Information for individuals looking to improve their financial situation.
(Source: MoneySense Magazine – Sep/Oct 2011)
- Set Your Goals
- Figure Out Where You Are
- Review Your Insurance
- Review Your Investments
- Review Your Taxes
- Plan Your Estate
Set Your Goals
Goals could include:
- Paying down mortgage or other debt (by age ??)
- Gaining control over my spending
- Saving for children’s education
- Understanding my investments
- Strategies for reducing income taxes
- Saving for retirement (age ??)
- Maintaining my standard of living in retirement
- Developing income withdrawal strategies for/in retirement
- Providing a comfortable lifestyle for my family in the event of my death
- Creating/preserving an estate for my heirs
- Leaving a legacy, philanthropy
Figure Out Where You Are
Summarize your assets and liabilities
Summarize your spending
Review Your Insurance
Insurance is necessary to protect you and your family in the event of health problems or death.
Life Insurance provides a way to replace your income, so that your family can maintain their lifestyle after your death. It can also provide funding to pay off loans or to pay any final income tax owing.
Disability Insurance provides a monthly income in the event you are unable to work due to sickness.The Canada Pension Plan includes a disability plan.
Review Your Investments
Stocks vs fixed income
Portfolio ROI target
Saving vs paying off debts
Review Your Taxes
Are you taking advantage of:
- RESPs
- RRSPs
- TFSA
- Dividends
- Capital Gains