Your Financial Dream Killer
Despite what many people think, the number one financial dream killer isn’t portfolio losses, or financial emergencies, or unemployment, and not even natural disasters. The number one reason people fail to reach their financial goals is procrastination – putting off the inevitable until the cost of your dreams or goals become prohibitively expensive. Why People […]
Buying and Selling the Business when an Owner Dies
Like many business owners, Rick and Warren thought it would be a simple process to continue the business when one of them died. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rick and Warren had a printing company and were equal partners. Warren died suddenly. Warren’s shares passed to his widow, Sarah, who became Rick’s new […]
Looking at Investment Returns
A major Canadian financial institution ran an investment promotion earlier this year that promised attractive returns for GIC-type investors, who needed higher returns to generate income. While dealing with an advisor from this particular institution on another matter, the conversation turned to the details of their offer. The highlighted promotion offered a much higher monthly […]
Be Prepared For Emergencies & Opportunities
Randy worked for a small business. When the owner died suddenly, the business accounts were frozen and it took several weeks before they could be accessed to meet payroll. Randy had trouble meeting his financial obligations and had to find a new job. Jane worked at a small company for many years. When the owner […]
Will I Need Long Term Care?
Many mistakenly believe that if they need Long Term Care, either in their home or in a facility, the cost will be covered by provincial health care or other government agencies. While certain programs are available, a large portion of these costs become the responsibility of the patient or their family. John and Ellen, in […]
The Role of Luck in Your Planning
One of the most interesting facets of the financial services industry is how so many people tend to invest their money and plan their financial affairs by chasing trends and doing what is “popular”. For example, many investors like a “sure thing” and will often pile into an investment sector that is hot. As human […]
Advice for Small Business Owners
Similar to the situation of individual Canadians, small business owners must deal with a variety of financial challenges in order to grow their businesses. Besides managing issues like cash flow and assets, small businesses must also think about taxes on income. Without a doubt, tax return filing can be an intimidating experience for many business […]
Should You Prepare Your Own Will?
Earl wants to control the distribution of his estate when he dies and feels that a Will is a good idea. He had heard the ads on radio and TV about do-it-yourself Wills and bought a National Legal Will Kit. The booklet he received a few weeks later contained lots of useful information. There was […]
The Often Unasked Question
With the December market correction in both the US, Canada and elsewhere slowly receding into the past, it is a good time to review what exactly happened and how clients have reacted to the recent events. To put December into context, it was the most severe correction late in the year since the early 1930’s. […]
Starting Out on the Right Track
A wedding day can be a springboard into many new and exciting adventures. With all the excitement leading up to the big day, the new couple routinely focuses so much energy on planning the event that they seldom spend any time discussing other important life issues – like developing a sound financial strategy for the […]