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I’m getting close to retirement. What changes should I make to my portfolio to get ready?
Before you hit retirement, make sure you have enough funds in low-volatility investments, such as government bonds and GICs, says certified financial planner Rona Birenbaum.
Can financial planners adjust to parents giving kids their inheritance early to buy homes?
Early inheritances and familial gifts are now making up a growing part of Canadian first- time homebuyers’ down payments, as parents dip into their savings and assets to help adult children get into an increasingly out-of-reach housing market. And that is showing up in financial planners’ offices across the country, prompting a shift in how they advise their clients.
The pros and cons of buying life insurance when you’re older, which portfolio assets you should spend first in retirement and some advice on converting an RRSP
Life insurance isn’t usually top of mind for Canadian retirees focused on generating income from their investment portfolios. Yet certain types of life insurance can play an important role in the lives of older Canadians.
Here’s the income you need to afford rent in major Canadian cities
With the average home price in Canada hitting a record $748,450 in January, Canadians in many parts of the country may find the math of buying versus renting makes for a compelling argument in favour of renting. But another part of the renting equation is likely stumping a growing share of tenants: the comparison between market rents and their own incomes.
How advisors are helping pandemic-era entrepreneurs navigate their new financial realities
About two million Canadians started businesses since the start of the pandemic, according to a report Intuit Quickbooks Canada released last year, and that number has surely grown since then. Yet, many of these new entrepreneurs who are meeting with their financial advisors for help on how to navigate their newfound ventures have little past business experience.
Advisors need to ‘dust off the old inflationary playbook’ as rising costs rattle clients
Rising inflation is forcing some advisors to have difficult conversations with clients about their spending habits and whether they should make adjustments to their financial plans. The inflation and interest-rate landscapes are “shifting dramatically,” wrote BMO Capital Markets economists in a Nov. 19 report.
How advisors are helping clients tap into RRSPs tax efficiently amid COVID-19
Advisors say withdrawing from an RRSP early is not something clients should panic about, but they should do this cautiously with other measures in place. As some Canadians looked to make ends meet during the pandemic, accessing extra funds may have meant tapping into savings.
How to say no to adult children who ask for money
It’s always hard to say ‘no’ to your kids, from when they’re little and want one more bedtime story to when they’re adults looking for help to pay the rent, buy a car or purchase their first home. With less job stability, the rising cost of living and skyrocketing rent and housing prices, it’s no wonder so many millennials and Gen Z adults are turning to the ‘bank of mom and dad’ for financial support.
Job-hopping your way to better pay
If your paycheque needs a little oomph, now may be the time to look for a new gig. Changing jobs is always a chance to ratchet up your compensation, but the current labour market may be a historical opportunity to net a big pay bump.
Is private school the right financial decision for your family?
When it comes to deciding whether or not private school is the right choice for your child, parents may be overwhelmed by the financial considerations. Financial experts say that the smart way to evaluate this choice is to look at it from a holistic and long-term perspective.
