Dear Money Lady…
You may have read my articles in your local newspaper, but if you miss one, you can find them all here! Read all of my latest articles below, so that you can always stay up to date with me – Ask The Money Lady.
I write for 630 newspapers across Canada, and am committed to increasing financial literacy across the country, no matter what your age, background, or income level.
Want to learn about annuities, reverse mortgages, saving tips, or buying your first home?? I’ve probably written about it!
Use the search bar below to look up any of my recent articles.
Improve Your Overall Financial Security with Your Financial Advisor
We all want to enjoy better financial security for ourselves and our families. After all, a lack of financial security often means that we are constantly worried about how we are going to pay the next bill that comes up or how we are going to cover any unexpected costs. This is one of the reasons that so many people choose to use the services of a personal financial advisor. Financial stress leads to mental health challenges such as anxiety and stress. Financial worries or insecurity mean that you can [...]
Track Your Financial Goals with the Best Finance Coach in Canada
Behind every successful person, there is usually a coach of some kind, whether it's in the field of sport, business or finance. In fact, it's puzzling that many people haven't yet considered using the services of a financial advisor or coach, especially given how hard we work to earn our money and want to make the most of it! What a finance coach does? As with any good coach, your financial mentor will be there to provide practical and straightforward advice about finance and the ways in which you manage [...]
5 Reasons Why You Should Consider Financial Planning
There are plenty of times during your life when it makes good sense to review your finances and future financial planning. But unless you really know what you're doing, it can be a challenging, daunting and sometimes expensive effort - if you get things wrong! With that in mind, here are five reasons why you should consider financial planning and advice from a professional financial services advisor. Financial planning and advice from an expert Personal finance can be complex, and mistakes are expensive. By using the services of a professional, [...]
Retirement Bucket List
Retirement Bucket List: 6 Types of Buckets for Your Money! We have all heard the term “retirement bucket list.” A list of things that you would never do when you were working, but now that you are child-free, work-free, and hopefully care-free, you can do all the things you have always dreamed of. Maybe it is sky diving, buying a motorcycle, learning something new, traveling to an exotic destination (this will be delayed a bit due to COVID) riding a horse, … … … well you get the idea. [...]
Why Should You Seek Professional Financial Advice Before Investing in a Home?
Good financial advice is essential for money-related decisions that we make in our lives, from saving up for college to investing in a pension. One of the greatest investments many of us make in our lives, is the purchase of a home, so should be considered carefully. The decision to buy your home For most of us, the decision to buy our first property - or any subsequent property - is tied up in more than just simple financials. After all, a bricks-and-mortar investment represents security, as well as a [...]
Christine Ibbotson – Your Personalized Financial Advisor You Can Trust
What is your financial goal? Perhaps you want to buy your first home. Maybe you want to retire with a generous pension pot, or perhaps you are simply keen to get your finances under control and then think about getting a savings, investment and insurance plan in place that safeguards your entire family. No matter what your goals are, it is essential to have a financial consultant you can trust. After all, money is precious, and we work hard to earn it. You need to know that you'll have the [...]
AFFLUENZA ?
DO YOUR CHILDREN HAVE AFFLUENZA? No, it is not the flu or a virus like influenza. Affluenza, is a term that was first coined by Fred Whitman in the 1950’s to describe a child that grows up with social and financial privilege. This is quite common these days, whether you are wealthy or not. Many parents have overindulged their children making our new Millennials one of the smartest and most educated generation of all time; but also, the most entitled. Let’s face it, as a parent, you want nothing [...]
Family RESP Plans
ASK THE MONEY LADY, Could you tell me about a RESPs. My mother wants me to open one for our son who is only two. Thanks, Bianca Great question Bianca, For those who don’t know, a RESP is a registered education savings plan designed to provide a tax-deferred savings investment with direct government assistance to help you reach education savings goals for your children or grandchildren. The subscriber to the plan is the person who opens the account and makes contributions to it, and the beneficiary is the individual(s) [...]
Retirement Strategies for Volatile Markets
Retirement Strategies for Volatile Markets! Readers continually ask me to suggest ways to help them deal with stock market swings. So, I thought I would start 2021 with 5 steps that you can keep in mind when your investment portfolio is in a volatile market. If you are 5 to 10 years from retirement – you still have time on your side. You can still benefit from future stock market returns, price appreciations and dividends. Continue saving as much as you can to build your portfolio. Consider downsizing your [...]
2021 Government Initiatives
Federal Government Initiatives in 2021 On November 30, 2020, the Federal Government released an economic statement entitled “Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19.” The release updated the fiscal costs of the ongoing pandemic and estimated this year’s deficit to come in at $381.6 billion. For 2021, we can expect some pandemic relief programs to be extended and enhanced, here are the highlights. There will be an increase to the maximum Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy rate to 75% for the period beginning December 20, 2020 to March 13, 2021. The Canada [...]
Interest Income vs. Dividend Income
Many Canadians don’t want to risk their retirement portfolios to the uncertainty of the stock market and instead put their money into interest savings structures like GICs to reduce risk and maintain their capital. Others, especially those who have financial planners to guide them, put their money into dividend producing guided stock portfolios. So, which is better? Let’s compare the two options and you decide. Dividend income gets preferential tax treatments in the form of a “dividend tax credit.” Interest income is taxed the same as ordinary income and [...]
Investing In Your Values
Ask the Money Lady, We are just starting to invest and wondered if there were any good investments you could recommend. We want something that makes money of course, but also promotes environmental change and social justice. Thanks, Craig and Valerie Bravo – Craig and Valerie – great to see you are trying to make a difference in the world! I don’t get asked this question often and am very glad to answer it. So, how can a small investor empower change and impact the world we live in [...]
Investment Risk
Ask the Money Lady, Dear Money Lady, I invest on my own but am thinking of talking to a financial planner from my bank to expand my portfolio. Do you think that is a good idea or should I just keep doing it on my own? Should I take on more risk to get a better return? John Dear John, Good question – but make sure your new advisor understands your risk tolerance and your future goals. Most Canadians are invested in the market in some way or another [...]
Where Will You Be in 25 Years?
Ask the Money Lady, To My Money Lady Readers, From many of your emails, I have noticed that a lot of you are invested in GICs, and I know this is something that you want to do to ensure you do not lose any money and maintain your capital. Because the rates of return are now so low, GICs no longer keep up with inflation and when you factor in the taxes – you are actually paying the banks to hold your investment. HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT WHERE YOU [...]