Read. Watch. Listen.
Follow our insights for strategies on financial wealth and well-being.
blog search
Insights
How to fight a CRA Assessment
Q – I recently received a Notice of Assessment from the Canada Revenue Agency, saying that I owe several thousand dollars more in taxes. I disagree. But I’m at a loss about what to do next. Should I call the CRA directly? What would be the best course of action?...
A little financial advice for new graduates
The first steps to being money-wise It’s commencement season. All across the country through June, university and college students finally get their robes, mortarboards, and rolled-up diplomas. And then there’s the big question: Now what? It’s an exciting time. For...
Rent or buy a home: factoring affordability
Q – My husband and I are thinking of starting a family and we feel we need more space. We are currently renting a downtown condo unit, but we’re wondering whether we can afford to borrow to buy a home. Is there some rule of thumb we can use to calculate the type of...
Before jumping into stocks, ask the right question!
Markets have taken four years to reach records: Where have you been? Are you getting the urge? Got the itch? To invest heavily in stocks, I mean. And particularly U.S. stocks. You may have heard that the Dow Jones Industrial Average is reaching all-time record...
Is now the time to invest in equity mutual funds?
Q – For the past few years, I admit I’ve been just too nervous about investing in the stock market, because I’ve heard various market experts say that the economy is still weak and the stock market will not outperform. As a result, I’ve been holding mostly bond...
Why do-it-yourself investors get into trouble
It looks easy, doesn’t it? Just log on to your self-directed investment account, tap, tap, tap in a trade or two, and you’re done. And if your stock goes up, you’ve got bragging rights. Good for you! But if your stock goes down? If you sell and get a surprise tax...
The importance of a tax-efficient portfolio
Q – I manage my own investment portfolio, and I’m an active trader with an online account. However, I just paid my tax bill for 2012, and it was a doozy! A large part of it was due to tax on investments, particularly on income on distributions and sales of some...
Sorry, no easy answers when it comes to mortgage refinancing
If you’re carrying a mortgage on your home, you’re probably acutely aware of prevailing interest rates, how much you’re paying, and the dent it leaves in your bank account every month. With advertised rates so low now, it might even seem like you’re paying too...
Year-end investment and tax tips
’Tis the season…for tips. Year-end is a great time for advisors, investment counsellors, pundits, and other financial experts. They can fire off opinions and advice, filling websites, YouTube videos, and newspapers with reams of predictions, analysis, advice, and...
Term life insurance offers pure protection
Q – My husband and I have just had our first child. We are in our early 30s and have a very large mortgage and substantial credit card debt. My husband was recently laid off, and we are strapped for cash. We know we need insurance, but permanent insurance is very...
Balanced investor’s benchmark
Q – Like many investors, I am yet another person disappointed with my investment returns. My advisor tells me I have done well against the benchmark. What benchmark should I be looking at? I am a balanced-risk investor. Thank you. – Chris S., Vancouver, BC A – One...
Where, oh where, do I put my money?
Let’s say you’re a professional woman with a nice little nest-egg put aside. You’re perhaps juggling a career and a family. Maybe you’ve got a house and a mortgage. You’re crazy busy. But your nest-egg? Not so much. It’s just sitting there. It could be in what...