Jaime West Financial Advisor CPFA

09/07/2026

Markets pushed higher in August as AI-driven optimism helped investors look past softer economic data. The S&P 500 gained 2.62% and the S&P/TSX Composite rose 2.96%, even as softening retail sales kept consumer spending in focus. Back-to-school season adds another data point to that story, with spending expected to reach \$146.8 billion in the U.S. and \$4.5 billion in Canada this year.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index advanced 2.62 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite rose 3.93 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average lagged, adding 1.34 percent. The S&P/TSX rose 2.96 percent.1,2

09/07/2026

Value. Growth. Cycles. Underperform. Outperform. Confusing? When was your last Investment IQ test?

Among stock-market investors there’s long been a debate between those who favor value and those who favor growth.

08/31/2026

Are you considering a FIRE retirement? Learn the basics here.

This short, informative article teaches the basics of the FIRE movement.

08/24/2026

Wondering about your choices for putting aside money for retirement? Learn more about your options.

Looking forward to retirement? It's critical to understand the difference between immediate and deferred annuities.

08/17/2026

Valuation is important for business succession, estate taxes and even qualifying for a loan.

Ascertaining the value of your business is important for a variety of reasons.

08/10/2026

Learn how insurance deductibles work, and how they can help you save money.

Knowing how insurance deductibles work can help you save money.

08/10/2026

Markets navigated mixed signals in July. Inflation eased, tech faced pressure, and energy surged. Meanwhile, Americans are planning record travel spending in 2026: \$1.37 trillion. What's shaping your household budget this summer?

Stocks were mixed in July as investors navigated a cross-current of news on the outlook for AI spending and Q2 corporate reports.

08/03/2026

It’s possible to avoid these classic retirement traps, with a little preparation.

Beware of these traps that could upend your retirement.

07/27/2026

There are benefits and limitations when using a living trust.

07/20/2026

Dividend yield tells you how much income a holding generates relative to its price. Use this tool to calculate yield and see what it could mean for your portfolio.

Calculate the dividend yield of a holding and see what that means for income over time.