In the News
Get every new post delivered right to your inbox
Reverse mortgage, downsizing or HELOC? The best way to boost your retirement income
They say home equity is a form of long-term forced savings. After all, while your bank will be pretty unimpressed if you skip a mortgage payment, no one will really notice if you stop your RRSP transfers.
Renata Ford faces growing cash crunch as she pursues Premier Doug Ford in court, records show
Widow of former Toronto mayor Rob Ford has taken out a 2nd mortgage on family home — at 12.5% interest. “No earned income and ever increasing debt at unbelievably dizzying interest rates is actually a recipe for financial disaster,” said Rona Birenbaum, a Toronto-based financial planner.
The Gold Standard Interview
The Golden Girl Finance, the financial voice for women, interviews Rona Birenbaum.
Will Robo-Planners Replace Financial Planners
With 27 years of experience in the industry, today’s guest Rona Birenbaum explains the importance of technology in the financial services field, as well as how financial planners can stay relevant through all the changes.
The Low Down-Are High Returns from Equity at Risk?
According to a 2016 McKinsey report, investors may need to start lowering their expectations due to anticipated diminished returns. So, what to do? Spend less?
Why robo-advisers are starting to lose clients back to humans
Robo-advisers are still a financial industry newcomer, but they’ve been around long enough to start losing clients who were unhappy with their experience. Financial planner Rona Birenbaum recently took on someone who moved some money from a full-service brokerage firm to a robo-firm, and then was disappointed not to get financial planning in addition to investment management. “This person wanted a consolidated approach and to speak to real people,” Ms. Birenbaum said.
How financial advisors do their own planning
I’m a fee-only planner who does her own plan, as well as those of other advisors. I apply the same processes and rigour to my own plan as I do to clients’.
Three strategies for corporations with the new postbudget rules
Given that earning up to $50,000 of annual passive investment income will not be punitive, strategies that minimize income generated on a corporately owned investment portfolio, while still growing the capital are increasingly important.
Is the Multi-Advisor Approach Best for You?
For many investors, diversification is key – a mix of equities, fixed income and cash based on your risk appetite. But when it comes to investment advice, does the same approach hold true?
How ultimatum from advisor can help vulnerable seniors
Advisors should be prepared to lose an account in order to protect vulnerable seniors from fraud or being taken advantage of by unscrupulous family members.
Rona Birenbaum, financial planner and founder of Caring for Clients, has first-hand experience of dealing with wealthy seniors who suffer from cognitive decline and impaired decision-making.
