What if I Suffer a Critical Illness?
Many falsely believe they will not be victims of a critical illness like cancer, heart attack or stroke. They also believe that if they do experience a serious illness, the healthcare system will look after them. Nothing could be further from the truth. It took Darren almost 3 years and dozens of chemotherapy sessions […]
NIRP, ZIRP and You
In his early July testimony before Congress, US Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell. Mr. Powell stated that the Fed funds rate will be reduced, given lower than expected U.S. inflation. This follows on the heels of President Trump’s demands for lower interest rates to help support the economy and more specifically the US stock market. […]
Pay Yourself First for Financial Success
A fire breaks out in a movie theatre. You’re there with your spouse and children, as are several local merchants. Who do you save first? The butcher? The banker? The hardware store owner? Their families? Or your family and yourself? A ridiculous question. Of course you would save your family and yourself first. Then […]
Finding the Right Retirement Location
Grant and Sarah are planning on retiring within the next two years. Paul and Linda, already retired, are thinking about making a move. Whether you are about to retire or are already retired and considering a change, you should consider: *Fictional characters for illustrative purposes only. Questions about your retirement […]
Law of Large Numbers
Over the next several years, governments in advanced countries will likely continue to struggle with mounting debt burdens and the associated rising costs of servicing that debt. It is also noteworthy to remember that total government debt continues to increase every year because of deficit spending. So how does the Law of Large Numbers […]
Maximize Your RRSP Return Through Asset Location
Do you know the real rate of return on your investments? Generally, Canadians measure the success of their investments based only on the rate of return. While it provides a good snapshot of whether an investment is doing well or not, it is not the only criterion for a true picture of success. A good […]
Too Much Life at the End of the Money
You have probably heard the phrase; too much month left at the end of the money. Paying for housing, groceries, fuel, utilities and various child rearing expenses, although very necessary, can put a huge strain on a family when outlays sometimes exceed your income. Fortunately, this is usually only a temporary hiccup in most people’s […]
Predicting Financial Events
Clients often call when markets are looking a bit shaky, or newspaper articles are predicting the next market correction, recession, bubble, etc. The challenge with reacting to such events or news is that the external circumstances rarely have anything to do with your specific situation and plan. Your mission, should you choose to embrace […]
Your Financial Dream Killer
Despite what many people think, the number one financial dream killer isn’t portfolio losses, or financial emergencies, or unemployment, and not even natural disasters. The number one reason people fail to reach their financial goals is procrastination – putting off the inevitable until the cost of your dreams or goals become prohibitively expensive. Why […]
Buying and Selling the Business when an Owner Dies
Like many business owners, Rick and Warren thought it would be a simple process to continue the business when one of them died. Nothing could be further from the truth. Rick and Warren had a printing company and were equal partners. Warren died suddenly. Warren’s shares passed to his widow, Sarah, who became […]
Looking at Investment Returns
A major Canadian financial institution ran an investment promotion earlier this year that promised attractive returns for GIC-type investors, who needed higher returns to generate income. While dealing with an advisor from this particular institution on another matter, the conversation turned to the details of their offer. The highlighted promotion offered a much higher […]
Be Prepared For Emergencies & Opportunities
Randy worked for a small business. When the owner died suddenly, the business accounts were frozen and it took several weeks before they could be accessed to meet payroll. Randy had trouble meeting his financial obligations and had to find a new job. Jane worked at a small company for many years. When the […]
Will I Need Long Term Care?
Many mistakenly believe that if they need Long Term Care, either in their home or in a facility, the cost will be covered by provincial health care or other government agencies. While certain programs are available, a large portion of these costs become the responsibility of the patient or their family. John and Ellen, […]
The Role of Luck in Your Planning
One of the most interesting facets of the financial services industry is how so many people tend to invest their money and plan their financial affairs by chasing trends and doing what is “popular”. For example, many investors like a “sure thing” and will often pile into an investment sector that is hot. […]
Advice for Small Business Owners
Similar to the situation of individual Canadians, small business owners must deal with a variety of financial challenges in order to grow their businesses. Besides managing issues like cash flow and assets, small businesses must also think about taxes on income. Without a doubt, tax return filing can be an intimidating experience for many […]
Should You Prepare Your Own Will?
Earl wants to control the distribution of his estate when he dies and feels that a Will is a good idea. He had heard the ads on radio and TV about do-it-yourself Wills and bought a National Legal Will Kit. The booklet he received a few weeks later contained lots of useful information. There […]
The Often Unasked Question
With the December market correction in both the US, Canada and elsewhere slowly receding into the past, it is a good time to review what exactly happened and how clients have reacted to the recent events. To put December into context, it was the most severe correction late in the year since the early […]
Starting Out on the Right Track
A wedding day can be a springboard into many new and exciting adventures. With all the excitement leading up to the big day, the new couple routinely focuses so much energy on planning the event that they seldom spend any time discussing other important life issues – like developing a sound financial strategy for the […]
Should You Move in Retirement?
Many people look forward to retiring, and going to live beside a golf course, on the coast, or somewhere else where they have always dreamt of. It’s enticing to think that your leisure time can be spent pursuing activities you have worked and longed for all your life. In fact, whole retirement communities are set […]
As The World Improves
If your way of assessing the state of the world is only through stories gleaned from the regular media, then you are likely missing out on all the marvelous and wondrous advancements of human society over the previous years and decades. With news reports during the final months of 2018 focusing on market volatility […]
How to Achieve Financial Success
It is possible for just about everybody to achieve financial success. Getting there is usually not a matter of financial wizardry. By following some basic principles, you can make your financial dreams come true: Set Objectives Goal setting is the foundation of achieving financial success. If you don’t have a target to shoot for, […]
Everyone Needs an Estate Plan
Ralph became concerned about what would happen to his hard-earned estate after seeing what had happened to some people he knew. Vivian had remarried and chose to cut costs by using a do-it-yourself will kit. Because she had not allowed for the obligations set out in her deceased husband’s will, it took years and […]
BHAG for 2019
As you look to 2019 for a fresh beginning, we invite you to set your intentions to have a breakthrough year! To do that, you are invited to reach for and set some Big Hairy Audacious Goals (BHAG)! That’s right! Why look to set incremental goals when you can set goals that cause you […]
How to Get the Most from Your RRSP
Introduced in 1957, the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is an incentive program to entice the Canadian population to save for retirement. In order to get the most from this type of savings vehicle, it is essential to plan future investments and avoid panicking to meet deadlines or taking action without fully understanding the long-term […]
Dealing with the Challenges of Eldercare
Scott Havens has been a great friend to everyone he’s met. Friends love Scott the mechanic from Vancouver because he helps them with car troubles and just about anything with an engine that gives them problems. He’s been known to help complete strangers stuck on the side of the road. But this 35-year-old was […]
Johnny Depp and Year-End Tax Planning
With the year-end fast approaching, the story about Johnny Depp (and other celebrities with Estate planning woes), act as a cautionary tale for the average Canadian. Actor Johnny Depp, best-known for his roles in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, made a reported $650 million USD and finds himself broke according to news reports […]
Credit Balance Insurance: Worth the Money?
Graham*, like millions of other Canadians, has and uses credit cards. He often carries a balance from month to month and is concerned about making the monthly payments if he becomes disabled or gets seriously ill. Graham doesn’t want to stick his family with the balance if he dies before paying it off. The […]
How Important is it to Have a Will?
Most Canadians want to pass their life savings on to their heirs. The assets remaining once retirement needs are met will be distributed more effectively if there is a properly prepared will detailing the deceased’s wishes. Many people mistakenly believe that this issue is far in the future. Preparation of a valid will and its […]
Putting You in the Picture
It is that time of year again when news broadcasters turn our thoughts to the how the world and the investment markets may run into trouble. There are special reports stating that markets are at record levels, interest rates are rising, Trump, Trump and more Trump, trade deals, China, the end of globalization, inflation is […]
Boomer Advice to Young People: Invest Early & Diversify
When asked if they had any regrets, Baby Boomers wished they had started investing and saving at a much earlier age. Hindsight being 20/20, the Boomer generation can pass on some much needed advice and guidance to their kids and grandkids. It is normal for younger people to focus on earning money to accommodate their […]
