by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Oct 21, 2015 | All About Investing, Musings, We Think You Might Enjoy...
Recently, the Globe and Mail created a tool for investors to compare if they are paying more or less for advice than other investors who complete the questionnaire do. Fee transparency is important, and it got us thinking that how advisors spend those fees is also...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Sep 10, 2015 | All About Investing, Risk Management
If you have been watching the news lately you will be well aware that the major stock market indices have declined from their highs from earlier this year. This may have you scrutinizing your portfolio performance more often than usual. So, it is timely to share...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Jul 27, 2015 | All About Investing, Risk Management
Following several years of above average equity market returns, it is time to take a step back and reset our expectations for returns over the next 5 to 10 years. This is because investor expectations for future returns are typically based on their recent...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Jul 21, 2015 | All About Investing, All About Tax
Increased benefits begin at the end of this month. The UCCB was increased to $160 per month for each child under the age of six. The UCCB was expanded to children aged 6 through 17. Parents will receive a benefit of up to $60 per month for each child in their care...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | May 11, 2015 | All About Investing, Risk Management
A new client recently said, “My relationship with money is changing. I didn’t think it would happen so quickly”. We all have a relationship with money. It guides our decisions and can define how we experience life. Do you see yourself in these four money...
by Guest Blogger | May 4, 2015 | All About Investing, Musings, Retirement
By: Ian Mucignat, CFA Customer loyalty to one’s bank of choice has historically been very Canadian. We love our banks. “This is my bank; surely they’ll return the love.” Canadians are starting to take off the rose coloured glasses and see the banks for what they truly...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Apr 28, 2015 | All About Investing, Cash Flow Concerns, Retirement
We are often asked the question whether it makes more sense to make extra mortgage payments or top of retirement savings when there is extra cash flow. This question is coming up more often these days given the low borrowing rates and recent great returns in the...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Apr 8, 2015 | All About Investing, For Business Owners
You applied for an insurance policy (life, disability, critical illness or long term care) and your agent advised you that “there is good news and bad news”. The good news is you got approved for coverage. The bad news is that the insurance company has rated the...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Mar 30, 2015 | All About Investing, Retirement, Risk Management
Most retirees have several sources of retirement income. The largest contributor to this income is typically a portfolio of investments. Retirees spend decades savings for the future and trying to maximize returns to build the largest possible nest egg. When investors...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Feb 1, 2015 | Estate Matters
It used to be enough for an estate trustee (executor) to provide the Ontario government with their own calculation of the value of an estate when filing for letters probate. Provincial probate fees are assessed on the estate value and equal $250 for the first $50,000...
