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
Gold’s regime change?

Gold’s regime change?

 June 27, 2025 |Joseph Wu, CFA

The longstanding inverse relationship between gold and real interest rates seems to have broken down, suggesting new forces—central bank buying, geopolitical uncertainty, and portfolio diversification—have a larger role in driving demand for bullion.

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Another round of the Fed’s waiting game

Another round of the Fed’s waiting game

 June 23, 2025 |Thomas Garretson, CFA

Inflation remains calm in 2025, but tariff-related price hike concerns have kept the Fed sidelined. We look at the Fed’s commentary, the impact of market forces and political pressure on yields, and the probability of rate cuts before year’s end.

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U.S. debt: Changing facts, updating views

U.S. debt: Changing facts, updating views

 June 19, 2025 |Atul Bhatia, CFA

The U.S. government’s fiscal outlook can no longer be ignored.

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A world of opportunities?

A world of opportunities?

 June 19, 2025 |Alan Robinson

A dramatic shift in the appetite for equity and fixed income securities issued outside of North America has emerged in 2025. We examine the causes, what they mean for international stocks, and how investors may want to position portfolios.

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Global Insight 2025 Midyear Outlook: Canada

Global Insight 2025 Midyear Outlook: Canada

 June 19, 2025 |Matt Altro, CFA and Luis Castillo

Elevated gold prices should continue to support the TSX, while ongoing tariff uncertainties have us tilting toward perceived less risky categories within fixed income.

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Video: Are powers of attorney part of your estate plan? The Wealthy Barber wants to know

Video: Are powers of attorney part of your estate plan? The Wealthy Barber wants to know

 June 09, 2025 |RBC Wealth Management

Who will care for you if you can’t? David Chilton explains why it’s important to have powers of attorney, especially at his age.

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“Big and beautiful” or not?

“Big and beautiful” or not?

 June 06, 2025 |Kelly Bogdanova

With the centerpiece of U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic agenda winding its way through Congress, we examine what’s of key interest to markets and investors, before noting why the ultimate outcome of the bill is likely to look different.

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