Caring for Clients Newsletter - Third Quarter, 2008

Fall is here! The leaves are changing day by day and so, we see, are the markets. The daily market fluctuations we are experiencing can make it challenging to keep a steady head and focus on the road ahead, but we would like to give you some insight to help you weather the ups and downs. History has provided us with many helpful lessons, and we cannot discount the upturns that have resulted from the tumultuous downturns over the last 50 years. You may feel more inclined to stay the course after looking at the Bull and Bear Markets in Canada since 1955*.

Day to day volatility can cloud our judgment in the short term, but take a moment to test the Fidelity Volatility Meter and see the benefits of staying invested. Don't let your emotions get the better of you, look to this example of the benefits of Long Term Investing. Market downturns like this are great buying opportunities if viewed rationally. We believe that over the next 4 to 9 months, providing the new U.S. President makes some tough policy decisions, what follows will be another great bull run. You don't want to sit on the sidelines when that occurs.

Warren Buffet said it best about a week ago when he said, "It's nice to have a lot of money, but you know, you don't want to keep it around forever. I prefer buying things. Otherwise, it's a little like saving sex for your old age."

In spite of the negatives in the short-term, good news is on the horizon with the introduction of the Tax Free Savings Account. This is a very exciting addition to your investment repertoire. To get all the facts, check out this summary of the Tax Free Savings Account. If you would like to see your savings potential first hand, try out the TFSA calculator. We will advise you on how to take advantage as soon as these accounts become available early in 2009.

As our population ages, many Canadians are looking forward to retirement by putting their hard-earned retirement savings to use. It is important to consider the potential need for long term care and the costs associated with these varying levels of care. For more information, check out our interview with Lisa Wiseman, Registered Nurse and the President of Eldercare Home Health Inc. on the topic of Long Term Care.

In closing, imagine that you are at home eating a warm dinner on one of these cool fall evenings, relaxing after a long day's work. You finish up, clear the plates and realize that the phone hasn't rung. Then it hits you... you are free of the telemarketer! Well, this could be you with the new Do-Not-Call List. Learn more right here about Getting on the List.

Best regards,

P.S. We would like to invite all of you with small children to accompany us on Sunday, November 16th for the Santa Clause Parade. We will be watching from our special viewing location at the Queensbury offices (69 Yonge St., 2nd Floor). Keep your eye out for further details towards the end of October. Please let us know if you would like to reserve your spot as spaces are limited!

Stay tuned... upcoming topics for our winter newsletter include:

• The only travel insurance you'll ever need
• Tax deductions for students
• Inflation calculator- plan for a higher cost of living
• And More…

* in PDF format. Don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader? Get it free from Adobe.