Here we are in another RRSP Season

Let’s take a look at some retirement savings options.

There are a few to choose from:

• RRSP Option
• TFSA OPtion
• Open Option
• Loan Option

Take a situation where you have $5,000 after taxes available to invest each year. Please read our Client Connect to compare these four options. You may be surprised as to the results!

Client Connect – RRSP Ins and Outs of Borrowing To Invest

Consider The Use Of Non-Taxable Benefits

When it comes to employee compensation, many employers lack creativity.

Employess often receive pay that is fully taxable, with little in the way of tax breaks to soften the flow.

To learn about the top ten non-taxable benefits for employees, read: Client Connect – Be Paid Using Non-Taxable Benefits

Intimidated By Your Life Insurance Options?

A 2010 study shows less than half of consumers feel confident about making insurance decisions.

More frightening is only 2 out of 5 people could answer basic questions about insurance coverage.

Get informed about your policy and the company issuing it by asking your life insurance agent these 10 questions.

Please read: Client Connect – Ten Questions To Ask Your Life Insurance Advisor

Are you making upgrades to your home with an eye toward improving your home’s resale value?

Consider these suggestions before you get started:

Client Connect – How To Get The Best Return On Home Renovations

Canadians appear more confident about their ability to physically survive a critical illness, than survive its impact on their net worth.

According to Desjardins Financial Security Health Survey, close to two-thirds of Canadians are confident they would survive a critical illness, while 67% say it would render them financially vulnerable and they would likely need to turn to family for financial support.

Please learn more about this issue by read: Client Connect – Canadians Exposed To Cost Of Critical Illness Insurance

Bond prices rose, while stocks in general pulled back.

Even then, markets such as Germany and Japan made gains, while China and North America were down.

For more details, please read:  Client Connect – Market Q2 2011 Update

Active Management Of Employee Absence

Disability management involves not simply the processing of claims under an employer’s STD or LTD benefits program but rather on the active management of the costs associated with these plans.

Many employers have embraced this concept and as a result, many insurance companies have improved the management of disability claims by adding internal assessment resources, such as specialized medical practitioners. In addition, they have concentrated on the concept of “early intervention” as key in reducing costs.

For more details, please read our article:  Disability Management

Is it a challenge to get organized to manage all of your monthly payments?

Would you like to reduce your debt load and pay off your mortgage more quickly?

Is there an easier way to manage your day-to-day expenses?

Consider the National Bank All-In-One, a line of credit solution that can help organize your finances: National Bank All-In-One

“School Dollar Daze” - How to build enough cash to fund your childrens’ education.

“The problem with our generation is we’re procrastinators. And in many of the cases we deal with we are helping them play catch-up so we have to be creative too,” said Steve Bentley, a CFP from Kitchener, Ont.

Please feel free to read the article:  School Dollar Daze

With premiums soaring, many small business owners are asking their employees to shoulder more of the financial burden or cutting benefits entirely. An unknown fact is that small business health insurance costs average 18 percent more than those of larger businesses. These have proven too high for many small businesses.

Please read: Five Ways To Reduce Small Business Health Insurance Costs