RCMP and LFD ready for puck battle

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

Who’s going to win?

The hydrant heroes or the boys in blue?

The Battle of the Badges Todd Gustavson Memorial Hockey Tournament is back at the Centennial Civic Centre on Saturday, Feb. 18 with a 7:30 p.m. puck drop as members of the Lloydminster RCMP face off against members of the Lloydminster Fire Department.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is by cash donation or non-perishable foot item(s). All proceeds from this year’s game will support The Olive Tree, The Salvation Army Lloydminster, and the Lloydminster

Investment advisors at an IIROC brokerage firm (member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada) are usually on straight commission, making them much more motivated to ensure you make a profit, which they in turn are compensated on.

Fee-based services range from .75 per cent all the way up to 3 per cent. Some advisors act as personal bankers for ultra-rich clients, doing everything for them, hence they may be able to justify the higher fee structure.

But for most of us, we do not need someone to pay our bills and handle our budgets, so if you are paying more than 1.5 per cent for a fee-based portfolio, you may be paying too much.

If you have different SMA products, (Separately Managed Accounts) your advisor may increase their fee up to a max of 1.75 per cent.

Really, Ed, the bottom line is, fees are all over the map and vary from one advisor to another. The cost you pay for professional financial advice should be based on your own personal comfort zone. Is your advisor a valued partner that you are willing to pay for, and most importantly are you satisfied with their services?

Region Health Foundation’s mental health initiative, Project Sunrise.

The Lloydminster RCMP is supporting the Olive Tree.

Needed items include Canned fruit, apple sauces, school snack packs, pasta sauce, pancake mix, syrup, jam, canned meat, nutfree granola bars and crackers.

The Lloydminster Fire Department is supporting the Salvation Army. Items in need include canned meat, canned fruit, canned soup, instant oatmeal (individual packets), boxed potatoes and sidekicks.

Cash donations will support Project Sunrise’s mental health initiatives.

It is always a good idea to periodically check out the competition, talk to your friends and see what they pay.

Remember, as you age and move investments into securely fixed-income products with lower risk and smaller gains, your number one problem will be fees and expenses.

Fees, inflation, and future market volatility always eat away at your retirement capital, decrease your purchasing power, and eventually force you to lower your lifestyle as you age.

Good Luck and Best Wishes,

Money Lady - Christine Ibbotson is a national radio host and author of three finance books plus the Canadian Best-Selling Book

“How to Retire DebtFree & Wealthy.” Visit www.askthemoneylady.ca or send a question to info@askthemoneylady.ca.

Thursday, February 16, 2023

MERIDIAN SOURCE