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The ABCs of back-to-school tax breaks
Use RESPs and tax credits to offset high tuition costs Getting kids off to that first year of university or college is a big move in more ways than one. It’s exciting and stressful and emotional – and that’s just for the parents! As the universities like to remind us,...
The surprising truth about who watches over your money
Who are all those people and what do they do? I’m often asked why the financial services industry in Canada isn’t better regulated. After all, we frequently read about some unfortunate investors who were bilked of their life savings by an unscrupulous “advisor” who...
How to stop fretting about the markets and enjoy your vacation
Remember this one key principle of investing When you’re relaxing at the beach or cottage, or doing the grand tour somewhere, you don’t want to spend much time fretting about your investments. If you’re continually worried that stock markets are on the verge of a...
Is being a couch potato financially healthy?
Active versus passive investment styles A friend of mine says she invests in a “couch potato portfolio,” and her returns are higher than my portfolio of mutual funds, which the company says is actively managed! I’m not sure I understand what a “couch potato” portfolio...
Is life insurance an ‘investment’?
Permanent life policies pitch savings growth... at a price If you’ve ever shopped for life insurance, you’ll know you can quickly get tangled up in a thicket of plans, policies, terms, exclusions, riders, benefits, and all the other paraphernalia that comes with...
The great big financial advisor talent search
5 questions you should ask yourself about your advisor Finding a financial advisor can be like choosing a flavor from the 56 listed at your local ice cream store. They all sound good, but some are better than others. To help you narrow down your search, here are five...
How to make the honeymoon last
4 financial planning principles for the soon-to-be-married Many newlywed couples I talk to in my financial planning practice are of the high net worth variety. They are often professionals or executives and each brings to the marriage a fairly robust net worth and...
The 3 hidden financial traps of cottage ownership
It’s not all piney woods and gorgeous sunsets The cabin in the woods or cottage by the lake can make a great retreat from the big smoke. But with vacation properties in prime areas pushing a million bucks or more, buying one has become a major financial planning...
How to guarantee retirement income
Insured annuity strategy guarantees an estate too One of the big questions facing new retirees is how to protect your income during retirement while leaving something to children or grandchildren in your will. Straight annuities can provide a guaranteed stream of...
What to do with your tax refund
…And why a refund isn’t a good thing in the first place If you filed a tax return in April, by now, you’ll have received a Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency. Sometimes it’s accompanied by a tax refund cheque. If it’s substantial, it might even feel...
How to stay healthy, wealthy and wise
Calculating your critical illness and disability insurance needs Congratulations! You’re a successful businessperson. You’ve finally achieved that magical HNW designation – that’s “high net worth.” You’re a busy professional, executive, or business owner, and you’re...
Teed off with ‘T-series’ funds
There are better ways to generate retirement income “T series” mutual funds, so named because they are supposedly “tax efficient,” have become a popular type of mutual fund for investors seeking a steady, high annual cash payout. The payout rate is given in the name...