From refusing to meet with financial advisers to being too afraid to open your mail, the financial woes of the past year have left many of us unwilling or uninterested in monitoring investments.

When it comes to the world of investments, some things are out of our control. As individuals, we cannot stop a recession; we cannot predict a bear market and we cannot foresee certain life events that may wreak havoc on our long-term planning. Rather than ignore what is happening around us out of fear or panic and make irrational decisions, The Manitoba Securities Commission wants to encourage you to take the necessary steps that will make you feel more comfortable, more at ease with your investment strategies.

Before you make an investment, take some time and ask yourself if you understand what is involved in making an informed decision.