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TFSA vs RRSP: How to decide between the two + MORE Jul 4th
One of the most common questions out there is whether to invest in a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or a tax-free savings account (TFSA). Both will help you save, and save on taxes, but each works in different ways. Understanding these investments will help you know when to use one or the.... More »
Creating a will is the “adulting” milestone you need to hit this year + MORE Jul 19th
When it comes to self-improvement, most of us have a hard time with follow-through—and whether you stuck to your Keto diet or not, there are likely items on your financial to-do list that just never get crossed off. One of the easy actions to delay is creating a will. After all, no one wants to th.... More »
The best RRSP investments 2022 + MORE Jun 26th
A registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) is an investment that is registered with the Canadian federal government. RRSPs are often described as being “tax-advantaged.” That means you don’t pay income tax on the amount you are contributing to an RRSP, in the year you earn that contribution. .... More »
The best high-interest savings accounts in Canada for 2024 + MORE Jan 2nd
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The best high-interest savings accounts in Canada for 2024
Here are the accounts offering the highest interest rates and lowest fees.
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The best TFSA investments in Canada for 2020 May 23rd
Table of contents
GICs
Bonds
ETFs
Mutual Funds
If you’re using your tax-free savings account solely to deposit cash over the long term, Certified Financial Planner Trevor Kearns says you’re not using the TFSA to its full potential.
You have more options (and better potential gains) than th.... More »
Q. I recently got a call from my Kia dealer saying that my 2015 Optima is a popular secondhand car. They want to meet to offer me a great price for the car and a discount on the purchase of a new one with 0% financing. My car has just 32,000 kilometres and it’s fully paid.
I wasn’t looking to change, but I thought that if I could get enough money for it, I would buy a new Optima, and then I would have some money handy. (We are renovating our house and cash is tight.) I intend to go and see what they will offer me. Is this something you recommend or not?
— Thanks, Jack in Montreal
A. You would be better off using a line of credit or some sort of equity loan if you have any borrowing ability left instead of taking on additional auto debt—even if you will be able to pay it off slowly at zero interest. Selling a new car after four years, especially Kia, Hyundai or Fiat-Chrysler models that depreciate quickly, is an expensive proposition. You will lose about 60% of what you paid originally…
I wasn’t looking to change, but I thought that if I could get enough money for it, I would buy a new Optima, and then I would have some money handy. (We are renovating our house and cash is tight.) I intend to go and see what they will offer me. Is this something you recommend or not?
— Thanks, Jack in Montreal
A. You would be better off using a line of credit or some sort of equity loan if you have any borrowing ability left instead of taking on additional auto debt—even if you will be able to pay it off slowly at zero interest. Selling a new car after four years, especially Kia, Hyundai or Fiat-Chrysler models that depreciate quickly, is an expensive proposition. You will lose about 60% of what you paid originally…
Why You and Your Partner Should Open a Spousal RRSP
– ratesupermarket.ca
The Canadian government offers plenty of incentives for long-term savers, including couples saving for retirement. Sure, both of you can still open your own individual Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP). But if you are looking for a way to manage your tax bill as a couple, as well as build a bigger nest egg for your partner, spousal RRSPs can make a lot of sense. Here’s what you need to know about using this tool.
What is a spousal RRSP?
A spousal RRSP is a qualified retirement savings plan that you set up for your partner. You are able to make contributions to the RRSP, however, your spouse is the actual owner. The point of the spousal RRSP is to help you even out any gap in income between the two of you during retirement, while allowing you a tax break right now.
So you can contribute to the RRSP and receive the tax deduction today. During retirement, your partner withdraws the money and pays the income tax that results from the withdrawal.
Who would benefit from a spousal RRSP? Who wouldn’t?
You’ll likely get the best results from a spousal RRSP if there is a large disparity in income between you and your partner…
Should I invest my money or buy a life insurance policy instead?
– moneysense.ca
Q: My wife and I are both 40 and have two kids—ages 5 and 7. We are considering buying a joint last-to-die life insurance policy that would cost a fixed $7,105 per year for ten years. That’s a total of $71,050 and the policy would pay $500,000 when the last of us dies. This is a proposition from our advisor after we have made our retirement plan. We have concluded that we have enough savings to retire at 55 with a very comfortable nest egg made up of TFSAs, RRSPs, and defined benefit pension plans, as well as money in non-registered investments.
We do not have any debts except a remaining mortgage of $95,734. We also have life insurance and disability insurance with our employer that would cover our needs if one of us were to die or could not work anymore. The goal of this joint last-to-die policy would be to transfer money tax- free in the future as all other needs are covered either by our savings or our employee benefits.
I am wondering if buying this policy is really a good move and if the cost of this product is reasonable? We can afford the cost without changing our lifestyle but our advisor is not independent so the policy would be sold by its institution and that’s what makes me wary…
We do not have any debts except a remaining mortgage of $95,734. We also have life insurance and disability insurance with our employer that would cover our needs if one of us were to die or could not work anymore. The goal of this joint last-to-die policy would be to transfer money tax- free in the future as all other needs are covered either by our savings or our employee benefits.
I am wondering if buying this policy is really a good move and if the cost of this product is reasonable? We can afford the cost without changing our lifestyle but our advisor is not independent so the policy would be sold by its institution and that’s what makes me wary…
The Cost of Love in Canada 2019: Canadians Prefer Door Bells Over Wedding Bells
– ratesupermarket.ca
Do Canadians favour the glitz and glam of a wedding or would they prefer to invest their money somewhere else?
When you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with someone, you may not be thinking price tags. But as the current average price of a wedding in Canada hangs around $50,000, you may want to think again.
According to a recent study from RateSupermarket.ca, 84 per cent of Canadians say they would spend their savings on other financial priorities, rather than on their nuptials.
This year’s annual Cost of Love study sheds light on the financial concerns of both married and unmarried Canadians, showing how married folk would’ve rather spent their money in retrospect, and how unmarried Canadians prioritize future financial goals.
The survey found that 32 per cent of married Canadians would rather have travelled with the money they spent on their wedding, and 20 per cent would rather have invested the money.
In comparison, 43 per cent of unmarried Canadians would rather travel with the money they would potentially spend on a wedding, and one-third would rather invest it…
What it takes to retire at 45
– moneysense.ca
Q: I’m 27 years old with a relatively healthy income of around $125,000. I’m aiming to get on the early retirement track with any luck and retire around the age of 45.
I’ve been aggressively in the investing game for a few years now and have been putting money into my RRSP, which now has a balance of around $46,000 (25% fixed income and 75% equity). I realize that putting the majority of my savings into an RRSP is a bit counterintuitive given my early retirement ambitions, however, and am starting to think about placing a larger portion of my savings into a TFSA so I can withdraw from it before age 65.
I’m at odds here, as I appreciate the reduction on my income tax from contributing to my RRSP. Any wisdom or considerations here would be greatly appreciated!
– Konstantino
A: The financial independence, retire early (FIRE) movement seems contrary to what many older Canadians think about millennials. The thing I like most about personal finance is the emphasis on “personal” – personal decisions, personal goals, and personal planning…
I’ve been aggressively in the investing game for a few years now and have been putting money into my RRSP, which now has a balance of around $46,000 (25% fixed income and 75% equity). I realize that putting the majority of my savings into an RRSP is a bit counterintuitive given my early retirement ambitions, however, and am starting to think about placing a larger portion of my savings into a TFSA so I can withdraw from it before age 65.
I’m at odds here, as I appreciate the reduction on my income tax from contributing to my RRSP. Any wisdom or considerations here would be greatly appreciated!
– Konstantino
A: The financial independence, retire early (FIRE) movement seems contrary to what many older Canadians think about millennials. The thing I like most about personal finance is the emphasis on “personal” – personal decisions, personal goals, and personal planning…