In the world of financial planning, we match the investment product with the purpose and intention for the funds being used.
This article stems from real conversations I have had with some of my valued clients: “I have been thinking about my legacy. Now that I’ve sold my home, I have been thinking about what to do with the funds."
The Greater Vancouver Food Bank is experiencing unprecedented demand in their 40th anniversary year. Here’s how organizations can provide support at this critical time.
Buying a home can be a challenge for many Canadians. Fluctuations in home prices, along with increased interest costs play a huge part in a first-time homebuyer’s ability to afford a home.
Nostradamus does not work on Wall Street (it would be nice if he did!). The idea that the best investment managers have a crystal ball is not accurate.
When I first started working in the financial planning profession, I had no idea what it was all about.
In The Financialist from January 2023, you asked for “any stories, fond memories, or photos you would like to share,” so here goes...
The BCIT Financial Planning Diploma provides students with industry relevant skills and training to help prepare them to start fulfilling careers.
Tax filing season is here and is probably at least in the back of your mind.
How can you help an adult child in need now and ensure any other children are treated equally?
Given the high inflation we have all experienced over the last 12 months, it comes as no surprise that many household budgets are being pushed to their limit.
Fear can literally kill you. Fear is an incredibly destructive force in the human psyche. Fear comes from the Latin word periculum, which means “peril.”
To help you organize for the upcoming tax season, here is some pertinent information regarding estimated tax receipt mailing dates.
You have excess cash that is accumulating in your corporation that you do not need for personal or business purposes.
If you own stocks in your investment portfolio – either directly or through mutual funds or exchanged traded funds – you are a part owner in multiple businesses.
I am Rusty Johnson and I’m the Pitmaster/Head Chef of Rusty’s BBQ! I am a competition cook who specializes in live fire cooking.
I have spent my entire 39-year career (and counting…) helping people who seek advice on how to plan financially for a future of security and choice.
A couple of questions we commonly get asked are “What is a life annuity?” and “Should I consider a life annuity in my situation?”
In the past, business program pundits, market analysts, and other “market experts” were routinely featured on various television and radio programs, and quoted in print media to share their opinions on investing.
Despite the long, cold, and often challenging spring weather, Canadians across the country are highly engaged in beautifying their homes, both indoors and out.
Often when clients are approaching retirement, we get the question, “Should I defer Old Age Security (OAS) or automatically take it at 65?”
Many of you of have undoubtedly heard the saying from Benjamin Franklin in 1789, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” He was not the first to utter those words nor will he be the last.
Over the past few months, there has been a growing rumble of conversation about inflation. Most people know what inflation is but understanding the root cause of inflation can be something different.
Robin Esrock is the bestselling author of The Great Canadian Bucket List. You can follow him at robinesrock.com or visit canadianbucketlist.com
On April 7, the Liberal government published the new Canadian Budget. Some of the items were expected and some expected anticipated items were not included.
“Retirement” – the word represents many things these days. It could be a lifestyle full of travel and adventures, or perhaps a transition to volunteer work...
Called the Great Resignation, since the pandemic, employees are leaving the workplace/workforce or switching jobs in droves.
Clutter is everywhere. If we can get it under control, we can create a lot of harmony in our lives.
To help you organize for the upcoming tax season, here is some pertinent information regarding estimated tax receipt mailing dates.
The investment world is based on decisions humans make regarding money every day – some decisions lead to positive outcomes, and others have negative results.
When we think about the value of the Canadian dollar (CAD) in relation to other currencies, our first thought is often our buying power when we travel abroad.
I love to share memories of my journey and the recipes that I’ve learned along the way.
I hope settling into a back-to-school “routine” has been going well for parents and students everywhere
While Canadian real estate prices have soared, so has the cost of maintaining a home. Fortunately, there is a government program to help defer one of the costs associated with home ownership.
There’s an old investment joke that goes, “Do investors care more about the return on their investment or the return of their investment?” We want growth plus our original investment back to us, don’t we?
On May 13, 2021, I was delighted to join RGF advisors and clients for their second virtual event where I discussed the ideas covered in my first book, Your Digital Undertaker– Exploring Death in the Digital Age in Canada.
Our conscious mind likes to create “boxes” that we use to organize the world around us. These boxes are often created through our upbringing and the influence of our parents, peers, society, and the media.
You’ve met with your advisor and are delighted to find out that you’re financially on track to retire within the new few years.
It can be difficult not to jump into these high-flying stocks that we see day to day in the media.
Container gardening has grown exponentially, especially now with today’s new realities of smaller-space gardens and patio lifestyles.
As I reflect on the past 12 months since this global pandemic was officially declared, there is one phrase (other than pivot), I think we’ve all heard many times…
As we look back at 2020, many would like to erase it from the books and start over! This is occasionally the sentiment at the start of a new year, but even more so now.
The arrival of COVID-19 vaccines is providing a sense of hope for the eventual end to the global pandemic.
Since 1987, when the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) first introduced flexible retirement pension start dates, this has been one of the most common questions that I get asked...
As the saying goes, money cannot buy happiness. However, having confidence in your financial decisions and your ability to reach your long-term objectives results in security and peace of mind
Financial engineering is the term used to describe an institution’s innovation in security design.
When we are young, we don’t know what we don’t know!
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.
Recently, my nephew and I went out for lunch to celebrate his acceptance to the University of Victoria. I would like to share some of the financial advice I passed on to him.
My father has been a passionate sailor for most of his life. In his twenties, he sailed from Victoria to Maui and in recent years, he has competed in several long-distance races.
While investing is an important aspect of the job, good financial advisors will distinguish themselves through the advice and the service aspect of the relationship.
While there have been many changes to our world over the last three months, one of the relatively surprising consistencies has been mortgage qualification.
As investors, we have all seen what effect market volatility has on the value of one’s portfolio.
Estate planning is the process of arranging one’s affairs while minimizing administrative burdens, costs, and income tax upon death.
One of my favourite magazines is the long-standing Reader's Digest, because they share great stories about people and their lives.
When my wife and I met with our advisor, Bryson, our chat turned to his recent Yukon trip, which caused flashbacks to our time in Atlin, BC.
The Canadian federal government has taken unprecedented action to address the financial impacts of COVID-19.
One of life’s most exciting and scary things is change. With 2020 upon us, many of us are making resolutions, creating vision boards, and writing down our goals for the coming year. These all require an openness to change.
What does it mean to create a financial plan? And why is it important to do so?
How can we do the most for the causes we love? It starts by changing some common misconceptions. There are myths we’ve been taught to believe about the charitable sector that are actually undermining the causes we love.
To help you organize for the upcoming tax season, here is some pertinent information regarding estimated tax receipt mailing dates.
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..
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 Mainl
Knowing the tricks of the travel trade could save you money and hassle the next time you take a trip. There are plenty, but here are a few of my favorites to consider before your next trip.
Employers guarantee a specific retirement benefit for each employee who participates in their defined benefit pension plan.
On Saturday, August 24th and Sunday, August 25th, the Market Cycles of RGF Integrated Wealth Management took part in their 11th straight Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation.
All three professionals help people navigate a journey to their desired destination.
We at RGF Integrated Wealth Management are pleased to welcome Brent Vandekerckhove and his assistant, Kayla Schmiler, as the new members of our firm.
The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is 10 years old this year. The TFSA has been a very powerful tool in tax planning and optimization planning (such as ensuring OAS clawback is minimized) in the ten years since it began.
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.
One of the goals of a well-constructed portfolio is to reduce the overall risk witout sacrificing return. This is partly achieved through diversification, a concept many people understand as ‘not putting all your eggs into one basket’.
Biases can both help and hinder. However, too much of any one thing can have a negative effect on your portfolio’s return.
As financial advisors, we make investment recommendations for your portfolio that are based on many factors, including your risk tolerance, investment objectives and your time horizon.
Scientists anticipate that the first person who will live to 200 has already been born.
I’ve had the privilege and honor to work with many clients transitioning to retirement over my nearly 20-year career in financial services.
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.
For the purposes of this piece, we will be focusing on managed money and, in particular, mutual funds. An investment advisor who chooses investment funds on behalf of a client is implementing what’s called Overlay Money Management.&nbs
My initial conversation with the client had been friendly, but brief. He gave me most of the relevant details unprompted and had obviously done some research on what might be expected during the divorce process.
To help you organize for the upcoming tax season, here is some pertinent information regarding estimated tax receipt mailing dates.
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.
In the past 10+ years, Vancouver homeowners have enjoyed significant increases in property values. In some cases, property values have increased 2x and 3x
On Saturday August 25th and Sunday August 26th, the Market Cycles of RGF Integrated Wealth Management took part in their 10th straight Ride to Conquer Cancer benefiting the BC Cancer Foundation.
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,
According to the 2017 Responsible Investment Association (RIA) Investor Opinion Survey, a majority (77%) of Canadian investors are interested in responsible investing (RI) yet they know little or nothing about it.
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.
Let’s look at a quick scenario we typically come across as financial planners working with pensioners. You are about 5 years away from retirement.
I had a pastor many years ago who often said, “If it weren't for people…”.
Life expectancy is one of the most misunderstood aspects of retirement income planning - yet, it is one of the most important factors.
‘Water is the new fire’ says the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
BC Finance Minister Carole James has released the NDP’s first full budget. The Finance Minister said that the intent is to “include historic investments in child care and affordable housing that will be felt for generations”.
We have changed our name to RGF Integrated Wealth Management.
At this time of year, we are all accustomed to looking back at the year that has gone by. Today, I would like to suggest that we look ahead to 2018.
“Isn't it nice to think that tomorrow is a new day with no mistakes in it yet?"
With spring just around the corner, parents may be wondering what memorable gift may be appropriate for their graduating daughter and/or son.
On Saturday, August 26th and 27th, our RGF team, the Market Cycles took part in the 2017 Ride to Conquer Cancer – our ninth in as many years.
Do you ever find that you can rationalize putting off important responsibilities because they may be painful or cause discomfort?
Everyone has different goals and expectations for their retirement. Likewise, everyone has a different level of financial resources they can use to achieve these goals.
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..
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).
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 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...
If you’ve had to obtain a mortgage to purchase a home or condo, you will have noticed the number of times insurance was discussed.
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?
Answer: One of the major implications for you will be that you will no longer be able to split pension or RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund) income on your income tax returns.
Yes, you can have more than one Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), with different institutions.
The Federal Budget was delivered in Parliament on March 22, 2017. From a tax perspective, it could be referred to as “The Budget That Wasn’t”.
You’ve saved long and hard for many years. You’ve made sacrifices and put your long-term needs ahead of your current desires for that vacation, the newer car or upgrading the kitchen.
You’ve made the decision to purchase a new vehicle, and now you must ask yourself – should I lease or should I buy? This is a question that we come across time and again with our clients.
If you are seeking a new mortgage, or have a mortgage that is coming up for renewal soon, then this article is for you.
A New Year is underway and some of us have already broken our New Year’s resolutions…
The idea of a tax deduction against your taxable income and the refund it generates is a very attractive idea to many. That vacation we had been thinking about all year is finally afford- able knowing we have that nice chunk of money c
Canadian mutual funds can take the legal form of a trust or corporation. While most funds are structured as mutual fund trusts, some are structured as mutual fund corporations. The latter are also known as corporate class funds.
If your business depends on your ability to actively generate income, your absence due to disability can have a significant impact on your financial well-being.
On Saturday August 27th and 28th our team, the Market Cycles, of Rogers Group Financial took part in the 2016 Ride to Conquer Cancer – our eighth in as many years.
I have been actively involved with charitable organizations for the past 19 years, but I have been charitably-minded my whole life.
It's no secret that today's low interest rate environment poses a real challenge for Canadian.
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.
Individuals have the option to designate beneficiaries directly on assets such as registered plans, insurance policies and annuities.
A good place to start would be to register to access your information with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) online.
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.
In 1987, the Royal Canadian Mint produced a small, gold-colored coin (actually, it is currently made of steel with brass plating) to replace our paper one dollar bill.
We are pleased to present the results of the 2016 Horizons Retirement Report. This report summarizes the dreams, fears, hopes and challenges of Canadians planning to retire within the next 3 to 7 years.
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.
If you are looking to purchase a home, you should discuss your options with your Rogers Group Financial advisor.
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.
Almost forty years ago in 1977, personal computers made their entrance into our lives as “microcomputers” and in 1980, as “home computers” intended for the non-technical user.
A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is a financial planning tool which is widely used by Canadians. A common assumption is that the funds in this account should not be touched until that glorious era of your life – retirement.
One of the most regular questions I’m asked by retiring clients is, “How do we manage our investments once we’re retired?”
Teaching our children about money and how to handle it can oftentimes be a difficult topic for many parents.
By definition, passive investing is best described as an investment strategy that tracks a market-weighted index or portfolio.
Take a moment to think back to the day you got your first job. At that time, you likely had minimal financial assets and no real estate...
On August 29th and 30th, our team, the Market Cycles, took part in the 7th annual Ride to Conquer Cancer. A total of 2,087 riders helped raise $8.4 million for the BC Cancer Foundation.
Earlier this year, the investment firm Vanguard released the results of a major study attempting to quantify the value of financial advice to investors.
Ann and Will loved to socialize. Every Friday night, 52 weeks a year, their many friends went to their home to gather for coffee and appies.
Many of our clients are concerned about what life will look like during their retirement years. For this reason, we started our retirement survey five years ago to explore what Canadians are thinking as they approach retirement.
As Canadians, we have one of the best healthcare systems in the world—but that doesn’t mean your provincial government provides you with all the healthcare coverage you need.
If you hold securities with Rogers Group Investment Advisors, you will have received a notice detailing the change to our new Carrying Broker.
People may not want life insurance, but they do want what life insurance can provide.
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?”
The federal government announced a new tax credit that they are referring to as the Family Tax Cut.
Cash gifts are the most common way to donate to a charity. It’s a simple way to give and it provides you with a tax credit, but it may not be the most tax-efficient way to donate.
The tax return is the traffic circle where assets, income, and life come together. The trouble is that February through April are hectic times for tax preparers and tax payors, and little time may be taken to review...
Don and Jane Smith are the proud and loving parents of 2 children age 15 and 16. At a meeting with their accountant, one of the topics of concern for the family is the large health costs...
Many of my clients are single and/or widowed. I recently was working with one of my long-term clients in regard to her estate plan. She is a widow and holds significant non-registered investments of roughly $2,600,000.
Over the past 30 to 40 years, investment management styles and techniques have changed quite a bit.
With the RRSP deadline fast approaching (the deadline for the 2014 tax year is March 2nd, 2015), I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some insight on the rules of the road for RRSPs.
On the training day for my first job as a dishwasher, I was told to imagine I was a business owner. “The better your business washes dishes,” I was told, “the more money your business will make.”
An RESP combines flexibility, tax-deferred investment growth and direct government assistance to help you reach your education savings goals for your children or grandchildren.
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.
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.
Philanthropy often conjures up images of people with vast wealth and power; names such as Andrew Carnegie, John Rockefeller and Bill Gates often come to mind.
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.
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.
There are a few different institutions that provide deposit insurance, depending on the type of deposit you have.
Over five years ago, my now ex-husband and I agreed to separate. At the onset of this decision, it all seemed seamless and easy, but we were two people coming from different places at different stages in our lives.
During your working life, you may have had one or two sources of income with limited ability to manage the timing of cash flows.
One of the fables I remember repeated numerous times during grade school was Aesop’s tale of the ant and the grasshopper.
Every year, we commission a survey (conducted by Concerto Research) to explore what Canadians are thinking and feeling as they approach retirement.
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.
Recently, there was a study done by Princeton’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering on, of all things, the life cycles of social media.
When you require income from your RRSP, a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) may be appropriate for you.
Like most Canadians, I spent many hours in front of the television this February, eyes glued to the spectacular Olympic Games.
Is your portfolio the result of your goals (or lack thereof)?
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.
If an investment you're interested in has the characteristics of one of the five warning signs below—it’s okay to say ‘no’.
Many of our clients use Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) as one of the pillars of their wealth building strategy. An RRSP is a type of retirement savings plan that is registered with the Canada Revenue Agency.
If you own a small business and are tired of paying medical and dental bills for you and your family with personal after-tax dollars, you should investigate a little-known section of the Income Tax Act.
Most investors leave the choice of selection of individual stocks and bonds to a dedicated professional team whose full-time efforts are dedicated to that task.
On June 15th and 16th, our team, the Market Cycles, (twelve individuals from the firm and twelve friends of the firm) took part in the 5th annual ride to Conquer Cancer
In the 1991 movie “City Slickers”, Curly (Jack Palance) asks Mitch (Billy Crystal): “Do you know what the secret to life is?”
The oldest “official” living person in the world is now 115 years old, although there was a recent unofficial report of a 127- year- old lady in China.
Have you ever thought of the concept of immortality?
In our profession, we have the privilege of getting to know clients really well over many years
We’ve just completed the 2013 edition of the Horizons Retirement Report. This survey is done with Canadians who are approaching retirement.
Now that RRSP season is over and many of you have filed your income tax returns, it’s a good time to take a step back and review your estate plan.
Many of our clients who operate a small business or professional practice in law, medicine, real estate, or accounting will be incorporated.
Women are often personally connected to the object and process of learning. Their sense of identity, self-esteem, social world and power affect how they learn.
Tax free savings accounts (TFSAs) were originally introduced by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to allow Canadians over 18 to accumulate savings in a tax-sheltered vehicle throughout their lifetimes.
RRSPs were introduced in 1957 by the federal government to encourage Canadians to save for retirement.
Giving to charity is a strong tradition in Canada. Canadian tax filers reported making charitable donations of just under $8.3 billion in 2010, up 6.5% from 2009.
Rogers Group Financial was founded in 1973 by Jim Rogers, so we are about to celebrate our 40th year in business!
After a nearly 2-year battle with cancer, Ken Hawley, the Chairman of RGF Integrated Wealth Management (formerly Rogers Group Financial) a 40-year veteran of the financial advisory business, passed away on Monday, May 17th, at the age
Join our mailing list to receive future updates of new content on our site.
To schedule a no obligation introductory call with us, please complete this short set of questions so that we can get in touch with you.
Please select a desired date and time within the next 30 days for the introductory call.
Please select a date from the calendar.
Please select a date from the calendar.
Please select a date and time.Selected Date: Not Available Time: N/A
Thank you for contacting
RGF Integrated Wealth Management.
We will be calling you at .
You will receive an email confirming the details of your upcoming meeting.