Starting Out on the Right Track
A wedding day marks the beginning of an exciting journey, but couples often overlook their financial future. As you start this new chapter together, it’s essential to discuss your goals and dreams, incorporating them into a solid financial strategy.
Why You Need a Solid Financial Strategy
In recent years, the F.I.R.E. movement—short for Financial Independence, Retire Early—has gained traction among Canadians looking to leave the workforce decades ahead of the traditional retirement age. While the dream of stepping away from work in your 40s or 50s is exciting, it also raises a big question: how do you make your money last […]
5 Costly Money Mistakes Millennials Make
If you’re a millennial, you’ve probably heard the usual money advice: save early, spend less, invest smart. But let’s face it—real life is busy, expensive, and unpredictable. Still, there are a few money habits that can quietly sabotage your future if you’re not careful. Here are five of the most common ones to watch out […]
A Financial Game Plan for Newlyweds
John and Jane spent months planning their dream wedding—and a lot of money to make it happen. Now that the big day is behind them, it’s time to shift focus from flowers and guest lists to something just as important: their financial future. Here’s a quick and practical checklist for any newlyweds ready to get […]
9 Common Ways Canadians Erode Their Wealth
Managing money isn’t always glamorous, but small missteps can quietly chip away at your nest egg. Avoid these nine wealth-killers, ranked from “minor leak” to “financial sinkhole.” 9. Chasing Loyalty Points We all love a deal, but loading up on loyalty points by spending more than you planned is a losing game. If you spend […]
Hitting Your Financial Goals—Despite Economic Uncertainty
Let’s be real—there’s always something going on in the world that makes you question if now is the right time to invest or save. One minute it’s inflation, the next it’s interest rate hikes or global turmoil. But here’s the truth: financial success isn’t about timing the perfect moment. It’s about building habits and sticking […]
True Costs of Financial Procrastination
Have you ever thought, “I’ll start saving next month” or “I’ll get serious about my financial strategy next year”? If so, you’re not alone. Procrastination is something we’ve all been guilty of at some point. However, when it comes to your finances, the costs of waiting can be much higher than you think. Let’s explore […]
New Years Financial Resolutions
Jack and Diane want to improve their financial situation and feel that making financial New Years resolutions and implementing them is a good start. To help identify their priorities, they made the following list: Set Objectives – Goal setting is the foundation of achieving financial success. If they write down their goals, it will help Jack […]
Habits That Build Wealth
What’s the secret to building and maintaining wealth? For the rich, it’s not just about earning a high income—it’s about the habits they cultivate. These strategies don’t just help them grow their wealth; they also ensure it lasts for generations. Start today and take more control of your financial future. Lesson 1: Live Below Your […]
Basics For a Wise Financial Strategy
Before a skyscraper can reach for the clouds, it needs a very strong foundation. Once the building is complete, the foundation is virtually unseen. The same goes for our financial strategies. Following are the basics of a strong financial foundation: Budget – Governments and businesses use budgets to properly allocate resources. It’s known as good […]
Education Savings: Start Early
A new baby in the family brings many hopes, dreams and expectations. This can often include thoughts about how their lives can be better than that of their parents. And that often includes hopes about careers and the education that goes with them. It is also the time to start planning how to finance the […]
Financial Strategies & Divorce
History tells us about half of marriages in Canada end in divorce. Andrew and Sara are about to end theirs and are concerned about the changes that will have to be made to their financial and estate plans. Some financial and estate issues they need to consider are: Life Insurance – The first thing that […]
Needs vs. Wants
There are things you need to live a healthy life, like a place to live and food to eat. There are also things that you’d like, such as a warm vacation or new ski boots. It’s possible to have it all, but not all at once. If you can’t afford to pay your bills for […]
Strategic or Target-Based Planning
Financial success methodologies have evolved over the past 30 years with the advent of increasing computational power. Originally, planning was a simple spreadsheet projection of your current situation, plus some assumptions, such as savings rates, tax rates, investment returns and inflation rates. This would give you an idea of what your final destination would look […]
Financial Success Simplified: Introduction
The purpose of this series is to educate consumers on some simple principles that will take the mystery out of the often complex world of managing one’s financial affairs. The first distinction is to realize there are only seven key variables that can be managed in creating your financial future and wealth. These variables are: […]
I Want it All and I Want it Now
The neighbors have a shiny new sport utility vehicle to tow their travel trailer. They take a two-week tropical vacation every winter. Their family room is equipped with the latest large screen TV and surround sound stereo system. Many people believe this is a sign of wealth. In fact, this is usually a sign of […]
Now is the Time to be Especially Wary
Uncertain economic times and rising rates of unemployment often create a new breed of desperate people. Some turn to frauds and scams as a way out of their troubles. Others become more susceptible to schemes hoping for help but instead getting bilked out of their dwindling cash reserves. Challenging times tend to bring more frauds […]
These Financial Mistakes Can Cost You
Some financial decisions are made without enough thought given to the long term consequences. TIME – a critical element for any successful long-term financial strategy – can affect different situations quite dramatically. Here are some financial mistakes you should try to avoid: Mortgage amortized too long: With lenders offering 30 year amortization periods, it may […]
Personal Finance & Job Transfers
These days, having a career presents many more new rewards and challenges than it ever used to. What we used to take for granted – including our work location – can sometimes change dramatically as companies continue to change and adapt to new economic situations. This can be great for a business and its […]
Make 2024 Your Best Financial Year Yet
Many of us reflect on our yearly financial goals as the calendar turns to a New Year. But bringing goals to fruition can’t happen without a clear plan of action and determined effort. This is especially true as we continue to live with lingering effects of above-average inflation and the highest interest rates in […]
Lessons Learned From The Wealthy
Most people want to be wealthy, or at least financially independent. The sad truth is that very few people are financially independent when they reach retirement. The rest are dependent to some extent on others or government benefits for their daily money needs. Far too many people today live a lifestyle that is under […]
These Rainy Days Aren’t About the Weather
The last year or so has been a very rude awakening for many. Too many people today are so busy living a lifestyle, they forget that emergencies may need to be dealt with. It’s all too easy to take one’s cash flow for granted and get lulled into the belief that it will go […]
Five Pillars of Financial Literacy
November is financial literacy month – a great time to reflect on your relationship with money and the decisions you make that guide you toward a secure future. Financial literacy is a set of five key skills that help Canadians navigate the complex world of personal finance with clarity, empowering them to achieve their […]
Tips for Dealing with Higher Inflation
Inflation is a reality of modern life, and in recent years, it has become increasingly challenging to manage personal finances in a higher inflation environment. Higher inflation can lead to higher prices for goods and services, which can in turn make it harder to save money and plan for the future. However, there are […]
Avoid These Financial Mistakes
Managing personal finances effectively is crucial for long-term financial stability and security. However, many consumers often fall prey to common financial mistakes that can hinder their progress and lead to unnecessary stress. By understanding these pitfalls and taking proactive steps to avoid them, individuals can make smarter financial decisions and pave the way for […]
A Short Conversation About Banks
The recent tremors in the US banking system (collapse of Silicon Valley Bank – SVB) have caused some Canadians to question how developments in the US might affects their own savings. The key thing to understand is that there are BIG differences between Canadian and US banking systems. A Google search for “How many […]
Budgeting Your Way to Financial Independence
Financial independence is an important goal that many Canadians aspire to – but achieving it can feel like an overwhelming task. However, with the right mindset and a few key strategies, it is possible to budget your way to financial independence. We have listed several time-tested strategies below: Obtaining financial independence requires […]
How to Achieve Personal Financial Success
As the recent pandemic crisis made its way around the world, creating havoc in its wake, we can be thankful most Canadians were able to weather the storm in fairly good financial shape. Now Canadians are mostly concerned about spike in the interest rates and how that will impact their financial and retirement plans during […]
Year-End Planning Tips
Now is usually the best time to consider harvesting tax losses before the year-end to manage your overall income tax situation, based on various types of earned or investment incomes. Investors have a few weeks left to sell unwanted assets like individual stocks, mutual funds, cryptos, equity funds, bond funds and so on. The […]
Get Smart Saving Tips
Balance in life is essential for well-being. Since finances are a number one stressor for most Canadians1, how you manage your money plays a key role in finding and maintaining that balance. We’ve curated some savings tips to help ensure you can enjoy your life now while also saving for your future. […]