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What should RESP holders do during a school year like no other?
What should RESP holders do during a school year like no other? Post-secondary education is looking dramatically different this year. As the pandemic lingers, and universities and colleges offer online-only courses, fewer students are living and learning on campus....
Dealing with unexpected job loss
Sometimes life can throw a curve ball in the form of unexpected job loss. Robyn is featured in this recent Investment Executive post on how to best handle retirement plans, severance offers, and...
Parents take note: Covid-19 has put financial literacy into perspective
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to teach your kids the first steps to financial literacy. Read my recent post on how to help your children learn the basics of money...
Power up your RRSP planning now!
Make the most of this wealth-creation tool all year Many investors only think about their Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) in February. But that’s really just a conditioned reflex, spurred on by financial institutions to get you to give them money in the...
Three investing blunders to avoid
Vulnerable in the season of volatility The fall season of volatility is here again. This year, however, stock markets may be susceptible to even more gyrations than usual, given the vagaries of the Covid-19 pandemic and its effect on economic growth, the U.S....
Time for a financial wellness checkup?
Four trouble areas, and how a planner can help The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns have created plenty of financial stress for individuals and families. Temporary or even permanent income loss has been only partially mitigated by relief programs, such as the Canada...
Rules for RESP withdrawals
What if your child decides not to go the post-secondary route? If you’re tapping into Registered Educations Savings Plans this fall to pay for your kids’ post-secondary schooling, keep in in mind that there are plenty of rules about how RESPs are administered. And...
The lure of record high stock markets
Review your portfolio before jumping in The Dow Jones Industrial Average is reaching all-time record highs. So is the S&P 500 Composite Index – amidst a pandemic and a recession, no less. And smaller investors are jumping on the bandwagon. Should you join the...
Individual Pension Plans can supercharge retirement income
Professionals, executives, business owners can benefit The defined benefit pension plan has pretty much gone the way of the dodo. With one exception: the Individual Pension Plan (IPP). If you’re a business owner or executive, or an incorporated professional, such...
Is there CERB relief for teachers?
Watch Robyn Thompson on BNN’s “Ask the Expert” feature on The Open, discussing whether a teacher still on a summer payroll is eligible for...
Gold: safe haven or dead weight?
The lure of gold in troubled times Gold has in recent weeks become more interesting to investors. After a lengthy period during which an ounce of gold traded around US$1,500 per ounce, it notched up slightly after the March stock market meltdown, to around...
Navigating a pandemic divorce
Financial planning for divorce during lockdown The COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns have added to the stress of couples undergoing separation or divorce. And with court services limited to very urgent cases involving custody of children, options for settlement...