Financial Planning for the Single Person

“This whole notion of marriage is out of date.” Maybe. Or maybe this whole notion of marrying for love is out of date. Let’s bring back arranged marriages. Do you think that is farfetched? Although in decline, the practice of arranging meetings between prospective spouses,...

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An Executor’s Checklist

An Honour? Many people may regard being named an executor as an honour. There is a sense that your appointment in the will means that you are trustworthy and competent to complete the task.   However, while someone named to the role of executor should indeed be trustworthy...

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Ten Ideas for Your Tax Refund

After the cloudy days of preparing and filing your tax return, many Canadians look forward to the silver lining of a tax refund. Last year I wrote about The Problem with Tax Refunds, arguing that rather than a benefit, refunds represent an interest-free loan to...

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A Primer on Estate Planning for Canadians

Introduction Estate planning involves preparing for the tasks that must be undertaken in the event of your death or incapacity. While death is inevitable regardless of your preparation or lack thereof, preparation in the form of a well-considered will can make life for your survivors much...

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Do the RRIF Rules Need to be Changed?

“Industry organizations are calling on the federal government to raise the age at which RRSPs must be converted to RRIFs and to reduce the annual RRIF minimum withdrawal rates.” “Industry groups call for changes to RRIF rules,” by Rudy Mezzetta, Advisor’s Edge, March 13, 2023   What is...

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Legitimate Tax Reduction Opportunities

With the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contribution deadline for 2022 coming up soon and the personal income tax filing deadline close behind, most Canadian adults are focused on this annual task.   I am a financial planner, not a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), so I do...

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