Our tax reporting deadline is fast approaching. Proactive tax planning is far better than scrambling to enact a tax planning strategy retroactively.

A few years ago, there was a campaign to improve adolescent mental health called “Dear 16-yer old me”. You may recall that this campaign revolved around the reassurance we could give our hormone-crazed, moody selves that life would be more manageable one day.

“RRSP season” in Canada is the first 60 days of the calendar year when advisors focus on the tax-planning benefits of contributing to RRSPs. The deadline is nearly upon us and I would like to suggest that we pivot the conversation to “Retirement Readiness”…

“RRSP season” in Canada is the first 60 days of the calendar year when advisors focus on the tax-planning benefits of contributing to RRSPs. The deadline is nearly upon us and I would like to suggest that we pivot the conversation to “Retirement Readiness”…

“RRSP season” in Canada is the first 60 days of the calendar year when advisors focus on the tax-planning benefits of contributing to RRSPs. The deadline is nearly upon us and I would like to suggest that we pivot the conversation to “Retirement Readiness”…

RRSP contributions are one of the most-worthwhile tax planning strategies available to Canadians. As you may know, contributions reduce your taxable income for the year; yielding a refund of the taxes that were withheld at source.

This article describes ways in which we can direct our dollars and our attitudes towards greater life satisfaction; which, after all, is truly the UPotential way!

Calculating your affordable lifestyle may be the single most difficult aspect of personal finance. Prior to the pandemic, Canadians had record levels of household debt. Lately, Canadians have become world-leaders in saving. Which way will the pendulum sway when we can finally resume shopping, travelling, dining and spending normally again?

Join me on Tuesday, January 19th for a webinar which will help you to calculate your household’s affordable lifestyle and implement a reasonable savings strategy in real time so that when the economy opens up, you can be confident in the lifestyle that you can afford to enjoy.

 

 

Click here to read the full article on The Financial Post

Months ago, I suggested that individuals obtain a T2200 (Declaration of Conditions of Employment form) from their employers in order to claim some of the same deductions that self-employed persons do. The Canada Revenue Agency answered my prayers by providing a default deduction of $2 per day (up to a maximum of $400) that requires no back-up documentation and a streamlined form for those who might be eligible for a more robust deduction.

 

Click here to read the full article on The Toronto Star

Over the last 9 months, Canadians have become world-leaders in saving. This is a nice contrast to the record high household debt-to-earnings ratios that were so prominently written about not even a year ago. However, the new emphasis on saving might simply reflect the absence of opportunities to spend rather than a true sea-change in people’s personal financial habits. This would mean that our pent-up demand could manifest as tremendous spending when restrictions are lifted. This article gives a terrific outline of how to use this unusual (and hopefully never to be repeated) period to reset your personal financial situation and set yourself up for success.

 

Click here to read the full article on The Globe and Mail