How much do you know about financial independence?

This is the analysis that got me out of high fee mutual funds that don't meet their benchmark index

Granted, if it results in Canadian capital gains taxes, the switch likely isnt worth it. But what will you buy in your TFSA?

Thanks for the feedback Heckler, really appreciated. My focus at the moment is to get a definitive answer on whether this fund has actually generated any annual reportable income for me.

(An ISA is very similar to a TFSA (but with a much larger annual contribution room) and I have no idea whether that Vanguard fund would qualify or whether I would even be able to switch. The ISA may be frozen but I'd have to check, and anyway, it would make more sense within a TFSA anyway)

6061, I havent read it (stopped at "get professional help"), but this might lead to better info.

http://canadianmoneyforum.com/showthread.php/65170-Canadian-Moving-to-UK/page3#/topics/65170?page=1[HTML_REMOVED]_k=r1df62

Thanks for the feedback Heckler, really appreciated. My focus at the moment is to get a definitive answer on whether this fund has actually generated any annual reportable income for me.

(An ISA is very similar to a TFSA (but with a much larger annual contribution room) and I have no idea whether that Vanguard fund would qualify or whether I would even be able to switch. The ISA may be frozen but I'd have to check, and anyway, it would make more sense within a TFSA anyway)

Well, to answer my own question, I spoke to the ISA fund managers who said the fund operates on "accumulation units" basis and that no individual receives dividends or interest or extra shares but dividends and interest are re-invested in the fund to increase the overall wealth. As I don't get any more shares, it's the rise in unit price per share which increases.

Also, I spoke to the CRA and I told them the above and they said I don't need to declare anything until I actually sell - then I'll need to declare Capital Gains. At which point, I'll definitely need specialist advice….

(Oh, Heckler, I did read that link - again, thanks!)

Im sure this has been asked at least a dozen times… but…

What ETF's do you guys use to invest in the indexes?

Particularly interested in owning the S[HTML_REMOVED]P500 but preferably traded on TSX.

Basically - who is your go to supplier of ETFs listed in Canada?

Appreciate all input.

Heckler supplies the ETF, you supply the bankroll.

Im sure this has been asked at least a dozen times… but…

What ETF's do you guys use to invest in the indexes?

Particularly interested in owning the S[HTML_REMOVED]P500 but preferably traded on TSX.

Basically - who is your go to supplier of ETFs listed in Canada?

Appreciate all input.

When it comes to a US S[HTML_REMOVED]P 500 index fund I went with TSE:VFV because it closely tracks the index, has low management fee, isn't CAD-hedged so you get some US currency exposure despite the fund being traded in CAD on the TSX. The usual suspect for tracking american stocks/indexes is SPDR but they are in USD and listed on NYSEARCA or whatever it is called.

For tracking the TSX I went with TSE:VDY which is a Vanguard High Dividend Fund. I compared it against all it's rivals like TSE:XEI, TSE:XTR, TSE:FIE and a bunch of others and when you chart it out and factor in dividend growth and low management fees and how closely they follow the underlying index TSE:VDY comes out way ahead. Costs about $12k worth to get one unit per month on a DRIP.

Typically if you just want to be a passive index fund investor go for a low fee fund from Vanguard.

If you prefer not to go for an index fund and want to be a bit more speculative iShares is the go-to ETF company for Canada, they have an ETF for just about everything under the sun. All the other ones like Horizon, and BMO etc are fairly crappy versus iShares and Vanguard Canada IMO.

I use VCN all cap for Canada. What about your global diversification? Don't get pigeon holed into Canada's bank and oil industry which makes up most of the TSX.

For US allcap, it's TSX:VUN for ~3600 US companies. VUN simply holds NYSE:VTI.

You're better off owning VTI to reduce US taxes on dividends by 15%, but only if you use Norberts gambit to exchange to USD cheaply.

Heckler supplies the ETF, you supply the bankroll.

My personal recommendations come via the Caymans, but we have a 6 million minimum buyin.

@Chupacabra, I feel I must drag you out of the Bitcoin and GME thread.    Its never too late- the best tree you can plant is today. 

Make a plan and follow through.  But not with single stocks.

And Splinky, its definitely too late for a 30 y.o. sugar momma, sorry bud.

make money, spend < you make

diversify investemnts

wait 30-40 yars

Nice thread bump, this was actually one of several places where I learned about the 4% rule, FIRE etc.

We've been doing pretty well tracking our expenses, aiming for ~50% savings rate and dumping everything in a Canadian Couch Potato aggressive portfolio. Won't get us rich overnight but close to zero effort and it's been compounding nicely.

https://canadiancouchpotato.com/getting-started/

https://canadiancouchpotato.com/model-portfolios/