Mutual Fund

Mutual Funds what are they?

By Canadian Securities Administrators

A mutual fund is a pool of money that is managed on behalf of investors by a professional money manager.

The manager uses the money to buy stocks, bonds or other securities according to specific investment objectives that have been established for the fund.

In return for putting money into the fund, you'll receive either units or shares that represent your proportional share of the pool of fund assets.

In return for administering the fund and managing its investment portfolio, the fund manager charges fees based on the value of the fund's assets.

Mutual funds are 'open-ended' investment funds, meaning that new investors can contribute money to the fund at any time, and existing investors can return their units or shares to the fund for redemption at any time.

When you redeem your units or shares of a mutual fund you will receive a cheque based on the current market value of the fund's portfolio.

Several parties are involved in the organization and operation of a mutual fund, including:

» Mutual Fund Manager:
Establishes one or more mutual funds, markets them and oversees their general administration

» Portfolio Adviser:
The professional money manager appointed by the Mutual Fund Manager to direct the fund's investments. The Mutual Fund Manager also often acts as the Portfolio Adviser

» Principal Distributor:
Coordinates the sale of the fund to investors, either directly or through a network of registered dealers

» Custodian:
The bank or trust company appointed by the Mutual Fund Manager to hold all of the securities owned by the fund

» Transfer Agent and Registrar:
The group responsible for maintaining a list of all investors in the fund

» Auditor:
The independent accountants retained by the Mutual Fund Manager to audit each year, and report on the financial statements of the fund

» Trustee:
The entity that has title to the securities owned by the fund on behalf of the unit holders

How to Invest in Retirement

Spend smart and invest for a long retirement.


Regardless of the market's inevitable misbehaviors, the long-term nature of investing in retirement still means that a healthy investment in stocks is the key to preserving financial security for the rest of your life.

In the past, conventional wisdom suggested that retirees follow two basic precepts:
Switch your investments from stocks to safe, income-producing securities, such as bonds and CDs, and never spend your principal.
Today, for many retirees, especially younger ones, following either dictum could lead to financial calamity.

The new reality is that retirement is getting longer, perhaps 30 or 40 years or more, as more people retire earlier and lifespans steadily increase.

Over such a long period, running from the possibility of stock-market risk by investing in fixed-income securities guarantees that you'll run straight into the risk of inflation.

"Inflation is your enemy, even if it's not hyperinflation," warns financial planner Deena Katz of Coral Gables, Fla. If, for example, prices rose at a rate of 3% a year, the cost of living would double in 24 years; at 5%, it would take only 14 years.

Get and stay fit at any age

you can improve your fitness level at any age.

We all know we should exercise. We're reminded every time we turn on the news, pick up a fitness magazine or see our doctor for a physical.

Medical studies are continually telling us the amazing things exercise can do, including reducing risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, late onset diabetes, osteoporosis, stroke and colon cancer.

If that's not enough to get us on our feet, perhaps the fact that being physically active as we age makes all the difference when it comes to being happy-and-healthy old, or sad-and-sick old.

Robert Goode, professor of exercise physiology at the University of Toronto and the lead researcher on many government handbooks on the importance of exercise, says, "Exercise alone won't provide you with a huge quantity of years (the keys to longevity are avoiding tobacco and alcohol), but it will most definitely provide you with quality years.

Start with the basics

As long as you have your doctor's okay, you can start to reap the rewards of regular exercise at any age. To ensure overall good health and well-rounded fitness, your workout should consist of cardiovascular, strength training, flexibility, and posture and balance exercises.

Nothing will give you a better shot at aging well. Here's a great workout suggested by Susan Lee, program manager of the University of Toronto Athletics Department and executive director of the Canadian Personal Trainers Network.

Cardiovascular

How long: 30 minutes. Try shooting for six minutes to start, working up to 30 minutes. It should take a few months to reach your goal. You can break this up throughout the day, walking for 10 minutes, riding a bike for another 10 minutes.

How often: Health Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults recommends you do cardio most days of the week, but three days a week is the minimum needed for results.

What to do:

Although it's the most important way to improve your overall health and endurance, cardiovascular exercise sounds so intimidating. Images of sweaty bodies bouncing through 60 minutes of aerobics classes spring to mind. But it doesn't have to be all pain and Lycra. The best ways to get your heart pumping after the age of 50 include walking, riding a bike, using an elliptical trainer, swimming, a aquafit classes, or low-impact aerobics classes.

Don't forget to breathe

According to Goode, you don't need to bother with calculations to figure out whether you're really doing your body any good.

Simply listening to your breathing will tell you if you're getting the full benefit of your workout by working at or near your ventilatory threshold.

Start your workout, whether it's walking or an aerobics class, and listen to your breathing. If you can't hear yourself breathing, increase your speed or effort until you hit your ventilatory threshold. "When you hear it, you're there explains Goode. Continue at this pace. To ensure you aren't pushing yourself too hard, take the talk test. You should be able to talk while you exercise -- if you can't, slow down.

thanks to Jennifer Walker

Dry Hair from Moistue loss

Hair is much more dense than skin.

The layers of the cuticle are difficult to penetrate. Once you've used a good product that does penetrate and moisturize the hair you want to be sure to lock that moisture in.

If you don't close the cuticle the moisture won't do you much good. A cold or cool rinse helps close the cuticle down and seal in the moisture.

Try this extra hair cocktail to lock moisture in:

• To make the cuticle lie down and lay flat rinse your hair with apple cider vinegar. It's very acidic and leaves the hair with a fresh clean smell.

• Let it sit on the hair for a few minutes; then rinse with cool or cold water.

• Apple cider vinegar contracts the cuticle and locks not only moisture but color in as well. A vinegar rinse will give you less chance of color fade.

Osteoporosis prevention

Talk to your doctor

Speaking with your doctor is the best way for you to better understand your own risk for the disease, as well as prevention and treatment options.

Many people find that talking with their doctor about osteoporosis is difficult, sometimes because they aren't sure what they need to discuss.

Here are several questions to get you started; they are common concerns.

If your concern is about preventing osteoporosis:

* How do I prevent osteoporosis?
* How do I know if my bone density is low?
* How much calcium and Vitamin D is right for me? What are the best sources of calcium and Vitamin D?
* Based on my medical history, lifestyle and family history, am I at risk for osteoporosis?
* How do I know if someone in my family suffered from osteoporosis? What are the signs to look for?
* Am I currently taking any medication that puts me at a higher risk for developing osteoporosis?
* Do men get this disease?
* Am I too old/young to get this disease?
* What about exercise?
* Should I have a BMD (bone mineral density) test? What are the risks of a BMD test?
* How do I know if I have fractured a bone?
* I have had fractures in the past; could they have been caused by osteoporosis?

If you have osteoporosis or osteopenia, or are at high risk for the disease:

* What osteoporosis medications are available to help me?
* What are the benefits/side-effects of these medications? Will the medications interact with other medications I am already taking for other conditions?
* Am I too old/young to start medication?
* Should I have a BMD test?
* How can I know if the medications I am taking for other conditions will cause dizziness, light-headedness, disorientation or a loss of balance that could lead to a fall?
* Are osteoporosis medications covered by my provincial drug benefits plan?
* What sort of physical activity is best for me now?
* How much calcium and Vitamin D do I need? What are the best sources?
* How can I protect my bones from getting worse?



© Osteoporosis Canada,

Winter Hair fades

People tend to do a lot more color, highlighting and perms in the winter. Winter hair becomes, darker, duller due to less time in the sun. You can combat this with color or highlighting.

I think highlighting looks best. Lots of people already highlight, but those who don't probably should! It's a sure fire way to liven up the hair and make it through the winter doldrums.


Add moisture to your hair.

Especially necessary if you've had any chemical work on your hair. Look for a conditioner with cetyl alcohol.
It's the best moisturizing agent and is derived from coconut. The molecular structure of coconut is too large to penetrate the hair cuticle, but by extracting the molecule and altering its size you end up with cetyl alcohol.

Another ingredient to look for is cetearyl alcohol.

It's a very good moisturizing agent for conditioner and shampoo.
Most people can get away with a good moisturizing conditioner.
If your hair is very damaged or dry look for a moisturizing shampoo as well.

Hiar care in Winter

With the onset of cooler temperatures and the diminishing hours of sun comes a new set of hair care demands.

Some suggestions to keep you hair vibrant, well moisturized and looking its best throughout the winter season.

Adding moisture is especially important at this time of year and a major oversight by many people.

As we spend less time in the sun, the natural highlights nature paints into our hair become less noticeable and hair loses its healthy shimmering look.

The cold air of winter is more drying and less humid and therefore more abusive than other times of the year.
Indoor heating devices create a dryer climate as well.

All of this spells out duller looking hair.