Short Takes: Knocking DIY Index Investing and more

It’s easy to lose track of the days while on vacation. But a day late is better than never. Here are my posts for the past two weeks:

The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty

The Way I Think about Insurance

Understanding Bank Profits

Portfolio Turnover

Here are some short takes and some weekend reading:

Boomer and Echo comments on the things advisors say to discourage people from pursuing DIY index investing.

Big Cajun Man talks about the brain drain that happens when baby boomers retire. I’ve seen this effect where I work due to people leaving the company for new jobs. Suddenly there is nobody left who knows how certain systems work.

The Blunt Bean Counter updates us on the latest patterns in CRA audits for individuals and corporations.

Preet Banerjee has a video explaining the basics of RRSPs.

Million Dollar Journey explains how capital gains taxes apply to currency conversions.

My Own Advisor lays out some resolutions for dividend investors. These resolutions illustrate how focusing on dividends helps some investors stay invested during market turmoil.

Comments

  1. My Own AdvisorFebruary 13, 2016 at 8:13 AM

    I wonder if the brain drain will only accelerate going forward....

    Thanks for the mention Michael - stay warm!
    Mark

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesFebruary 13, 2016 at 8:44 AM

      @Mark: I'm sure the brain drain will continue. But we tend to overestimate the value of lost knowledge at work. Sometimes lost knowledge of old methods and systems is a real loss, but other times it's no big deal.

      Delete
  2. Big Cajun Man (AW)February 13, 2016 at 1:03 PM

    I think a great deal of the "brain drain" is laziness by first level management to make sure there is sufficient (1) successor training and (2) documenting how system works. People are going to leave, but if you have no plans to deal with it, more fool you.

    Thanks for the inclusion this week, and enjoy the BLOODY COLD weather here in Ottawa.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesFebruary 13, 2016 at 1:16 PM

      @Alan: What I see is management failures to see the important knowledge/skills that are never involved in crises.

      Delete
  3. Robb EngenFebruary 14, 2016 at 1:29 PM

    Thanks for the mention, Michael. Hope you enjoy your vacation and didn't have to bribe your relatives to travel with you (yet, anyway)...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michael JamesFebruary 14, 2016 at 2:27 PM

      @Robb: Hopefully I'm still 25 years or more away from needing to bring help with me when I travel.

      Delete

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