SBW Wealth Management

The Innovator Who Changed Finance: A Tribute to John “Mac” McQuown

January 8, 2025

The financial world has lost one of its quiet pioneers, Mac McQuown, whose passing marks the end of an era for many of us who have built our careers on the foundations he laid.

A Simple Step to Protect Your Wealth: Introducing the Trusted Contact Person

December 10, 2024

In an ever-evolving financial world, safeguarding your wealth and ensuring your peace of mind requires more than just a sound investment strategy—it demands a holistic approach to protecting your financial well-being. One important but often overlooked component of this approach is the Trusted Contact Person (TCP).

The Holiday Mindset Reset: Finding Joy and Balance Amidst the Chaos

December 3, 2024

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration, but for many, it can feel like a whirlwind of obligations, endless to-do lists, and stress. From shopping for the perfect gifts to attending every holiday gathering, it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters.

Empowering Future Generations Through Financial Literacy

November 18, 2024

Understanding Factor Premiums: A Guide for Everyday Investors

November 18, 2024

Factor premiums are a way to capture extra returns by focusing on specific stock characteristics like value (cheap stocks), size (smaller stocks), and momentum (stocks on the rise). These factors have consistently provided investors with returns above the market average, even over long periods.

The Less Talked about Realities of Retirement

August 28, 2024

Retirement is often seen as the golden era of life—a time when you can finally relax, travel, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. However, as many retirees discover, the transition from a structured work life to the freedom of retirement is not always seamless. Beyond the financial aspects, retirement brings a host of emotional challenges that can catch people off guard.

Mastering the Basics: Five Keys to Financial Freedom

August 19, 2024

When it comes to personal finance, those who succeed often have one thing in common: they don’t overcomplicate matters. Getting the fundamentals right lays the foundation for long-term financial security and wealth.

The Paradox of Wealth: Understanding Financial Anxiety Among the Wealthy

August 19, 2024

In a society where financial success is often linked to freedom and happiness, it’s surprising to find that many wealthy individuals experience anxiety over spending money. This paradoxical behaviour, known as being a “tightwad,” is more common than one might think.

The Purpose of Financial Planning: Moving Beyond Clarity and Peace of Mind

August 6, 2024

As a wealth management firm, we often find ourselves pondering the true purpose of financial planning. While clarity and peace of mind are crucial outcomes for our clients, they merely scratch the surface of what a comprehensive financial strategy can achieve. The real magic happens when we transcend the fundamental question of “Am I going to be okay?” and venture into more profound and creative inquiries...

Should You Own Individual Stocks? The Risky Reality of Stock Picking

August 6, 2024

Investing in the stock market can seem confusing, especially when deciding whether to buy individual stocks or use a more passive or index-based approach. Recent research by Hendrik Bessembinder, explained by Larry Swedroe in his article “Owning Individual Stocks: A Loser’s Game,” shows why owning individual stocks might not be smart for most people.

Are You Wealthy?

March 28, 2024

In a society often captivated by the allure of financial achievement, it becomes imperative to broaden our perspective on what truly constitutes wealth. This exploration ventures beyond the conventional monetary metrics to uncover the diverse and invaluable forms of wealth that significantly enhance our lives, often without a price tag.

Income Tax Deadline Checklist

March 11, 2024

No sooner have you navigated the RRSP contribution deadline, then another key date looms into view – your annual income tax return. If only the world was so keen to remind you to watch movies or take a vacation!

Crafting a Life Well Lived

March 1, 2024

The financial planning industry is witnessing a shift, with a small but growing number of firms recognizing a deep connection between financial planning and creating a meaningful life. This emerging perspective transforms traditional narratives around wealth accumulation, suggesting a more holistic approach to financial strategy.

Retirement Income: What Strategy is Best for You?

January 29, 2024

In planning for retirement, it’s crucial to recognize that there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone’s financial situation, lifestyle preferences, and long-term goals vary, making the choice of a retirement income strategy a highly personal decision. This article explores two primary strategies for managing retirement income: static and dynamic withdrawal plans.

Choosing the Right Financial Advisor: 7 Crucial Questions to Ask

December 6, 2023

Selecting the right financial advisor is a significant decision that can profoundly impact your financial future. To make an informed choice, it’s essential to ask the right questions during your initial consultations.

Strategic Financial Choices: Investing vs. Mortgage Reduction

November 30, 2023

When deciding what to do with newfound funds, whether from a business sale, inheritance, or bonus, Canadians have several options: spend, save, reduce debts, or donate. This article, however, will focus on the choice between investing and paying down mortgage debt, particularly in the context of the current high-interest-rate environment.

What Was Behind the Volatility This Fall?

December 8, 2022

The fall period is no stranger to volatility. Money managers are well versed in the September Effect1: which circles the calendar month as the only one with a negative return over the past 100 years. Then there’s October, which has been positive over the past century, despite notching up an impressive array of market crashes: 1907, 1929, 1987, 2001, and 2008, to name just five. Both reputations, however, are often viewed as historical quirks, attributed by many to seasonal behavioral biases as investors cash in on gains at the end of the summer.

Wealth Transfer: Preparing the Next Generation

August 2, 2022

Intergenerational wealth, on our TV screens at least, conjures images of Succession’s Logan Roy dismissing one of his weasel kids with a sneer and expletive. Roy, the fearsome patriarch, who built his business from nothing, watches in disgust as the heirs to his throne – who do no work of any note – connive and backstab in an effort to win the keys to more money and power.

Timing the Market

March 17, 2022

Between the pandemic, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, market uncertainty reigns supreme right now. You might have heard some disturbing words, like shares “plunging”, prices “soaring”, and investment “volatility”. Many people, therefore, are asking themselves: should I take money out of the market and get back in when skies are clearer?

TFSA 2022

March 3, 2022

It has been 14 years since the tax-free saving accounts (TFSA) first came into effect. The results of this RBC survey indicate that Canadians may not fully understand where, in relation to their overall plan, the TFSA fits.

RRSP’s – Yes, it’s that time of year.

February 15, 2022

With the March 1st deadline around the corner, it’s a good time to revisit your overall financial plan to determine if you should be making an RRSP contribution for the 2021 tax year.

Inflation is Back, So What Next?

February 6, 2022

In January 2022, Canada’s inflation rate hit a 30-year high of 4.8% after months of articles and analysts identifying it as the number one investment risk for 2022. What is inflation? In short, inflation is the decline of purchasing power of a given currency over time, reflected in the cost of living.

The Noise in Short-Term Performance

December 15, 2021

Even strategies with nearly identical construction rules and long-run average returns can deviate meaningfully through time. The lesson for investors is to remain cautious, as always when interpreting past performance.

‘Everything Screams Inflation.’ How to Interpret the Headlines

November 30, 2021

After last year’s economic shocks, we shouldn’t be surprised to see prices rebounding. Is inflation headed higher? In the short term, it has already moved that way.

SBW Welcomes Kenneth MacQueen

May 13, 2021

SBW continues to add to its strong lineup with the addition of a former Vice President of a global investment firm.

SBW Welcomes Joanne Johnsen

May 11, 2021

SBW is pleased to welcome Joanne Johnsen as its Director of Operations.

SBW Welcomes Jim Horwich

May 6, 2021

SBW welcomes former Grant Thornton partner, Jim Horwich, to its growing team.

Welcome to the SBW Wealth Management Blog & News Section

April 21, 2021

Whether you stumbled onto this website by simple chance or coming here was an intentional decision, we warmly welcome you to the SBW Wealth Management Blog, and we thank-you for the visit.

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