Archive for August 2017
Can You Really Afford That Mortgage?
My husband and I purchased our first home when we were 23 and 21 respectively. Back then the mortgage approval process used all of his income but only 50 percent of mine. Income requirements have changed since then. If both spouses (or common-law, or other applicant) are working, the total of both incomes is utilized…
Read MoreOld Age Security (OAS) Explained
Old Age Security (OAS) was originally intended to be a universal program to provide income support payments to Canadian seniors. It is one of the cornerstones of Canada’s retirement income system. It is not a pension plan. You don’t make contributions. OAS is a government benefit program that is financed out of general revenue. Employment…
Read More38 Thoughts On Turning 38
I turned 38 today and I wanted to share some random thoughts about money and life, along with some lessons I’ve learned along the way. 38 thoughts on money and life 1. Start the habit of saving when you’re young – I started putting money away for retirement when I was 19 years-old. Every paycheque…
Read MoreWeekend Reading: Longevity Risk Edition
Longevity risk, or the risk of outliving your money, is the biggest threat facing the majority of retirees. As gold-plated company pensions slowly disappear, millions of Canadians must carefully manage their retirement nest-eggs (on their own, or with the help of an advisor) to make sure they have enough to meet their needs as they…
Read MoreAsk A Career Expert: Should I Accept A Counteroffer From My Employer?
Robb and I are close to each other in age, which means we will enter our “peak earning years” (40-55) around the same time. This 15-year window represents the point in our careers where we should be making the most money in our professional lives. For some people, the best way to capitalize during their…
Read More3 Reasons Why DIY Investors Fail
The message is everywhere. You don’t need the input of an investment professional to manage your portfolio. You can easily do it yourself and it takes no time at all. There are many reasons for investors to pursue DIY investing. Perhaps you are tired of paying the high fees for so-so performance with your advisor,…
Read More