Your personal finance questions answered, with Rob Carrick
Dec 6, 2023
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Rob Carrick, The Globe's personal finance columnist, answers pressing personal finance questions, including navigating the housing affordability issue, benefits of FHSA for homebuyers, struggles faced by renters, job market impact on personal finances, and the importance of saving money and building an emergency fund.
Rob Carrick advises young people to prioritize their own goals and not be swayed by economic forecasts, focusing on investment, savings, and debt reduction goals.
Rob Carrick highlights the government's efforts to promote affordable housing, such as reducing rewards for real estate investments and encouraging the construction of more rental units, while emphasizing the need for regular rental building constructions to address the shortage of affordable rental units.
Deep dives
Navigating the Financial Landscape as a Young Adult
Rob Karrick advises young people to focus on their own goals rather than being swayed by economic forecasts. He highlights that the current economic conditions have been seen before, and individuals need to figure out their own investment, savings, and debt reduction goals. Karrick suggests that one's priorities for saving should reflect their desire for homeownership, debt reduction, and retirement planning. He also discusses the uncertainty in the housing market, mentioning two contrasting school of thoughts: one predicting a bounce-back and the other expecting further decline. Karrick emphasizes that the employment market is a crucial lever for improving personal finances. He encourages individuals to focus on their careers and consider the long-term implications of their financial decisions.
Government Solutions and the Rental Market
Karrick highlights the government's efforts to curb housing speculation and promote affordability, such as reducing rewards for real estate investments and encouraging the construction of more rental units. However, he acknowledges that these measures alone may not solve the challenges faced by renters, as there is a shortage of affordable housing and many landlords rely on high rents to cover mortgages. Karrick suggests that a potential slowdown in the rental market due to economic conditions could create opportunities for renters to negotiate lower rents. He stresses the need for more regular rental buildings to be constructed to address the shortage of affordable rental units.
Saving Strategies and Investment Advice
Karrick advises young adults to prioritize building an emergency fund, citing the importance of having financial stability in uncertain times. He mentions the availability of high-interest savings accounts and the current favorable interest rates as opportunities for savers. Karrick also discusses the importance of defining personal goals, whether it's saving for a house, funding education, or planning for retirement. He suggests using TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account), FHSA (First Home Savings Account), and RSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) as potential savings vehicles, depending on specific financial goals. While acknowledging the potential of investing in the stock market, Karrick cautions against speculative investments and recommends long-term investment strategies focused on low-cost ETFs (exchange-traded funds) for young investors.
Managing personal finances while navigating 2023′s economic landscape is stressful, especially for young people. Is now the time for a down payment for a home? How do you even begin saving with sky-high rents? Where is the safest place to begin investing?
Listeners asked these questions (and more) to The Globe’s personal finance columnist Rob Carrick, who spoke to Decibel host Menaka Raman-Wilms in a Globe Campus virtual event. We answer the most pressing queries to help you get a better handle on your money.