The Home Buyers’ Plan and the stress test Shopping for a new home? Welcome to the crowd. The residential real estate market is hot in all of Canada’s major urban centres and surrounding areas, mostly because of the current environment of ultra-low interest rates....
The big difference between investing and speculating Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin and Etherium, have been much in the news lately. That’s not surprising, because the quoted value of these esoteric assets has skyrocketed over the past year. So should you add...
Block these common swindles before they start March is fraud prevention month, and the bad guys have been busy. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that in January this year, more than $10 million has been lost to fraud, while scammers racked up theft of over...
Robyn Thompson is featured in The Globe and Mail’s “Financial Facelift” series by Diane Maley. Like working parents everywhere with young children and long commutes, Andy and Zoe felt like hamsters on a wheel. They want to get off that treadmill and wonder how they...
Peace of mind with a financial backstop Unexpected events out of our control, such as job loss or health issues, can lead to serious disturbances in our financial situation. An emergency savings fund can mitigate some of the stress and bridge the financial gap...
Use these tips on starting an emergency savings for peace of mind for income uncertainty or unforeseen health complications amid the pandemic
Tax-deferral, income-splitting among key benefits. For higher-bracket real estate professionals, the personal real estate corporation (PREC) is an idea whose time has come. Here’s why. Doctors, lawyers, dentists, and other regulated professionals have long...
With Covid-19 lockdowns, financial well-being has been disrupted for many. Government aid will eventually end. Where to from here? Read my advice in a recent interview with CTV’s chief financial commentator Patti...
The new year is the natural time to turn over a new leaf with finances. However, best intentions are typically forgotten within a few weeks. Check my latest interview on CHCH TV for some tips on how to get your financial resolutions on track this...
Tips on money management, investing, taxes The New Year is the natural time to turn a new leaf with finances. However, best intentions are typically forgotten within a few weeks. A better idea is to take stock of your entire financial situation, review what’s...
Key financial planning principles and resolutions for the New Year This year will go down in the books as one of the strangest, and perhaps most stressful, on record. The Covid-19 pandemic and resulting disruptions to our normal lives has been challenging for all...
What you must do before Dec. 31 Registered Retirement Savings Plans do not last indefinitely. In fact, they must be closed down by the end of the year in which you turn 71. So if you are in that age group this year, you have until Dec. 31 to convert your RRSP into...