Would you believe it? Today marks the one year anniversary of Word on the Street! It feels like just yesterday that I hovered above the send button for about 12 minutes before sending out my first note – excited to start something new and anxious about what the response might be. I received an immediate punch in the face within about 32 seconds of hitting send from an acquaintance who unsubscribed because he already received “too many e-mails”.
I wanted to write back explaining to him that this was an e-mail that would in fact save him time – providing him with interesting articles from the week, keeping him up-to-date with the market and a valuable financial planning tip or joke here and there. I also wanted to tell him that I thought he was a jerk - but I held back on both thoughts and wrote back, “ok – you’ve been removed from my awesome newsletter”. Looking back over the past year, he as missed out on some great stuff – as I hope all of you, who have not unsubscribed – would agree with. This is a great opportunity for me to thank you for your loyalty, readership and amusement with my attempt at being witty every Friday.
Anniversaries provide us with an opportunity to reflect back on the year and reminisce about the good times, and the bad times… here are just a few:
July 12th | Flash Flood! Everyone swam home that day.
August 2nd |The measure of economic growth and relative income across countries was better than ever...
In recent news, World stock markets are now up near record highs and the TSX in particular surged to an all time high on Wednesday closing at 15,109.25, up 53.36 points or 4%. Its previous highest close was 15,073.13, on June 18, 2008 – 6 years ago to the day.
August 9th | I turned my golf game around by opening my club face while the CRA doubled the prescribed rate loan to 2%.
Sept 11th | My annual Stocks, Suits and Scotch event is born (stay tuned for your invite this year)
Sept 18th | Bernanke says he’s just kidding about the tapering prompting a shock to the market, a mere 2 days after the 5 year anniversary of the Lehman Brothers fail.
Oct 1st |The US government was forced to implement a partial shutdown of its operations due to a lack of funding from Congress (and arguments over the spending bill).
Oct 16th | The U.S. Senate passes a much-hoped for bill to end the government’s partial shutdown
Nov 5th | Rob Ford gifts us with the term, #drunkenstupor
Dec 10th | Fake sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial
Dec 20th | The Fed finally delivers on it’s taper promise, an early Christmas gift from Santa Bernake
Jan 17th | We make a resolution to stop saying we’re “sooo busy” all the time
Feb 21st | Our Canadian Women hockey team wins gold in the Sochi Olympics (later celebrated by the men on the 23rd)
April 18th | Palindrome Week – it happens only once every 100 years
April 25th | I become an organ donor and encourage you to do the same – and update your Will while you’re at it
May 2nd | I do a headstand, whoa.
May 23rd | RBC stock hits an all-time record high of $75.93
June 13th | A full moon on Friday the 13th and the Liberals win a majority government
June 20th | A year later, here we are. It takes discipline, persistence, passion and patience to do this every Friday – the sort of qualities one would look for in an Investment Advisor, don’t you think? ;)