Year-End Tax Planning Ideas
The following are some ideas for individuals and business owners to reduce income taxes as 2024 draws to a close. Individuals should consider doing their RRSP contributions before the RRSP rush in the first 60 days of 2025. You can get better values by buying today than when all the last minute procrastinators rush […]
Bad Excuses for Putting Off Investing
Recent college or university graduates with their first career job have an understandable itch to spend money after years of living on Kraft Dinner. Yet this is the ideal time in life to start developing the correct habits that will lead to a comfortable future lifestyle. But we often hear reasons why now is not […]
Weighing the Cost of Your Retirement Dreams
We all know how easy it is to romanticize our retirement years. Many of us make lengthy lists of things we will do and experience in those golden years. We have little doubt about our ability to enjoy the perfect blend of leisure and excitement, which is what makes the very idea of retirement seem […]
Market Highs vs. Your Goals
As Canadian and US stock market indexes hit new highs this year, many investors began expressing anxiety about a possible ‘correction’. Financial media personalities have also been speculating about the timing of correction from these recent market highs – following a strong run over the past year. Let’s put this into perspective. Would these same […]
Basics For a Wise Financial Strategy
Before a skyscraper can reach for the clouds, it needs a very strong foundation. Once the building is complete, the foundation is virtually unseen. The same goes for our financial strategies. Following are the basics of a strong financial foundation: Budget – Governments and businesses use budgets to properly allocate resources. It’s known as good […]
Your Legacy Plan and Charitable Giving
Recently, a client wanted to leave all of their money to two charities through their Will. They wanted to leave a legacy to a few charities, and they didn’t have any close family members. Here is her situation: Age 80, $550,000 in savings (75% non-registered and TFSA), with income of $70,000 annually from pensions and […]
Why Time Matters
It is not uncommon for an individual or organization, such as a charity or community tennis club, to consult a financial advisor regarding investment returns that can be generated on some spare cash that is not needed in the immediate future. As a result, the issue of investment “time horizon” is brought to the forefront […]
But I’m Invincible
Most people have a false sense of security by believing that they will not be victims of a critical illness like cancer, heart attack or stroke; and if they are, that the healthcare system will look after them. Nothing could be further from the truth. The reality is, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, […]
Passing it on to Your Heirs
Ralph and Mary have accumulated a nice estate, a good portion of it in cash. They want to leave it all to their children when they die, but they also want to do something for them today. Being part of the Savings Generation, they are reluctant to give large sums to their kids today, as […]
Education Savings: Start Early
A new baby in the family brings many hopes, dreams and expectations. This can often include thoughts about how their lives can be better than that of their parents. And that often includes hopes about careers and the education that goes with them. It is also the time to start planning how to finance the […]
What is Insurance?
Insurance surrounds each of us every day: When you get in your car, when you come home to your residence, and while you work. Insurance is always in the background discreetly doing its job. Most of us, however, do not think about it much or realize the very important function that all types of insurance […]
The Safe Investing Dilemma
As John nears retirement, he is becoming concerned about covering his future living costs with income from only interest-bearing investments. Along with many other investors globally who have poured trillions of dollars into government bonds over the past decade, John wants to feel safe and have his money guaranteed. But the price of safety in […]
Diversification is Key
As with many retirement savers, it took two major stock market events (Global Financial Crisis, Global Pandemic) to convince Adam and Sonya that trying to ‘time the market’ or pick specific sectors was a costly exercise in futility. But, with the value of their RRSPs nearly halved in the 2009 Financial Crisis, they also recognized […]
Financial Strategies & Divorce
History tells us about half of marriages in Canada end in divorce. Andrew and Sara are about to end theirs and are concerned about the changes that will have to be made to their financial and estate plans. Some financial and estate issues they need to consider are: Life Insurance – The first thing that […]
Estimating Retirement Expenses
By far one of the most crucial financial strategy steps is accurately estimating retirement expenses. Correctly accounting for retirement living expenses is critical to ensuring that retirees do not outlive their money. For those already retired, there are usually few good options for creating new income sources later in life. Getting retirement spending projections correct […]
Asset Building Strategies
In the last article Sue had a capital shortfall of $400,000 in order to support her desired retirement lifestyle. This amount will vary for each individual and will be larger or smaller depending upon your income, age and ability to save money as a percentage of your earned income. Broadly speaking there are only two […]
Needs vs. Wants
There are things you need to live a healthy life, like a place to live and food to eat. There are also things that you’d like, such as a warm vacation or new ski boots. It’s possible to have it all, but not all at once. If you can’t afford to pay your bills for […]
You’ve Retired. Now What?
Canadians are living longer, healthier lives. According to Statistics Canada (2018), the average life expectancy is 80 years for men and 84 years for women. This means your retirement years may almost equal your working ones. Family therapist Rhonda Katz suggests taking some time before retirement to identify what you find enjoyable in life and […]
Strategic or Target-Based Planning
Strategic or Target-Based Planning
Financial success methodologies have evolved over the past 30 years with the advent of increasing computational power. Originally, planning was a simple spreadsheet projection of your current situation, plus some assumptions, such as savings rates, tax rates, investment returns and inflation rates. This would give you an idea of what your final destination would look […]
Role Reversal – The New Reality
Our parents raised us; we moved out, had children of our own and raised them. Then our children moved out and had children of their own to raise. It was supposed to stop there for us, but then one day we had to look after one or both of our parents. According to a 2020 […]
Beware of These Scams Aimed at Seniors
According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre1, in 2023 there were over 62,000 reported fraud victims. Seniors in Canada are get bilked out of more than $500 million every year. It is estimated that as many as one in five seniors have lost money to fraudsters and most don’t report it. Even though seniors today may […]
Financial Success Simplified: Introduction
The purpose of this series is to educate consumers on some simple principles that will take the mystery out of the often complex world of managing one’s financial affairs. The first distinction is to realize there are only seven key variables that can be managed in creating your financial future and wealth. These variables are: […]
Planning Ahead Eases Tax Audit Worries
A letter arrives from Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). You are being audited. Panic ensues as you wonder what you did wrong and why the CRA is targeting you. ‘There must be bigger fish to fry,’ you might say to yourself. The first thing you need to do is relax and take a few deep breaths. […]
What’s Your Retirement Planning Mindset?
Recent studies * reveal that a large majority of so-called Baby Boomers are uncertain about their preparation for retirement. Arguably, the have it my way generation did not all follow in their parents’ footsteps when it came to saving for the future. As well, some major bumps along the way (a housing crisis, a stock […]
I Want it All and I Want it Now
The neighbors have a shiny new sport utility vehicle to tow their travel trailer. They take a two-week tropical vacation every winter. Their family room is equipped with the latest large screen TV and surround sound stereo system. Many people believe this is a sign of wealth. In fact, this is usually a sign of […]
Now is the Time to be Especially Wary
Uncertain economic times and rising rates of unemployment often create a new breed of desperate people. Some turn to frauds and scams as a way out of their troubles. Others become more susceptible to schemes hoping for help but instead getting bilked out of their dwindling cash reserves. Challenging times tend to bring more frauds […]
The Five Insurance Must Haves
Insurance is, and has always been, a tool to manage risk. If you cannot afford to ‘lose’ something, it is best to insure it. As with many other financial situations there are various solutions design to protect against financial losses. The five types of insurance everyone should have are: Life Insurance – The primary reason […]
These Financial Mistakes Can Cost You
Some financial decisions are made without enough thought given to the long term consequences. TIME – a critical element for any successful long-term financial strategy – can affect different situations quite dramatically. Here are some financial mistakes you should try to avoid: Mortgage amortized too long: With lenders offering 30 year amortization periods, it may […]
Personal Finance & Job Transfers
These days, having a career presents many more new rewards and challenges than it ever used to. What we used to take for granted – including our work location – can sometimes change dramatically as companies continue to change and adapt to new economic situations. This can be great for a business and its […]
