Financial Planning Archives

Financial Planning for Business Owners: Tax Planning Strategies for Personal and Small Business Investments

Post published:May 12, 2022

Tax-efficient investing for corporate and taxable assets - how to keep more of the investment income you earn. There are plenty of perks to being your own boss, including the ability to build up tangible assets to invest in your personal portfolio, your corporate accounts, or both. But if you are a small- to mid-sized Canada-controlled private corporation (CCPC) owner, how do you know if you’re managing your personal and corporation investments as tax-efficiently as possible? Let’s take a look at that today.

Investment Fads and Other Destructive Behaviours

Post published:April 14, 2022

Chasing Investment Performance Results in Far More Losers than Winners Would you like to improve your investment game? Counterintuitively, you don’t necessarily need to master more fancy moves; it may be a more powerful play to simply reduce your biggest investment mistakes. It’s those false moves that usually cost you the most gained ground.

Investing During Wartime: How Does the Geopolitical Climate Impact Your Financial Planning?

Post published:March 30, 2022

Most of us are asking important questions about this geopolitical crisis. By no means do our financial concerns detract from the greater, human toll. That said, if I can help you remain resolute as the world justifiably severs Russia’s access to capital markets and the global economy, perhaps we can both do our part to restore justice in Ukraine. So, let’s talk about geopolitics and investing during wartime. Here are my key takeaways:

Understanding Inflation, Interest Rates, and Market Reaction

Post published:March 7, 2022

Most investors understand or perhaps accept the fact that they are not able to time stock markets (sell out before they go down or buy in before they advance). The simple rationale is that stock markets are forward looking by anticipating or “pricing in” future expectations. While the screaming negative headlines may capture attention, stock markets are looking out to what may happen well into the future. It is easy to understand why we might be scared about the recent headline inflation numbers and concerned about rising interest. It is very important to keep this in context, which is what we will address today.

Accelerating Your Legacy Planning by Gifting In Advance

Post published:January 25, 2022

Instead of your excess wealth being distributed after you die, you may find even greater value in giving some of it away while you’re still around. Properly managed, making gifts and charitable donations while you’re alive can offer solid tax-saving benefits to you and your estate financial planning. In particular, targeted charitable giving can be a powerful tool for business owners and similar professionals who are approaching retirement and facing high-tax events, such as selling their business, or exercising highly appreciated stock options. As importantly, it can be incredibly rewarding to witness the results of your generosity. Don’t underestimate the value this intangible benefit can add to your life and legacy planning.

2021 Year-End Insights from An Independent Financial Advisor

Post published:January 11, 2022

Yet another year of your careful financial planning process has been disrupted by the pandemic – or has it?
These uncertain times have impacted our work, life, mental health, and financial security. However, if you have been reading my blog posts this year (and even further back), you will likely know the key to weather market storms: setting goals, making plans, and maintaining a focus on ongoing financial planning, without jumping off course as a result of ever-volatile markets (and world events).
Let’s look back at some of the most popular blogs of 2021 featuring this independent financial advisor’s musings…

Behavioural Finance Focus: Cost Savings Tips to Attain Financial Freedom

Post published:November 22, 2021

As a personal financial advisor, I am often asked about “the secret” to attaining financial freedom. You are among the few drivers you have much control over. One great way to sharpen your financial acumen is by combining behavioural finance with an evidence-based perspective. By recognizing and understanding the basics of behavioural finance, you can fight those financial urges and focus on an evidence-based approach to wealth management. Are you ready to change your financial behaviour, uncover cost savings, and significantly improve your chance of reaching those long-term financial goals?

Retirement Planning for Gen Xers: Build Wealth and Retire Happy

Post published:October 15, 2021

Family financial planning: focusing on your short-term and long-term financial goals. Are you a Gen Xer? Not quite a baby boomer, but too, ahem, mature to be a millennial? If you are in your 40s to mid-50s, your family financial planning has probably been on a wild ride lately. You may be wondering if you’ll ever get to retire with any wealth left to spend.

Retirement Planning for Baby Boomers: Getting Ready to Retire Comfortably

Post published:September 21, 2021

Are you a baby boomer with retirement planning on your mind? If you’re among the surge of citizens born in a large urban center like Toronto and across North America during the 20ish years after World War II, you may be noticing a different sort of booming sound lately. Search the Internet for “Retirement Planning Toronto” and you’re likely to see a lot of fear out there, along with plenty of headline-grabbing stats on how ill-prepared many boomers are to retire. Following are some of the most frequent topics of conversation I’ve found key to achieving your short- and long-term financial goals in retirement.

Small Business Tax Planning: How Revised Corporate Passive Income Rules Impact Your Corporate Tax Planning

Post published:August 19, 2021

Proactive business owners can manage corporate investments and income for optimal tax efficiency. As a small business owner, you no doubt have active interests in your bottom line. That’s why it’s worth knowing about some recent changes to the tax treatments on corporate passive income.