Managing the ‘known unknowns’

According to a June 2016 study, Canadian baby boomers will inherit some $750 billion over the next decade.1 This represents the largest intergenerational wealth transfer in Canadian history, and it underlines the importance of estate planning. Without effective planning, much of that wealth may not go where its owners want.

Strength in unity – the benefits of consolidation

You wouldn’t check the air in just one of your tires. And yet, holding investments in a variety of different accounts under different organizations is very much like that. Just because one account seems to be doing fine, doesn’t mean the others are. Or, that they couldn’t all be doing better if they were actually calibrated to work in tandem.

Sidestep these biases to improve investment returns

We all have biases – inclinations, preferences and preconceived ideas that sometimes steer us in the wrong direction. Some biases affect investment decisions and can have a negative impact on investment returns. However, being aware of your biases can help you avoid them.

Professional advice: A winning combination for managing risk

When we think of risk, we tend to focus on the possibility of losing money in the markets. But every investment has its risks. Even investments that seem completely safe like Guaranteed Investment Certificates (GICs) come with some risk — notably; will they keep pace with the cost of living?

Insurance and your family

Major life events bring changes that often call for a review of your financial plan. When your income increases, you're about to borrow for a new home or car, move to a new job, enter a marriage or your family grows, there's more on your mind than your insurance coverage.

Resetting expectations for retirement

As you get older, your investment focus should change from building wealth to preserving what you’ve accumulated – especially as you near retirement.

Dealing with Capital Gains Taxes

Capital gains can do wonders for the growth of your investment portfolio. The trouble? When you put money to work outside of a registered plan such as an RRSP or TFSA, odds are you’ll have to share your good fortune through capital gains tax.

Investing When You're Retired

Retirement brings fresh challenges for your portfolio. It's less about accumulating assets and more about how to best leverage the nest egg you've worked hard to build. The good news is it's a lot easier once you put the right pieces in place, starting with a sound investment plan.

DIY Investor? There’s Logic in Partnering with an Advisor

Sharing the challenge of managing your money can make you a better investor

When you’re investing on your own, it can be tough to get everything right – especially as your wealth grows or your affairs become more complex. That’s why having a little help along the way can move you closer to your goals, with less worry.

Here's what to consider before you decide.

Downsizing: Opportunity or Trap?

Is it time to downsize your home? That's a question sure to surface once the kids leave or the upkeep becomes more than you bargained for.

A move to a smaller abode can do wonders for your finances and your lifestyle. But not always. The trick is to look past the dollar signs alone so you make the right choices.

Is Paying Down Debt Always the Best Move?

In an era of rock-bottom interest rates, is putting debt reduction ahead of other key goals like saving for retirement or your children’s education the best move?

Whether to pay down debt or invest can be a complicated decision that often goes beyond the numbers. Here’s what to consider before you choose.

Here's what to consider before you decide.

Helping Aging Parents: Why it's Smart to Plan Ahead

Your parents. They watched you take your first steps and guided you with a steady hand. The irony? Some day they’ll be the ones needing your help.

It’s an awkward role reversal. Odds are you’ll underestimate the commitment involved, physically, emotionally, perhaps even financially. That’s why it’s wise to prepare now, before declining health or a crisis limits their options or forces you into difficult decisions.

Here's what to consider before you decide.

Should You Take CPP Early?

There’s nothing that says you must begin collecting CPP at age 65. Wait until 70 and you’ll enjoy a monthly benefit that’s more than double what you receive at 60. Then again, taking CPP early, even with the smaller payments, can make sense for any number of reasons.

Investing? Focus on What You Can Control

When investing, there's no shortage of elements which are out of your control, whether it's the state of the economy, the direction of financial markets, interest rates or inflation.

The trouble starts when you spend too much time trying to anticipate how the world will unfold, instead of taking charge of your investments. Creating a sound plan centred on what you can control, so you're not left just hoping for the best, gives you a leg up on achieving your goals.

Injury and Illness: Surviving the Financial Fallout

No one likes to think about it, but disability and serious illness are a fact of life. The numbers speak for themselves. According to figures from Sun Life, 45% of Canadians have experienced a serious health issue or accident. Of those, half report feeling the impact financially.

When misfortune strikes, long-term disability and critical illness protection can mean the difference between protecting your financial health and losing it altogether.