What to do if you’ve (just) been fired
Dismissed, downsized, dumped? There’s no easy way to hear you’re suddenly out of work. To soften the blow, we’ve pulled together six steps you can take right away to put more money in your pocket, and give yourself a better chance at finding a new job.
Don’t sign anything
At least not until you’ve taken your severance package home to read it properly. Check whether your ex-employer is offering salary continuance or a lump sum payment, and whether you’re still entitled to extended benefits or any kind of employment support. Although there’s no official deadline to complete this process, a week is typical. That’s usually enough time to get legal advice if you feel that’s necessary.
Keep it together
You’re probably feeling shocked or worried about the sudden change in your financial status. Who wouldn’t be? Yet the moment you hear the words, “Effective immediately,” you need to zip it and start listening. Not only will you be more likely to take in vital information, starting a shouting match does nothing but damage your professional reputation. Definitely a no-no heading into a job search.
Cardinal Update – May 2016
Politics and Portfolios – As the U.S. Election race continues Cardinal is being continually asked if the political climate in our neighboring country has an impact on our investment strategy. May’s article focuses on if politics result in economic changes at all, and whether or not that affects the companies Cardinal buys.
Our Company Focus this month is on Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ). With oil averaging at its lowest market value in a decade CNQ is still poised to be a front contender and a strong hold in our portfolio, regardless of the price of oil.
Click here to read more: Cardinal Update – May 2016
Do You Need Individual Life Insurance?
Canadians may need to rethink their risk management
In a recent study conducted by the Life Insurance and Market Research Association (LIMRA), it was reported that 61% of Canadians hold some form of life insurance. Surprisingly, it also revealed that only 38% of Canadians own an individual life insurance contract.
In another study of middle class Canadians, Manulife reported that 79% had no individual disability insurance and 87% had no individual critical illness coverage.
What both of these studies conclude is that most Canadians rely heavily on their group benefits for their family’s insurance protection. Read more 
DM Monthly Report
When In Doubt, Go To The Source – One of the most important steps in our equity investment process is the management meeting, as no amount of financial analysis can replace the insight gleaned from sitting with an executive team or having a one-on-one phone call with a CFO or company president. Recently, we put these efforts to good use with Canadian mortgage lender, Home Capital Inc.
Click here to read more: DM-Monthly-Report-May-16
