Inflation can lead to investment hesitancy, as people sit on their money rather than risk losing in uncertain markets.
However, just stashing your money away and having it sit idle for too long is a sure-fire way to watch it lose value, explains Chris Karram, founder of SafeBridge Private Wealth. Regardless of your wealth level, it’s essential to review your assets to understand how they are being impacted by the current economy.
“If your money sits idle, you’re losing it to inflation,” he says. “It’s essential to position yourself using proper types of assets as we go into this next inflationary period – and we don’t know how long it will last.”
Having some liquidity is important too, so that you can capitalize when sound investment opportunities present themselves. But it’s a risky proposition to have everything stashed away and not working for you.
“There needs to be some forward progress on your money,” says Chris. “As well, we know there will be opportunities in markets like this to maintain a growth trajectory on your portfolio.”
Safebridge Private Wealth uses a “build, protect, multiply” approach, which considers all aspects of acquiring and maintaining family wealth, to best serve their clients.
Chris and his team of experts find custom solutions for each of their clients, crafting balanced portfolios using a variety of assets.
“Now, more than ever, proper planning is key – which we help you with – from a tax, estate, and asset preservation perspective,” says Chris. “The use of proper assets will create levels of protection against capital and tax loss, while maintaining an appropriate level of liquidity.”
Prime asset
One of the most useful assets available is a tailored life insurance policy, says Chris. It has been an essential tool and cornerstone of quality financial portfolios for generations due to its ability to grow wealth within a tax-free environment.
Acting a little bit like a Tax-Free Savings Account, without the annual contribution limits, a well-designed life insurance policy can be funded using personal or corporate tax dollars – or both.
“Life insurance has been paying dividends since 1848 in Canada, with today’s dividend yields paying out between 5.1 and 6.2 percent,” explains Chris. “They have averaged over 7 percent annually in the past 30 years, with a lower standard deviation than a traditional five-year GIC portfolio.”
Included in the tax-sheltered life insurance policy is an ability to access funds immediately when a great investment opportunity comes forth.
In an uncertain economy, quality planning and a customized life insurance policy can provide those long-term guarantees needed to weather the storm.
TEXT CHRIS OCCHIUZZI | PHOTOS ANDREW FEARMAN
