With today’s low rates, the pay down debt or invest debate isn’t as clear cut as it used to be. Ever since people started borrowing money centuries ago, people also started worrying about being in debt. Nearly 250 years ago philosopher and economist Adam Smith made a comment that still rings true today: “What can be added to the happiness of a man who is in health, out of debt, and has a clear conscience?” As Smith suggested all those years...

To be a successful saver, you’ll need to get your risk profile right. Whether you’re new to investing or have had a lifetime of stock market experience, there’s one thing that can derail a financial plan: the fear of losing money. History is littered with stories of people who have created plans, only to tear them up after a recession or some unexpected drop in the market. Investing isn’t just about picking securities that will make money. It’s...

How to say yes to the dress and no to long-term wedding debt. Marriage rates may be declining, but a quick glance at the TV listings leaves little doubt that weddings are trendier than ever, with the popularity of nuptial themed reality shows like Say Yes to the Dress and offshoots on the rise. It’s no wonder that, quickly after the proposal (and often before), couples start envisioning how their wedding will unfold. Destination weddings are...

A study reveals that retired women are concerned about making funds last. Recently retired women are more worried than their male counterparts about stretching funds over their remaining years. This heightened concern, as highlighted in an Investors Group study, may be related to the well-known fact that, statistically speaking, women generally live longer than men. Another likely contributor is that, while working, women tend to earn less than...

Significant changes to the Canada Pension Plan come into effect in 2019. Start getting ready now.   Despite having to pay more for CPP, companies should aim to keep their group RRSP or private sector pension plans.   In 2019, new CPP rules will come into force. While that may still seem like a long time away, business owners impacted by the new enhancements need to start planning for the changes today. “If you are a small business...