CRA My Account: How To Check Your Tax Information Online

CRA My Account

If you’ve ever tried to contact the CRA by phone and received a busy signal, or sat on hold interminably waiting for a service rep, as I did recently trying to change my address, you’ll be happy to know about CRA My Account for Individuals. Online services offered by the banks and other financial institutions…

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5 Ways To Prepare Your Executor Before You Die

How To Prepare Your Executor Before You Die

We know how important it is to have an estate plan, including a will, but it’s also a good idea to have a thorough letter of guidance to your executor(s) regarding how they should go about finding your assets and dealing with them. Where do you do your day-to-day banking? What property do you hold?…

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So You’ve Been Asked To Be An Executor

So You've Been Asked To Be An Executor

At some point you may be approached by a family member or friend to act as the executor of their estate. Do you know what to do? Some people consider it an honour and personally gratifying to take responsibility for ensuring that their loved one’s final wishes are carried out. But serving as an executor…

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Retirement Planning For Late Starters

Retirement Planning for Late Starters

We’re always hearing dire warnings about how woefully unprepared boomers are for retirement. An Ipsos-Reid survey done for CGA-Canada reports that 25% of their respondents have never made a savings contribution and 29% said they had no money left over to save after paying expenses. So, what if you’re now in your 50’s, still have…

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Money Trade-Offs And Opportunity Costs

Money Trade-Offs And Opportunity Costs

Newly engaged Jared and Maryam are excited to be planning their future wedding. The average cost of a wedding in Canada in 2017 was over $42,000. That’s a lot of money for a party. They could go all out and have the wedding of their dreams and conform to what’s expected of them. Or, they…

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May Is A Good Month To Do These Things

In the early 1990’s, a phrase came into being: “The Mother of all….” to mean the ultimate. This is a nod to the power of motherhood. Mother’s Day is a salute to all moms. Caring children make it a point to pamper their mothers with gifts, brunch or breakfast in bed. Sales of cards break…

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Downsizing Retirees: Should You Own Or Rent?

Downsizing Retirees: Should You Own Or Rent?

There’s been a lot written about the advantages of renting rather than owning a home for young people as they try to find the right balance between their financial situations and their housing needs. These days many older homeowners are struggling with this decision too. Empty nesters are thinking, “Our 5-bedroom house is too large…

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How To Save On Meat And Produce

How to save on meat and produce

Meat and produce take up a big chunk of our grocery bill. According to Statistics Canada, Canadians spend nearly 20 percent of their food budget on red meat and chicken. Fruits and vegetables take up almost 24 percent of the grocery list. Here’s how to save money on meat and produce: Cut down on meat…

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Striking A Balance Between Risk And Reward

Investment Risk and Reward

I read this story about a couple planning their wedding – let’s call them Carl and Vanessa. Vanessa wanted the ceremony to be held in a park next to a lake, but it would be several kilometres from town. The problem, practical Carl said, was there were no buildings in the vicinity should the weather…

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Do You Wait Until The Last Minute To File Your Taxes?

Do You Wait Until The Last Minute To File Your Taxes?

Did you file your taxes yet? You’re not alone. More than one-quarter of Canadians — 28 per cent — find the tax-filing process stressful, confusing and even intimidating, according to a TD survey. Most Canadian income tax returns (and balances owing) are due by midnight April 30, 2018. I’m a terrible procrastinator and I tend…

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