Financial advisor posts

We all have debt. Whether it's for the long term, such as mortgage, student loans or car loans, or short term, we're a country of people who owe money.

But is debt really that bad? Isn't it part of the natural cycle of economics to owe money and pay it off? Unlike our friends in Greece or Spain, Canadians have been listening to the economic reports and are taking measures.

Canadians aren't putting their heads in the sand when it comes to what is owed, in fact ..."Canadians are focused on reducing their debts amid warnings about rising household debt." In fact, 49 per cent of Canucks have put down a lump payment in 2012 to help reduce their debt says CIBC.

So what else can we do to cut the debt?

Accretive (Ah-KREE-tiv): Describes the phenomenon when two businesses come together and become worth more together than the sum of their parts. –Randy Ambrosie.

If you're not in finance it's not a name that rolls off the tongue easily but if the business takes off it's quite possible that Accretive Advisor could cause a dramatic shift in the financial services industry, changing the way a lot of people find their financial advisors.

It's subtle, too, but the site also tries to change the way people approach their financial planning relationships, encouraging them to be more educated (to open their account statements, for example) and to take a more active role in determining what they need from a financial advisor.

Financial advisors can pinpoint risks, discover opportunities, and practically leap into a financial sweet spot in a single bound during a financial crisis. But why is that regular Jane and Joe Canadian can't perform the same acts of heroics in their own lives? The good news is, you can, and with no superhero experience required. The trick is to build your personal financial team.

If you're a small (i.e., non-retail) investor living in Ontario with something to say about mutual funds, legal standards for financial advisors, or credit rating agencies, now's your chance to say it.

The Ontario Securities Commission's Investor Advisory Panel wants to hear from you. The panel was established a few months ago specifically to receive input from small investors when it comes to developing new policies. Earlier this month, the panel released its first round of initiatives and is inviting small investors to comment.

Specifically, the panel is looking for input on four things:

1. The Ontario Securities Commission's new point-of-sale rules, which aim to provide better information to mutual fund investors about the funds they buy. As of January 1, 2011, mutual fund companies must provide a "fund facts" document to investors who ask for one, but the commission is still developing other ways to improve mutual fund sales disclosure.