It Doesn’t Pay to Procrastinate
Many people have no idea. Some people have a vague idea. A few people, a very few, have it all worked out. When it comes to retirement planning, many people do not take action until forced to by a mid-life event (career change, death of loved one) or by hearing about seniors running out of […]
Divorce and Your Finances
Canadian government statistics continually show that roughly half of all marriages end in divorce. If a couple is contemplating moving forward with a divorce, it is important to carefully consider how this event will affect their overall financial situation. Understanding how a divorce changes financial and estate plans can help reduce legal costs and reduce […]
RRSP Vs. TFSA: Which is Better?
With the lifetime contribution room of a TFSA now at $52,000 for most people, TFSAs are now a serious portfolio and investment planning alternative to making RRSP contributions. So which is better you ask? Well, it depends… If you are a Canadian with significant assets and savings then maximizing your TFSA makes sense as a […]
How to Start An Investment Plan
Wouldn’t life be better if it was easier to get ahead? For many, there’s just too much month left over at the end of the pay cheque. After all, you’ve got a mortgage or rent and utilities to pay, food and clothes to buy, and a vehicle to operate. First, let’s understand the difference between […]
Mental Health Impacts Retirement Planning Strategies
The unfortunate truth about aging is that the human brain deteriorates as we age. While the process is vastly different depending on the individual and their health and circumstances, the rate of deterioration cannot be predicted with any level of certainty. It doesn’t cater to genetics, family history, or life habits. Sometimes clinical diagnoses like […]
Getting the Most from your RRSP
Since its inception several decades ago, the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) has become the most widely used retirement savings vehicle in Canada. In order to get the most from an RRSP, it is essential to plan ahead for future investments to avoid panicked deadline decisions or taking action without fully understanding the long-term impact. […]
‘Just-In-Time’ Living
Multiple media reports note that almost 50% of Canadians have no emergency savings and are unable to cover the cost of an unexpected expense of $500 – $1000, let alone deal with an unexpected job loss. Other reports from credit agencies such as Equifax state that even a 0.25% increase in mortgage rates will cause […]
Year End Tax Tips
With a few weeks to go before the year-end, you may wish to think about some moves you can take now to save you some taxes for 2016. Along with the usual advice to do any tax loss selling before December 23rd on any equity investments to offset any capital gains earned in other investments […]
Saving for a Financial Emergency
It is next to impossible to know when you might be impacted by a financial emergency; therefore, it is important to be prepared for something unforeseen in the future. Most people have heard the saying about saving money for a “rainy day”. With the right forward planning, there is a great chance of being able […]
Selecting the Right Retirement Destination
Choosing a retirement location can be a stressful experience, especially when you combine your own questions with the pressures you might be receiving from loved ones to live near them. Here are ten tips to help ensure that your retired life is as wonderful as it can be. Do not Rush Yourself. – Determining where […]