Experienced estate lawyers will tell you that estate planning provides people with comfort, confidence and certainty. For some however, the mere mention of it causes anxiety. 

If you’re new to investing, the sheer number of investment vehicles available can be overwhelming. You could try stocks and bonds, but it’s tricky to navigate the complex investment landscape – while also understanding enough about the markets and economy – to know when to buy and sell.

Staying on top of your income and expenses can be difficult, and as life circumstances change, you’ll need to make budgeting and other financial adjustments accordingly.

Investors are often comforted by investing in what is familiar. For Canadians, that may include investing a greater share of their portfolio in Canadian securities.

During accumulation, investors enjoy a tax deferral when the price of their holdings increases. In tax terms, this is known as an unrealized capital gain, and works whether securities are held directly or within a mutual fund.

As an investor you may hold stocks and bonds directly, or you may hold them inside a mutual fund. Either way, your investment objectives will be a combination of principal protection, income generation and capital growth.