1. I am 63 and retired. My financial advisor has about $200,000 invested in 9 Can. mutual funds ( and $135,000 in 4 US mutal funds in what she says in a balanced portfolio. A weatlhy friend of mine is urging me to get out of these and invest in diverse income trusts i.e. energy, real estate etc. He decries mutual funds and the costly fees paid to the fund managers. Comment please.

2. I am a 43-year-old mid-salaried employee in Edmonton with no mortgage and am shocked to learn I am about to receive a substantial inheritance this fall. Until I decide on my mid-to-long term investment targets, is putting $50,000 in one-year GICs in each of a dozen banks & trust companies the best & easiest way to secure my money until I decide? The following might also be of importance: - no mortgage, always been a renter
- credit card & other debt less than $5000
- married, no children
- my income $12,000; wife $25,000
- $5500 RRSP; $37,000 federal public service pension RRSP

Thank you. - Doug

3. We just purchased a home and I am afraid that I can't keep up with the payments. Our move was a disaster and I need up to work out how I can keep it. Here is where I'm at: I was making $35000 a year at time of purchase; my husband was making aprox $37,000 a year. We sold our townhouse and made a good profit. We bought a home $242,000 dollars - with a down payment of $60,000 ($10,000 was a loan). We now have:
$182,000 mortgage
$10,000 Loan (4 years left)
$4,500 car loan (3 years left)
$2000.00 visa
$1800.00 sears credit card
$10,000 credit line through our bank My husband and I are bringing home approximately $2000 every two weeks and we can't keep up. Our home now is selling for now for $266,000. Is there a way we can refinance everything we have outstanding - without having to sell our home? I've considered working part time but I also have children. Payments breakdown (approximately calculated):
Loan one - $240.00
Loan two - $160.00
Bills - $650.00 (includes credit line payments)
Mortgage/prop taxes $1400
Car/house insurance: 250.00
Food: $3-400 per month
Entertainment/extra: 2to $300 (clothing/family outings) Our Savings sit at approximately $1000 Can you help me? What direction should I go? AGAIN I DON'T WANT TO SELL We now have two separate accounts: One is to pay mortgage/insurances and loan #2 the other is everything else. Help I need your advice.......

4. I put 40,000 into 8 different mutual funds 7 years ago and because of the economy etc. I am back down to 42,000. I am retiring in 4 years. What is the best investment for my money - to safeguard it and to make the best interest rate?

5. I will be receiving a severance package in the near future for approx. $40000 and is considering the following: Retiring allowance (eligible) $17000. RRSP contribution room (carry forward) approx. $23000, out of this amount deduct the full repayment to the Home Buyers Plan for $10100. will this amount be taxable. Thank you in advance

6. What type of low risk investment (i.e type of mutual fund) of a large lump sum (over $1 million) would you recommend to assure the greatest probability of an average annual return of at least 8% over the long term (50 years)? Some volatility is acceptable so long as the average return criteria are met. The investment should allow for the cost effective withdrawal of up to $100,000 per year as well. Also, what specific fund or investments would you recommend?

7. In the year of 2000, I took all my RRSP, 43K, and invested into the stock market. With help of my current advisors, they divided my port folio into 3 categories HIGH, MED and LOW risk. Since then I have lost at least $3,000.00 due to poor performance in the IT industry. I have the opportunity to own a house, valued at $115 000.00. The sale will be done next fall, September 2003 and it will be done without a real estate agent. I have the intention of putting at least 25% as a down deposit for the house to reduce high mortgage. I have discover an online bank that offers at least 2.70% on RSP-GIC. I was wondering what will be my consequences if I cash in all my RRSP from my current advisor to the virtual bank? There is no point to leave all saving in stock market. Here 's a few spec I wish you 'll consider. I am 42 yrs old single and reside Hull Quebec. The house is in Hull also. My salary is $35 000. The house may need some renovation I estimate about $5000. My question is ...what should I do in order to keep low mortgage, but feel uncomfortable using $20 000.00 of my RRSP as a down deposit....what will happen when I retired? What will happen on my income tax for the year 2002?

8. We have been experiencing certain irregularities in our account which we have with a well-known investment company, and we cannot get information or responses from either the branch manager or their compliance department although we have trying for more than 6 weeks. Would you be so kind as to suggest where we can go from here and what options we have? If you are not the appropriate resouce, could you please advise? Thank you