ARTICLES BY CATEGORY: helping-dependents
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Case Study: Thoughtful Planning for RESP Contributions
By Nick Hearne on 30 Jan 2026
Jack and Jill are excited to welcome their granddaughter, Kate, to the family and would like to set aside funds to help her with future post-secondary education costs. They plan to contribute the lifetime maximum of $50,000 to a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) for Kate and currently have this cash available. An RESP is … Case Study: Thoughtful Planning for RESP Contributions
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Smart Wealth Transfer to Adult Children: Using FHSAs, TFSAs, and RESPs
By Cecilia Tsang on 30 Jan 2026
For many families, supporting the next generation is a core financial value. Parents and grandparents often want to help their adult children (or grandchildren) get ahead, whether that means saving for a first home, investing early for long-term growth, or reducing the burden of education costs. The challenge? Doing so strategically, tax-efficiently, and without triggering … Smart Wealth Transfer to Adult Children: Using FHSAs, TFSAs, and RESPs
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Feeling the Squeeze
By Mark Neufeld on 23 Oct 2025
If you’re supporting both aging parents and dependent children, you’re part of the “sandwich generation”– typically adults in their 40s to 60s who find themselves caring for loved ones on both ends of the age spectrum. It’s a demanding and often overwhelming phase of life. But with the right strategies, you can manage the pressure … Feeling the Squeeze
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Buyer Beware – Group RESPs and Scholarship Trust Plans
By Kayla Schmiler on 02 May 2024
Group RESPs and Scholarship Trust Plans should not be mistaken for a traditional education savings plan. Great care should be taken when you are investigating your education plan options. Group Registered Education Savings Plans, which are a type of Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) that is managed as a Scholarship Trust Plan (STP), have emerged … Buyer Beware – Group RESPs and Scholarship Trust Plans
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Case Study – The Family Cottage
By Anne Hammond on 02 May 2024
As the days get longer, we look ahead to summer vacations and time with loved ones. For Dana, this means more time at her family cottage in the Gulf Islands.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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Q and A: How long can I contribute to an RESP? And how long can I collect the CESG on behalf of my child?
By 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.
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A New ‘New Year’s Resolution’ – Talking to your Kids about Money
By on 02 Jan 2017
A New Year is underway and some of us have already broken our New Year’s resolutions…
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What’s Right When Things Go Wrong?
By Brett A. 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.
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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?
By 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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The Miracle of Life Insurance
By on 01 Apr 2015
People may not want life insurance, but they do want what life insurance can provide.
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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?”
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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.
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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.
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Case Study: Guaranteed Income for Life
By 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Q and A: Can you explain BC-specific children RESP grants?
By 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.
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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.
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RDSP Basecamp: Learning the Basics of an RDSP and How It Can Help You
By Ryan Gee on 13 Jan 2026
Sometimes I ask myself, “Are our clients utilizing all the savings plans offered by our government?” For example, one type of government savings plan is the RDSP or Registered Disability Savings Plan. It is a long-term plan designed to help individuals (i.e. beneficiaries) with disabilities and their families to save for the future. To qualify … RDSP Basecamp: Learning the Basics of an RDSP and How It Can Help You
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More People Qualify for The Disability Tax Credit Than You Think
By Jon Knutson on 14 Aug 2024
Over the years, we have come across many clients who were unaware that they, or their loved ones, might qualify for the disability tax credit (DTC).
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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 consumption in their teenage years.
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Five Ways Students Can Save Money
By 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.
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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.”
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Are Your Kids Financially Savvy Enough to Move Out?
By 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!
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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…
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The Benefits of Student Credit Cards
By Debbie Saleem on 20 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!
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A Lifetime Gift for your Grandchildren
By on 20 Dec 2017
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 generate:
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Change happens
By Brett A. Simpson on 20 Dec 2017
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 having an income, independent of government, employer and family, throughout our lifetime.
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The BC Training and Education Savings Grant
By Jon Knutson on 20 Dec 2017
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 since then, as it has taken the government time to develop the applications, and for Financial Institutions to obtain approval to offer the grant.
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Canada Child Benefit – How will it affect my family?
By on 20 Dec 2017
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 (UCCB) and the Canada Child Tax Benefit (CCTB).
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Is Your Daughter or Son off to University/College this Fall?
By Vera Vlaovich on 20 Dec 2017
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 student will attend an out-of-town university. The move includes living in a dorm, making new friends, adjusting to their new studies and most importantly— it may be their first experience of living away from home.
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Don’t Overlook a Guarantee of 20%, ever
By Christian White on 20 Dec 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.
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Have You Registered For B.C. PharmaCare?
By John Hale on 20 Dec 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 not be aware that the province also covers eligible prescription medications, medical supplies, and pharmacy services through the PharmaCare program.
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Benefits/Disability and Compassionate Care Information
Government of Canada information regarding persons and/or children with disabilities, and compassionate care leave.