Skip to main content

Featured

Senate Democrats Block Funding Bill Again, Demand Health Care Action

For the tenth time in just over two weeks, Senate Democrats have rejected a Republican-backed stopgap spending bill, prolonging a government shutdown now stretching into its third week. The vote, which failed 51–45, fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance under Senate filibuster rules. Democrats remain firm in their stance that any funding deal must include provisions to extend health care benefits, particularly subsidies under the Affordable Care Act that are set to expire at the end of the year. Senate leaders argue that without these protections, millions of Americans could face higher costs or lose coverage altogether. Meanwhile, the shutdown has left hundreds of thousands of federal workers furloughed or working without pay, with ripple effects across the country. Flight delays, suspended services, and uncertainty over Social Security and other benefits have added to public frustration. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have urged Democrats to separat...

article

The Perils of Cash Hoarding: Why Canadians Should Invest Now

 


In recent years, Canadians have amassed a staggering $400-billion in excess savings, a figure that represents 13 per cent of the nation’s GDP. This phenomenon, largely a result of the pandemic savings boom and economic uncertainty, has led to a culture of cash hoarding. However, experts warn that the reluctance to invest this cash could be a costly mistake.

The Opportunity Cost of Cash: While the security of a large cash buffer is comforting, especially in tumultuous times, it comes with an opportunity cost. Money sitting in bank accounts or term deposits like GICs is money not growing through investment. With the Dow Jones and S&P/TSX Composite Index showing strong performance, and bond yields moving favorably, the potential for wealth growth through investing is significant.

Investment Strategies: Lump Sum vs. Dollar-Cost Averaging When faced with the decision of how to invest excess savings, research suggests that investing a lump sum immediately is often the best strategy. This approach typically outperforms alternatives such as dollar-cost averaging or waiting for market dips, which can result in missed opportunities and lower returns.

Embracing the Market’s Growth Potential Despite the fear of investing at market highs, history shows that the stock market is a robust engine for growth. Delaying investment in hopes of a better entry point is likely to hinder long-term financial gains. Canadians are encouraged to overcome the psychological barriers of cash hoarding and tap into the market’s proven potential.

In conclusion, while the instinct to hoard cash during uncertain times is understandable, Canadians must recognize the importance of putting their excess savings to work. Investing now, rather than waiting, is a strategic move that aligns with historical data and the principles of wealth building.

Comments