Minding Money: Lara's Insights

A financial newsletter and blog in the Comox Valley

I'm glad you're here - being on this page means you want to learn more about how your financial choices can impact your quality of life.

I have been passionate about the importance of financial literacy since I started in this industry 20 years ago.  Minding Money is a quarterly newsletter I started for my friends and clients to address common questions when it comes to wealth and retirement planning and talk about the latest news in the investment industry.

If you would like each issue of Minding Money emailed or mailed to you, please send me an email.  On this blog I'll post a link to the PDF versions, as well as links to financial market and strategy opinion pieces by RBC Wealth Management professionals.

If you have any questions about anything you read here, please get in touch!

 

Latest Newsletter

 Fall 2025

In this edition:

  • Dr. Tom Deans "Every Family's Business" Thursday November 6th
  • Are you overlooking the tax-free opportunity?
  • A tax-efficient withdrawal strategy
  • Year-end checklist
Is the rebound for real?

Is the rebound for real?

 May 30, 2025 |Robert Sluymer, CFA, Technical Strategist

Equity markets have bounced back smartly in Q2. Technical analysis suggests a move higher into early-to-mid-Q3, but investors should watch the U.S. dollar, and more importantly, 30-year and 10-year U.S. Treasury yields.

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Equity market roller coaster: How is your stomach?

Equity market roller coaster: How is your stomach?

 May 23, 2025 |Kelly Bogdanova

The U.S. equity market has taken investors on a bumpy roller coaster ride, leaving some of us queasy. We discuss what drove the rally, lingering risks, and the market’s potential from here.

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How tariff policy unpredictability is rippling through U.S. Treasury bonds

How tariff policy unpredictability is rippling through U.S. Treasury bonds

 May 15, 2025 |Atul Bhatia, CFA

U.S. government borrowing costs on longer-maturity debt have risen more quickly than on shorter-maturity debt since so-called reciprocal tariffs were announced. We discuss what drove that reaction and why the difference is likely to persist.

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The Fed and its dueling dual mandate

The Fed and its dueling dual mandate

 May 09, 2025 |Thomas Garretson, CFA

Questions regarding the Federal Reserve’s price stability and maximum employment mandates abound. We look at what investors should know at a time when there is a lack of clarity regarding the central bank’s next moves.

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Beyond tariffs, what can the U.S. do in its quest for trade balance?

Beyond tariffs, what can the U.S. do in its quest for trade balance?

 May 06, 2025 |Atul Bhatia, CFA

Running up debts to buy foreign goods is unsustainable in the long term. Identifying the problem is simple, but we see no easy or quick escape for the U.S. from the imbalances built up over the last four decades.

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Video: Is there an estate tax or death tax in Canada? The Wealthy Barber explains

Video: Is there an estate tax or death tax in Canada? The Wealthy Barber explains

 May 05, 2025 |RBC Wealth Management

David Chilton talks about inheritance tax in Canada and filing a final tax return.

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