Last week, we asked you to tell us what you want to read about in Dollars and Sense, and we took an informal poll on your current habits and satisfaction level with your financial planning.
A big thanks to all of you who responded, as we were flooded with valuable suggestions, insights and wisdom (and a [...]
Welcome to the most approachable and informative financial planning site online! Our mission: to offer objective, relevant and insightful information to help make your financial and personal life more rewarding.
Readers had lots to say
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPCategories: Financial Planning, Investing
Talk to me – what do you want to see on DC.com
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEP“We are doing a survey…”
I know those are scary words when voiced by a telemarketer at supper time. However, I need your help, and you can provide it on your own time.
After 16 years of writing the newspaper column Dollars and Sense, and a year of writing this blog, we want to make sure we [...]
Categories: Financial Planning, Investing
Back to school tax details – courtesy of the Knowledge Bureau
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPThe Knowledge Bureau has provided us with a great amount of detail on what qualifies as a deductible tuition expense, what does not qualify, and what other eligible expenses might provide tax benefit.
Click here to find out more and get educated! http://www.knowledgebureau.com/Tools.asp?tab=NewsLetter&page=Current&type=News&ID=471
Tags: Student
Categories: Tax - planning
Back to school can mean tax savings
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPIn many ways, this is my least favourite time of year, when I have to report the shocking news to you that kids will be heading back to school in another two weeks.
The worst part is that this fact is always the early warning signal that summer is waning. (Having to turn the furnace on [...]
Tags: RRSP
Categories: RRSPs & TFSAs, Tax - planning
Do you know what you pay for financial advice?
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPOverheard at the watercooler on Wednesday morning:
Bob: “I just got another invoice from my fee-for-service financial planner. It’s annoying, but at least I know we are making financial progress and getting good value for money.”
Doug: “You mean you pay for your financial advice? I get mine for free.”
Bob: “So you do it all yourself? What [...]
Tags: Investing, Investor
Categories: Financial Planning, Investing
Retirement prep means much more than money
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEP“Will I have enough money in retirement?”
As a financial planner, that’s a question I’m asked very often. My usual response is to ask another question like, “What will you be doing in retirement?”
From a quantitative point of view, we need this information in order to estimate the income need in retirement, a prerequisite to answering [...]
Categories: Retirement
Plan that retirement, or risk unhappiness
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPHere is a suggested article, to get you going on your retirement planning:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/retirees-need-game-plan-87559737.html
Tags: Boomers, Goal setting
Categories: Retirement
Why you should worry about the HST
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPIf you live in any province other than Ontario or BC, the July 1st introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) to replace the separate GST and provincial sales taxes likely seemed like a non-event.
However, people in other provinces may be affected in a variety of ways. Companies – even ones located in Manitoba, Saskatchewan [...]
Tags: HST
Categories: Uncategorized
Pension reform – let’s get specific
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPLast week we talked about pension reform and I printed a mild rant about people who don’t look after their own retirement savings and end up wanting the government to look after them.
Following that column, I expected a lot of brickbats and poison pen letters sent my way (and, just for the [...]
Tags: CPP, Pension, RRIFs
Categories: RRSPs & TFSAs, Retirement
People are trying to steal your money!
By David Christianson, BA, CFP, R.F.P., TEPGreetings,
I am Sgt. Bryan Stone, a NATO Soldier in peace keeping force in Afghanistan, I am serving in the military of the 1st Armoured Division in Afghanistan.
We managed to move some funds belonging to Al Farouq training camp in the tune of USD $45 Million Dollars in cash. We want to move this Fund [...]
Categories: Consumer and Money Saving Tips, Personal Reflection














