Posts by Jason Heath

Halal Investing in Canada

The article “Halal Investing in Canada” was originally published on MoneySense on December 18, 2020. Investing can be challenging for Muslims, as solutions that are both Shariah-compliant and effective at helping achieve long-term financial goals are limited. Canadian Muslims have unique constraints when looking for investment options that fit their religious beliefs, and many mainstream…

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Ways To “Unlock” Retirement Savings In A LIRA

The article “Ways To “Unlock” Retirement Savings In A LIRA” was originally published on MoneySense on December 7, 2020. Keith wants to know what to do with his DPSP now that it has been transferred to a locked-in retirement account. Q. When I retired at age 63, the financial institution that managed my DPSP account paid…

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Unique Ideas For Your Last Will and Testament

The article “Unique Ideas For Your Last Will and Testament” was originally published on MoneySense on November 30, 2020. A straightforward will can work well for many people but, for some, there are clauses to consider that might better convey your wishes. When you write a will, it is your opportunity to ensure your final…

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Managing Tax In A “Tenancy In Common” Situation

The article “Managing Tax In A “Tenancy In Common” Situation” was originally published on MoneySense on November 24th, 2020. Claudia wants to minimize the tax payable when selling her share of a cottage to the co-owner. Q. I am a co-owner of a cottage in Ontario. The other co-owner would like to buy out my 50%…

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How Employers Can Boost Employees’ Financial Security Even As Pension And Insurance Benefits Shrink

The article “How Employers Can Boost Employees’ Financial Security Even As Pension And Insurance Benefits Shrink” was originally published on Financial Post on November 23, 2020. Companies are in a unique position to help their workers without huge costs if they think outside the box Historically, companies have provided pension plans, insurance coverage and other…

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Financial Literacy For Seniors

The article “Financial Literacy For Seniors” was originally published on MoneySense on November 16, 2020. If one spouse makes most or all the financial decisions, the uninvolved spouse can be left vulnerable. That’s one reason seniors, their family and their advisors should try to involve both spouses in money discussions. Age has long been associated…

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Calculating Expected Returns On The Sale Of Real Estate

The article “Calculating Expected Returns On The Sale Of Real Estate” was originally published on Moneysense on November 10, 2020. Yan is selling his home and wants to know how to price it to ensure he turns a profit. Q. How do I calculate the capital gain on real estate sold in Ontario? I’m trying to…

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Should You Set Up A Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC)?

The article “Should You Set Up A Personal Real Estate Corporation (PREC)?” was originally published on MoneySense on November 2, 2020. Ontario recently joined several other provinces by allowing the establishment of personal real estate corporations. What are they, and who should consider one? A personal real estate corporation, or PREC, allows a real estate…

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How Does Assisted Dying Impact Survivor Pensions?

The article “How Does Assisted Dying Impact Survivor Pensions?” was originally published on MoneySense on October 26, 2020. Content warning: This article contains discussion of assisted dying and suicide, which may be upsetting to some readers. We have turned off commenting for this article to create a safe space for the person who submitted this…

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The Retirement Downsizing Myth: No, Seniors Aren’t Moving In Droves — And That Will Affect The Housing Market

The article “The Retirement Downsizing Myth: No, Seniors Aren’t Moving In Droves — And That Will Affect The Housing Market” was originally published on Financial Post on October 20, 2020. Retirement community developers and aspiring young homebuyers may be in for disappointment Retirement community developers, for-profit retirement homes, and aspiring young homebuyers are all counting…

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Potential Tax Changes Due To COVID-19

The article “Potential Tax Changes Due To COVID-19” was originally published on MoneySense on October 20, 2020. The pandemic has led to a significant amount of spending by the federal and provincial governments. How will the country pay for it all? Speculation is starting to turn to what tax increases may be coming — and…

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Should You Sell Your Home To Your Kids?

The article “Should You Sell Your Home To Your Kids?” was originally published on MoneySense on October 13, 2020. Graham is considering a creative strategy to access his home equity with the help of his grown children. The end goal: to build a vacation property for the whole family. Q. A scenario we are thinking of…

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