We will answer five new questions each week on this page, so check back often to see if yours has been selected. If you'd like to submit a new question, you may do so below. Read these general guidelines first to improve your chances of receiving a reply.

1. Keep your questions brief. Don't send us your financial life story.
2. Priority will be given to questions of broadest general interest.
3. We cannot answer questions that request personal portfolio advice or buy/sell recommendations, as this is contrary to securities regulations. Such questions should be directed to a financial advisor.
4. Please take the time to draft your questions carefully, using proper spelling and avoiding abbreviations. If we have to heavily edit a question to make it publishable, it has a much reduced chance of being selected.

Because of the heavy volume of e-mail we receive, we cannot provide personal responses. But all questions we receive will be read and considered.

I had expected that the interest from my funds would reinvest itself and although I wasnt contributing I would see an increase over a ten-year period. (I understand the long term ups and downs.) Today, 10 years later, my RRSP is worth $87,000.

The first five years after I stopped contributing my advisor and I rearranged my portfolio a couple of times a year. The last three years I havent touched it I am not sure if my advisor gets paid each time we rearrange the portfolio. There is no statement that specifies how he gets paid and I dont really understand front and rear end loads. I dont know if his suggestions to redistribute my portfolio are for his benefit or mine. It doesnt seem to be working in my favour. I have all the statements for the last 15 years and it seems that any growth I have gained was equal to what I contributed myself (a shoe box under the bed would have had the same result, maybe better). It seems that once you stop contribution to RRSPs they stop growing.

My home and RRSPs are the only big assets I have so I am eager to get some good counsel. I need to know what questions to ask. Is my advisor working in my best interest? Is there a better way to invest that money in other funds or real estate without penalty? - Susan C.

I don't know what was in your portfolio but based on the results it appears it was overweighted in higher-risk stocks or equity funds. A balanced portfolio that included a decent bond weighting would likely have done much better.

I suggest you interview three or four prospective new advisors. Be up-front with them. Show them the results over the past decade and ask what they could have done differently. Then ask how they would reconfigure the portfolio going forward. Also, be sure to find out how they are compensated. Make your selection after you've heard all the answers. Good luck. - G.P.