Exeleon Magazine recently interviewed me on the different retirement and financial planning strategies that I’m an expert on and consult my clients on. As a CFP, CPA, CMA and certified hedge fund specialist, I help you create financial independence with effective methods that go against the grain.  In my three decades of experience, I’ve seen firsthand the damage the herd mentality can do to the financial health of ordinary investors. Highlights from the article: What are Lifecycle Investing strategies? How can homeowners in Canada benefit from the “Smith Manoeuvre”? Of all the conventi ..read more

SRDJANPAV/ISTOCKPHOTO / GETTY IMAGES The Globe & Mail recently interviewed me and other experts to ask why DIY investors are turning to financial professionals as retirement approaches. As someone who has seen the full finances of thousands of people, I see it all the time. People who have managed their finances successfully on their own up until their 50s and 60s, but want help on the intricacies of retirement. Many people make the mistake of investing too conservatively over the years, which means they have to cut back on their lifestyle in order to retire.  The “shocking” number in ..read more

PHOTO BY NATIONAL POST PHOTO ILLUSTRATION The National Post asked me to review the finances of a couple who are both in their 60s and want to retire at the end of 2024. They would like to enjoy a lifestyle where they can enjoy trips to Europe and Asia each year, and not feel financially constrained, so they will only retire if their income allows them this freedom. Based in Saskatchewan, both have scaled down their work hours, and they’ve recently downsized. Currently they have an investment portfolio worth about $2.3 million (with unrealized capital gains of some $400,000 or so), which is inv ..read more

You may have heard that we just had a new budget here in Canada, and increased the taxes on capital gains.  Canadians with a rental property, cottage or investments and their tax advisors are scrambling to figure out what to do before the deadline of June 25, 2024. Here are the questions we’ll cover: What is the new higher capital gains tax? Who is affected? Why is it mainly a real estate tax? How to avoid or minimize the higher capital gains tax. Is investing inside your corporation still worthwhile? Will the higher exemption for small business help? Are rental properties or cottages ..read more

It is EASY to outperform financial advisors? Why? Conventional wisdom is they underperform because of fees, but there is a bigger reason. They don’t even try to outperform. They try for: “Reasonable return with less risk”. Financial advisors are mainly salespeople, not financial planners. They are more likely to lose a client because of a 30% 1-year market decline than 10 years of lagging the index. So, they focus on market fluctuations, not your life goals. This makes them do the “4 performance drags” that typically reduce their returns by at least 3%/year (which is more than their fees ..read more

Many people today feel they have no choice but to be a tenant, however, what if you actually choose this?  You can choose to be a tenant forever and it can be a great life! I’m going to introduce you to the concept of “Tenant Freedom,” to show you how great of a life it can be. Watch my latest YouTube video and listen to my podcast episode to find out: The advantages of owning vs. renting your home. What you need to buy a home. How to be much wealthier as a tenant. 5 steps to a great life with Tenant Freedom. What is the “Tenant’s RRSP”? Do tenants have a Smith Manoeuvre option? The gr ..read more

ILLUSTRATION BY: CHLOE CUSHMAN/NATIONAL POST The Financial Post asked me to review the finances of a 47-year-old woman who lost her high-income job, and wants to know when it’s “safe” to retire.  A successful professional, she was well on her way to an early retirement at age 52 or 53, but now she’s wondering if that will still be possible, and how much she’ll have to scale back her original plans. In the article you’ll learn: What her retirement options are. How much she’ll need to keep up the standard of living she currently has in retirement, which includes golf, skiing, and annual tr ..read more

I was honoured to be invited by Ellen Roseman to speak with her Investment Club about the 6 key lessons I have learned as a fee-for-service financial planner.  They have had investment guest speakers, but never someone just talking about financial planning. Ellen Roseman is a journalist who sticks up for ordinary Canadians. Her personal finance & consumer columns appeared in the Toronto Star for 20 years, she was the Star’s business editor, a columnist for the Globe and Mail, associate managing editor of the Globe’s Report on Business, author of 4 books, has a podcast, and she’s bee ..read more

IMAGE FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS Nina Dragicevic from The Canadian Press recently interviewed me about renting for life as a real option and what it means for your financial planning.  In today’s housing market, many young people and even people in their 40s see purchasing a home as unattainable. I work with high-income clients who don’t always own their home, and instead put their money into investments. For instance, I advised a successful actor who was considering buying a condo in Toronto to rent for now, as it gives him the flexibility and freedom to move around for work. Financially, i ..read more

IMAGE FROM FINANCIAL PIPELINE: ARTICLE WRITTEN BY GILLIAN LIVINGSTON It is tax time. The Financial Pipeline interviewed me with other financial experts on the best common and uncommon tax deductions, so you can get the best refund possible.  In the article you’ll learn about many of the most effective deductions you can claim, so after you file your taxes you’ll feel confident that you did them well! Here’s what the article covers: Why you need to file your taxes every year once you turn 18 or move to Canada. How to claim a deduction for interest and management of your portfolio. The two ..read more