by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Jan 29, 2012 | All About Tax, Retirement
Q: I am turning 60 next year. Should I apply for CPP now or wait until I am 65? A: It sounds like you realize that electing to receive CPP prior to age 65 means that your monthly pension will be less than if you waited until age 65 to apply. There is no simple answer...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Jan 9, 2012 | Cash Flow Concerns, We Think You Might Enjoy...
Effective January 5th, 2012 students in Ontario are getting a financial boost from the provincial government. Students in a university or college degree program will save $1,600, while students in college diploma and certificate programs will save $730. These amounts...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Nov 21, 2011 | Cash Flow Concerns
Royal Bank’s latest housing survey found that one-third of Canadians who are 55 or older have at least 16 years left on their mortgage term. That reality doesn’t line up with the average Canadian’s desire to be mortgage free by age 65. The survey was picked up by the...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Oct 16, 2011 | Cash Flow Concerns
With interest rates at historical lows, the majority of Canadians with mortgages, lines of credit or conventional loans are making the minimum payments required by their bank or credit union. This is a mistake. When interest rates are low, more of your payments can go...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Sep 16, 2011 | All About Investing, Cash Flow Concerns
Yesterday, CNBC interviewed the President of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Christine Lagarde on Europe’s fiscal problems. You can see the interview here. It is well worth 8 minutes of your time. In our view, resolution of the debt problems in Europe will take...