Many of us have charities we support during our life and want to continue on after we die. The tax rules support this type of philanthropy, but we have to be sure we follow all the rules.

Chances are that if you are a small business owner you have spent a lot of time and effort building your business. That is why it’s so important to protect everything you have achieved.

Employers in Alberta today are faced with an ever competitive job market when trying to attract and retain qualified employees.

You draft a personal will to make sure your wishes are known. A buy-sell agreement is a “business will”.

When rental property is sold (or deemed to be sold, as on a death) there is a tax disposition.

In Wainwright and area the real estate market has never been stronger, and many people are investing in rental properties for income and potential capital growth.

When putting together a financial plan, whether it’s for a young person, a couple getting started, or someone nearing or at retirement, we need to make sure the foundation it is built upon is

Planning for Life’s Uncertainties

A good financial advisor will work with you to create a comprehensive financial roadmap based on your particular needs and stage of life.

The Old Age Security Program (OAS) is one of the cornerstones of Canada’s retirement income system.

As an Investment Specialist, I am often asked “When is the right age to begin receiving Canada Pension Plan benefits?” So that this question can be properly answered, there are three f

Get your RRSP out of the parking lot and back on the road to financial freedom

In Canada where taxes can almost be 50% of your taxable income, saving taxes should always be a priority of any financial plan.

It’s become an annual event every February.

It is that time a year again we are bombarded by the media and your financial institution to purchase an RRSP.

A solid financial plan can withstand market volatility

A solid investment plan can withstand market volatility
 

A solid investment plan can withstand market volatility

A solid investment plan can withstand market volatility

What does retirement look like for you?

The long awaited opening of Tim Horton’s certainly signifies the continued economic growth and prosperity our community is experiencing.

In times when there is a downturn in the markets and the value of your investments decline, it easy to let your emotions overtake your judgment and give you the impulse to sell.

Last week we discussed the advantages of income splitting with a family members in a lower marginal tax bracket to reduce tax and the attribution rules under the Income Tax Act that need to be cons

Income splitting is simply moving income from an individual in a higher tax bracket to someone in a lower tax bracket to reduce overall tax liability.

A big obstacle to your financial independence could be too much debt. If too much of your budget goes to debt service, it leaves very little for the things you want, or investing for the future.

A wide-screen TV might entice you. A tropical beach might beckon. But if you can resist the temptations, there are ways to get a bigger bang for your tax refund buck.

With only a couple of months until the winter holidays, it’s hard not to think about vacation.

While financial situations vary from person to person, there are several financial items which can be universal to all Canadians.
 

Finding out what financial planning means to you requires an analysis of your financial situation.

In the federal budget introduced on February 26, 2008 the Finance Minister proposed a tax-free savings account starting in 2009.

Are your investments out of sync with your goals? How can you tell? A lot depends on the time frame you’re talking about.

The Home Buyers’ Plan allows individuals and their spouses to “borrow’ up to $20,000 each from their RRSPs to use towards the purchase of a home.

Watching the news, you’ll see that the doom and gloom is even more prevalent than usual, with the stock market riding like a roller coaster, free falling one day only to rally the next.

A post-secondary education is one important gift that we can give our children, but it is anything but free.

If you want a secure financial future without compromising your values, you may be a socially responsible investor.

Well, a segregated fund is explained in easiest terms as a mutual fund run through a life insurance company. Similar to a mutual fund, investors contribute capital that is used to purchase the type of investments specified in the fund’s Information Folder (similar to a prospectus used for mutual funds). Therefore, there are various types of equity, bond, and cash based segregated funds.

Let’s talk about something you may not want to think about: preparing a will. Talking about death can be uncomfortable and even frightening.

Major life events bring changes that often call for a review of your financial plan.

Everyone wants to pay less tax.