UPotential is a fee-for-service financial planner – meaning that our compensation is based on a transparent, pre-established rate agreed upon before our engagements begin. We do not receive any compensation from, and do not offer, the sale of any investment or insurance related products/services. As a UPotential customer you will be under no obligation to utilize any particular investment or insurance product/service to action any of the plans we create. If you wish to engage the services of ETF Capital Management – a registered portfolio manager – you should be aware (and will be made aware at the time) that UPotential is under common ownership. Our goal is to help you get the most out of your money – so we will act always in the best interests of our clients, with full transparency, and in a manner which aligns our interests accordingly.
Let’s Talk About Taxes
Our tax reporting deadline is fast approaching. Proactive tax planning is far better than scrambling to enact a tax planning strategy retroactively.
When More Is Less: Rethinking Financial Health
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.
Started a side hustle in 2020? Newly self-employed? Here’s what you can claim to reduce your taxes
“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”…
Detailed vs. Flat Rate: New way to claim work-from-home costs gives workers options
“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”…
A Retirement Readiness Checklist
“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”…
(Not So Well Known) RRSP Strategies
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.
Does More Money Really Make Us More Happy?
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!
Burning Questions: Will Canadians spend their mountain of saved cash to rescue the economy?
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
New Tax Break Expanded for Most Canadians Working from Home
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
Ten Money Insights Distilled Over 25 Years
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