After working with Canadian investors for over a decade, I've noticed something interesting. People get really excited about timing the market perfectly, but they often overlook one of the most reliable strategies out there.

Dollar-cost averaging isn't flashy. You're basically investing the same amount regularly, regardless of market conditions. When prices are high, you buy fewer shares. When they're low, you get more. Over time, this smooths out the bumps.

I had a client in Peterborough who started this approach in early 2020, right before everything went sideways. He was worried about the timing, but we stuck with the plan. By late 2024, his consistent monthly investments had actually benefited from both the market dip and recovery. He bought more shares when everything was cheaper and kept buying as things improved.

The math works because markets tend to go up over long periods, even with all the short-term drama. You're not trying to outsmart anyone – you're just being consistent while everyone else panics or gets overly optimistic.