by YWD Inc. | Dec 10, 2012 | All About Tax, We Think You Might Enjoy...
The spirit of the holiday season inspires charitable giving. Whether it is dropping a few coins in the Salvation Army bucket, helping out at a local food bank, or by donating funds in lieu of gifts, it really is the season of giving. Here at Caring for Clients, in...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Jul 23, 2012 | All About Investing, All About Tax, Retirement
These days many Canadians are accepting career opportunities that take them to the United States for a number of years during which they accumulate assets in a U.S. retirement savings plan. Upon returning to Canada, it is possible to transfer the US retirement plan...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Feb 5, 2012 | All About Tax
TurboTax is finding ways to make tax filing easy and affordable. I just discovered a couple of discounts being offered when using their online tax preparation software. For Manulife Financial customers: This tax season, Manulife Financial is again offering customers...
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...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Sep 5, 2011 | All About Investing, All About Tax
Every once in a while I come across an investor who was convinced to borrow money and invest the loan proceeds. This was presented to them as a smart way to build their net worth and reduce their tax bill at the same time. There are a number of financial organizations...
by Rona Birenbaum BAS CFP®, CHFS | Aug 23, 2011 | All About Investing, Risk Management
I subscribe to one daily blog, and it is the one written by Seth Godin. Seth is a wonderful thought leader on all things business. He posted a second blog on August 23 following an earthquake in Virginia that measured 5.9 on the Richter Scale. Please replace the word...
