Monday 4 December 2017

Will it Be Happy Holidays or a Financial Disaster? - What's On Your Mind? - December 2017 Editon

Tis the season where a lot of people are feeling quite charitable.  In fact scammers and fraudsters are counting on it.  Last month I was one of many people who was contacted by telephone regarding taxes owing to CRA.  I know I am current with my taxes regardless of what anyone on the telephone might tell me.  Luckily I did not fall prey to this scam.  Unfortunately the call made to me was a recording so I could not give these people a piece of my mind. Other people have received calls with a live person on the other end. Some of these people were not so lucky and fell prey to the fraudster.  The police indicated there were at least 40 residents in York Region who fell for this scam by paying what they thought was their overdue taxes by using virtual currency known as Bitcoin.  Bitcoin is unregulated and untraceable so it makes it difficult for the police to track.  If in doubt take the request using much published telephone numbers for CRA and call to ask whether there are outstanding taxes. The scammers are well trained to be intimidating.  If you use an accountant, call your accountant to confirm your taxes.

Now that the holidays are around the corner there may be many fraudsters wearing many different hats such as people claiming to collect for charities and counting on the holiday spirit in you.  Make sure you check out the charity or stick with reputable charities such as The Salvation Army. 

There are even scammers with the sophistication such as hacking a family member’s telephone number pretending your loved one is kidnapped.  Some fraudsters will use the telephone and some might send you official looking emails.  Always check directly with the source such as your bank, CRA, family member, etc. before making any unexpected payments.  Keep diligent and informed about any new scams and pass the word around.  Keep your information private so hopefully you will not become the next statistic this holiday season.

Happy and Financially Healthy Holidays to you and your family.


Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI®
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth, a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc.
Levesque Wealth Planning

Insurance Advisor
Hollis Insurance Inc.

One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030
Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                          

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Linda J. Levesque, Senior Investment Advisor and Director, Private Client Group of HollisWealth is an author of The 5 Minute Wealth Plan, Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow, in The Road to Success with Jack Canfield and in The Authorities, Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field.  If you're ready to jump-start your life, have more fun and joy in all that you do, get a FREE consultation from Linda J. Levesque 

This information has been prepared by Linda J. Levesque who is a Sr. Investment Advisor for HollisWealth® and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HollisWealth. HollisWealth® is a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. The information contained in this newsletter comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. The information contained herein may not apply to all types of investors. The Investment Advisor can open accounts only in the provinces in which they are registered. For more information about HollisWealth, please consult the official website at www.holliswealth.com.
Insurance products provided through Hollis Insurance Inc.  Levesque Wealth Planning is a personal trade name of Linda J. Levesque.



Tuesday 7 November 2017

Owning vs. Renting, What makes financial sense? What’s on Your Mind? November 2017

As the population ages and we are planning for retirement, the question that comes up a lot is should I rent or downsize?  Most people that have lived in the larger homes while raising their families think that the house is now too big and too empty without the children at home.

Initially a lot of us purchased homes as a place to raise the family and as a forced savings.  Homes had built in equity over time. But as we become empty nesters this leads us to what makes financial sense going forward.

There are perks to both owning and renting.  I will address some of the more common considerations of each.  Owning your home or downsizing to a smaller home gives you the stability of making it yours with each improvement you do.  No one will tell you what you are allowed to do with your property and the costs remain relatively fixed.  The downside of course is that you are fully responsible for all the maintenance, increased property taxes and having someone look after the place if you are a snowbird.

Deciding to rent, your costs are fixed to the monthly rent.  Annual increases are limited for most rental units.  Any time something goes wrong you just have to call the landlord or superintendent for repair.  My mother’s stove just went and since she rents, she called up the super and viola she has a new stove.  No extra outlay of cash and no time spent shopping for the stove.  Depending on where you rent, you may have other amenities included in your rent that owning a home would cost you.  Gyms, pools, etc. are included in many buildings.  Renting in a downtown core for conveniences is usually more affordable than buying properties in these locations.

Freeing up the equity from the sale of your property could potentially allow you to enjoy your retirement more if money was an issue for the extras.  Some people become house poor at retirement. You could end up with a limited lifestyle experience while having a lot of time but not having the money to do the fun stuff because it may be unaffordable to you.  If you think limiting your activities to stay in your home and be cash poor but house rich for the sake of leaving a bigger estate to your children, there is insurance for that. So while there is no right or wrong answer to renting or owning, it becomes a personal decision on what kind of lifestyle you want versus what kind of lifestyle you can afford.





Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI®
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth, a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc.
Levesque Wealth Planning

Insurance Advisor
HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.

One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030
Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                           

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Linda J. Levesque, Senior Investment Advisor and Director, Private Client Group of HollisWealth is an author of The 5 Minute Wealth Plan, Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow, in The Road to Success with Jack Canfield and in The Authorities, Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field.  If you're ready to jump-start your life, have more fun and joy in all that you do, get a FREE consultation from Linda J. Levesque 

This information has been prepared by Linda J. Levesque who is a Sr. Investment Advisor for HollisWealth® and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HollisWealth. HollisWealth® is a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. The information contained in this newsletter comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. The information contained herein may not apply to all types of investors. The Investment Advisor can open accounts only in the provinces in which they are registered. For more information about HollisWealth, please consult the official website at www.holliswealth.com.


Wednesday 4 October 2017

The Trade Off - What's On Your Mind? - October 2017 Edition

When did we lose our way? I am a baby boomer. Growing up life was simple. We didn't have much, we didn't want much, and we certainly didn't expect much.  Today with social media, radio, television, we are inundated with advertisements of what we should want.

With 47% of Canadians living pay to pay, when did we get lost with what we wanted instead of what we needed?  Today it is a balancing act to get what we want, get what we need, using all that we got.  

So using all that we got, we now find ourselves in a position of living with massive debt. Those 47% of Canadians living pay to pay would find themselves in a financial pickle if their pay were delayed by even one week.

What happened and how do we change this?  This is where the trade off happens. You have to go back to basics. Start going over where all the money is being spent and where a lot of expenses could be cut.  Start by listing the expenses of what you need. These expenses would be food, shelter, clothes and transportation.  The rest of what you're spending your money on, you need to take a hard look at. No more keeping up with the Joneses. What's important is a happy family. The family is happier with little or no debt than the stress of living with a lot more useless stuff and the stress of massive debt.

Think about what's important about money to you and make some changes in your life today. The ultimate goal should be happiness and living a debt-free life.

Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI®
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth, a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc.
Levesque Wealth Planning

Insurance Advisor
HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.

One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030
Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                           

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Linda J. Levesque, Senior Investment Advisor and Director, Private Client Group of HollisWealth is an author of The 5 Minute Wealth Plan, Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow, in The Road to Success with Jack Canfield and in The Authorities, Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field.  If you're ready to jump-start your life, have more fun and joy in all that you do, get a FREE consultation from Linda J. Levesque 

This information has been prepared by Linda J. Levesque who is a Sr. Investment Advisor for HollisWealth® and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HollisWealth. HollisWealth® is a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. The information contained in this newsletter comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. The information contained herein may not apply to all types of investors. The Investment Advisor can open accounts only in the provinces in which they are registered. For more information about HollisWealth, please consult the official website at www.holliswealth.com.

Insurance products provided by HollisWealth are provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.  


Friday 8 September 2017

The Two Faces of Divorce - What's On Your Mind - September 2017 Edition

Nowadays it is more common to hear about somebody getting a divorce then it was 30 or 40 years ago.  If 50% of marriages end in divorce you would think people would be prepared for the emotional side of ending their marriage.  There are many reasons why people get a divorce but when it comes right down to it, most people are not emotionally prepared to go through this life-altering situation.

During the time of separation and then actually going through the divorce you may want the marriage to end so badly that you are prepared to give more than your fair share just to end the relationship and move forward.  You believe you can rebuild your life and your financial net wealth so it is worth giving up more now.  The problem with this way of thinking is that when the dust settles, you realize that you lost a great percentage of your net wealth. This can be a huge set back to your financial goals.

It's never just about the money but in the end it's all about the money.  Just because two people can't live together anymore doesn't mean that they shouldn't be fair to each other when it comes to splitting assets.  There are ways of splitting assets that should be considered. It doesn't have to be a fight with lawyers. Lawyers can handle the legal part of your divorce. If two people can live together for the time that you have, then those two people should be able to discuss a fair split on the things that they built together.  Once this is done, the emotional side of divorce kicks in.

Divorce can be like going through a death. You must be prepared for the emotional roller coaster you will be on when ending your marriage.  You need time to grieve.  Understand that the emotional roller coaster you go on, is normal. You may want to look back and remember all the good things that you had with your partner and forget about the real reasons you got the divorce.

Most people that have support of family and friends to help them move forward with life, will get through this a little easier. Thinking you made a mistake and want to try one more time is rarely successful. It is unusual for people to get remarried to the same person and stay married. There was a reason you divorced.  (Always exceptions to the rule).  When you made the decision to divorce, it was a huge emotional and financial decision that I assume was not made lightly.  So expect the emotional roller coaster, expect the grieving, and then expect that this too shall pass and you can move forward with your new life. This means a new financial plan that you can decide, all by yourself.

Coming soon my new book called, All By Myself; Wealth Planning on One Income.



Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI®
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth Insurance Advisor
HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.
Levesque Wealth Planning
HollisWealth®, a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc.
One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030
Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                           

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Linda J. Levesque, Senior Investment
Advisor and Director, Private Client Group of HollisWealth is an author of The 5 Minute Wealth Plan, Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow, in The Road to Success with Jack Canfield and in The Authorities, Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field.  If you're ready to jump-start your life, have more fun and joy in all that you do, get a FREE consultation from Linda J. Levesque 

This information has been prepared by Linda J. Levesque who is a Sr. Investment Advisor for HollisWealth® and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of HollisWealth. HollisWealth® is a division of Industrial Alliance Securities Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada. The information contained in this newsletter comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. The information contained herein may not apply to all types of investors. The Investment Advisor can open accounts only in the provinces in which they are registered. For more information about HollisWealth, please consult the official website at www.holliswealth.com.

Insurance products provided by HollisWealth are provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.  


Wednesday 2 August 2017

The Only Constant is Change, iA takes over HollisWealth - What's On Your Mind - August 2017

Change goes on daily in our lives.  If you have been a client of mine for any length of time you know that there are always changes going on here.  Having been at Kennedy Road for over 21 years, we have had our share of changes including company mergers.  As of end of day August 4th, Scotia Capital Inc. will no longer own HollisWealth.  Our new owners and hopefully the last merger for a while, will be Industrial Alliance Financial Group.  iA for short.  Going through transitions over the years you realize that it is just business as usual. 

While in the past we have had new email addresses and even company name changes I want to tell you that this time there will be no changes or disruption to the emails or to the HollisWealth name.

iA is a Canadian company founded in 1832.  While many of you may not know this company, they are huge in Quebec and secondly in Ontario.  This company was known more for its insurance products than investment products.  Having said this, they have access to all investment products you have come to know.  iA is a company wanting to expand the investment side of their company and have been recently buying up a lot of independent advisory firms.  HollisWealth was a company iA really wanted to acquire because of our independent advice and representation right across the country.

New account numbers will be assigned to you because iA operates different back office systems.  The impact to you is when you want to do your online deposits.  After August 4th, you will need to enter your new account number under HollisWealth.  You can always contact our office if you need any assistance.  For those of you viewing your accounts on-line, you will be getting new access codes.  The online experience will be enhanced for those of you that care to explore.
iA will be sending out a new administrative fee schedule in August.

We will be calling or emailing our calendar to start booking appointments from mid-August on to start updating your existing accounts over to iA.  In the meantime, once you have your new access codes you can view and make your online deposits as usual.  Everything will remain the same.

If you have any questions regarding the transition over to the new owners you can call and discuss with any of our team.  Enjoy the rest of your summer and we will see and talk to you soon.



Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI®
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth Insurance Advisor
HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.
Levesque Wealth Planning
HollisWealth, a division of Scotia Capital Inc.
One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030  Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                          

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Linda J. Levesque, Senior Investment Advisor and Director, Private Client Group of HollisWealth is an author of The 5 Minute Wealth Plan, Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow, in The Road to Success with Jack Canfield and in The Authorities, Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field.  If you're ready to jump-start your life, have more fun and joy in all that you do, get a FREE consultation from Linda J. Levesque 

This article was prepared solely by Linda J. Levesque who is a registered representative of HollisWealth®
HollisWealth is a trade name of Scotia Capital Inc. and HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.  HollisWealth is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.  Brokerage services provided by HollisWealth are provided through Scotia Capital Inc. Insurance products provided by HollisWealth are provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. The views and opinions, including any recommendations, expressed in this article are those of Linda J. Levesque alone and not those of HollisWealth. Levesque Wealth Planning is a personal trade name of Linda J. Levesque. HollisWealth and the Scotiabank companies do not provide income tax preparation services nor do they supervise or review other persons who may provide such services.

Monday 10 July 2017

Retirement or Lifestyle Planning? Will You Be Sinking or Swimming? - What's On Your Mind - July 2017

A lot of people think about retirement almost on a daily basis.  You may be one of them.  As a financial advisor I help clients plan the financial roadmap towards this goal.  But as I take a step back, I also see that most people only think about the money they will need and they forget to look at the whole picture.

With the extended period of longevity we have been given, we have more years to consider filling besides having the money to do it with.   I am discovering that retirement for people is about leaving their current job but not designing the new life they will have.  The next chapter after working could be even more challenging since the time horizon could be longer than your working years.

People need to think about how they will fill their time and still feel productive on a daily basis.  In the past if you were 65, you were basically put out to pasture.  Since retirement years may have averaged 2 to 10 years we could cope with the boredom that would eventually set in.  Now we are given options after working 25 to 35 years that we may retire regardless of age.  In some cases, working right out of high school or college meant that you were still very young when you had the opportunity to take a pension and leave your employment.

The question then becomes should I, or shouldn't I?  How much am I really working for if I stay?  Is this the question you should be asking or is the question really about what will I do to stay productive and active?  If you cannot answer this question with a plan to fill the next 25 plus years then it may not be the right time for you to leave your employment just because you can.

While you are working, your concentration outside of your job, is to think about your life in retirement in great detail.  Have everything outlined as to where you will live, what you will do, where you will travel to, in what style, etc.  Your retirement plan should be about more than just the money you save.  After all there can be a challenge to living a fulfilled life in retirement like you had when working.  Just something to think about before jumping into retirement with both feet and no lifestyle plan as a life jacket.



Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI®
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth Insurance Advisor
HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.
Levesque Wealth Planning
HollisWealth, a division of Scotia Capital Inc.
One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030  Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                          

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Linda J. Levesque, Senior Investment
Advisor and Director, Private Client Group of HollisWealth is an author of The 5 Minute Wealth Plan, Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow, in The Road to Success with Jack Canfield and in The Authorities, Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field.  If you're ready to jump-start your life, have more fun and joy in all that you do, get a FREE consultation from Linda J. Levesque 

This article was prepared solely by Linda J. Levesque who is a registered representative of HollisWealth®
HollisWealth is a trade name of Scotia Capital Inc. and HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.  HollisWealth is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.  Brokerage services provided by HollisWealth are provided through Scotia Capital Inc. Insurance products provided by HollisWealth are provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. The views and opinions, including any recommendations, expressed in this article are those of Linda J. Levesque alone and not those of HollisWealth.
Levesque Wealth Planning is a personal trade name of Linda J. Levesque. HollisWealth and the Scotiabank companies do not provide income tax preparation services nor do they supervise or review other persons who may provide such services.

Monday 5 June 2017

What's in a Name? - What's On Your Mind - June 2017 Edition

Did you know that not naming a beneficiary can cost your estate extra taxes on your death?  Anytime you do not name a beneficiary on your registered plans you are adding to the probate taxes payable on death.  Not only would your estate have more taxes to pay but if your will is challenged, this money could get tied up for years sitting in limbo.  

Most people have a named beneficiary on their insurance policies.  So why doesn't everyone have a named beneficiary on their registered plans?  I see situations where it is overlooked, especially on group plans at work.  Until I get to review a group plan with a client, they were not even aware they had no beneficiary named.  I have also seen this happen at registered plans at the bank.  

Sometimes people are unsure who to leave their money to when they do not have a spouse, partner, children or close relatives.  This is no excuse.  There are charities that could benefit from this money or close friends you could name.  What you need to know is your beneficiary could change anytime your circumstances change, so naming someone is better than not naming anyone.  Anytime you change your mind about who you named, it can be changed with your financial institution or the benefits people at work that administers your group plan.

Naming your estate as beneficiary on your registered plans automatically add to the taxes your estate will pay.

You can name more than one person on any of your registered plans.  So where should you have a named beneficiary?  The following is some of the more common places:  group plans at work including retirement plans, TFSA and DPSP; registered plans at financial institution which include, retirement savings plans (RSP), locked in retirement accounts (LIRA) and tax free savings accounts (TFSA).  There are other registered accounts such as LIF, RIF, etc. that should also have a named beneficiary.  Most plans with an insurance company allow for a named beneficiary as well.  

You cannot name a beneficiary on non-registered investment accounts; bank accounts etc.  If you have a segregated account with an insurance that is non-registered, they will allow a named beneficiary because of the insurance wrapper the product has.

If you do not want to pay any more taxes than you actually have to on your estate, you may want to review all registered plans you have. Ensure you have a named beneficiary wherever possible because having a name does matter.



Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI®
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth Insurance Advisor
HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.
Levesque Wealth Planning
HollisWealth, a division of Scotia Capital Inc.
One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030  Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                          

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
You can, as long as you include this complete statement with it: Linda J. Levesque, Senior Investment Advisor and Director, Private Client Group of HollisWealth is an author of The 5 Minute Wealth Plan, Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow, in The Road to Success with Jack Canfield and in The Authorities, Powerful Wisdom from Leaders in the Field.  If you're ready to jump-start your life, have more fun and joy in all that you do, get a FREE consultation from Linda J. Levesque 

This article was prepared solely by Linda J. Levesque who is a registered representative of HollisWealth®
 HollisWealth is a trade name of Scotia Capital Inc. and HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.  HollisWealth is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.  Brokerage services provided by HollisWealth are provided through Scotia Capital Inc. Insurance products provided by HollisWealth are provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. The views and opinions, including any recommendations, expressed in this article are those of Linda J. Levesque alone and not those of HollisWealth. Levesque Wealth Planning is a personal trade name of Linda J. Levesque. HollisWealth and the Scotiabank companies do not provide income tax preparation services nor do they supervise or review other persons who may provide such services.

Tuesday 2 May 2017

All By Myself: 5 Finanical Lessons My Mother Taught Me - What's On Your Mind - May 2017

Almost half the population is single whether it is chosen or something that happens to them after their marriage ends.  If you are a decidedly single person you may already have a great handle on your finances.  If you have recently come out of a relationship where the other partner handled the finances you need to learn the basics of finances 101.

Having a financial advisor may be a good place to start on your road to financial success.  A lot of single people suffer anxiety thinking about how they will manage on their own.  Having someone on your side to discuss your situation and lay out a plan of action may just be the medicine you need to feel secure.

My mother was widowed at 43 years old.  My father was the sole income provider and also managed the household expenses.  My mother had to learn to live not just without the support of her husband but to manage the finances, raise four remaining minor children and run a house while worrying how she was going to manage into retirement.

The following are the lessons my mother learned and wished in some cases she had learned sooner.

Lesson One:  Know where to find all important papers and accounts you have.  Understand what insurances are in place.  Now a days you also need to know where to find passwords for all accounts etc.  My mother wished my father had life insurance.  Having protection for the family would have made my mother's life easier.

Lesson Two:  Know what the cash flow is.  What income will now be coming in and what household expenses are going out.  This may have been done by your partner and you need to know what has to be paid.  My mother never worried about cash flow and just relied on her husband to provide what she needed for the family.  My mother had to quickly learn how to pay bills and the consequence of not paying them on time.

Lesson Three:  Create a budget.  You may have never had to worry or plan the finances until now. You need to learn how to create and stick to a budget.  Your budget will also help you to plan and save for your future.  My mother spent what came in and that was her budget.  Now my mother understands budgeting and the importance it has, if you want to have a secure financial future.

Lesson Four:  Pay yourself first.  Ask your friends or family for referrals to financial advisors. When you start saving for your future you need to invest some of your money on a regular basis so you can have an emergency fund along with your long term savings for retirement.  My mother never understood the importance of paying yourself first and lost a lot of years of compounding because she did not have the help of financial advisor.  My mother learned this later in life, now having a daughter in the business to help her make the right financial decisions. 

Lesson Five:  Get a handle on your taxes.  Most people don't feel comfortable having to deal with taxes and eventually find they are paying large amounts of taxes needlessly.  At some point the person may ask their adult children or a friend to help them.  It is at this point you want to use a financial advisor as a resource.   My mother has me to help her.  Who is helping your mother, sister, friend, etc.?

Linda J. Levesque, CFP®, FMA, FCSI
Sr. Investment Advisor
Director, Private Client Group
HollisWealth Insurance Advisor
HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.
Levesque Wealth Planning
HollisWealth, a division of Scotia Capital Inc.
One Corporate Plaza, 2075 Kennedy Road, 5th Floor, Toronto, ON M1T 3V3
Tel: 416-412-8018 / 1-800-322-4030  Fax: 416-332-6772
linda@levesquewealthplanning.com
                                                                                          

‘Saving Today for a Richer Tomorrow’™

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR WEB SITE?
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This article was prepared solely by Linda J. Levesque who is a registered representative of HollisWealth® HollisWealth is a trade name of Scotia Capital Inc. and HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd.  HollisWealth is a division of Scotia Capital Inc., a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.  Brokerage services provided by HollisWealth are provided through Scotia Capital Inc. Insurance products provided by HollisWealth are provided through HollisWealth Insurance Agency Ltd. ® Registered trademark of The Bank of Nova Scotia, used under licence. The views and opinions, including any recommendations, expressed in this article are those of Linda J. Levesque alone and not those of HollisWealth.  Levesque Wealth Planning is a personal trade name of Linda J. Levesque. HollisWealth and the Scotiabank companies do not provide income tax preparation services nor do they supervise or review other persons who may provide such services.