The need for income for the long run, the exhausting effect of inflation, the worry of potential medical or long-term care, and retirement costs may now haunt you. You know you must catch up and get your portfolio, not just in shape, but pumped full of more money. There is nothing worse than being retired and financially weak or broke. You want the marathon run-to-win solutions. Here are a few suggestions using a physical workout as a metaphor:

1. Start good habits—become an investor enthusiast. Like going to the gym, you must at least enter the gym and begin an exercise. Then the workout gets progressively easier. Begin to enjoy purchasing mutual funds and building a portfolio. Like saying YES to your exercise habits, it will become easier to say a big YES to disciplined investing.
2. Get fit—build a strong, long-term mutual fund portfolio. You may need the potential for higher returns over the long term, so focusing a larger share of your portfolio on equity funds may make sense once you determine your risk tolerance. When the market moves into a bull market, stocks can flourish and increase in value and help you get caught up. Add other funds into the mix to diversify and reduce risk.
3. Exercise all your muscles—develop a diversified portfolio. You need to work all your muscle groups for maximal strength. Similarly, diversify your mutual fund investments among growth equity, large-cap, small-cap, foreign equity, and bond funds. Don’t make the mistake of focusing on just a few sectors to the exclusion of others; include growth and value stocks, domestic and international securities—the ups and downs of various sectors tend to even out, making the overall portfolio less volatile.
4. Work more than just your biceps—review to keep balance in your portfolio. Aim to keep your investing habit running in the long term. When working out, it is important not get too focused on one muscle group while neglecting others—go for a total workout. Consider aerobics. Establish the percentage of your portfolio invested in each sector. Since these sectors will perform differently over time, you need to rebalance these investments periodically to restore the desired ratios. This is where our expertise comes in. Give me a call, and I will be happy to set up a meeting.
5. Review your progress to stay in shape—rebalance to maintain portfolio strength. At prescribed intervals—once every several months—review your allocation goals and adjust these mutual fund investment holdings periodically to restore the desired ratios.
6. Adjust your workout according to your age—rebalance for retirement timelines. Adjust your percentages based on how soon you plan to retire. For example, If you still have 20 years or more, the majority of your money could go into equity funds (if you are risk-tolerant). Investors with 10 to 15 years may want to own about fifty percent equities. If you have, say, 5 years remaining to invest, you may want to increase the weighting of bond and money market funds. Even in retirement, equities can remain an important component to help portfolios catch up and gain in rising bull markets.
7. Maximize your tax savings. Mutual fund investments can be held in a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP).  The RRSP contributions are tax-deductible in relation to your taxable income, and the investments grow tax-deferred and are only taxed when taken into income.
8. Hire a trainer—a credentialed advisor can help guide your investing. An advisor can help you select good mutual funds while diversifying your portfolio, along with fund managers with good track records. He or she can also guide you with regard to your retirement goals within the time you have left to invest.

Please contact me to set up a meeting to discuss maximizing your retirement portfolio’s potential.