More than 1.3 million women and almost 350,000 men become widowed in Canada every year.    Losing a spouse unleashes a deluge of financial tasks that can be daunting, even if the survivor was actively involved in the financial matters before…

Earlier this week I attended a Women’s Advisor Conference hosted by Manulife Financial. It was a fabulous event; educational and insightful, but the best part was being surrounded by intelligent, like-minded women. Many women today must balance several priorities: career,…

With soaring inflation and interest rates on the rise, many Canadians are concerned about their day-to-day cash flow. When looking at your personal finances remember it is not just about the math; your emotions, psychology and behavior play a significant…

Every time you turn on the computer or listen to the news these days, it’s all bad news for stocks, bonds, and the housing market. Everything being reported focuses on how much prices are down from their peak levels. However,…

    Summer is finally here, after a long winter many Canadians are itching to get away. As an incentive for Ontarians to travel within the province the Ontario Government has introduce the Ontario Staycation Tax credit, here is a…

When a TFSA account holder dies, the tax implications may vary depending on who is named as beneficiary, the type of TFSA, if the value of the account increases after death, and how long it takes to distribute the assets.…

Well needless to say, it has been an ugly start to the year. Thursday May 5th was the 54th worst day in the U.S. stock market since 1995. There have been other ugly days, Sept. 17, 2001, the day the…

The CRA reported that more than 362,000 Canadians under the age of 49 who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit have not opened and taken advantage of a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP); this has left billions of dollars in…

It’s hard to believe my mom has been residing in an Assisted Living Retirement Community for almost three years. She loves it, her days include socializing, exercise, and various group activities.  As a planner, I have always known the importance…

Filing you taxes on time is always a good idea even if you expect to receive a refund.  But if you are scrambling this weekend to get them done, here are a few tips: 1.  This year the tax deadline…