Getting a head start on year-end to-dos
With several financial deadlines and holiday planning, the first two or three weeks of December can be busy and challenging. You can reduce end-of-year stress by starting early with any of these registered plan strategies. TFSA. If you plan to make a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) withdrawal in the near future, consider the timing. Withdraw […]
New parents? You can take baby steps
Having a baby is a beautiful and completely new experience, as you care for your newborn around the clock. You may never have felt so much responsibility. Caring for your baby isn’t the only part of your life that changes—your financial life also evolves. Financial changes You might pay extra attention to savings, perhaps using […]
Using an FHSA
You can contribute up to $8,000 a year to a First Home Savings Account (FHSA), to a maximum of $40,000. Your contributions are tax-deductible, your investments grow tax-free and your withdrawals are tax-free. Those are the basics, but here are some helpful tips and strategies. Using TFSA funds. You can withdraw funds from your Tax-Free […]
Saving, spending and spouses
When one spouse is primarily a saver and the other a spender, you may think it spells trouble—but that’s not necessarily so. If the couple takes the proper steps and collaborates, they can arrive at a healthy middle ground. Finding a balance Turning conflict into resolution is a process that addresses two fronts: personal and […]
The importance of including your pets in your estate and incapacity planning
Are you a pet parent – whether to a furry friend, feathered companion or another beloved animal? No matter if your companion is a cat, dog, bird, horse or exotic animal, it is important to have a plan in place to ensure they are cared for in the event you are no longer able to […]
The right representatives can protect you from financial elder abuse
The term “elder abuse,” so commonly used today, evokes images of caregivers physically mistreating the elderly. However, there is much more to elder abuse than physical mistreatment. The Government of Canada has defined elder abuse as “any action by someone in a relationship of trust that results in harm or distress to an older person. […]
Enjoy more income in retirement by minimizing the OAS clawback
The Old Age Security (OAS) program provides a guaranteed stream of income to Canadians in retirement – but those with taxable income above a threshold (in 2025, $93,454) start losing some of their OAS to the pension recovery tax (commonly referred to as the clawback). When taxable income reaches a second threshold (in 2025, $151,668 […]
Can you trust “finfluencers”?
It’s a rapidly growing social media phenomenon in Canada and worldwide. Financial influencers, or finfluencers, use TikTok, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms to reach millions of followers. Finfluencers’ posts and videos cover a variety of financial topics, from budgeting to investment strategies. According to the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO), about 28% of Canadians use […]
How do you react to market highs?
Interestingly, when stock markets reach new highs, different investors may react in opposite ways. Some investors are elated and want to make the most of a booming market. Others are fearful that what goes up must come down. Greed and fear are common triggers, but we’re always here to help ensure that emotional reactions to […]
A millennial challenge of juggling financial goals
Millennials may have multiple financial goals, which means saving enough and figuring out how much to dedicate to each need. Imagine an individual or couple who are making large mortgage payments, contributing to their young child’s Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), paying off their car loan, building an emergency fund, contributing to their Registered Retirement […]