As a financial advisor, one of my favorite things is growing with my clients and having a front row seat to their life's successes. Over the years, we share great conversations and together find ways to achieve the optimal financial balance of planning for tomorrow while enjoying life today.
As a financial advisor, one of my favorite things is growing with my clients and having a front row seat to their life's successes. Over the years, we share great conversations and together find ways to achieve the optimal financial balance of planning for tomorrow while enjoying life today.
As a financial advisor, one of my favorite things is growing with my clients and having a front row seat to their life's successes. Over the years, we share great conversations and together find ways to achieve the optimal financial balance of planning for tomorrow while enjoying life today.
As a second generation financial advisor, I was exposed to the financial industry at an early age and began working in the financial planning industry in 1993, after graduating from Simon Fraser University. I started my practice in 1995, acquired my Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation in 2000, and joined RGF Integrated Wealth Management in 2003. In recent years, I have been invited to speak and participate in numerous industry organizations, both in Canada and internationally. More close to home, I have been a member of RGF’s Board of Directors since 2010.
North Vancouver is my home with my wife, Barbie, and 3 teenaged kids, Grace, Charlotte, and Morgan. Away from the office, in the summer you may find me on Keats Island, on the golf course, or on a bike… and with skis or hockey skates on my feet in the winter.
BA (Simon Fraser University)
CFP (Certified Financial Planner)
CIM (Chartered Investment Manager)
FCSI (Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute)
The looming US election is obviously a really hot topic right now, and it has led to a lot of questions about how it will affect the investment markets.
The looming US election is obviously a really hot topic right now, and it has led to a lot of questions about how it will affect the investment markets.
First and foremost…Do not panic! I know it can be easier said than done, especially with the latest news cycle. But here are some points to help you to relax and take this latest round of market volatility in stride...
As we begin 2020, it’s interesting to look back at the previous year. In the end, 2019 ended being one of the best years for Canadian investors in the past decade.
This past week I attended a financial planning conference where one of the presenters asked us to think back in our past to what events affected how we view and work with money.
The school year is now officially well in motion, and for those with children in grade 12, I’m sure there are regular conversations about post-secondary schooling…where to go, what classes to take, etc..
The school year just finished and if you have a child in university, you are already planning for September!
The first quarter of 2019 saw the opposite of the negative numbers that we experienced in the last quarter of 2018.
Safe to say, from an investment perspective, 2018 was a roller-coaster!
Has a true stock market correction begun? Ask me in 12-24 months and I'll give you the right answer! Yes, this is a bit of a "smart" answer!
Having now crossed the half-way mark of 2018, it is interesting to look back at the first 6 months in an effort to gain perspective of what the rest of the year may bring.
Over the last few months, a number of clients have asked me what I think of the cryptocurrencies, and if they should be considering getting involved. There is no doubt that cryptocurrency, block chain, and Bitcoin have received a large amount attention in the media and around the water cooler.
When I first started in this profession, I thought I had a good idea of what it meant to be a financial advisor. An advisor had to develop a strong understanding of the investment world, become reasonably well-versed in the tax rules...
There was no shortage of news and opinions about the Brexit vote this past June. And while it made for good political theatre, I couldn’t help but wonder what the people on the ground really felt about it. As luck would have it, the vote happened on June 23rd, and my family and I landed in London on June 27th.
One of the most regular questions I’m asked by retiring clients is, “How do we manage our investments once we’re retired?”
While leading retirement seminars for pre-retiring professionals over the past 10 years, I have observed diverse levels of readiness, attitude, and concern toward this major work/life transition.
Planning for what happens after you die is something most people don’t really enjoy, but it is an integral part of financial planning. One of the most common ways to plan is by drawing up a will.
What does it mean to create a financial plan? And why is it important to do so?
Managing risk is something we do in many aspects of our lives. When I give seminars on financial planning, I like to ask the audience what they think their biggest asset is. Most will answer their home, especially in the Lower Mainland.
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...
Love isn’t in the big gestures. It’s in the small details – the everyday minutiae of the lives of people that we care for.
After thirty-five years of financial advising, I would like to share some insights I’ve recognized as important ingredients in effective integrated wealth management.
Is that will of yours looking a little worn and tattered or perhaps you don’t have a will at all?If the answer is yes, you are not alone.
I love pie! The invitation for family Thanksgiving Dinner came via text: the menu included a cherry & pumpkin pie. I began to imagine the texture and taste of this interesting blend of favourites, eager to try this new
Most investors understand that to achieve their long-term target rate of return, they will need to accept some volatility in the short and medium term.
Statistics Canada recently reported that Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.5% in June. In addition, consumer prices grew faster than in the previous six years.
Today, many of us have fragmented relationships with our financial institutions. Gone are the days when we would head to our local bank branch to take care of our monthly bills, deposits,withdrawals and update our bank books,
As you make decisions regarding your estate and succession planning, you want to ensure that your final wishes will be upheld and withstand judicial scrutiny.
Life expectancy is one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement income planning - yet, it is one of the most important factors.
Managing risk is something we do in many aspects of our lives. When I give seminars on financial planning, I like to ask the audience what they think their biggest asset is. Most will answer their home, especially in the Lower Mainland.
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...
Love isn’t in the big gestures. It’s in the small details – the everyday minutiae of the lives of people that we care for.
After thirty-five years of financial advising, I would like to share some insights I’ve recognized as important ingredients in effective integrated wealth management.
Statistics Canada recently reported that Canada’s annual inflation rate rose to 2.5% in June. In addition, consumer prices grew faster than in the previous six years.
Today, many of us have fragmented relationships with our financial institutions. Gone are the days when we would head to our local bank branch to take care of our monthly bills, deposits,withdrawals and update our bank books,
Over the last 5 months, the Canadian dollar has risen substantially versus the US dollar (an approximate 13% increase). This is good news for shopping across the line, but bad news for the US dollar exposure within our portfolios.
Do you ever find that you can rationalize putting off important responsibilities because they may be painful or cause discomfort?
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 not be aware that the province also covers eligible prescription medications, medical supplies, and pharmacy services through the PharmaCare program.
Credit can be an extremely useful financial tool or a slippery slope to financial malpractice. Each of us must choose wisely how we manage our credit capacity (or lack thereof!).
A life annuity is a financial vehicle that allows you to exchange a lump sum of capital for a guaranteed income for as long as you live (or you and your spouse or partner lives).
A strong awareness and understanding of your personal finances is an integral part of the financial planning process. This holds true regardless of your phase in the financial life cycle.
Louise is retiring soon, and it just dawned on her that she isn’t clear what’s going to happen to her cash flow after the regular paycheques stop coming in. I find this a great source of concern among the nearly-retired...
Just last week, a good friend of mine told me that his bank account had been compromised. He received several PayPal withdrawals that he didn’t authorize and thousands of his funds were gone.
If you had a goose that laid golden eggs, which is worth more: the eggs already in your basket or those yet to come? What value do you put on the goose?
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My goal for you is you will know where your money is going, why it is going there, and what the end result is intended to be. When these things are known, generally money-related stress is relieved and there are no sleepless nights because of money.
You will need to compile certain documents and information to bring with you to our Discovery Meeting.
