With rising rates, there has been increasing interest in guaranteed investment certificates (GICs). Now that tax season has arrived, here is a reminder of their tax treatment, as well as the taxation of bonds. The taxation of GICs — GICs are often “locked in” and...

Now that spring has sprung and many of us are in spring cleaning mode, perhaps you are looking for a bit of motivation when it comes to your finances. Here are five wealth planning questions that may be answered by simple “rules of thumb.” These may spark meaningful...

It is personal income tax season once again. Given increasing interest rates, don’t overlook the importance of filing your taxes and paying balances and instalments on time, as interest assessed on insufficient payments can be significant. Tax Filing Deadlines — The...

Given the rise in interest rates since the start of 2022, there has understandably been greater interest in low-risk, fixed-income investments like Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs). While investors can take advantage of rates not seen in decades, it is...

Since the summer, bond yields have risen rapidly. In April, the U.S. 10-year Treasury yield hovered around 3.3 percent; by October, it had risen to 5 percent for the first time in 16 years. This is a substantial increase in just six months. Many market observers...

After a volatile 2023 in the financial markets, one of the by- products has been that some investors feel inclined to take a more conservative investment stance. How can this be achieved? Selling all of your stocks and holding cash equivalents is one extreme...

As we look forward to another year, after the financial market volatility we experienced in 2023, it may take discipline to stay focused on our objectives, but here are three perspectives: 1. Volatility plays a normal role in the markets. Stock market declines are a...

For high-net-worth (HNW) investors, life insurance may provide benefits beyond protection, including helping to support the education costs of a child or grandchild. With the ever-growing cost of post-secondary education, many HNW investors are looking for different...

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) has been in the spotlight as the Alberta government proposes creating its own retirement plan. For the answers to some questions about Alberta’s potential divorce from the CPP, see: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cpp-app-pension-...

As we enter a new year, and in this time of resolutions, why not resolve to take stock of your financial inventory? With over $1.8 billion in unclaimed bank accounts across Canada, the amount of assets that have been simply forgotten over time remains astounding.1...

Are there gender differences that impact the way we accumulate and manage wealth? In the past, studies have suggested that women tended to approach investing with more risk aversion compared to their male counterparts, leading to the formation of more conservative...

In many aspects, the economies of Canada and the U.S. share similarities as developed countries ranked among the top 10 economic powers globally. Over the past two years, we’ve both grappled to curb inflation, with central banks’ actions mirroring each other....

It has been said that “there are two things you should never be without: your reputation and your credit rating. You can destroy them both in an instant and spend the rest of your life trying to get them back.” Over the summer, the long-term credit rating of the...

Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) season is just around the corner. Beyond the importance of growing funds for retirement, avoiding certain practices can help to save tax or create a bigger nest egg for the future. Here are five RRSP pitfalls: 1. Withdrawing...

As we begin another year, here are six investing resolutions, alongside words of wisdom, from some of the world’s greatest investors: “Sometimes the tide is with us, and sometimes against. But we keep swimming either way.” — Charlie Munger 1. Keep swimming. Warren...

It has been 45 years since BusinessWeek declared the “Death of Equities,” warning that rampant inflation was “destroying the stock market” and “to regard the death of equities as a near-permanent condition.”1 These dramatic prognostications haven’t subsided over time,...

Need some good news? Things may be better than they seem. Understandably, consumer sentiment has lingered at low levels. We’ve been through a lot lately. We’ve persevered through a pandemic, only to face new challenges on the other side, many of which have come about...

As some of the youngest Baby Boomers turn 60 this year, and the oldest approach 80, the greatest intergenerational wealth transfer is now in motion. It is expected that over $1 trillion of wealth will be transferred to Canadians — a number that has grown with the...

Just as investments benefit from compounded growth over time, the associated taxes on income and gains can accumulate to become significant. Recall the different ways that investment income is taxed in non-registered accounts. Interest income is fully taxable at the...

Estate planning is an important consideration for every investor’s wealth plan. We often talk about the importance of the mechanics of the estate plan, such as the use of wills, power of attorney, insurance, trusts and ownership of assets. These are fundamental in...

With the arrival of cooler and shorter days, it is a reminder that there are only a few months remaining in the calendar year. Are there actions that you can take before year end to impact your financial position? Here is a checklist of ideas: ☑ Realize capital losses...

Chances are “you might live longer than you think.” This was the longevity message of a Wall Street Journal article earlier this year.1 Indeed, we are living longer and healthier lives — half of those born today are expected to live to the centenarian age of 100.2...

As the economy begins to show signs of slowing, we may need a reminder to focus on the positives. Today, it appears that interest rates are steadying, and inflation is being kept under the watchful eyes of the central banks. It’s also worth mentioning that many...