Where’s your retirement income hiding? Where will my retirement income come from? A worryingly large number of higher-tax-bracket individuals I talk to these days ask me that same question. After looking at their Canada Pension Plan payment, perhaps some employer...
Annuities are just one tool in your arsenal One of the first questions many of my high net worth clients ask me is whether they’ll outlive their money. Now, if someone comes to you with $500,000 to $1 million to manage, you’d think they’d be feeling pretty...
Are Canadian kids living in the U.S. eligible for RESPs? While relatives such as grandparents are eager to contribute to their grandkids’ education through a Registered Education Savings Plan, is it even possible if the student lives in the U.S. even though he or...
Take on life’s biggest debt…and win! Even though much of Canada is still covered with a thick layer of snow and ice, the so-called spring real estate market is gathering momentum. And banks, finance companies, and lawyers are all gearing up to take their cut,...
Not the pristine, risk-free investments you thought they were As RRSP season rapidly draws to a close (the deadline for contributions eligible for a 2013 tax deduction is March 3), I’ve been fielding plenty of questions about investments for an RRSP. One that...
How to spot the signs and signals that make the perfect match Q. Hi, I’m in search of a new financial advisor to help me with some short-term and longer term planning. I make good money and also have stock options with my company. I want to know how to reduce the...
You may have more than you think “I don’t have any money!” Sound familiar? That’s the reason most often cited for not contributing to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan. And it does seem like a problem, especially if you’re living paycheque to paycheque (and...
Maybe it should be more than just cash Do you know what you have in your RRSP? I don’t mean how much money; I mean what kinds of investments. If you answered “guaranteed investment certificates” or “cash savings account,” welcome to the very large club! If so,...
Yes, you should have both a TFSA and an RRSP It’s awards season again. And the red carpets are unrolling so thick and fast that they’re becoming a pedestrian hazard. In the lead-up to Academy Awards next month, we’ve already seen the People’s Choice Awards and the...
Don’t put your portfolio at risk! As a financial advisor and professional planner, I’ve seen most every investment mistake novice investors are likely to make. And around this time of year, when I undertake client portfolio reviews, clients often seem overcome with...
When the holiday-spending credit card bills start coming in this month, some of us will pay off the balance to zero and calmly go on as before. Others – many others – among us will add it to the ever-growing pile of debt, try to make a minimum payment on at least...
Have you been naughty this holiday season? Financially, at least, many of us tip over to the “naughty” side, overextending our spending and maxing out our credit cards. I won’t get into other kinds of overindulgence here, but you know what they are. With the...