Retirement Planning Wisdom
National Post Article: With law-school loans and divorce paid off, couple unsure how to use freed-up funds
The National Post asked me to review the finances of a remarried Edmonton couple in their 40s with four children, navigating how to use $14,000 in freed-up monthly cash flow after paying off significant debts. Daniella, a 45-year-old lawyer, earns $200,000 after tax annually and wants to build savings, invest, and eventually buy two properties…
Read MoreRRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies
Ever wondered how you can get the money out of your RRSP with a minimum of tax? RRSP/RRIF Meltdown Strategies can allow you to withdraw from your RRSP or RRIF and have very little income show on your tax return. However, there are some tricky complications, and these strategies are not for everyone. In my…
Read MoreNational Post Article: B.C. couple, both 49, wonder if retiring at 60 is possible
The National Post asked me to review the finances of a B.C. couple who are both 49-years old, wondering if they can retire at 60. George has a full-time position in the public sector, a private business and takes on consulting projects. His wife Elyse is a stay-at-home mom to their two teenage children. One…
Read MoreWho Are the Wealthy and How Did They Get Rich?
As a financial planner, I’ve had a unique view into the full financial picture of thousands of Canadians and have read countless studies. My experience spans clients of varying financial backgrounds, as well as countless conversations with readers of my blog, friends, and acquaintances. Although our clients may not represent the entire population—they tend to…
Read MoreDo You Need Savings in Addition to a Government Pension Like OMERS?
When planning for retirement, many Canadians rely on a government pension like OMERS (Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System) as their foundation. Do you need savings in addition to your government pension to maintain the lifestyle you want? A buddy called me from his car and said, “I’m driving. Will I get to my destination on…
Read MoreHow To Design Your Retirement Income: An Overview (Canadian Financial Summit 2023)
With the Canadian Financial Summit coming up at the end of October, I wanted to share over the next few weeks some videos that Summit attendees watched last year. When you register you get access to talks like these, plus a myriad of other speakers who are some of Canada’s top financial experts. I’ll be…
Read MoreNational Post Article: Couple has a compelling reason for wanting to break with the retirement mould
The National Post asked me to review the finances of a couple who want to retire in their 50s. They’d like to spend three to four months a year in a warmer climate. They have a $1.6 million investment portfolio that generates about $52,000 a year in dividends, they have a combined annual income of…
Read MoreMid-Year Insights 2024: Timeless Truths, Market Observations, and Practice Updates
Here are three key insights that I believe are essential for navigating the rest of the year and beyond. These insights are grounded in the principles that have guided our successful financial planning and investment strategies. The three key areas: Some timeless truths that guide our financial planning, a few observations on the markets so…
Read MoreNational Post Article: Snowbirds paying $15,000 a year in investment fees worry about growing their nest egg
The National Post asked me to review the finances of a newly retired couple who are snowbirds. They are currently paying $15,000 a year in investment fees, but feel they don’t get much tax or financial planning advice. They are also business partners who have worked in the U.S. One has a Canadian-United States citizenship,…
Read MoreHow Long Will You Live?
Have you ever wondered how long you might live? Understanding life expectancy is crucial for planning a secure and fulfilling future. In my latest blog post, YouTube video and podcast episode I explore the dramatic changes in life expectancy over the past century, why it’s expected to continue increasing, and how this impacts your retirement…
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