Blog

What are the major risks when planning your retirement?

By Clay Gillespie on 14 Aug 2019

The Basics of REITs

By Daniel Sitar on 15 May 2019

Nearly 70% of Canadians own the property they live in. These individuals have a significant investment in residential real estate in the form of their home.

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...

A Few Financial Resolutions for the New Year

By Anne Hammond on 24 Dec 2018

Once all the Christmas dinners are done, the guests have gone home, the Boxing Day shopping is done, our new purchases are safely home, and the house is quiet as we wait to bring in the New Year, our thoughts often begin to turn toward

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!

Cherry and Pumpkin Pie – A Legacy Recipe

By Patrick McGuire on 10 Oct 2018

​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

Sequence of Returns Risk

By Nick Hearne on 17 Sep 2018

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.

Inflation Rises To 2.5% In June…The Highest Since 2012

By Vera Vlaovich on 25 Jul 2018

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.

Reaching Our Goals

By Cecilia Tsang on 15 May 2018

Recently I was sick after coming back on from a trip. This was the first time my husband and I traveled together without the children and I was looking forward to spending quality time with them upon my return.

Holiday conversations…

By Mark Neufeld on 19 Dec 2017

As we approach the holiday season, you’ll hopefully find some time to spend with family and/or friends. Many conversations will be had and some may be about that overdone turkey and some may even be about the investment markets.

What is responsible investing

By Linson Chen on 03 Dec 2017

Responsible investing (also known as ethical investing and socially responsible investing) is growing in popularity as more investors are seeking to align their portfolios with their values.

How to Succeed at Retirement

Posted on 17 Nov 2017

Don't simply retire from something; have something to retire to. ~Harry Emerson Fosdick

Currency Impact on Portfolios

By Jon Knutson on 24 Oct 2017

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.

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

Alphabet Soup

By Chris Eynon on 15 Aug 2017

When my mom was an advisor at Rogers Group Financial, I always marveled at all the letters after her name on her business card. Unlike many people, however, I knew what they represented in regards to the work involved in attaining the

Sometimes Old Habits Require New Thinking

By Brett Simpson on 19 Jul 2017

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!).

Not for Profit – An Abundance of Opportunity

By Teresa Black Hughes on 16 May 2017

Many of us are involved in our communities with not-for-profit and charitable organizations. Passion moves us to serving and giving to organizations that make a difference in other people’s lives. Just as a financial plan makes a diff

The Ultimate Currency

Posted on 20 Apr 2017

What is the ultimate currency? Is it money? Canadian dollars or U.S. dollars? Is it gold or real estate? No, the ultimate currency is not a tangible asset at all. You can’t save time. You can only spend it… Benjamin Hoff, The Tao

Taking the Emotion Out of Investing

By Stefano Pannu on 17 Mar 2017

As financial advisors, a big part of our job is to guide and steer investors in the right direction when it comes to portfolio management. The goal of a typical investor, and this may come as a shock to you, is to generate a consisten

Income Splitting 101

By Bryn Hamilton on 17 Feb 2017

If you or your partner receive qualified pension income, the federal government’s pension income-splitting provisions could mean extra money in your pocket when you file your income tax returns.

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.

Taking Stock and Making Resolutions

By Anne Hammond on 15 Dec 2016

As the year draws to a close… if you’re like me, you may be looking back over the year – considering what worked, what didn’t, and what you might like to do differently or focus on next year.

Less Time Shopping, More Time Planning

By Patrick McGuire on 17 Oct 2016

We haven’t hit Halloween yet, but I have already seen Christmas decorations at Costco.

Beneficiary Designations – benefits and considerations

Posted on 21 Sep 2016

Individuals have the option to designate beneficiaries directly on assets such as registered plans, investment and insurance products and annuities. Electing this option results in the proceeds of an asset to by-pass the estate and flo

The Brexit Irony

By Bryson Milley on 24 Aug 2016

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

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 (

Current Life Expectancy Numbers

By Walker Mooney on 25 May 2016

In Canada, as in many countries around the world, our life expectancy continues to increase. In B.C., these rates are the highest of all the province— just slightly higher than the Canadian average.