Spaghetti Dinner – The Messy State of Canada’s Tax Code
I’ve got a riddle for you; what’s tasteless, has no sense of humour, is often black & white, but sometimes gray, and has no face? If you haven’t guessed it, it’s the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). In a typical work day, too often I speak to clients who complain about the challenges and complexities of […]
The Behemoth Rollercoaster, Michael Jordan And Peter Lynch; 3 Rules To Investing Like A Pro
You’re on a roller-coaster ride and you are climbing that huge crest. Each screeching chug upwards adds more excitement than the last. Full of wonderment, you think “Is this excitement ever going to end?” Just then you take a tumultuous plunge down, which feels nothing like the exhilarating ride upwards, and you have that unwelcoming […]
Are You Planning a Staycation This Summer?
Should I Pay Off My Mortgage Or Save For Retirement?
I continue to read a lot of articles on-line and in magazines that pose the popular question of what makes more financial sense – use extra in-pocket monies to pay down mortgage debt or to add to retirement savings. I want to quickly address this question from another angle that is widely ignored by most […]
Pension Splitting – What A Gift!!
What a gift! Several years ago, the federal government introduced a tax planning strategy called pension income splitting for retired Canadians. After just completing a few hundred income tax returns this year, I have been reminded of just how powerful this tax strategy can be. One case I worked on this season had a client […]
It’s Tax Time….5 Tax Tips To Save Money On Your 2014 Income Tax Filing
1. Contributing to RRSPs Has your financial advisor been coaching you to add regular amounts to your RRSP? This little nugget of wisdom not only helps you save for the day when you are no longer earning a pay-cheque, but also helps you defer paying taxes on that money today, as well as grow that […]
The Falling Loonie…Are You Falling Alongside It? Three Key Ways The Falling Loonie Is Impacting You
If you have read the news lately, you can’t avoid the constant headlines about the recent interest rate cut and the value of the loonie falling in lockstep. A number of my clients have asked me why they should care and what it means to them. Here were some of my answers: 1. A cut […]
2015: A Year of Big Dreams…(Why Not!?)
If there is one thing I love to do, it is to dream big. Looking back on this past year, it is clear that I am not alone. In 2014, Apple unveiled its smart watch, we saw the first prototype of a pacemaker made from a 3D printer and learned that nanobots have the capability […]
Interested in Buying a Bigger House!?
Can you believe that in 1987, Fran and I felt lucky when we got our first mortgage at 10% interest! Wow; it was only in the early 1980’s that some people were renewing their mortgages at more than 20% interest. Imagine! It doesn’t seem to make any sense that today you can get a 5-year […]
What Do You Mean It’s A Buyer’s’ Market For Investments?!
I bet almost everybody has heard the real estate industry talk about it being a buyer’s market or a seller’s market in real estate. But what does this actually mean? Simply put, if there are lots of people who need/want to buy a home but fewer people interested in selling their homes there ends up […]
Getting Married Doesn’t Mean You Can’t See Your Friends Anymore!
With my very own wedding just around the corner, I realized I have some financial insights to share: Everyday Finances You thought taking care of your own finances was hard enough. Now try adding personality dynamics and the need for proper communication into the picture. Before committing to marriage, you should talk to your partner […]
Who Doesn’t Want a Bigger Pension
There is currently a debate happening at the Federal and Provincial Level involving retirement affordability. Some politicians are suggesting an overhaul to the Canada Pension Plan; still others are having discussions on new Provincial Pension Programs. All roads lead to the possibility of increased pension benefits within these proposals. So who doesn’t want a bigger […]
Greatest Advice Ever
A woman was nearly run over last week, as I waited to cross the road at a busy intersection in downtown Toronto. She got impatient as the bustling pedestrians of Toronto waited for the walk signal at the corner of Yonge and Bloor street. A man turned to me and quietly said, “some people need […]
