Darren
Hello and welcome to a special edition of Money Monday. I’m Darren Devine, Certified Financial Planner and President of Devine & Associates, joined by my colleague James Butler, also a Certified Financial Planner — and our Marketing Manager, Bonnie Forbes, who’s moderating our session.
Today we will be diving into some of the biggest questions Clients and viewers have asked us over the course of this year.
Bonnie
Let’s start with what’s trending online — from hot stocks to crypto and AI. Why do people get caught up in fads instead of the basics?
Darren
It’s the same story every decade — the get-rich-quick mindset. People want big wins with little effort. But gambling with your future isn’t a plan.
James
Exactly. Social media fuels that. You see highlight reels — everyone’s “wins,” but not their losses. It creates unrealistic expectations and constant temptation to chase quick profits instead of building lasting wealth.
Bonnie
So if someone’s just starting out, where should their first dollar go?
Darren
Here’s the math — $500 a month at 6% over 40 years grows to about $1 million. Not flashy, but reliable. That slow, steady path almost always wins. The lottery-style shortcut? Hardly ever.
James
And the key is consistency. Automate savings, make it invisible, and stay off the apps every day. The less you see it, the less you’ll spend it — and that’s how real wealth builds over time.
Bonnie
How many people have you actually seen beat the market?
Darren
In 25 years and 15,000 appointments — maybe five. And every one worked for big companies like Home Depot or Apple, where they couldn’t sell their stock for decades. That long-term, disciplined holding — not timing — is what won.
James
Right. Even professional traders rarely beat the market. Most people are better off letting experts handle the strategy, rather than trying to outguess it themselves.
Bonnie
You both talk a lot about dividend investing and risk management. Why focus on predictable instead of chasing higher returns?
Darren
Because predictable wins over time. You build your foundation on steady, low-risk assets first — then experiment later if you want. Don’t flip the order.
James
And remember — most people today don’t have company pensions. Those predictable investments are your pension now. They’re what helps keep your retirement income stable when markets wobble.
Bonnie
If someone does want to explore AI stocks or crypto, when does that make sense?
Darren
Only after your core plan is solid. Think 90% steady, 10% explore. Then, at year-end, compare results. If your “fun” portfolio underperforms, don’t feed it more.
James
And if you do explore, use small, regular contributions — dollar-cost averaging. It lowers risk and keeps emotions out of the equation. Watching it daily can lead to stress and bad decisions.
Bonnie
As we wrap up this year’s Money Monday series, thank you for being part of the conversation. If we didn’t cover your question today, reach out — we’re always here to help.
We’ll be taking a short break over the holidays, but Money Monday returns January 5th, 2026, with fresh insights to help you start the new year with confidence.
Darren
From all of us at Devine & Associates, have a joyful holiday season and a prosperous new year — and remember, you can always talk to us today at DevineAndAssociates.ca.
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