Blog

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

By Kelsey Penty 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

By David Baker 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

By Nick Hearne 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.

Protecting Your Greatest Asset

By Cecilia Tsang on 19 Apr 2016

Most of us want to protect the things that we have worked so hard to acquire. We make sure that we have home insurance to protect our homes and car insurance to protect our cars. Every time we purchase an electronic item, we are aske

Why Pessimism Is So Attractive

By Alain Quennec on 15 Mar 2016

Markets have gone through some ups and downs in the last decade, and this has caused many investors to be worried and pessimistic about the future. Throughout history, people have been apprehensive about times yet to come.

Making that RRSP contribution before the deadline

By Shaun Sun on 16 Feb 2016

So, you haven’t fully ‘topped-up’ your RRSP? There’s still time to make a contribution and have it count towards reducing your taxable income earned in 2015, if you do so before February 29th. Here are some things to consider before

What is critical illness insurance and how can it help you?

By Brian McGuire on 26 Jan 2016

In 1960, life expectancy in Canada was 71.13 years old, today it is over 80. While we may like to think we are living longer because we are healthier than our parents and grandparents were, the reality is that medical advances have dra

How will the new Federal Government impact your finances?

By Mark Neufeld on 15 Dec 2015

Changes are coming with the new Federal government. Not all the details are known yet, but here is a brief summary of some of the changes that may impact your finances:

Financial Planning Week in Canada

By Linson Chen on 18 Nov 2015

November 15 – 21st is the 7th annual Financial Planning Week in Canada. This is part of an ongoing effort to promote financial well-being and raise the awareness of engaging in financial planning with a qualified professional.

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

Invest in your health

Posted on 16 Sep 2015

If you are a regular reader of our blog, I think it is safe to assume that you are a person who is interested in your financial future. It is widely accepted that, if we want to have enough money for retirement, we need to start savin

Why Use A Mortgage Broker?

By Cory Hill on 17 Aug 2015

Today, we recommend that our clients enlist the services of mortgage brokers when buying property or renewing their mortgages. Gone are the days of automatically renewing one's mortgage or leveraging a long-standing relationship with

RRIF withdrawal rates

By Chris Eynon on 15 Jun 2015

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

What’s so great about a Tax Free Savings Account?

By Anne Hammond on 13 Jan 2015

When the Canadian government first introduced the Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), it was most often used as a regular bank savings account where the interest was not taxed. But it can be so much more useful than that:

Changes to the RRIF Minimum

Posted on 17 Dec 2014

In the year you turn age 71, you must convert your RRSP funds to a RRIF, annuity, or cash out. Converted to a RRIF, the plan must pay out a minimum of 7.38% of the value on January 1st.

Financial Planning – more exciting than you’d think

Posted on 18 Nov 2014

November is Financial Literacy Month and the week of November 16th–22nd is hailed as Financial Planning Week. Prominent not-for-profit organizations, Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC) and the Institut québécois de planificat

How Much Risk Can You Tolerate? Part 3 of 3

Posted on 09 Oct 2014

Over the past two months we have examined some of the risks that challenge most of us. It is almost impossible to avoid risk entirely. Knowing where the pitfalls lie and planning for them will certainly help.

How Much Risk Can You Tolerate? Part 2 of 3

Posted on 16 Sep 2014

Last month, we discussed how much risk you could tolerate depending on your life situation. This month, we consider other risks to which each of us are exposed:

How Much Risk Can You Tolerate? Part 1 of 3

Posted on 13 Aug 2014

Will Rogers, the American humorist, when talking about the investment schemes in North America at the time, said, “I am less concerned with the return on my money, than I am with the return of my money”. Will was aware of the truth tha