Author Archive for: Advisorsavvy

5 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money

Do you ever feel like money is controlling you instead of the other way around? You’re not alone. For many people, money is a source of stress and anxiety – but it doesn’t have to be that way. By following these five steps, you can begin transforming your relationship with money and start enjoying financial freedom. Continue reading to learn more. Why is your relationship with money important? In today’s world, money has become a necessity. It is often used to measure success and is essential for achieving most financial goals, often life goals too. For these reasons, it is important to develop a healthy relationship with money. This can be done by learning to budget, living within your means, investing money wisely, and avoiding debt. However, when your relationship with money is out of line, it can be a challenge to achieve these things. If you’re struggling to accomplish your financial goals, then it may be time to consider

Continue reading

Old Age Security Canada

Old Age Security, or OAS for short, is a Government of Canada program that provides a monthly income to retired Canadians. It is one of the many benefits available to individuals in Canada. Often, OAS is paired with the Canada Pension Plan and Guaranteed Income Supplement retirement benefits to supplement income during retirement. In order to be eligible for OAS, you must meet certain requirements concerning your age and residency in Canada. This article will provide an overview of Old Age Security in Canada, including eligibility requirements and how to apply. Continue reading to learn more. What is Old Age Security? The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is a monthly stipend that can be received by people who are 65 years of age or older. Service Canada may be able to automatically enroll you for the OAS pension in some situations. In other instances, you will have to apply for the Old Age Security benefit. If you have been enrolled

Continue reading

Best Places To Retire In Ontario

While planning for retirement, there are many decisions to make! What age to retire, how much to save, and most importantly, what kind of lifestyle you’re going to live. We all know you’re going to enjoy plenty of leisure activities with your new free time, but where will you live? Sunny Florida may appeal to you, but moving there may leave you far from a community you’re familiar with in Canada. If you’re interested in staying or moving to Ontario in your retirement, we explore the most enjoyable yet cheapest places to retire. When can you retire in Ontario? Retirement depends on various factors. There is no special retirement age in Ontario, rather it depends on savings and lifestyle. Some are fortunate to retire early because they earned and saved a lot of money for a longer period of time. Others work throughout their whole lives because they’ve found a passion or a ‘calling,’ as opposed to simply working to

Continue reading

How To Create And Build Generational Wealth In Canada

Picture it: You graduate from university and start working, learning to save and invest. Next thing you know you’re married and starting a family. Finally, you’ve built up considerable savings or maybe even started a business. You start thinking about wealth preservation. You want to be sure your assets can be passed down to the next generation —i.e. generational wealth. What does this process look like? We’ve outlined 8 tips to help. What is generational wealth? Generational wealth refers to the assets —cash, real estate, investments, small businesses, etc —that you pass to your children/grandchild. In turn, they’ll pass this wealth to the generation after, and so on. This type of wealth is often called ‘legacy wealth’ or ‘family wealth.’ How much money qualifies as ‘generational wealth’? As Willful explains, “for any amount of wealth to be considered generational wealth, it simply has to be passed down by at least one generation.” Here is an example they use: “If you

Continue reading

What You Need To Know About Buying A Cottage In Canada

Whether you’re thinking of a lakefront cottage or a peaceful cabin in the woods, recreational homes are synonymous with summer fun, relaxation, and quality time with family and friends. Once you’ve decided you’re in the position to buy a cottage, you might be asking yourself whether there is actually a good time to make the leap. Fall, once everyone has closed up for the season? Or maybe early spring, when owners have decided they don’t want to (or can’t) commit to another summer. We take a look at cottage ownership, what costs are involved, considerations you should think about before buying, and whether there actually is a good time to take the plunge. When is a good time to buy a cottage or vacation home? Many experts say the best time to buy a cottage or vacation home is in the fall — and it makes sense. As HGTV explains, people who had been thinking of selling probably wanted to

Continue reading

How To Invest $1000, $10,000 Or $100,000

Investing money is a great way to build your wealth over time. It can also help you stay ahead of inflation in many cases. If you have an extra $1000 or have saved up $10,000 — or even $100,000 — you have plenty of options for investing. Our guide will explore how to invest different amounts of money, but also help you make the right investment decisions. Is it better to save your money or invest it? While we know investing can be a great way to build your wealth over time, there are also some risks. Because of this, many people wonder if it is better to invest or simply save their money in a bank account where it is safe from potential losses. Saving your money is good, and everyone should have some emergency savings available. Investing is generally a better idea for those looking to see their money grow over time. See, most savings accounts only offer

Continue reading

Best No-Fee Bank Accounts in Canada

Bank accounts help protect your money and give you the peace of mind that it is safe. Most of us also use them to pay bills, deposit paycheques, send money to friends and family, and much more. The accounts of choice for many Canadians? No-fee bank accounts. Unfortunately, a major drawback with many banks is that they tend to charge a lot in terms of fees. While it might only be a couple of dollars a month, this can add up over time. Some end up paying hundreds of dollars every year in bank fees of one kind or another. That is a significant chunk of change, and most of us would rather have that in our pockets than pay it to the bank. This guide is going to go through some of the best no-fee bank account options for Canadians. What is a no-fee bank account? A no-fee bank account is simply a bank account that doesn’t charge a

Continue reading

nesto Review (2022)

You’re in the market to buy a home – congratulations! While the process is exciting, there are so many decisions to be made. One decision is whether or not to work with a mortgage broker. If you prefer to work with a broker, you may be wondering who’s the best mortgage broker in Canada. Certainly, there are a ton of options available and the best option for you depends on your homebuying goals and preferences. Looking for something a bit different? Meet Canada’s first online mortgage broker, nesto. To learn more about the company, their products, and obtaining an online mortgage, continue reading below. What is nesto? nesto is an online Canada mortgage brokerage company. Similar to other mortgage advisors, nesto connects homebuyers with mortgage lenders to allow them to purchase their dream home. They promise their customers the lowest mortgage interest rates. It’s their belief that a home is a crucial part of life and their clients shouldn’t have

Continue reading

BMO ETFs vs Vanguard ETFs

Investing is a fantastic way to grow your wealth over time and protect yourself from rising inflation. There are many ways to invest, but one of the best and most popular are certainly ETFs (exchange-traded funds). ETFs are a great way to diversify your portfolio, manage your risk, and keep your investing-related costs relatively low. However, choosing the right one isn’t always easy. There are many choices out there! Of the options, BMO ETFs and Vanguard ETFs continue to be among the most popular. But which is the best? Read on to learn more about both BMO ETFs and Vanguard ETFs, as well as how they stack up against each another. What is an ETF? First, let’s take a closer look at ETFs. These are pooled investments that operate quite similarly to a mutual fund or index fund. These will generally track a particular index or sector. For example, an S&P 500 ETF will track the S&P 500. These can

Continue reading

How To Make The Most Impact With Your Charitable Donations in Canada

The ability to give back to society through charitable donations is a fulfilling experience. Not only do you get a heart-warming feeling, but there are also various financial benefits to donating. More specifically, charitable donations provide generous tax breaks in Canada. Learn more about optimizing your donations below. Charitable donations and tax deductions in Canada: An Overview The technical definition of a charitable donation is a gift of cash or property to a nonprofit organization to help them achieve its goals. As a result, the giver of a donation receives no economic value in return, except for generous tax deductions and breaks. A nonprofit organization (NPO) is a legal entity that is in operation for a collective, public, or social benefit. In contrast, a for-profit organization is a legal entity in operations with the goal of earning financial profit. In 2020, Canadians donated just over $10.5 million dollars to charities, according to Statistics Canada. Trends show that the older Canadians

Continue reading

Best Investing Books For Canadian Investors

Sound investment advice can be found in the best investing books for Canadians. These are written by people who have ‘been there, done that’ in the finance and business sectors. Investment books can become your own playbook for the common sense of investing when you learn from the knowledge and experience shared.

Continue reading

Qtrade Direct Investing Review (2022)

With advancements in technology, fintech has become accessible to the average Canadian. One of the platforms that can be used to buy and sell investments is Qtrade Direct Investing. However, there are other options available on the market, all with varying features, benefits, and drawbacks. To learn more about Qtrade’s service and how it compares to others, continue reading the full review below. What is Qtrade Direct Investing? Qtrade Direct Investing is a Canadian, online, discount brokerage firm based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is a subdivision of Credential Qtrade Securities Inc. The online brokerage is also affiliated with Aviso Wealth which is among Canada’s largest independent wealth management firms. They provide financial management services to over 150 financial institutions and are backed by Desjardins group. Over the years, Qtrade has won many awards and gained a reputation as one of Canada’s best online brokerages. The company offers a web interface and an app for both Android and iOS devices.

Continue reading

Best Canadian REITs for 2024

In Canada, there are many ways that people can invest their money. One popular choice is real estate. However, not everyone has the funds, time or energy, to invest in their own individual property. For these investors, a REIT (real estate investment trust) can make sense. A REIT investment in Canada can be a great way of diversifying a portfolio and participating in real estate investments, without having to manage or finance a property on your own. Our guide offers a closer look at REIT investing, while also going over our picks for the best Canadian REITs to consider in 2024. What are real estate investment trusts (REITs)? Before we look at some of the best Canadian REITs for 2024, you might be asking ‘what is a REIT?‘ As mentioned above, REIT stands for real estate investment trust. These are companies that own or manage properties that generate income in one way or another. These companies are publicly traded, and

Continue reading

Best Renewable Energy Stocks: Top 5 for 2024

More and more people are becoming interested in green energy in Canada. Many try to use renewable energy and resources when they can, to help the planet. But not only are people using green energy to power their homes and businesses. They are also putting their money into it. There are many ways of supporting this industry. One of the most popular? Investing in companies within the industry. Have you considered adding renewable energy stocks and/or green energy stocks to your portfolio? With many companies focused on providing green and renewable energy throughout the country, what are the best renewable energy stocks and green energy stocks in Canada? Let’s take a look at some of the best options out there, and learn more about renewable and green energy as a whole. What is renewable energy? Before we look at some of the best of these stocks in Canada, it is a good idea to take a closer look at renewable

Continue reading

Top 10 Retirement Planning Tips For Canadians

How many of us have been planning for retirement since the first day of work? (*raises hand*) But have you researched the top retirement planning tips to help maximize these plans? The nature of work has drastically changed in recent decades. For starters, it’s now quite normal to work at a variety of companies over the course of a career. Secondly, pension plans were a lot more common in previous years. According toStatistics Canada(as reported by the Financial Post), only 37% of Canadian workers were covered by a pension plan in 2019. Suffice to say that the days when a worker would stay at the same job their entire career, and walk out of the building at 65 and into acomfortable retirement, are quite different now. The fact is, the vast majority of retirement savings in this country are self-driven — illustrating the crucial need for proper retirement planning. How do you plan for retirement? There are several retirement planning

Continue reading

Investment Management Fees: A Complete Guide

Can you hire someone to invest for you? You sure can! There is, however, a cost for this kind of service, better known as investment management fees. Before paying for financial advice, it’s helpful to understand how these investment costs work. By the end of this guide, you’ll have an understanding of how to approach investment management fees in Canada. What are investment fees? Investment fees are the costs incurred when using financial products. Sometimes this could be financial advisor fees or it could be costs to use an online platform. In addition, there are many kinds of investment fees, such as broker fees, trading fees, and commission fees. Normally, reasonable investment fees are incurred to turn a profit on the use of financial products. For this reason, considering fee structures is an important step in any investment decision. Otherwise, the fees you pay may cut into your profits significantly. But remember: fees aren’t the only aspect to consider when

Continue reading

Best Cryptocurrency ETFs in Canada for 2024

The cryptocurrency industry has exploded in popularity recently, and many crypto assets have been growing dramatically. Unfortunately, purchasing cryptocurrency involves a bit of work, and can be complex to buy in some cases. However, there is a way of participating in the crypto space without having to trade any yourself, and that is through a cryptocurrency ETF. These mimic the price of cryptocurrency and are much simpler to buy and trade than the crypto asset itself. There are a number of cryptocurrency ETFs in Canada that make it easy to get involved in the growth of this blossoming industry. But which ones should you consider investing in? Our guide takes you through some of the best cryptocurrency ETF options on the market, and how you can start investing. What are ETFs? Before we go any further, it’s important to understand what an ETF is. ETF stands for exchange-traded fund. It’s a pooled investment that works similar to a mutual fund,

Continue reading

How Estate and Inheritance Taxes Work in Canada

Part of getting older is planning what will happen to your estate when you pass away. Most people want to ensure their loved ones do not have to deal with a financial burden upon death. After all, grieving is a difficult enough process on its own. You may be wondering if there is an inheritance tax in Canada. In short, there is no specific inheritance tax in Canada, but taxes on an estate may still be applicable when you pass on. If you’re on the receiving end of an inheritance, you may also be curious about the effect on your personal taxes. So, let’s answer some of your biggest questions about how estate taxes and inheritance works in Canada. What is an estate? An estate is an individual’s collection of assets at the time of death. For example, this could include savings, real estate, artwork, or any other asset of value. These assets are distributed according to the person’s will.

Continue reading

Best Pet Insurance In Canada

According to an Abacus Data survey from 2021, 56% of Canadians say they have at least one pet in their household*. And, unsurprisingly, when asked if their pet(s) brought joy into their lives, a near-unanimous 98% of respondents said yes. We Canadians love our animals and want them to thrive and continue to be important family members for as long as possible. One way to help protect your companion, and ensure that an emergency or illness won’t cause financial worry? Pet insurance — in Canada, there are plenty of places to find a great policy that works for you. Scroll down to learn more about this type of insurance, what it generally covers, the cost, and our picks for the best pet insurance in Canada. How much do pet owners spend on their pets in Canada? Food. Toys. Treats. Paw protectors. Beds. Little sweaters. Raise your hand if you spoil your cat, dog, or other pet? Let’s not also forget

Continue reading

Best Gold ETFs in Canada for 2024

Investing in gold has long been a popular way for people to diversify their portfolios and safely grow their hard-earned money. However, many people may not be aware of exactly how to invest in gold. While there are a few ways, one of the best and simplest is to invest in a gold exchange-traded fund (ETF). Gold ETFs are funds that consist of gold and operate like traditional stocks that can be bought, sold, and traded on various exchanges. This guide is going to look at the best gold ETFs in Canada, and help you learn more about investing in gold. Is gold a good investment in Canada? In general, the answer is yes. There are a few reasons why gold is (and has long been) a good investment in Canada. First of all, it is a long-term store of value. Investors can have peace of mind knowing that the investment will rise over time. It performs very well in

Continue reading

You’re in the right place for financial advice.

Getting started is easy, fast and free. Match to your perfect advisor now.

Get 12 Smart Questions Everyone Should Ask Their Financial Advisor

Download these questions plus more with the Advisorsavvy community newsletter – subscribe now and enjoy a wealth of knowledge.

Subscribe now and get 12 Smart Questions Everyone Should Ask Their Financial Advisor