Mother’s Day 2022 inspired me to write this blog post on some of the financial aspects of being a mother. Women who take time out of their careers to become mothers often find that they are held back, or pressure is placed on them to cut...
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When I was a teenager, some of my acquaintances dropped out of high school. In B.C., where I grew up, the rule was that you had to be at least 16 years old to make that choice. I suspect that far fewer make that choice...
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In my student days, I remember an ethics professor saying something to the effect of, “That which is not prohibited is permitted.” Of course, one pithy sentence does not exactly provide the full range of nuance that was elaborated on over the semesters that I...
Read MoreIn years gone by, many people sought a job that would provide the proverbial “gold-plated” pension plan, by which was meant a defined benefit pension, what one might refer to as a “true” pension. That is, once you retired, you would get guaranteed, possibly inflation-protected,...
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As sure as the snow will inevitably melt away in the spring, so will a portion of our income as it is paid to the Canada Revenue Agency. Many employed people will have overpaid their income taxes in the course of the year and are...
Read More“Why not both?” This is the answer the wife gives to her husband when he asks whether they should install an indoor or an outdoor hot tub. Perhaps you recall that commercial from one of the major providers of reverse mortgages in Canada. While the...
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As I wrote on my website, one of the major reasons I began to work in financial planning is because I saw multiple DIY portfolios that were not founded on any rational approach to investment planning. Many seemed to view investing as a variation on...
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If you are like my family, you will have some relatives who have moved to the United States for work. This is a topic of mind for me right now because my wife and I just returned from a visit to some of those relatives....
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For some households, an inheritance can make a significant difference in their financial lives. Finally, a home can be purchased, or a mortgage or other debts paid off, or woefully inadequate RRSPs and other accounts for retirement can be fully funded. Married couples manage their finances...
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You have been diligently saving for your retirement in your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). However, after surveying your finances, needs, and opportunities, you decide that you need to withdraw some money from your RRSP. The RRSP is, as the name indicates, a savings plan. You...
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