Posts by Jason Heath
How To Figure Out How Much Investment Risk You Should Carry In Retirement
The article “How To Figure Out How Much Investment Risk You Should Carry In Retirement” was originally published on The Financial Post on March 18, 2106. Assessing appropriate risk for an investment portfolio is more art than science. While the tools for determining asset allocation between stocks and bonds are accessible and abundant, it may…
Read MoreShould You Ever Use An RRSP To Pay Tuition Fees?
The article “Should You Ever Use An RRSP To Pay Tuition Fees?” was originally published on MoneySense on March 15, 2016. David is juggling debt and cash flow obligations and wonders how best to reduce their housing costs and cover his children’s education Q: I am a 55-year old with three kids who are in university. I…
Read MorePay Down The Mortgage or Invest?
The article “Pay Down The Mortgage or Invest?” was originally published on MoneySense on March 8, 2016. Liam has a house that he’s planning to convert to a rental property. Should he pay down his mortgage or invest with his extra cash flow? Q: I’m 21 and I’m currently purchasing a home in Calgary for $300,000.…
Read MoreCPP Pension Splitting After a Divorce
The article “CPP Pension Splitting After a Divorce” was originally published on MoneySense on March 3, 2016. Contributions you made while living with your former spouse are eligible for a split, leading to a pension boost Q: I am currently separated and I would also like to apply for the CPP benefit split. How much more…
Read MoreCPP Pension Splitting After A Divorce
The article “CPP Pension Splitting After A Divorce” was originally published on MoneySense on March 3, 2016. Contributions you made while living with your former spouse are eligible for a split, leading to a pension boost Q: I am currently separated and I would also like to apply for the CPP benefit split. How much more CPP…
Read MoreTax Deductible Expenses When Selling a Cottage
The article “Tax Deductible Expenses When Selling a Cottage” was originally published on MoneySense on March 1, 2016. Minimize capital gains taxes by making smart reno choices Q: We are planning to sell the cottage in the next year or so and I would like to know what kind of renovations/improvements can qualify as capital costs? Please…
Read MoreWatch Out For These Three Potential Pitfalls When Planning Your RRSP Investments
A great deal of attention is focused on what to buy in your RRSP at this time of year. But what about the investments that you shouldn’t make? When it comes to what to avoid, there are three primary considerations: income tax, product selection and investment strategy. Here’s how to take each potential pitfall into…
Read MoreHow CPP Payouts Work When You Already Have A Pension
The article “How CPP Payouts Work When You Already Have A Pension” was originally published on MoneySense on February 16, 2016. Giselle is worried about how her CPP may be affected when she starts to receive her pension and withdraw from her RRSP Q: I am still working at age 63 and getting CPP. I will have…
Read MoreWhy Business Owners Shouldn’t Bother With An RRSP
The article “Why Business Owners Shouldn’t Bother With An RRSP” was originally published on The Financial Post on February 9, 2016. Although RRSPs are the most popular choice for Canadians and their retirement savings, they may not be the best choice — especially for business owners. Like many financial decisions, beware the one-size-fits-all advice that may…
Read MoreUsing A TFSA To Finance A Rental Property
The article “Using A TFSA To Finance A Rental Property” was originally published on MoneySense on February 9, 2016. Should Debra cash in her TFSA to buy a cottage or use the money for renovations? Q: My husband and I are both 60 years old and working full time. We’ve just made an offer to purchase a cottage for $75,000.…
Read MoreManaging Assets Under Power of Attorney
The article “Managing Assets Under Power of Attorney” was originally published on MoneySense on February 2, 2016. Watch out for tax implications and keep attribution in mind Q: My mother purchased a mutual fund in 1974. In 1994, my mother put my name on it so it could be passed to me without probate. Last year, using my power of…
Read MoreHow To Use Your RRSP To Invest In Real Estate
The article “How To Use Your RRSP To Invest In Real Estate” was originally published on The Financial Post on January 27, 2016. As the Canadian real estate market continues to rise, some investors want to put their RRSP money to work in a real estate investment. While there are limitations, there are also several options available…
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