Blogs
We know stuff. Lot’s of stuff. So, we thought, why not share it?
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It has become our daily obsession to supply you with interesting (aka not boring) snippets of knowledge that will provide you with insight to help make your day a little easier. We’re positive, passionate people who are serious about creating an experience and sharing knowledge with you that’s unlike any personal finance company you’ve ever used. We hope it shows.
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Individual vs. Group Health Insurance
When it comes to individual and group health insurance, there are some key differences working Canadians should be aware of. Which one is better?
We’re Not Out of the Woods
A few short weeks ago, strategists and market observers published their annual outlooks. Almost universally, they were cautious by predicting that 2023 would be a tough year for investors. However, as January ended with one of the strongest monthly returns we have seen in years, the biggest question on everyone’s mind is: what is fact, and what is fiction? Did everything really get that much better over the last few weeks, or was that simply a technical short-cover rally?
New year, new trends – Canadian markets in 2023
The Fed and the BoC (Bank of Canada) have stated they will not be price makers, but rather focus on restoring price stability. This will be seen through the coming up announcements. BoC set to make its next rate announcement on January 25th, and The Fed on February...
Health Plans – Get cracked before year end
You earned it … possibly this year more than any other. Take a moment for yourself and have those tired, stress-absorbent shoulders massaged, get that neck kink worked out, and brighten that smile. If you have a health and dental plan this is your friendly reminder to...
Beneficiary Designations – Making Sure Your Money Goes Where You Want
We work hard all of our lives. This hard work allows us to afford a home, maybe splurge on a few vacations, save a few dollars and when we pass, transfer our wealth to those we love, whether they be immediate family or a specified individual(s). Normally, this...
What are the investment fees in Canada?
If you are working with a financial advisor (whether of the human or the robo variety), you can be sure they are getting paid for the advice. Investment fees and other charges are simply a part of investing. Investment firms or registered investment...
Health Spending Accounts Explained
Traditional health and dental accounts simply don’t work for everyone. A growing and popular trend in group benefits is giving employees more options on how they can use their benefit dollars. An health spending account (HSA) is an effective way to enhance a...
Life Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions covering how much coverage do I need, what are the different types of life insurance, and more.
The Fed’s impact on the balanced portfolio
The Federal Reserve has made it clear in recent months, in both words and action, that reining in runaway inflation is its top priority. Unfortunately, the Fed's series of interest rate hikes have not been helpful for the traditional balanced portfolio, hurting both...
The Stock Market Is a Curious Thing
The stock market is a curious thing. With both stocks and bond prices down this year, investors may wonder whether the principles of a diversified portfolio can still hold up. The first six months of 2022 saw the TSX down 18%, the S&P dropped 24% and Canadian...
Guide to Recessions: 9 key things you need to know
How bad will the next recession be? That’s one of the questions we hear most often, especially now as the U.S. Federal Reserve aggressively hikes interest rates to rein in inflation at 40-year highs. It seems clear to us that the U.S. will enter a recession by early...
Health Insurance – are you covered for a pre-existing condition?
If you are looking for a health and dental plan for yourself and/or your family there are numerous insurance companies in Canada that offer it, but you should read the fine print before you apply. Most plans offered are medically underwritten and although you may...
Do you need health and dental insurance in retirement?
If you’re approaching retirement, an important question you may want to ask your employer is “Will I have health and dental benefits when I retire?”. While some retirees may be fortunate enough to have healthcare benefits continue into retirement, most won’t....
Disability insurance for the self employed
If you were to walk down the street and ask ten people what their most-valuable financial asset is, there is a good chance that all ten would point to assets such as a house, cottage, or investment portfolio. However, if you think about it, your most valuable...
Rising interest rates create opportunities for bonds
Well, it has been tough for the investment landscape this year and the Bank of Canada, determined to choke off rapid inflation before it becomes a permanent feature of the Canadian economy, is steering toward another three-quarter-point interest rate even as the...
How to avoid losing money
When the stock market takes a tumble, it can be nerve-wracking to see your portfolio drop in value and tempting to pull your money out of before stock prices fall any further. If you're worried about losing money during this market downturn, you're not alone. There is...
Health and Dental Insurance Explained
Think of health insurance as something that is there to help protect your health and your budget. It covers expenses you incur from dental care as well as illness and accident costs that are not covered by your provincial or territorial health insurance. In a...
Awakening to Inflation
Higher prices can chip away at your savings, so position your money to stay a step ahead. If it feels like your dollar doesn’t go quite as far as it used to, you aren’t imagining it. The reason is inflation, which describes the gradual rise in prices and slow decline...
DIY Investing vs Hiring a Financial Advisor
The rise of do-it-yourself (DIY) investors was incredible over the last two years, platforms like RobinHood and Questrade saw record new users over the last 2 years. The COVID-19 pandemic gave rise to a new wave of investors, many who suddenly had more time and money...
Insured Retirement Plans (IRP)
One of the most utilized tools in funding an estate plan is term or permanent life insurance. The IRP is a financial planning strategy that uses life insurance to build your wealth for retirement with the following benefits: A solution to current and...