Before You Invest from the Nova Scotia Securities Commission

Raise capital to start a business

Commission Staff — Thu, 02 May 2013 11:30:14 +0000

Start-up companies looking to raise capital have options in the form of market exemptions. Private placement markets or “exempt” markets are exactly that, a way for businesses to be exempt from certain securities laws that govern the capital raising process and still allow small companies to raise funds. A private placement investment may be offered [...]

March is Fraud Prevention Month

Commission Staff — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 12:34:08 +0000

March is fraud prevention month and this year we’re focusing on knowing your adviser. Choosing a financial adviser is a big decision. An adviser can help you set financial goals, choose investments and track your progress. It is an important relationship, and you want to get it right. When choosing an adviser, you want to [...]

Cracking the code on mutual fund fees

Commission Staff — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 17:28:14 +0000

On a recent episode of CBC’s Marketplace reporters went undercover to the top five Canadian banks to reveal “sneaky ways” banks profit at your expense. The third segment talked about mutual funds and the bank’s “dirty little secrets” for collecting fees. I am here to tell you that there are no “dirty little secrets” when it [...]

Kick start your financial health in 2013

Commission Staff — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 13:50:47 +0000

The most common New Year’s resolutions are of course health related, but let’s not forget our financial health too. To help get you started in 2013 I put into practice the top tips to reduce household spending. I am excited to share my results and I encourage you to give them a try. Below are the tips with [...]

Crowd Funding…what is it?

Commission Staff — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 15:52:17 +0000

It’s a hot topic these days, but do we really know what crowdfunding is? Let’s start with a definition: The concept originated as an online money-raising strategy that began as a way for the public to donate small amounts of money, often through social networking websites, to help artists, musicians, filmmakers and other creative people finance their projects. In 2012 [...]

Warning for Nova Scotia Investors

Commission Staff — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 18:39:00 +0000

Attention Nova Scotia Investors! At least one Nova Scotia resident has been solicited to invest in a company identifying itself as Ocean International Limited, claiming to offer purchases of options in gold contracts. Ocean International Limited is not registered to solicit investments in Nova Scotia. The company is the subject of an interim cease trade [...]

2 in 5 Canadians failed the general investment knowledge test

Commission Staff — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:00:18 +0000

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) on October 16, 2012 released the 2012 CSA Investor Index, the third survey on investment knowledge, investor behaviour and incidence of investment fraud among Canadians. The previous two surveys were conducted in 2006 and 2009. Key findings this year show that the overall investment knowledge of Canadians is low, with [...]

What is your investment style?

Natalie MacLellan — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 05:45:38 +0000

October is Investor Education month. To kick things off lets look at investment style Knowing what your risk tolerance and investment style are will help you choose investments more wisely. While there are many different types of investments choices one can make, there are three basic investment styles that will guide your choices: conservative, moderate, [...]

Starving Student

Commission Staff — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:34:50 +0000

Starving Student Budgeting Tips The fall semester is in full swing and that means it’s time to start living a starving student lifestyle. Whether it’s your first time away from home or the last year of your studies, the key to a student’s financial survival is budgeting. It’s the gateway to a stress reduced [...]

Labour unions, associations could be fraud targets

Commission Staff — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 12:13:17 +0000

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission urges local union members to be on the lookout for affinity fraud. Affinity fraud occurs when an investment promoter plays upon the fact that they share something in common with a potential investor – such as attending the same place of worship, being a member of the same race or [...]

8 back-to-school budgeting tips for students

Commission Staff — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 12:27:47 +0000

Being a college or university student is an expensive business, and the prices just keep going up. Rent, groceries, books and tuition. And those are just the necessities. While we encourage lots of studying and library time, you have to have some fun, too. Make sure you can afford to, with our 8 tips on [...]

5 money saving tips for back-to-school shopping

Commission Staff — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 12:31:28 +0000

Back to school mania has begun – are you prepared? Is your wallet? To start you off right, here are 5 money-saving ideas to keep you within your back to school budget! 1. Create a list. Ideally, your child’s school provided you with one, or you can find one on their website. 2. Reduce your [...]

It’s never too early or too late to save for your child’s education

Commission Staff — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 11:19:33 +0000

Summer vacation is in full swing, and chances are the last thing you want to think about is getting back to school, but the truth is, it is just over a month away. A smart budgeter should be at least thinking about it by now. Rather than focus on the buying of pencils and notebooks, [...]

Don’t get burned by an investment scam

Commission Staff — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 11:39:50 +0000

“In the summertime, when the weather is high…” It’s easy to relax and let your guard down this time of year. Maybe you find yourself taken in by the guy in the cottage next door when he talks of the great investment opportunity he can get you in on… Never forget the golden rule of [...]

Plan together, in advance for your family vacation

Commission Staff — Tue, 26 Jun 2012 11:25:14 +0000

Is your family planning a vacation during the coming summer holidays? Family vacations are a great chance to get away, have fun and create lasting memories. But vacations rarely come cheap – and even less often when they involve children. Financial stresses can plague the vacation planning process and be a drag on the fun [...]

Would you recognize elder abuse of a loved one?

Commission Staff — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 11:41:37 +0000

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day has been marked on June 15 each year since 2006, and aims to raise awareness of elder abuse throughout the world. Elder abuse may include neglect and mal- or mistreatment and is often financial in nature: financial exploitation or fraud. Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely [...]

Save the environment AND save money

Commission Staff — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:32:42 +0000

So many of the actions you can take in your home and lifestyle that are beneficial to the environment are also big money savers. It’s a win-win situation, really. So, in honour of Environment Week, June 3-9, here are some tips to top up your savings account while reducing your carbon footprint: 1. Reduce “stuff.” Face [...]

7 steps to nurse your finances back to health

Commission Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:04:06 +0000

May 6 – 12 is National Nursing Week in Canada, and to do our part, we have put together a 7 step plan to nurse your finances back to health. ( Cheesy, I know, but this IS a finance blog after all. We also encourage you to thank the nurses in your life for all the good [...]

Thank a teacher this week!

Commission Staff — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 03:00:27 +0000

It’s Education Week in Nova Scotia! Celebrated since 1935, Education Week honours teachers and education partners’ commitment to their students and subjects. Join us in celebrating and thanking all the teachers and educators out there sharing knowledge and inspiring minds. The Nova Scotia Securities Commission provides free resources and classroom presentations for teachers looking to [...]

Spring cleaning for your finances

Commission Staff — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 05:30:42 +0000

It’s spring: the snow is melting, the birds are chirping, the first flowers are peeking up in your gardens. And whether by instinct or habit, most of us are eager to clean the winter blahs out of our homes and start fresh. This year, don’t confine your spring cleaning to the domestic world – while [...]