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The CM Group
Join us on the Free Lunch as we discuss educational content on investing, savings strategies, financial planning, and all of things that are important that require planning, money and time.
The Free Lunch Podcast is hosted by The CM Group a wealth management team that has been working with investors since 1985. At the core of our investment philosophy, you will find these principles:
-Markets Are Efficient and Work over Time
-Successful Investing Results from a Long-Term Disciplined Approach
-Fear and Greed Degrade Portfolio Returns
-Costs Make a Difference
-Portfolio Diversification Reduces Risk
To learn more about The CM Group visit our website https://markets-work.com/ and listen to our podcast every Wednesday.
Two Canadians Having a Sorry Fight with Penny Phillips
In today’s episode Greg and Colin interview Penny Phillips. Penny is the founder of Thrivos Consulting, a practice management firm based in New York City that spends its time working with advisors in Canada and the USA. Penny digs into the evolution of advice, what investors should look for when deciding on a wealth manager, and the importance of trust. So put on a Bunnyhug, grab a pop and some KD and enjoy the show!
31:5223/12/2020
It’s a Marathon not a Sprint!
In today’s episode Greg and Colin talk about what to do now! Discussing the impact of market downturns on income requirements, avoiding torpedo stocks, and focusing on the long term goal. Usain Bolt would crush us both in a 100m race but Greg will catch him at the 1 mile marker! Enjoy the show.
28:3516/12/2020
Spidey Sense & Risky Business
In today’s episode Greg and Colin discuss all things related to that four letter word, “Risk". The different forms of risk, the difference between risk appetite, risk tolerance, and risk capacity. Why do people go with their gut on or follow their “Spidey Sense” when it comes to making investment decisions? There is a reason…enjoy the show!
37:4109/12/2020
What is the value in “Value?”
In today’s episode Greg and Colin revisit the Value factor of investing. Value has been out of favour for awhile and there have even been articles written about the death of value. So…is value dead? Listen in and find out, enjoy the show!
33:2002/12/2020
Don’t get “Madoff”d, Spotting and Avoiding Investment Fraud
In today’s episode Greg and Colin interview Don Rodgers. Don recently retired from the Alberta Securities Commission where he worked in enforcement. Don shares tips about how to spot an investment fraud, what to watch for, what to do if it happens to you, and where to turn to for help. You will want to listen to this one. Enjoy the show!
40:2825/11/2020
Timing the market or “Time in” the market, one is better…
In today’s episode Greg and Colin revisit market timing. Recent events around potential vaccines, the outcome of the recent US election and other headlines have investors looking for market timing ideas. SPOILER ALERT: Time in the market has the potential for better long term returns then timing the market. Enjoy the show!
31:3118/11/2020
The 60/40 versus the Death Star Portfolio
In today’s episode Greg and Colin talk about the 60/40 portfolio. That being a balanced portfolio holding bonds and stocks, the history of this and the debate on whether this strategy is dead based on current interest rates and yields. Discussing this strategy in terms of how it compares to the construction of The Death Star and what a Death Star Portfolio is. 'Do or do not, there is no try’ Yoda. Enjoy the show!
30:3411/11/2020
A fireside chat with Ben Carlson
In today’s episode Greg and Colin interview Ben Carlson. Ben is the co-host of the Animal Spirits podcast, an accomplished author in finance, and is the Director of Institutional Finance at Ritholtz Wealth Management. In the episode we talk about the US election and what to do about it when it comes to your portfolio and why the heck guns are allowed at US voting stations. Enjoy the show!
28:2303/11/2020
"ESG”, as easy as 1,2,3
In todays episode Greg and Colin dig into ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) investing. What is ESG, the history of ESG, and what strategies are effective when using ESG to build portfolios. Looking at the differences between ESG and SRI (Socially Responsible Investing). Enjoy the show!
31:0928/10/2020
Carl Richards interview, Simplify the Complex Message!
In today’s episode Greg and Colin interview Carl Richards. Carl is best known for his “Sketch Guy” weekly column in the New York Times. Carl is known for making complicated things simple to follow through easy paper napkin sketches. Carl authored 'The Behavior Gap,' ’The One-Page Financial Plan,’ and ‘How I Invest My Money.’ A subject matter expert in financial planning and investing, Carl joins us from London to discuss the evolution in the investment world and his work in creating 'The Society of Advice.’
31:2121/10/2020
Hanging with Golombek
In today’s episode Colin and Blair interview Jamie Golombek, Managing Director of Tax and Estate Planning for CIBC. Jamie is most often found on BNN, The National Post, CTV, and now with The CM Group on “Free Lunch.” In this episode Jamie shares some insight on financial planning, tax reduction strategies, the pros and cons of setting up trusts, and so much more. Enjoy the show!
27:2114/10/2020
Hey, watch your language!
In today’s episode Greg and Colin look at and discuss common phrases used in investing and finance. Digging into which phrases are meaningless, which ones are hazardous, and which phrases are wise. Enjoy the show!
30:3207/10/2020
Robocop and Terminator are not fiduciaries!
In today’s episode Greg and Colin discuss Robo advisors and FinTech in the investment management world. Looking at the advancements in AI (artificial intelligence) and discussing the pro’s and con’s of using this service for your investment management. Enjoy the show!
34:0930/09/2020
“HHH”, Headlines Hurt Hairlines
In today’s episode Greg and Colin look at four major headlines circulating in the media. Discussing how potential stress and anxiety from these headlines may lure investors to make decisions that may not be in their best interest. Revisiting behavioural biases and also discussing what to do about it. Focusing on the important items identified in previous episodes. Enjoy the show!
28:0823/09/2020
Let go my ego!
In today’s episode Greg and Colin look at behavioural biases and how they shape our decision making. Discussing the work of Amos Tversky, Daniel Kahneman, and Richard Thaler. Helping listeners understand things like hind sight bias, how it always looks so obvious after the fact. Enjoy the show!
33:4016/09/2020
Yeah, but it’s different this time…
In today’s episode Greg and Colin look at the impact of presidential campaigns, historical returns based on if a Republican or Democrat was in office, and discuss other variables and events that impact stock market returns. All in an attempt to answer the question on whether or not it is different this time and what to do about it. Enjoy the show!
31:4109/09/2020
Having a Plan versus Planning
In todays episode Blair Howell joins Colin Andrews to discuss the benefits of financial planning. Blair is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) on The CM Group who will be exploring the different pitfalls of planning and the opportunities that planning provides. Following an actionable plan is much different than completing a financial plan and not looking at it again…Enjoy the show!
35:5502/09/2020
Fear and Loathing (or “FOMO” and “FOBI”)
In today's episode Colin and Steve revisit the basic principles of asset allocation, diversification, and market timing. Looking at the difference of having good coaching and a good plan to avoid both the fear of missing out and the fear of being in. Enjoy the show!
26:5126/08/2020
The Dividend Myth
Investing for dividends is a common strategy by many investors. But have you ever wondered why? What is the difference between investing in a company that pays a dividend versus one that doesn’t? How are dividends like calcium in a well balanced portfolio or diet? Well listen in and enjoy the show!
30:5019/08/2020
Bulls & Bear Market Cycles
Where do the terms Bull and Bear Markets come from? Well, listen here and find out the historical relevance of those terms. Today we dig into what is a “Bull” market and what is a “Bear” market. Looking at the historical data of each of these parts of the market cycle and how they are linked to the economic cycle. Even Dr Johnny Fever gets a call out in todays episode. Enjoy the show!
27:4312/08/2020
Entertainment Advice or Fake News?
Steve Molina joins Colin today to discuss entertainment advice. Discussing the difference between news, fake news, false news and how media headlines drive the decision making process of investors. Imagine if the next headline read “everything is pretty good right now”. How would that differ from “markets are crashing!”
27:0805/08/2020
The Importance of Trust, Compassion, and Kindness in Investing
Tim Noonan joins us today as our first guest speaker. Tim is the former Managing Director of Strategic Business Initiatives with Russell Investments. Tim is also an accomplished author, his book titled ’Someday Rich: Planning for Sustainable Tomorrows Today” is a must read for future retirees. Join us for a discussion with Tim on the evolution of advice in the investment channel. Discussing the importance of a trusted relationship and compassion and empathy during these volatile times. Enjoy the show!
25:4129/07/2020
Not All Fixed Income is Created Equal
There are various forms of fixed income, or bonds, and not all of them are the same. Today’s episode looks at what some of those forms are and asks the question about why own fixed income at all? Exploring market cycles and expected return from bonds. Enjoy the show!
31:3922/07/2020
The Impact of Market Timing and Getting a Haircut
In todays episode we look at the history and effectiveness of market timing in portfolio management. Looking at results of being out of the market during key times, measuring expert returns, and the impact of style drift. Enjoy the show!
29:5615/07/2020
Who You Calling Small Cap?
In todays episode we explore the various factors of return present in equity and fixed income markets. Digging into the relationship between higher expected rates of return and academic work on various dimensions, or factors of return. Enjoy the show!
29:1408/07/2020
The Great Debate, Active or Passive…
This weeks episode focuses on the differences in active and passive investing. Exploring changes over the past few decades that has resulted in the introduction of index funds. How do index funds fit into the argument of active versus passive? Enjoy the show.
28:2501/07/2020
Betting Against the House
The question is are you a gambler focused on speculation, or are you an investor harnessing the power of the market? In this episode we dig into the question of speculation and link it back to the Efficient Market Hypothesis. Enjoy the show!
23:2424/06/2020
The Evolution of Investment Advice
The investment industry has gone through an evolution when it comes to security selection and investment advice. Today we talk about the pre-modern, modern, and post-modern era’s for investment management and how it pertains to investment selection. We hope that you enjoy the show!
27:0617/06/2020
Stock Picking - The Zero Sum Game
In this weeks episode we explore the history and evolution of stock picking. Discussing the zero sum game of trading stocks, having a winner for every loser and a loser for every winner. If you stumble can you ever catch up? Listen in on how to diversify a portfolio with stock selection, diversification and asset allocation. Enjoy the show!
28:2110/06/2020
Diversification
To diversify or not to diversify that is the question…today we explore what diversification is in investing. Discussing the different ways of diversifying your investment portfolio. Diversification works in many asset classes to smooth out volatility, allowing your portfolio to focus on the systematic risk of simply being invested.
26:0403/06/2020
Asset Allocation – Your Only Free Lunch
Asset allocation has been called the most important decision an investor can make when it comes to expected return. Today’s podcast discusses the historical background of asset allocation and identifies the various forms of asset allocation strategies. We liken asset allocation to a recipe for baking a cake, you need all the right ingredients in the right amounts to have the right outcome that is linked to your goals.
27:5727/05/2020
Introducing "Free Lunch"
The CM Group is a wealth management group that has been working with investors since 1985. In the last, almost four decades, there has been tremendous change to the investment industry as well as to the structure and services of The CM Group. Historically being sought after by investors to broker stock and bond transactions and now so much more. We refer to this as the evolution of investing and wealth management. A movement from knuckle dragging stock picking to a more refined experience of goals-based planning. Our podcast is termed “free lunch” as there are only a few things that investors can do for free. The economist Milton Friedman referred to free lunch as opportunity cost, as such the only things that we consider to be free lunch are asset allocation and diversification.During our podcasts we will bring educational content on investing, savings strategies, financial planning, and more. The content will be delivered by the partners of The CM Group as well as with special guest hosts. The hope is to deliver relevant content about all things market related, planning related, as well as topical items of interest and even the odd wacky topic. The content is serious yet we hope to have some fun along the way.The value we bring to our listeners is our vast knowledge and experience in dealing with uncertainty. Markets are uncertain, this is a challenge for investors. Investors are always trying to create certainty out of what is perpetually uncertain. We will address this area by sticking to fundamentals that mirror our mission statement. Our mission is to help clients achieve their vision through a deep understanding of what is important to them that requires planning, money & time.
28:0015/05/2020