The Rural Voice, 1999-01, Page 49Ag riTec h
Web offers investment information
By Janice Becker
The pork industry is dealing with
its worst crisis in years and the wheat
market is faced with a drastic decline
in demand. Farmers are not only
worried about how to cope with the
thousands of dollars being lost each
week, but whether the family farm
can be saved.
In such times every family wishes
there were a little extra money
stashed somewhere — a nest egg
squirreled away during better times.
Though it may be too late for those
dealing with current problems, it
may be timely for others to begin
planning for their future.
With the coming of the new year
and the RRSP investment deadline
approaching, the long winter months
are the perfect time to scan the
internet for investment opportunities,
advice, options or a package which
can be tailored to fit any need.
With everything from low risk
GICs (guaranteed investment
certificates) to bonds, stocks and
mutual funds, there are unlimited
choices available for investors.
Of particular interest to those in the
farm industry may be NISA, the Net
Income Stabilization Account. NISA
allows farmers to invest in the safety
net with matching funds from the
government in another account. It is a
haven for a few extra dollars and is
easily accessible during lean times.
An easy route to obtain more NISA
information is through the Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce site at
www.cibc.com/needs/business/
MeetYourNeeds.html.
Whether for farmer investors or
non-farm people, bank sites provide
an enormous amount of information
about general RRSP investing,
retirement planning and tools to
determine just what is right for you.
Scotia Bank's investment centre, at
www.scofiabank.com/invhome.htm,
has great tools for the novice
investor, allowing them to determine
their investment style, calculate
loans, look at education planning and
check one's net worth.
As with many of the financial and
investment institutions online, a
discount broker service is available
for registered customers or advice
can be acquired on the phone for thc
Tess seasoned.
Toronto Dominion's Green Linc
offers online service while the RRSP
centre provides
information
about fixed
income consid-
erations, money
markets and a list
of their
investment
products, as do
most companies.
You can hook
into TD at
www.tdbank.ca/
All banks extend similar services
and can be found by simply punching
in the institution's name through your
chosen search engine.
For those who prefer dealing with
credit unions, Crcdit Union Central of
Canada, www.caseybyte.com/cucc, is
the link to any credit union in your
area which then (cads you to their
services.
If looking for more guidance with
Banks,
financial
institutions,
provide range
of long-term
planning
services
your investments, financial 'service
companies and mutual fund sellers
such as Nesbitt Burns and Midland
Walwyn have sites which answer
everything from the top questions
asked to specifics for women
investors and small business owners.
Using my favourite search engine,
Yahoo Canada, I simply go to the
home page, www.yahoo.ca/, click on
investments under the business and
economy heading, thcn brokerage
and full service. An extensive list of
companies soon pops up. Many other
choices arc available when selecting
companies for consideration.
By marking thc "Canadian site only"
option, the choices can be narrowed.
Thcrc is no limit to the services
available which can assist both first
time investors and those with market
savvy. The hardest part is
determining who will best meet your
needs and understand your concerns
for the futurc.0
Janice Becker is a computer
enthusiast and journalist living near
Walton, ON.
BUY - SELL - RESEARCH YOUR OPTIONS
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JANUARY 1999 45