ARTICLES BY CATEGORY: Helping dependents
-
Intergenerational Transfer of Wealth Using the First Home Savings Account
By Debbie Saleem on 11 Jan 2024
If you own a home, you may have assumed that the new First Home Savings Account (FHSA) is of no use to you. But have you considered using it as a tool to transfer a portion of your wealth to an adult child or grandchild?
-
Financial Challenges in Adversity – A Case Study
By Alain Quennec on 13 Oct 2023
Todd, an engineer, and Margo, a part-time daycare worker, are 54 years old, live in Vancouver, and have two adult children.
-
Case Study: Life Insurance in Retirement – Helping Adult Children Equitably
By Tara Ennevor on 12 Jan 2023
How can you help an adult child in need now and ensure any other children are treated equally?
-
How to Cultivate Gratitude in Kids
By Dr. Deborah MacNamara on 21 Jul 2019
We can give our children a lot – from material possessions, to our time and energy. In return, we often desire or expect expressions of gratitude from them, but this doesn’t always happen.
-
Looking for graduation Ideas this Spring? Why not give the Gift of a Financial Plan?
By Vera Vlaovich on 26 Jan 2018
With spring just around the corner, parents may be wondering what memorable gift may be appropriate for their graduating daughter and/or son.
-
Q and A: How long can I contribute to an RESP? And how long can I collect the CESG on behalf of my child?
Posted on 03 Jul 2017
Generally speaking, you can contribute to a family plan as long as the beneficiaries are less than 31 years of age at the time of contribution.
-
A New ‘New Year’s Resolution’ – Talking to your Kids about Money
Posted on 02 Jan 2017
A New Year is underway and some of us have already broken our New Year’s resolutions…
-
What's Right When Things Go Wrong?
By Brett Simpson on 03 Oct 2016
There are some risks that we take purely for the fun of it: skinny-dipping, roller coasters, even alcohol consumption. These risks range from fairly benign to potentially catastrophic.
-
Q and A: How can I find out how much I have contributed to the RESP of each of my children and how much of the CESG they have received?
Posted on 01 Jul 2016
To get this information, you, as the subscriber for the RESPs, will need to call the Canada Education Savings Program (CESP) toll-free line at 1-888-276-3624, between the hours of 8am and 5pm (ET), Monday to Friday.
-
How I plan to Accumulate $100,000 for my Child's Post-Secondary Education
By Linson Chen on 01 Jul 2016
My wife and I are expecting our first child this August. As new parents to be, we are spending a lot of time analyzing our finances and are doing a lot of planning to ensure that we are well prepared.
-
BC Provincial Budget 2016
By Anne Hammond on 01 Apr 2016
On February 16th, the BC government did the first reading of its 2016 provincial budget. As always, there is both good and bad news for BC residents, depending on their personal situations. Here are some of the highlights.
-
Financial Literacy: Talking to our Children about Money
By Vera Vlaovich on 01 Jan 2016
Teaching our children about money and how to handle it can oftentimes be a difficult topic for many parents.
-
The Miracle of Life Insurance
Posted on 01 Apr 2015
People may not want life insurance, but they do want what life insurance can provide.
-
The Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)
By John Hale on 01 Apr 2015
A question faced by loved ones who care for family members that suffer from disabilities is, “How will I protect them once I am gone?”
-
Benefits for Families in British Columbia
By Chris Eynon on 01 Apr 2015
The federal government announced a new tax credit that they are referring to as the Family Tax Cut.
-
Case Study: Registered Disability Savings Plan
By John Hale on 30 Dec 2014
Recently, one of my clients explained that their adult son had suffered from mental illness since he was a late teen and they wanted my advice on how they could help him secure his financial future.
-
Case Study: Guaranteed Income for Life
Posted on 28 Dec 2014
I’d like to introduce you to Jane. Jane is very aware that two of her children could really use a little extra boost financially and she wants to ensure that, upon her death, they will receive as much as possible.
-
Your Estate Planning, Taking a Second Look
By Anne Hammond on 01 Oct 2014
On February 16th, the BC government did the first reading of its 2016 provincial budget. As always, there is both good and bad news for BC residents, depending on their personal situations. Here are some of the highlights.
-
Why a Corporate Executor can make Sense
By Teresa Black Hughes on 01 Oct 2014
The role of an executor is an important job and a serious responsibility. The executor must manage and dispose of estate assets, file tax returns, and tend to a variety of other tasks to wrap up the deceased’s affairs.
-
Horizons Retirement Report 2014
By Clay Gillespie on 01 Jul 2014
Every year, we commission a survey (conducted by Concerto Research) to explore what Canadians are thinking and feeling as they approach retirement.
-
Q and A: Can you explain BC-specific children RESP grants?
Posted on 01 Apr 2014
Yes, the BC Training and Education Savings Grant was introduced this year. It is meant to help families start planning and saving early for education beyond high school.
-
Securing Your Children's Future
By Chris Eynon on 01 Jan 2014
My wife and I had a baby boy on August 5, 2011. He just turned two and shares his birthday with his grandmother Ann. Liam is my first child and my wife Rita’s second.
-
What is an RESP and Why Should I have One?
By Reg Sangha on 15 Jan 2024
As the parent of two teenagers, I think I have a good idea of what it costs to raise them. Over time, costs transition from diapers and new clothes as they continuously outgrow them, to paying for activities and increased food consumpt
-
Five Ways Students Can Save Money
Posted on 17 Sep 2021
September means students are heading back to class. Every dollar counts when you’re a student – here are five tips on stretching that cash.
-
The Power of Compounding
By Daniel Sitar on 15 Apr 2021
According to Albert Einstein, “compound interest is the most powerful force in the universe.”
-
Are Your Kids Financially Savvy Enough to Move Out?
Posted on 12 Mar 2021
You’ve raised them, educated them, and now your adult “kids” are on the verge of moving out. But before they leave the nest there’s one more important lesson to pass on – how to manage their finances!
-
Informal Trusts
By Christian White on 20 Feb 2019
Informal trusts, or ITFs, are a tax-efficient way to provide a savings plan for a minor child. These accounts can be used for funding future education, protecting an inheritance or, as is often the case...
-
The Benefits of Student Credit Cards
By Debbie Saleem on 19 Nov 2018
When my oldest son turned 19 last year, he was very surprised when I insisted that he apply for his first credit card – a student credit card with a low limit and no annual fee. He happily obliged!
-
Have You Registered For B.C. PharmaCare?
By John Hale on 14 Sep 2017
We are fortunate to have a publicly-funded health care system that ensures that all eligible B.C. residents have access to medically-necessary health care services through the province’s Medical Services Plan (MSP). However, you might
-
Don’t Overlook a Guarantee of 20%, ever
By Christian White on 23 Jan 2017
When a child is a resident of Canada and receives a permanent social insurance number, they instantly qualify for Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) benefits.
-
Is Your Daughter or Son off to University/College this Fall?
By Vera Vlaovich on 18 Jul 2016
September will soon be upon us and with ‘back to school’, your daughter or son may be entering their first year of university/college. Often, this transition is full of angst for both young adults and parents alike particularly if the
-
Canada Child Benefit – How will it affect my family?
Posted on 14 Jun 2016
There were many changes in this year’s Federal Budget and Canadians families should pay attention specifically to the new Canada Child Benefit (CCB). Starting July 2016, this will replace both the former Universal Child Care Benefit (
-
The BC Training and Education Savings Grant
By Jon Knutson on 14 Oct 2015
In February 2013, the BC government announced that any BC resident with an RESP for a child born on or after Jan. 1, 2007, may apply for a one-time grant of $1,200 between the child’s sixth and seventh birthday. Two years have passed
-
Change happens
By Brett Simpson on 16 Feb 2015
For most people “financial independence” is a goal. Achieving it relies on gradually converting our “Human Capital” capacity to work, through savings, into a lifelong cash flow. Having financial security or freedom of choice, means hav
-
A Lifetime Gift for your Grandchildren
Posted on 18 Jul 2014
If you are a grandparent wishing to provide an asset for your grandchildren without compromising your own financial security, you may want to consider an estate planning application known as “Cascading Life Insurance” that will generat
-
Registered Disability Savings Plan
By John Hale on 30 Dec 2014
Recently, one of my clients explained that their adult son had suffered from mental illness since he was a late teen and they wanted my advice on how they could help him secure his financial future.
-
Guaranteed Income for Life
Posted on 28 Dec 2014
I’d like to introduce you to Jane. Jane is very aware that two of her children could really use a little extra boost financially and she wants to ensure that, upon her death, they will receive as much as possible.
-
Benefits/Disability and Compassionate Care Information
Government of Canada information regarding persons and/or children with disabilities, and compassionate care leave.