees but it beats out TD as it does not present a minimum balance. There is a higher interest option available: The BMO savings builder account has an interesting mechanic. Although it offers a going interest rate of 0.1%, you can earn the bonus rate of 0.6% as long as you invest $200 into the account every month. There is no minimum account balance and as with most accounts mentioned in this article you have one free outgoing transfer per month, every other one costing you $5.

Scotiabank Momentum Plus Savings Account

The Scotiabank savings account is a special type of account. It is a tiered-interest account, which simply means that depending on how long you hold money in the account for you will earn more interest. The tiers start with a 0.35% interest rate. If you leave the money in the account untouched for 90 days then the rate jumps to 0.85%. For 180 days you get 0.9%, for 270 days you get 0.95%. If you wait a full 360 days, you get an even 1%. There is one important thing to note. This offer of increasing interest rates is up to one year and after that period you will only earn a base 0.85%. The account has no monthly fees but it also has no free transactions. Every single one will cost you $5. However, if you are signing up for this account you are likely looking to let the money build unspent so that you can accumulate interest rate during the one year period.

CIBC eAdvantage Savings Account

The CIBC savings account has an interest rate of 0.35% and no minimum balance. It also has a similar gimmick to BMO’s savings builder account. If you deposit $200 every month you get an additional 0.25% of interest. Once again there are no monthly fees. Like with Scotiabank every transaction you make will cost you $5 dollars.

Tangerine High Interest Savings Account

Tangerine’s savings account has a fairly competitive interest rate of 0.1%. This comes at the cost of no monthly fees too. Until October 13th 2022 new clients can get a promotional interest rate of 3.25% for the first five months. As usual moving money to and from other Tangerine accounts is free of charge. All this makes the Tangerine savings account a good option. However, although they are an online bank, they do not offer interest rates that are as high as their other exclusively digital competitors.

Neo Money Account

Almost all the banks listed above are established big banks in Canada. They offer fairly similar and low interest rates on their Canadian high interest savings accounts. If you are looking for something with higher interest rates, digital finance is your answer. Companies like Neo offer comparatively astronomical interest rates on their savings accounts. The Neo money account has an interest rate of 1.8%. It also has no minimum balance and entirely free transactions. This account is flexible and has attributes of both a chequing and a savings account. If you are in Canada and looking for a no fee account with a great interest rate Neo might be worth your time.Neo Money Account Apply Now

The Verdict

There is no one account that is superior to all the others. Every single one has its own advantages and drawbacks. Tiered accounts like Scotiabank’s momentum plus are fantastic for the first year where interest rate grows and even after that, their rate of 0.85% is quite competitive. If the only thing you are looking for a high interest, then Neo could be your answer. There are other factors too of course, such as transaction costs. Most typical high interest savings accounts will allow for one free transaction per month, charging after that. Once again, Neo presents an advantage in this category, as they have completely free transactions. However, you may already be a client of another bank. This may make it more convenient to setup a high interest savings account with the same bank to allow for free transactions to and from your accounts.

Filed Under: Finance, Money Tagged With: canadian banks, high interest savings account, HISA, interest, money, savings account

Refresh Financial – Improve Your Credit Score with Secured Credit Card

May 22, 2022 by Ben 8 Comments

Refresh Financial offers a range of products, services, and tools, including AI-enabled product recommendations, automated credit coaching, credit report and score monitoring, and secured credit cards. By offering financial literacy programs, Refresh helps customers to improve their money management and savings skills to make better financial decisions and achieve their long-term goals. Common situations in which financial literacy helps are using credit cards, managing debt, investing, reducing expenses, purchasing a home or car, sticking to a budget, and saving for retirement.

Refresh Financial and Borrowell Acquisition

Refresh Financial takes a new approach to consumer financing. The company offers loans and credit cards to customers with poor or no credit to aid their credit improvement efforts. Established in 2010, Refresh has offices in Ottawa, Kelowna, and Hamilton. As of January 2021 Borrowell closed the acquisition of Refresh Financial and raised $25 million in funding. All-equity financing was secured by a group of new investors, among which iA Financial Group, BDC Capital, and Kensington Capital Partners. Existing investors such as Equitable Bank and White Star Capital also provided funding.

One of the largest financial tech companies in Canada, Borrowell specializes in digital wealth management, digital banking, and alternative lending solutions. Their online lending platform utilizes AI-powered technology to offer customers product recommendations, free credit scores, predictive cash advances, bill alerts, money management and monitoring solutions. Founded by Andrew Graham in 2014, Borrowell offers a wide range of financial tools and products, including mortgages, credit cards, and personal loans. The platform is backed by a network of mortgage brokers, investment funds, and institutional lenders such as FirstOntario Credit Union and Portag3 Ventures.

Canadian Market for Secured Credit Cards

Refresh Financial and Home Trust are among the few Canadian financial service providers that offer secured credit cards. Targeting subprime borrowers with average and poor credit scores, secured cards function much like standard ones, the only difference being that customers pay upfront cash deposit. The deposit serves as a guarantee for financial institutions should the borrower miss a payment. Issuers can keep the cash deposit when borrowers default on payments.

Essentially, a secured credit card can be a helpful tool to build or rebuild credit. Using a debit or prepaid card or cash to make purchases or pay bills will do nothing in terms of credit score improvement. That is because payments are not reported to the major bureaus.  When used wisely, a secured credit card enables borrowers to reestablish credit and demonstrate responsible management to the reporting agencies and financial institutions. Once approved, borrowers can use the card for things like making purchases, paying everyday expenses, or booking a vacation.

Consumers who use their card responsibly build credit over time. Common reasons why this is not happening include having one type of credit only, errors on the customer’s credit report, missed payments, and a utilization rate above 35 percent.

Refresh Financial Products Offerings

Refresh offers a credit builder loan and a secured card, along with a suite of tools for responsible debt management. In addition to reporting customer payments to TransUnion Canada and Equifax, it also features useful financial tools such as score simulators, credit alerts, debt calculators, and goal managers.

Refresh Secured Card

This card is backed with a security deposit which determines the credit limit. The limit can be as low as $200 and as high as $10,000 depending on how much the borrower is willing to put on hold. The deposit aside, this card by Refresh works just like a standard card, allowing users to make in-store and online purchases while gradually rebuilding credit.

This secured Visa by Refresh Financial is a good choice for borrowers with no or bad credit who are turned down by brick-and-mortar banks. Virtually all applicants get approved as there is no minimum income requirement. This card is a particularly good fit for customers who want to make a small deposit and for people with a history of delinquencies and bankruptcies.

Refresh also offers a handy online calculator to help customers check their utilization rate. Customers with a credit limit of $1,000 and a balance of $400, for example, have a utilization rate of 40 percent. The optimal rate for credit building is 30 percent and should not exceed 35 percent.

Cardholders who pay the balance in full avoid interest charges. There are two options to make payments toward the card balance – either through online banking or via pre-authorized debit. Once the payment has been received, it is first applied to any interest due and then to cash advance, annual card, and other fees.

  • Interest rate: 17.99 percent
  • Maintenance fee: $3 per month
  • Annual fee: $12.95

 

Apply now

Credit Builder Loan

This financial product by Refresh Financial is nothing like a traditional loan. Instead of borrowing a lump sum and paying the principal and interest over the loan term, customers are charged monthly fees plus interest. Basically, this is a form of installment credit whereby customers pay back the full amount in equal installments. The best part is that payments are reported to the major bureaus as proof of responsible debt management.

Customers are free to cancel their loan at any time by logging to their Refresh Dashboard. Once the loan has been cancelled, it cannot be reactivated. Clients are free to withdraw their available funds, and the money will be deposited in their bank account within 10 – 15 work days.

There are two package options for customers to choose from – apply for a credit card and cash loan or take a loan first and get a secured card later. With the first option, customers have access to two lines of credit and enjoy spending flexibility. The main benefit of having two lines is that responsible use shows financial institutions that the borrower can manage both.

  • Interest rate: 19.99 percent
  • Loan amount:
  • $25,000
  • $10,000
  • $5,000
  • $2,500
  • $1,500

There are further benefits to taking a credit builder loan, one being that customers are assigned a dedicated relationship manager. Relationship managers act as a single point of contact and help borrowers to build a financial plan to meet their long-term goals. The goal is to make the customer’s banking experience more convenient and smoother by bringing expertise across a range of financial solutions. With experience and knowledge of personal banking, borrowing, and credit management, dedicated financial managers offer clients finance-related recommendations based on their needs.

Summing Up

Overall, Refresh Financial is a good choice for borrowers who got the short end of the stick and need to rebuild credit. Each of their products, the Refresh Secured Visa and credit builder loan are meant to help consumers, with payments being reported to the credit bureaus. Qualifying for a loan or credit card is simple and boils down to the customer’s ability to meet future payments, including product fees and interest charges.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Finance, Loans Tagged With: borrowell, credit card, credit cards, credit credit builder loan, refresh financial, refresh secured card, secured credit cards, secured loan

Inflation in Canada

January 11, 2022 by Ben 6 Comments

Inflation rates are record high around the world, and Canada is no exception, with an 18-year high of 4.7 percent in November. Prices rose across sectors, ranging from bakery, dairy, and meat to furniture, household products, energy, and transportation.  A combination of factors is driving inflation, the main being money printing, high oil prices, product shortages, supply chain disruptions, and pent-up consumer demand.

Reasons for Record High Inflation

Whether high inflation rates are driven by global supply chain issues or money printing is a hotly debated issue at the moment. In the view of some academics and finance experts at the Bank of Canada, it is supply chain disruptions that cause inflationary pressures and drive food and energy prices up. According to a second group of academics, monetary printing creates an overabundance of demand while supply would not always catch up. The result is inflation whereby prices rise and purchasing power declines.

If we take the monetarists’ argument, inflation is not a temporary phenomenon and requires a tight fiscal policy and interest rate hikes. Such policies would involve tax increases, spending cuts, unemployment, and recession. Recession is generally a period of economic decline marked by substantially lower levels of industrial and economic activity. Businesses see less demand and are forced to lay off workers to cut costs, generating unemployment and insecurity.

As prices rise, inflation also eats away at our money and savings. Inflationary pressures not only result in an overall decline of purchasing power but affect the performance of companies and interest rates on savings accounts. When inflation is high, central banks would typically raise interest rates to discourage consumers from borrowing and buying and keep the cost of goods and services stable. The Bank of Canada recently signaled that interest rate hikes cannot be ruled out as a way to keep inflation under control. The current situation, however, is high inflation and low interest rates on savings whereby the value of your money declines. Fortunately, there are plenty of things to do to protect your savings, like investing in real estate, precious metals, commodities, crypto, and defensive stocks.

Investing in Real Estate

As the value of real estate rises with inflation, rental income can be a potential hedge, especially when it comes to short-term leases such as multi-family properties. Investors who are able to keep their mortgage terms the same and adjust their rent up benefit from inflation. Investing in real estate also provides recurring income that either exceeds or keeps pace with inflation.

Precious Metals

Precious metals such as platinum, silver, and gold are known to be a hedge against inflation as well as a portfolio diversifier. Each precious metal, whether palladium or gold, has its own unique specifics, benefits, and risks. Gold, for example, is less affected by demand and supply, making it easy to sell and buy. An added advantage is the fact that there are different investment options to choose from, including numismatic coins, bars, and proof and bullion gold coins. The downside is that it doesn’t produce passive income the way real estate does.

Commodities

When inflation is high, commodity prices also rise and offer a good return potential. Unlike financial assets such as bonds and stocks, commodities are one of the few investment classes that actually benefit from inflationary pressures. The rationale is that rising demand for services and products results in price increases and hence, the value of the commodities that go into producing goods and services also increases.

Bonds and stocks, on the other hand, tend to perform better when the inflation rate is either slowing or stable. When inflation picks up, it reduces the interest rate that bonds pay while high-dividend and income-oriented stock prices fall. This is why returns from commodity indexes like the S&P Goldman Sachs Commodity Index, Credit Suisse Commodities Benchmark, and Bloomberg Commodity Index are independent of bond and stock returns.

Defensive Stocks

Defensive stocks offer stable earnings and dividends regardless of market conditions and typically outperform other investments in periods of economic decline such as recession or stock market crash. The reason is that they belong to sectors of the economy where there are only minor changes in demand. Such sectors are, for example, healthcare, utilities, and food and beverages. The consumer defensive sector includes businesses engaged in the production of packaging, personal and household products, food and beverages, and tobacco. The sector also includes companies offering services such as training and education. Organizations providing healthcare services fall in this category, including medical supplies and equipment, long-term care facilities, hospitals, home health care, research services, and pharmaceuticals. Examples are also life science development and biotech, vaccine developers, and medical device manufacturers. A third sector is utilities, comprising independent power producers and water, gas, and electric utilities and a fourth – communication services such as media and advertising, 5G network, and telephone and broadband.

Crypto Currencies

Investing in crypto currencies can be a viable alternative to stocks and bonds, with a return of over 6 percent. Proponents point to the fact that bitcoin is not tied to a particular economy, fiscal policy or currency and cannot be devalued by a central bank or government printing money. Not only is bitcoin a digital currency but it has a limited supply and is secure, interchangeable, and durable. Finance experts, however, warn that crypto is a highly volatile asset and one tied to speculative trading. Also, cryptocurrencies have been around for a relatively short period to establish whether they can really act as a hedge against inflation.

Gold, on the other hand, has held its value for centuries. Academics at Duke University also note that bitcoin is vulnerable to crashes and manias over relatively short periods, which makes it a risky asset. Its value is tied to two factors – speculative trading and supply. All in all, bitcoin may have a limited value in developed postindustrial countries with stable fiat currencies. Crypto currencies may have a more practical use in countries prone to political instability and turmoil and hyperinflation.

Summing Up

Inflation is currently higher than normal in Canada, primary drivers being money printing, pent-up demand, and supply chain bottlenecks. Droughts affecting agricultural produce across the country are only making things worse.

Global supply chain disruptions are likely to continue in 2022, mainly due to China’s Covid-19 zero policy, resulting in delayed ships and overwhelmed ports. Inflation rates of 4 – 5 percent could also be with us until 2024. While these changes are temporary, a shift in Canada’s monetary policy may not have the desired effect. Hiking interest rates would result in economic slowdown at a time when governments around the world are withdrawing emergency support and fiscal stimulus.

What Canadians can do to protect their savings is invest in precious metals, real estate, defensive stocks, or commodities, all of which acting as a hedge against inflation. Other assets that offer protection against inflation are leveraged loans, real estate investment trusts, and mortgage-backed securities and corporate bonds.

Filed Under: Debt, Finance, Investment, Loans, Money Tagged With: bills, bitcoin, canada, commodities, crypto, debt, gold, inflation, loans, money, real estate, stocks

8 Easy Steps to Become Debt Free in 2022

November 15, 2021 by Ben 4 Comments

Having debt cannot only affect your credit score but can cause a lot of stress, depression, fear, low self-esteem, and even denial. Many Canadians face piling bills, empty checking accounts, and debt in the form of car payments, credit cards, mortgages, and personal and student loans. The good news is that there are easy steps to follow and achieve financial security and freedom.

Step 1 – Make a Budget

Creating a budget is the first step to getting your finances in order and under control. To create a good personal budget, you may want to start with an itemized summary of your expenses and income. Check your financial statements, including utility bills, rent/mortgage payments, investment accounts, and bank statements. Then list all expenses and sources of income. Sources of income to record include your paycheck, investments, alimony, bonuses, rental income, and dividends. Then record your expenses, including utility bills, groceries, insurance coverage, car payments, and mortgage or rent payments. Compare your income and expenses and if you are over your budget, divide expenses into fixed and variable. Variable expenses include gifts, dining out, entertainment, etc. This is the category that allows you to make adjustments and cut down on expenses.

Step 2 – Start Paying off Your Outstanding Bills

Paying off outstanding bills is an important step to becoming debt free. Interest accumulates if you only pay the minimum balance, and it will take you longer to pay off card debt. If you have high-interest cards, it is best to start with the card that carries the highest interest rate. If you have a large balance, this means that you pay less toward the principal and more toward interest charges.  When you are done paying your card balance, you may want to focus on the card that carries the next highest rate. Make sure you pay your utility bills on time as well. If you are significantly behind on electricity, gas, and water bills, your providers are likely to report late payments to the credit bureaus. This will affect your credit score and ability to obtain low-cost loans. Not only this but even when you are done paying all cards and loans, your credit score will still be affected.

Step 3 – Negotiate for a Lower Interest Rate

Negotiating a lower interest rate helps make payments more manageable and affordable. There are different ways to go about this, and one is to focus on the oldest credit card that you have. Credit unions and banks are more willing to work with loyal and established customers and are likely to lower your rate. If you have other credit cards, it pays to simply call and ask. Make sure that you have the required information such as your current interest rate, outstanding balance, due date, grace period, and other card terms.

Step 4 – Do a Credit Card Balance Transfer

This is another way to lower the current interest rate and pay down debt faster. Many financial institutions offer balance transfer credit cards, including CIBC, Scotiabank, MBNA. Banks feature very low or zero introductory rates during the promotional period, allowing customers to save on interest charges. However, it is also important to check other terms such as annual fees, balance transfer fees, late payment penalties, and grace periods. Some providers also have minimum income and credit score requirements. Ask your issuer about perks and incentives such as low annual fees, comprehensive insurance, awards schemes, car rental discounts, and return guarantee.

Step 5 – Set Financial Goals

To set financial goals, it is important to consider what matters to you, whether saving for retirement, paying college tuition, buying a new car, or going on vacation. Then consider whether it is within reach and how long it will take you to achieve your goals. The next step is to create a budget and set money aside on a monthly basis. Make sure your budget is realistic. You may want to open a separate savings account and transfer money from your debit account. Monitor your progress to see how close you are to accomplishing your goals.

Step 6 – Use Cash

Experts claim that using your hard-earned money makes it less likely to splurge and overspend.  This is what behavioral economists call the pain of paying. The main reason lies in the physical component of paying cash. Getting to an ATM to withdraw money also has a physical component and is inconvenient for many. A good way to save is to follow the cash envelope budgeting system. It involves withdrawing money at the beginning of the month and dividing it into different categories, including groceries, gas and transportation, entertainment, etc.

Step 7 – Avoid Expensive Hobbies

Some of the most expensive hobbies to have include scuba diving, yacht racing, flying a plane, model railroading, to name a few. Needless to say, you should avoid expensive hobbies like these and will save tons of money. The majority of people have hobbies such as photography, bicycling, swimming, and reading books which are low-cost and fit into a tight budget. Unlike them, ballroom dancing, ice sculpting, and hot air ballooning can be very expensive and are not everybody’s affair.

Step 8 – Avoid Eating Out

Eating out can be expensive even if you only eat at fast food chains. Spending $10 a day at your favorite fast food chain adds up to $50 a week and $200 a month. To save money, it is best to avoid eating out during the workweek, prepare meals at home, and bring the lunchbox at work. This is also a way to ensure that you have a healthy and balanced menu. It is a good idea to create a meal plan for the week and buy the products that you need. In this way, you will only buy items that you need instead of wasting money on groceries. Another way to save money is to stock on inexpensive convenience items and prepare meals when you are short of time. Such items are bagged greens, canned beans and tomatoes, and pre-made pizza dough. You may also think of products that come together for a healthy and cheap meal. There are great inexpensive meals to cook, for example, cheese olive bread, spaghetti with meat sauce, curried chickpeas with spinach, and tuna casserole. Combining inexpensive products is also a good way to cook on a tight budget. Cheap grocery items include baby carrots, cottage cheese, tofu, whole grain pasta, brown rice, and chicken bread.

There are plenty of good reasons to get rid of debt, the most important being that you will enjoy a higher credit score, free income, and less stress. Many are aware of this but keep their old habits instead of prioritizing debts, paying off outstanding bills, making a realistic budget, using cash, etc. Being financially literate and savvy about money also helps borrowers to become debt free and make wise choices. People with a good financial literacy know how to set realistic goals and manage their finances. They save toward retirement, have an emergency fund and a balanced investment portfolio, and know their responsibilities and rights as taxpayers, borrowers, and consumers.

Filed Under: Credit Cards, Debt, Finance Tagged With: 2022, budget, cash, credit debt, debt free, interest rate

Canadian Guide to Protecting Your Wealth from Inflation

October 19, 2021 by Ben 2 Comments

Inflation is on the rise in Canada and rose to 3.7 percent in July, 2021. This is the biggest jump since May, 2011 and is mainly due to more sectors of the economy reopening and consumers having where to spend their money. While pay rates are set to trail inflation, salary increase budgets are unlikely to catch up with inflationary pressures in 2021. Plus, it is not guaranteed that salaries will go up across all sectors of the economy. Inflation is robust but fortunately, there are ways to protect your wealth and fight the effects of inflation. From buying real estate and investing in stocks to alternative investments and portfolio diversification, there are time-tested strategies to protect your money.

1. Buying Real Estate

Investing in real estate may sound counterintuitive given that the average selling price is $688,000. Prices rose by 38 percent in 2020 alone. In most cases, Canadians looking to buy a home need to apply for a loan. As it turns out, however, the cost of borrowing decreases when wages increase and prices are on the rise. Average home prices are also rising faster than the consumer price index which makes investing in real estate a good hedge against inflation.

Additionally according to the Canadian Real Estate Association, home prices tend to be skewed by listings in expensive metropolitan markets such as Vancouver and Toronto. CREA tracks the house pricing index which gives a more accurate picture in terms of the types and number of properties sold.

2. Investing in Stocks and Bonds

There are investments that actually benefit from inflation, such being energy and retailers stocks. Energy companies profit when inflationary pressures are driven by oil price increases. Retailers also hike prices and considering the pandemic e-commerce boom, investing in e-commerce stocks can be a good idea.

Some equities both benefit and contribute to inflationary pressures, for example, metals, grain, lumber, and crude oil. It makes sense to buy shares in commodity companies either through mutual funds and exchange-traded funds or directly.

Investing in government bonds is yet another way to protect your money from inflation. What portion to dedicate to fixed income depends on how soon you will need cash and your risk tolerance. As a rule, government bonds offer income and security but the shorter the maturity, the lower the yield. That is because investors face less risk of interest rate increases. Bonds with longer maturity are more sensitive to interest rate fluctuations. The choice of shorter maturity depends on factors such as income requirements, nearing retirement, and the need to diversify investments.

3. Alternative Investments

The price of alternative investments such as silver, gold, and cryptocurrencies is also rising in the long run. As they are risky, dedicating a small portion to alternative investments only makes sense. At the same time, they are thought to not only retain their purchasing power but to outperform when inflationary pressures arise.

Also, there is a wide array of investment options to look into, besides bonds and stocks, each with its proposition, value, and risk factor. The range of solutions includes derivative contracts, commodities, antiques and art, managed futures, hedge funds, venture capital, and private equity.

The category of alternative assets is vast, indeed, but there are some factors to consider when building a portfolio. First, investors can choose to own assets such as farmland, commodities, precious metals, and real estate indirectly or directly. They can either buy physical assets or shares like, for example, invest in shares of gold or gold bars. The same is true for other assets such as real estate or farmland. When buying shares, the asset is tied to physical property, thus giving investors a choice between financial and physical assets.

Some alternative investments are classified as risky, such being the case with farmland. The value of farmland has steadily risen on an annual basis over the last three decades. There are no signs of slowing down in the short term, given the demand for commodities and agricultural products. In fact, farms will need to significantly increase production to meet growing demand as global population growth continues.

An alternative solution is to invest in inflation-linked bonds which are pegged to the consumer price index. In this case, the interest and principal rise and are adjusted for inflation. There are many benefits to investing in inflation-linked bonds such as less risk and volatility and higher returns compared to conventional bonds. A word of caution should be mentioned here, however. When deflation occurs, the bond principal will fall below par value, with interest due on the inflation-adjusted principal. Investors are likely to incur capital losses if deflationary pressures persist. The longer the maturity, the more vulnerable bonds become to interest rate fluctuations.

4. Portfolio Diversification

Building a diversified portfolio is an excellent hedge against inflation. The types of assets that can protect an investment portfolio against inflationary pressures include US stocks and REITs, treasuries, TIPS, commodities, emerging stocks, gold, European and Pacific stocks, and international REITs. Real estate investment trusts, for example, buy a diverse range of real estate that is rented out and produces solid returns. There is also an option to invest in international and US REITs and many have done so since the 2008 US market crush. The fact is that REITs invest in both commercial and residential real estate and are more diversified than conventional real estate portfolios. This means that they are more stable and less risky in case of rising inflation and economic shocks.

5. Consider a Fixed-Rate Mortgage Loan

There are currently variable-rate mortgages offered at about or even less than 1 percent. Getting a variable-rate mortgage sounds tempting as it looks like borrowing for nothing but it comes with a hitch. The fact is that a significant increase in mortgage rates could translate in hundreds and even thousands of dollars in interest over the loan term.

In comparison, five-year fixed-rate mortgages are currently available at about two percent. Regardless of inflationary pressures and rate fluctuations, borrowers pay two percent over the course of the mortgage. Locking in a variable-rate loan is a good idea when inflation is rising.

Investing in stocks, alternative assets, and real estate is worth considering given that high inflation could last for years. According to chief economist with Bank of Montreal Douglas Porter, inflation rates could remain at 3 – 5 percent for a year or even two. The outlook for the U.S. is similar, with prices and inflation rising until 2023. In fact, inflation south of the border is higher than in Canada, reaching 5.4 percent in June. Canada, however, is behind the U.S. on the path to economic recovery which is a red flag when it comes to recessionary pressures. Investing in physical and financial assets now can help mitigate the effect of expected rising inflation. With a variety of inflation-proof stocks such as energy and utilities and exchange traded funds, there are plenty of options to hedge against inflation.

Filed Under: Finance, Investment, Money, Mortgages Tagged With: cash, inflation, investing, money, real estate, stocks

  • Go to page 1
  • Go to page 2
  • Go to Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Most Popular

Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada

Refresh Financial – Improve Your Credit Score with Secured Credit Card

Neo Financial MasterCard – Standard and Secured Credit Cards for Canadians

Recent Posts

  • Best High Interest Savings Accounts in Canada
  • Pros and Cons of Debit Cards
  • Neo Financial MasterCard – Standard and Secured Credit Cards for Canadians
  • Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada
  • Refresh Financial – Improve Your Credit Score with Secured Credit Card

Recent Comments

  • Thu Trang on Pros and Cons of Debit Cards
  • Matt on Pros and Cons of Debit Cards
  • tammy_j on Pros and Cons of Debit Cards
  • tammy_j on Best Secured Credit Cards in Canada
  • tammy_j on Neo Financial MasterCard – Standard and Secured Credit Cards for Canadians

Categories

  • Credit Cards
  • Debt
  • Finance
  • Investment
  • Loans
  • Money
  • Mortgages
  • Small Business
  • Uncategorized

Tags

2022 bad credit bills bitcoin budget canadian banks cash commodities credit credit card credit cards credit debt credit score crypto debit card debt debt free ESG ETF gold guaranteed secured credit card high interest savings account HISA inflation interest interest rate investing loans march break money money management mortgage mortgages Mutual Funds neo finacial secured credit card neo financial pandemic real estate savings account secured card secured credit cards secured loan Socially Responsible ETF stocks vacation

Copyright © 2022 · smartborrowing.ca