By Susan Lazaruk
The Province, Money RRSP Series
February 16, 2001

Some tips from Adrian Mastracci of KCM Wealth Management, who says, "Investors spend far too much time on the selection process and not enough time on the investment policies and strategies they will follow to reach the unique RRSP goals":

• Do your homework before you invest. Park the funds temporarily until you have all the answers.
• Build a strategy based on your goals, risk profile, time horizon and desired level of diversification.
• Your RRSP is for your pension -- for some, it's the only one -- so be aware of risk.
• Measure your RRSP success, whether it's against the TSE 300, the CSB rate, or the best performing mutual funds. But also remember the only important benchmark is the return required to reach financial independence in retirement.
• Determine whether you are a conservative, balanced, growth, aggressive or speculative investor.
• Remember: Many investors have learned that chasing the best performing, hottest funds is an excellent strategy to get burned.

NOTE: The information provided above is intended for general informational purposes only. It does not constitute advice for anyone's specific situation. Everyone should always first consult directly with their advisors to determine the appropriateness of any information contained above before taking any action. KCM Wealth Management Inc. assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance upon the above information.