A primary home is a lifestyle choice. The primary home is not an investment. 1 (Ryan Greiser, Twitter Apr 1. ‘26) Particulars Long-term comparison Your home and portfolio have different jobs Sincerely, Mike Busby (1-June-26) THE COMMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN ISSUES INTENDED AS GENERAL INFORMATION

1) Person A invests $5,000/yr from age 22 to 32. Then stops (only 10 years) 2) Person B waits until age 32. Invests $5,000/yr for the next 30 years Person A invested for 10 years, and Person B invested for 30 years. Person A wins. It’s not even close  Scenario Person A

Here is a list of habits that build wealth over time: These are all the hallmarks that build wealth and the best financial advice is rarely exciting! Sincerely, Mike Busby (2-Feb-26) THE COMMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN ISSUES INTENDED AS GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND SHOULD NOT

Every year in cash is a year of invisible losses. The longer you avoid risk, the riskier your life becomes. Here is why cash guarantees loss. 1 (Ryan Greiser, Twitter Oct. ‘25) Playing it Safe? Volatility is not the enemy – stagnation is! What if “staying out” is the bigger

Every financial crisis feels like it’ll never end. Until it does. Our brains are playing tricks on us about “permanent” problems. 1 (Ryan Haiss, Twitter Jul. ‘25) Past Events Observations Lessons to be learned The next crisis will pass. Your decisions during it matter more. Sincerely, Mike Busby (1-Oct-25) THE

Your net worth is the difference between everything you own (assets) and everything you owe (debt)1 (Ryan Haiss, Twitter Aug. ‘25) Assets include: Cash, investments, real estate, business ownership, and valuable personal property. Debt includes: mortgage owing, credit card debt, line of credit, student loan, car loan and any other

The hidden costs of extreme frugality can cost you more than money. Putting your life on hold until you’re rich enough can be a major wealth-building mistake 1 (Ryan Greiser, Twitter Jan. ‘25) The issue is not saving money. The issue is treating every dollar saved as more valuable than

In retirement, it’s time to start spending. But how much can you withdraw each year without needing to worry about running out of money? 1 (How can I make my retirement savings last? Fidelity Viewpoints Apr. ’24) What is a sustainable withdrawal rate (SWR)? What will impact my sustainable withdrawal

Why do certain retirees struggle to spend money? Their fear of depleting their savings.1 (There’s 1 big reason millions of US retirees struggle – and it’s not because they don’t have enough money, Maurie Backman Aug. ’24) Achieving financial security in retirement isn’t just a matter of saving money. It

What are the consequences of adding your children to the title of your house or an investment account? Adding a child or moving real estate to joint ownership is a popular tactic for people to avoid probate. People do this to bypass the estate and the holdings will not be

While diversification is a good way to preserve wealth, concentration is often a better way to build a fortune. Let’s discuss the differences between the two.1 (Investopedia Concentrated vs Diversified Portfolios Jan. ’22) What diversification does Advantages of a Diversified Portfolio Disadvantages of a Diversified Portfolio Advantages of a Concentrated

Here are some tips to build lifestyle success for your future.1 (Empire Life 5 tips for financial success later in life Jan. ’24) Have a plan Reduce Debt Have long-term savings Practice saving money Set realistic expectations Sincerely, Mike Busby (1-Apr-24) THE COMMENTS CONTAINED HEREIN ARE A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN

As year-end approaches, now is a good time to review your personal finances and take advantage of any tax planning opportunities that may be available for your TFSA before the Dec. 31 deadline1 (CIBC 2023 Year-end tax-tips, Nov. ‘23) TFSA contributions TFSA withdrawals Please let me know if you require

Placing non-registered assets into joint ownership with right of survivorship is one of the most common methods of avoiding probate. It can be effective in the right situation. Yet, there are some significant disadvantages with joint ownership that may outweigh the benefits. 1 (Manulife Investment Management Sep.’23) Disadvantages of joint

Adding social planning to your financial planning can make a big difference to your health during your retirement. 1 (Lumino Health Jan. ’23) Retirement is a big life transition. When people leave work, some people let go of a big part of their identity. But preparing for the change can

One of the best ways to take charge of your finances is to try and accumulate a healthy savings account. Nobody wants to feel the stress of knowing that they are only a paycheque away from financial calamity. 1 (Rutgers Monthly Finance Message Feb. ’09) What does the research say about

Many people realize that they have been contributing to CPP for a good portion of their lives but may not be sure when or how much they’ll receive at retirement. Here are some facts: 1 (Manulife Sep. ’21) #1 Take CPP early and continue working #2 Delay taking CPP and receive more

Let’s walk through what happens to our debts when we pass.¹ (MoneySense March 2023) Who’s responsible for debt after death? What can creditors come after? What happens when you have debt and you don’t have cash or assets when you pass? What happens to your mortgage debt when you die?

Over the years, I have seen many insurance mistakes. Here is a list of them: 1) Delay putting in place coverage until it is too late. Acquire when you are healthy. 2) Not understanding all possible risks if you are underinsured 3) Underestimating income replacement when factoring in how much coverage that you

Hello; One of the tax breaks the government gives to couples takes place when the first spouse passes away. That person’s RRIF can be taken over by the surviving spouse without taxes being payable at the time. So those funds continue to grow on a tax-deferred basis. What happens when

It’s official! The annual contribution limit for the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) has been increased to $6500 for 2023. This amount is up from the $6000 limit that was set from 2019-2022. The TFSA was created in 2009 and the annual contribution limit is the same for everyone. The maximum

Hello; Here are some simple common-sense guidelines to keep your financial affairs in order: 1) Know where you stand financially: Keep a close eye on your net worth: everything you own less everything you own. Make sure it is moving in the right direction. 2) Living within your means: Do not

With life insurance, like other matters related to your financial well-being, a “set it and forget it” attitude is not the correct approach to take. So when is a good time to review your life insurance? Here are four instances when a review makes sense. 1)    Your term life insurance

Hello; Getting covered through your employer can be inexpensive and convenient.1 (Empire Life Oct 2014). Relying solely on the life insurance you have through your employer can pose potential problems. Here are 5 key questions to consider: 1#  Is your employer-provided life insurance coverage enough to take care of your

Hello, Did you know the Ontario government wants you to take a vacation? In fact, they will give you money if you do! Introducing the temporary Ontario Staycation Tax Credit for 2022. What is it? How does it work? Who is eligible? Eligible Expenses How to claim the credit Best,Mani

Hello; There are many inherent elements that make an insurance investment an ideal option from an estate planning perspective. If we look at someone’s non-registered assets, here are some key benefits with an insurance investment: For more information on this, please let us know if you require further information. Sincerely,

According to a disability planning workshop by the Mackenzie Institute, the CRA reported that more than 365,000 Canadians under the age of 49 who qualify for the Disability Tax Credit have not opened and taken advantage of a Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP). The result is billions of dollars in

Hello; Average retirees surveyed in the US between age 62 and 75 found that 3/4 of them had seen their assets remain the same or grow in retirement.¹ (Barron’s Dec. 2021) Why is that? – Here are some observations: The message is quite clear – each person has to live