Short Takes: Clueless Investors and more

Here are my posts for this week:

Is a 15% Return High or Low?

Choosing the Right Index for Comparison

Real Estate Agent Contracts

Here are my short takes on some weekend reading:

Canadian Couch Potato asks whether investors surveyed by Franklin Templeton are as clueless as they seem. I agree that the majority who believe they can reach their financial goals without equities are mostly delusional. However, I wonder about the 52% who believe the market declined or stayed flat in 2012. It’s true that S&P/TSX Composite was up 7.2%, but perhaps these investors’ answers were influenced by expensive Canadian balanced funds in their portfolios. Many of these funds were close to flat for 2012.

Larry MacDonald reports a bear’s take on Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.

Million Dollar Journey explains how to file your rental income taxes. Claiming all your expenses properly is a critical part of succeeding as a landlord.

Big Cajun Man saved hundreds on his car insurance by telling the insurance company his daughter was away at university.

The Blunt Bean Counter has a wild story about rental car troubles in the Caribbean.

My Own Advisor explains the details of how Canadians can get caught by U.S. estate taxes.

Preet Banerjee thinks CMHC needs changing.