How Inflation is Eroding Your Wealth
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

How Inflation is Eroding Your Wealth

Your savings account pays you 0.5% but the inflation rate is 5%, so your real rate of return is -4.5%, and you're wondering why you can't get ahead?

Read More
We are drowning in Debt. Which generation carries the most?
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

We are drowning in Debt. Which generation carries the most?

Do you know which Canadian age group carries the most amount of debt? Or, could you tell me if mortgage debt tends to increase or decrease with age? How about this, true or false, credit card debt increases for Canadians as they age?

I broke down a recent article that takes a deep dive into Canadians’ financial situation. More specifically the article investigates how much and what kind of debt we carry, what age cohorts carry the most debt, and what kind of debt to expect to carry as we age.

Read More
The Rules to Life
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

The Rules to Life

Over the first five months, I have come across several “rules to life” They are from several individuals; experts in their respective fields. Each with their own view on how to live a meaningful and impactful life.

Through that search, I have compiled several ‘rules’ to live a good life, which I will outline (and provide resources) for you to explore on your own.

Read More
Why the BANK said NO
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Why the BANK said NO

You applied for your first mortgage and you got denied. Are you sure you put the best application forward? Find out three mistakes you may be making that are reducing your ability to get an approval.

Read More
Unlocking Your First Home: Tips to Get the Bank to Say YES
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Unlocking Your First Home: Tips to Get the Bank to Say YES

Don’t make buying your first home more stressful than it actually is. Get yourself organized and prepared for securing your first mortgage. Find out what documents most lenders are looking for as they review your application to see if you’re a suitable candidate for a mortgage

Read More
What is Bitcoin and why you should learn about it!
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

What is Bitcoin and why you should learn about it!

The Bitcoin conversation has infiltrated some facet of our lives, whether it be through mainstream business news channels, social media, or even our holiday gatherings, the talk of Bitcoin is becoming more common. Although occurring more often in our lives, I believe it is something that is poorly understood and susceptible to unfair discrimination due to inadequate surface-level knowledge.

Read More
 ETFs Explained: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

ETFs Explained: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals

ETFs are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks. They hold a collection of assets such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, and aim to track the performance of a specific index or sector. The key feature of ETFs is that they combine the diversification of mutual funds with the tradability of stocks.

Read More
How I plan to retire at age 40
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

How I plan to retire at age 40

Retirement is a word with many meanings but few agreed upon definitions. For some, it means, absolutely doing nothing, sitting back, sipping mojitos on the beach while watching the world pass by. Truly relaxing. For others, it is taking a step back from a full-time career and spending more time with the family, while pursuing a hobby or an interest that was put on pause for several decades. For me, it is having the CHOICE between WANTING to work vs NEEDING to work.

Read More
5 Insurance Must-Haves for Health Professionals
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

5 Insurance Must-Haves for Health Professionals

As healthcare professionals, we understand the importance of thorough planning and assessment in our work. Just as we diagnose and treat our patients, we must also diagnose and protect our financial health. In this article, we'll explore how health insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, auto insurance, and homeowners/renters insurance can benefit us, using real-life examples from both Canada and the US to illustrate the importance of each type of coverage.

Read More
My Biggest Financial Mistakes
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

My Biggest Financial Mistakes

Fear Kills More Dreams Than Failure Every Will- Suzy Kaseem
After losing tens of thousands of dollars, I’ve realized the magnitude of that quote.

Read More
Is Your Primary Residence the Best Investment?
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Is Your Primary Residence the Best Investment?

I hope to challenge another conventional norm. That home (primary) ownership is the best investment. Yes, there are a lot of moving parts to consider when making this case (geography, size of the home, opportunity cost, interest rates, housing appreciation, etc)

Regardless, I believe it is a useful exercise to dig down to the numbers and objectively evaluate the true costs of home ownership and the opportunity cost of purchasing a home.

Read More
Thinking about renewing your mortgage? Don’t forget to do this!
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Thinking about renewing your mortgage? Don’t forget to do this!

We dive into a topic that's particularly relevant in today's economic climate: renewing your mortgage in a high-interest rate environment. With interest rates on the rise, it's more critical than ever to make informed decisions when it comes to your mortgage. Let's break down some key considerations to help you navigate this financial milestone successfully.

Read More
How to Purchase Your First Home
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

How to Purchase Your First Home

Buying your first home is a stressful process in itself. Securing financing is a paramount part of purchasing real estate for most people. Use this checklist as a general guideline to have all your documentation in order.

Remember, when you are purchasing residential (especially for your primary residence), the lender often puts much emphasis on the actual property. The emphasis is on whether YOU as the BORROWER are CAPABLE of maintaining payments. The bank is protecting their asset (the loan) and YOU have to PROVE to them that you are an appropriate candidate for that loan.

Read More
Unlock Extra Income: Top Side Hustles for Healthcare Professionals in 2024
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Unlock Extra Income: Top Side Hustles for Healthcare Professionals in 2024

Are you a healthcare professional feeling the pinch from your regular income not stretching as far as it used to? You’re not alone. Many in the healthcare field are finding it increasingly difficult to meet all their financial needs through their primary job alone, especially in today’s economy.

But what if you could amplify your earnings without compromising your passion for healthcare? Imagine having the ability to expand your professional repertoire, enhance your skills, and increase your income—all on your own terms.

Read More
Why Relationships Fail
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Why Relationships Fail

Disagreements about money is one of the primary reasons relationships fail. If you are getting married or moving in with your partner, make sure you review this checklist and have a conversation about money, and how it is treated in your relationship.

Read More
Why you should QUIT more often
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Why you should QUIT more often

In our society, to quit often signals a feeling of defeat, loss and even failure. Meaning it is held in a negative light. Often looking back on what we have lost or wasted in the effort. Annie, in her more recent book Quit, the power of knowing when to walk away, highlights how we should embrace quitting and instead look to the future for the expected value and the potential future loss if we don’t quit.

Read More
The Business and Real Estate Cycle
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

The Business and Real Estate Cycle

The business and real estate cycles have been present ever since economists have been tracking markets, they are cyclical (duh, that’s why it’s called a cycle) and largely due to human nature and the fight we face between fear and greed. Until human nature changes, these cycles will be ever-present, so it’s best you understand what they are and how if may affect your investment decisions.

Read More
Why I'm Betting on Bitcoin and Leveraged Real Estate to outpace inflation
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Why I'm Betting on Bitcoin and Leveraged Real Estate to outpace inflation

Through a mix of hands-on experiences and insights gathered from my networking hustle, I've seen how these two assets have consistently outperformed. Leveraged real estate lets us play the game of monopoly in real life (with better graphics, of course!), turning a small pile of cash into a significant stream of income and appreciation. And then there's Bitcoin—the rebel of the financial world, dodging the pitfalls of traditional money systems with its sleek, decentralized tech and capped supply.

Read More
Budgeting and Why It’s Crucial for Your Success.
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Budgeting and Why It’s Crucial for Your Success.

So when it came to filing taxes, I'd be done well in advance of April. Although being finished with plenty of time to spare, didn't make the days/weeks and hours leading up to filing less stressful. I literally collected my receipts in envelopes and shoeboxes. I was an utter mess and was determined to make the following year's tax filing not only stress-free but do it in half the time.

That's when I stumbled on the power of budgeting. I'm a big proponent of budgeting. But I know that not everyone is, and there are people a lot more experienced and educated than I am, that doesn't recommend budgeting (at least traditionally).

Read More
Return on Time: The Most Crucial Financial Metric.
Robin Valadares Robin Valadares

Return on Time: The Most Crucial Financial Metric.

In the world of finance and investment, metrics like return on investment (ROI), net present value (NPV), and internal rate of return (IRR) have long been the gold standards for evaluating the profitability of investments. These may be beyond the scope of the average investor let alone a beginner. While these metrics undoubtedly provide valuable insights, there's a game-changer that often gets overlooked: return on time.

Read More