Strategies to Increase Wealth in Retirement Interested in building up a healthy nest egg to retire with? Come out and listen to The Financial Architect for Canadians Alynn Godroy. She’ll be speaking on the subject in Kingsville on October 19th, and in Essex on October 26th. The time for both […]
What Is The Gig Economy? The gig economy is based on temporary and freelance work, or short-term contracts. As a gig worker, your contract services may range from a small task to a highly specialized service. If you are connecting with clients through online platforms or applications (apps) such as […]
A recent poll commissioned by the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) found that 88% of respondents feel more needs to be done to encourage people to save for retirement, while 60% feel there is not enough public information available about pensions. “Thinking about saving for retirement is usually […]
Your investment goals are as unique as the route you take to reach them. But regardless of your course, I believe these 10 “rules of the road” can help you get where you want to be. 1. Develop your strategy Your financial professional gets to know you – your long-term […]
Spring is here and for many that means a fresh beginning and the time to spruce things up. This year, as you tidy up your home and surroundings, why not also consider some financial spring cleaning? Here are a few ideas for getting your financial house in order: “De-clutter” your […]
At first glance, many investors are left wondering whether they should invest in a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or an Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). Both offer tax advantages, but deciding which account is more appropriate for you depends on your goals, risk tolerance and time frame. TFSA and RRSP […]
What does an unplanned career transition mean for you? It is not an easy task to be faced with an unplanned career transition, such as a facility closure or the financial downturn many businesses are experiencing as the pandemic evolves. Layoff, early retirement, and furlough are different outcomes that can […]
You may not get much of a thrill from filing your taxes, but the process becomes much more enjoyable if you’re expecting a refund. So, if one is headed your way, what should you do with the money? Here are five smart strategies for your tax refund. 1) Pay down […]
Remember to file by the deadline to avoid interruptions and delays to your benefit and credit payments including the Canada child benefit, GST/HST credit, related provincial and territorial benefit programs, child disability benefit, or guaranteed income supplement. If you filed on paper last year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will […]
Ontario Working for Workers by Increasing Minimum Wage to $15 an Hour More than 760,000 workers will benefit from bigger paycheques TORONTO — As part of its plan to grow an economy that works for everyone, the Ontario government has raised the general minimum wage to $15.00 per hour starting January […]
As you know, 2021 was full of challenges. We were still feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic when supply chains shut down and inflation heated up. So, if you’re like many people, you might not be sorry to see the year come to a close. But now it’s time […]
The holidays are a great time of year to review the goals you have when it comes to the organizations and charities you support. If you are new to charitable giving or would like to begin, there are some important considerations. Steps to consider Identify your values. What key issues, […]
If you’re a new parent, or even if you’ve been one for a little while, you’re no doubt filled with the many joys your child brings you. But as caught up as you are with the feelings and experiences of today, you also need to think about the future — […]
Unless you have unlimited financial resources, you’ll need to think carefully about your saving, investing and spending decisions. But does that mean you need to deny yourself some fun? It might seem that way, given your other priorities. You may already be contributing considerable amounts to two important goals: retirement […]
You may have heard that it’s important to take the emotions out of investing. But is this true for all emotions? Certainly, some emotions can potentially harm your investment success. Consider fear. If the financial markets are going through a down period — which is actually a normal part of […]
One important financial goal you might have is saving for your children’s post-secondary education. But this is likely not your only financial goal and it is often difficult to prioritize and consider your complete financial picture. Discussing with your financial advisor all of your financial goals will help you work […]
Most people recognize the need for life insurance — but many still don’t have any, or have the wrong type for their needs, or just don’t have enough. Why? People offer a variety of rationales for remaining uninsured or under-insured. But these reasons may just be myths. Here are a few […]
Is homeownership a goal of yours? It does offer some benefits, in addition to meeting your basic need for shelter. The equity you build in your home can be a valuable financial asset, and you may get to deduct your interest payments on your taxes. But if you’re a first-time homebuyer, what steps should […]
How do you plan for your financial goals? You can start by answering these questions: What is your specific goal? What obstacle do you face in achieving this goal? How can you overcome this obstacle? Here are some examples of how to identify and set goals: Goal: Building sufficient retirement funds […]
Spring is here and for many that means a fresh beginning and the time to spruce things up. This year, as you tidy up your home and surroundings, why not also consider some financial spring cleaning? Here are a few ideas for getting your financial house in order: “De-clutter” your […]
There’s certainly been plenty of volatility and uncertainty the past few months, but one aspect of your financial picture has probably remained stable: your need for insurance. Now might be a good time to review your overall insurance coverage to determine if you and your loved ones are well-protected. Of […]
If you have decades to go until you retire, you don’t need to panic over volatile financial markets — you have plenty of time to regain lost ground and potentially achieve more growth in your investment portfolio. But what if you are nearing retirement or already retired? After all, you […]
Today’s retirees, and those of tomorrow, have had a sense of purpose their entire lives — and they don’t intend to give it up just because they’ll no longer be working full time. In fact, 55% of recent retirees said retirement is the time for “a new chapter in life,” […]
How can you assess your investment portfolio’s performance in 2020? The year was full of wild swings in the financial markets, so your own results may well have bounced around quite a bit, too. But you can still get a clear picture of how you did if you keep your […]
You’ve no doubt heard reports of personal data being stolen and used for financial fraud — anything from online shopping on your credit cards to actual theft from your financial accounts. This problem won’t go away anytime soon, but you can take steps to defend yourself. Here are a few […]
Those who have lived a long time have done a lot, seen a lot — and can teach us a lot. And that’s certainly true when it comes to investing. Consider some of the lessons you might learn from experienced investors: Regulate your emotions. In the investment world, there’s always something […]
If you can exercise regularly, you’ll help yourself feel better, control your weight and even reduce the chances of developing certain diseases. But why not extend the concept of “fitness” to other areas of your life — such as your investment portfolio? And to help maintain a healthy portfolio, you can […]
A generation or so ago, people didn’t just retire from work — many of them also withdrew from a whole range of social and community activities. But now, it’s different. The large Baby Boom cohort, and no doubt future ones, are seeking an active lifestyle and continued involvement in their […]
As an investor, you’ll always need to deal with risk of some kind. But how can you manage the risk that’s been made clear by the recent volatility in the financial markets? The answer to this question may depend on where you are in life. Let’s look at some different […]
If you’re concerned about social and ethical issues, why not speak out with your investment portfolio? Through socially responsible investing, your portfolio can reflect your values. As an investor, you can support businesses that are doing their part to make the world a better place. Socially responsible investing — also known […]
In your life, you will have all sorts of relationships — with your family, your friends, your co-workers, and even with civic groups and charitable organizations you support. But have you ever considered another key relationship — the one you have with money? Of course, this type of relationship has […]