SPECTRUMLY SPEAKING
January 2023
Hello!

We hope this newsletter finds you and your family well and enjoying the beginnings of the New Year!

It certainly has been a positive 2023 so far in the markets, but although we are seeing some reasons for optimism on the horizon, we fear volatility will continue and the economy will remain unsettled for a little while yet.

For those that are able, it is a great time to save. Just as everything around us is increasing due to inflation, so should our savings strategies. Bumping up your contributions by 5-10% would be advantageous. If you have a shorter term time horizon, High Interest Savings accounts and GIC's are paying higher than they have in a long time. If you however have a longer term time frame before needing access to your funds, it remains a great time to invest in areas that have been beaten up and will recover nicely over the coming few years.

As always, we are here to help. Let's review what changes have taken place in your world since the start of the pandemic and ensure we are doing everything we can to stay on track with your goals.

Stay warm, stay safe, and stay in touch!

Karen, Richard, Janet & Jeni
Articles of Interest
What Do Chickens Have
To Do With the Bond Market?

Not much in reality, but they do offer a great analogy in this article.
 
Bonds can be very difficult to understand; pricing, interest rates, and yields can all get blurred.
We hope this example helps to make things clearer.
Have You Assigned a
Trusted Contact Person?

If we've met in the past few months we have probably chatted about this. If we haven’t, let us know if this is something you wish to do.  
This quick video explains what a Trusted Contact Person (TCP) is, and why it's important to have that additional person as a part of your overall planning.
Facts to Know About Your CPP and QPP

You've noticed the deduction taken from every pay cheque, starting with your very first job, but do you know what the payoff will be when you choose to retire? 
How does taking an early retirement affect your pension? Should you keep working, and defer your pension payments? 
We are here to help you with these important decisions. 
The Toll of "Sick Season"
on Working Parents

It's never easy when our little ones are sick, but juggling a sick child and a job can have multiple challenges. Mothers are more than twice as likely to take unpaid time off than fathers, or try to work remotely with a sick child at home. It's important for parents and caregivers to balance care to avoid anxiety, depression and burnout. 
2023, Year of the Rabbit

According to Chinese tradition, the gentle rabbit could translate into modest gains through clever management of investments.

The outlook for 2023 has many looking to China's reopening to aid in Asian economic growth. Inflation is expected to slow down, with tighter monetary policy to help return inflation to a sustainable basis.  
Spectrum Office Updates
Check Your Mailbox / Inbox

Annual Investment Statements are out and they are not pretty for the most part. 2022 was indeed a
tough year in the markets. 
Let’s organize a time to get together to discuss
your portfolio and review your positions
in the coming weeks.
It's RRSP Season!
If you're planning to make an RRSP contribution, let's do it well before the deadline. Let’s talk early in February to discuss your specific situation and whether a contribution or top-up would be beneficial and help you to save tax.

Click below for some more important dates and contribution limits.
Financial Markets
Week in Review
For those interested in a deeper look at what happened in the financial markets this past week, this is for you.