The Three Recipients of Your Wealth: Family, Tax Man, or Charity?
Introduction: As we build our wealth and financial security, it’s essential to consider the ultimate destination of our hard-earned assets. When it comes to distributing our wealth, there are typically three major contenders: our beloved family members, the ever-present tax man, and the noble causes supported by charitable organizations. In this blog post, we […]
What’s your Family Financial Philosophy?
Some of the most important events and decisions in life can be incredibly joyful and terrifying at the same time, such as having a child, buying a home and starting a business. Deciding how to use your wealth to build a legacy – both during and beyond your lifetime – often falls into this category […]
When a spouse or parent dies: providing support through estate planning
This is not a fun exercise, but it is an important one: imagine that you have recently passed away. Now put yourself in the shoes of your spouse or children who have survived you. First and foremost, they are grieving. If your death was unexpected and sudden, they may also be in shock. In the […]
Waking up to tax-efficient estate planning
We get it: if we try to tell you about the merits of the capital dividend account, you’ll likely be asleep or hitting “close” before we can start our second sentence. So instead, let’s talk about sheltering your investments from taxes. Let’s talk about building your personal estate with money taxed at a corporate tax […]
An honest look at your financial affairs
It’s February and for many it’s time for some honest self-reflection. Do you consider yourself generally successful in your career? Do you lead a busy life? Do you ever worry about whether your financial affairs are all in order? Are you unsure what kind of insurance you have and how much coverage you have under each […]
Protecting Your Wishes with a Will
Planning for your own death is a difficult concept to embrace. No wonder we often choose to avoid thinking about how our loved ones will be affected when we die. However, in doing so we tend to ignore important issues such as the support of a surviving spouse, the long-term needs of a disabled child […]
Using an Estate Freeze to Protect Your Assets
If you were to die yesterday, what would happen to your assets? If you’re unsure of the answer to that question, you are not alone. Most Canadians are aware that they need a will with clear direction on where their assets should go upon death. But how to maximize the inheritance left for your loved […]
What bank is your mortgage better off with?
“Am I better off with a big bank for my mortgage?” This is a question that is frequently asked by property buyers when it comes to choosing a mortgage lender. The answer, however, is very subjective as things like mortgage servicing, access to products and penalty calculations have to be considered when picking the best lender for your […]
Retirement Income Options You Haven’t Considered
Retirement income planning is a complicated, personal process. Many baby boomers set to retire in the upcoming years may be concerned about what their retirement income will look like. Saving into your RRSP and through an employee retirement plan offers some assistance and peace of mind. For many, maintaining their lifestyle may be impossible through such […]