Wealth Management Mistakes, And How To Avoid Them

We all dream of that day when we retire, and can finally relax and spend our time pursuing our long-awaited plans. With this is mind, it is important to understand your finances, and avoid making potential mistakes that can impact on your financial future. By taking control early on, you can ensure that your retirement years will be well provided for. This list of ten common financial planning mistakes will help you better prepare for your future.

Do not leave your assets unprotected. Your savings, investments, etc. can easily be wiped out due to illness, death, fire, or accident. As you accumulate assets, you need to ensure that you have adequate insurance that reflects your needs. Death or prolonged illness can quickly deplete your savings, leaving you in a financial crisis. Make sure you re-evaluate your coverage on a regular basis, and make sure that your policies reflect your current needs.

Do not mismanage your cash flow. Realistically devise a budget, and stick to it. It can be easy at times with a steady cash flow to spend more and save less. You need to remember that in the future, you will not be receiving a paycheck, and need to save in accordance. Impulse purchases of large items, such as cars, vacations, etc. can easily deplete your savings, thereby affecting your financial future. It may also be beneficial to consult a financial planner in order to devise your budget and investments. A financial planner can also help you invest your assets in such a manner that will minimize your taxes. During your years of employment, it is also wise to carry disability insurance, thereby protecting your assets in case of an accident.

Do not mismanage your debt. While debt is a normal part of life, too much debt can be financially detrimental. Your debt should not exceed your liquid assets, which is the combined total of your cash accounts, brokerage accounts and the cash surrender value of your life insurance policies. If your debt does exceed your liquid assets, it is advisable to try and consolidate your debt at a lower interest rate. Mortgages offer the advantage of a tax break on the interest, which will also help you.

Do not ignore your finances. Financial mistakes can easily be made simply by neglect. Commit time on a regular basis to review your financial status and investments. By simply paying attention, you can avoid any errors and rectify and mistakes.

Do not misjudge your risk tolerance when investing. The stock market can be highly profitable, but it also carries a higher level of risk. Once capital is generated, it must be protected and preserved. Realistically evaluate how much risk you can safely assume when investing in the stock market. Rebalance your portfolio periodically. If you are not comfortable with your current status of stocks and bonds, you may wish to move into a more secure investment practice. In the event that you do suffer a loss with your stocks, try to minimize the loss when you do your taxes.

Do not spend unexpected windfalls of money foolishly.  If you come into unexpected money, such as an inheritance, lottery winning or stock options, resist the urge to go on a spending spree. Consult with a professional on the taxation issues concerning the money, and plan accordingly in order to maintain as much of the money as possible.

Do not fail to maximize retirement plan benefits. The majority of participants do not put the majority contribution allowable into their company retirement plan. By doing so, you will have further savings for when you retire, as well as the tax benefits. Depending on where you work, you may also be able to take advantage of "nonqualified plans", which allow you to defer paying the taxes until a future date. It is important to remember that if the company you work for goes bankrupt, nonqualified assets are not protected. If you are planning on rolling over your retirement plan to an IRA, make sure you thoroughly understand all the taxation issues, in order to prevent taxation penalties.

Do not neglect to realistically plan for how much you will be spending once you retire.  You need to assess whether your current financial plan will adequately provide for the type of retirement you envision. In order to do this, you need to carefully assess on how much money will be coming in, how much you plan on spending, and whether your assets reflect this. By determining how much you plan on spending early on, you can then make changes if necessary in your financial strategy.

Do not forget to plan your estate. Failure to plan your estate ahead of time can lead to financial problems or tax problems later on. It can also leave your loved ones without financial security. Make sure that your estate includes consideration for potential disability as well as death. Include the name of the person who you wish to have power of attorney. It is wise to make sure that your plan is current, and make the necessary changes, such as beneficiaries, immediately.

Do not leave your heir(s) unprepared. Discuss with your family what your intentions are regarding their inheritance. If you are planning on leaving significant sums of money to your heirs, you may wish to teach them how to be financially responsible. When dealing with children, or young adults, setting up trusts may be a wise decision. You may want to set up trusts in installments, where they will receive certain sums at certain ages. By clearly stating your intentions orally and in writing, you can also avoid family fights later on.

By having a well thought out financial plan, you can avoid having to worry about money when you retire. Remember, the earlier you start planning for retirement, the less of a burden it will be later on. Consult with your insurance broker about your coverage, and whether it is sufficient for your plans and needs.

Life Insurance for Your Children

As we journey through life there's school, post secondary education, marriage, children and numerous other events that satisfy our need for happiness. All of life's events require planning ahead in order to ensure the success. What many people don't plan on, is preparing for negative events that can turn our lives into instant chaos.

It has been stated by many life insurance companies that the main purpose of life insurance is to replace lost income so that your family can maintain their lifestyle and pay off debt. There are some websites that advise because children are not economic contributors to the household and don't have debt, it's not critical that they have their own policies. Unless your family has a hefty savings account or investments that can be quickly cashed in, having some life insurance on your child is crucial.

The loss of a child is the worst possible event that can happen in life. Imagine losing your child, you have no savings or investments to draw from to cover the funeral, burial or cremation. That leaves you with a debt anywhere on average from $5,000 to $20,000.

Before you rush out and purchase policies for your dependants, there are several considerations to keep in mind:

• Do you want insurance that will cover the basic cost of a funeral and burial (or cremation)?
• Do you want a policy that has an option for your child to buy additional insurance when he or she comes of age?
• If you do not want insurance, are you disciplined enough to regularly put money aside into an investment or savings account to cover a funeral in the event of death?

We all hope that our children survive us parents. Everyone's needs are different and doing what is right is an individual choice.

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One of the most painful experiences we encounter in life is the death of a loved one. The grief can be overwhelming, leaving the survivor(s) in shock and disbelief. By pre-planning your funeral, you can help alleviate some of the stress. By discussing your final wishes with your spouse/family, and having a plan in effect, the survivors do not have to worry about making the final arrangements, especially when grief may hinder making good decisions.

Although this is a difficult subject to discuss with your loved one(s), planning ahead will help them when they need it the most. It also ensures that your wishes will be carried out. Issues such as organ donation should be discussed so that your family is aware of what you wish to have happen. The more that you plan beforehand means less that your loved ones have to deal with in the event of your death.

When planning your arrangements, you must first decide on how much money you can afford and are willing to spend. If you decide to pre-pay for your arrangements, ask whether or not interest will be paid on the money, and if so, whether the funeral home or your estate receives the interest. Compare the rates at various funeral homes before making your decision. It is also important to make sure that you are dealing with a reputable funeral home, that will in all likelihood be in business for years to come. Consider all aspects of your service, such as whether or not you will be using the funeral home's chapel or your own church, and whether their chapel will be suitable for your plans. Before signing the contract, make sure that all goods and services are specifically stated, in order to preclude further costs at the time of the funeral.

Clearly state your intentions of what you wish to have happen to your remains. If you wish to become an organ donor and/or donate your body to science, it is important that your next of kin is aware of this request. Make sure that your wishes are in writing, either by filling out the donor card on your driver’s license, or simply by stating these wishes in writing and signing the document. As well, discuss your "living will" with your next of kin in the event of an accident. This will allow your loved ones to carry out your intentions in the event that you are not capable of doing so, i.e. coma.

If you decide to be buried, you may want to consider purchasing your burial plot beforehand. If you choose to buy your plot in advance, you need to talk to your loved one(s) about their wishes. You may decide that buying adjoining plots will best suit your needs. Before you make your purchase however, ascertain whether or not you will be able to sell or transfer ownership of the plot(s) in the event that you change your mind for whatever reason.

Once you have discussed your plans with your loved one(s), make sure that it is documented. Make sure that all your papers, i.e. current will, insurance policies, etc. are together, and that your next of kin is aware of where these are stored. Make sure you include your insurance broker's name and number, as well as any other phone numbers that your next of kin may require at the time of death. This will enable your loved one to easily access the needed information.

Talk with your loved one(s) about your wishes, and also discuss what policy or policies you currently have. By providing your next of kin with all the information they will need to access, you will be providing them with the peace of mind they will need in their time of grief.

Reviewing Your Retirement Plan

One of the biggest financial challenges is planning for your retirement. What you save for retirement will ultimately decide the quality of life once you stop working, and also determine when you stop working. Once you have a retirement plan, it is very important that you review your plan every few years to determine whether or not it is still reflective of your plans and needs. When reviewing your retirement plan, ask yourself these questions to determine whether you need to amend your original plan.

Are you still planning on retiring at the age you first decided on? Many circumstances, such as illness in the family, getting married, etc. can alter the original plan. Financial setbacks, such as unemployment, a loss in the stock market, supporting a loved one or whether or not your investments are growing at rate on which you accounted for can cause a significant change in your savings, thereby changing your original goal of when to stop working. Determine whether you need to re-evaluate this, and if applicable, decide on when retirement will be feasible.

Are your spending habits still consistent with your original retirement plan? Marriage, divorce, having children can significantly change your bank balance. Big purchases, such as a home or vacation home, new vehicles, etc. can also take a bite out of your savings. Also consider whether or not you have incurred new expenses, such as your children's education, etc. that you didn’t have when you first planned for retirement. It is important to evaluate your current financial obligations, and determine whether or not it is consistent with your retirement plan. You may want to consider cutting expenses where you can in order to save for your retirement.

Is your investment portfolio growing as originally expected? You need to evaluate whether your original investments are still relevant to your needs. Reassess whether or not your original portfolio is growing with your retirement goals. Factor in your age and retirement goal and decide whether or not you need to make changes in order to accomplish that goal. Depending on your target retirement age, and how close you are to that target, you may need to make changes in order to accomplish your goals.

How much can you expect from your government retirement plan? Get a statement of earnings so you know exactly how much money you can expect when you retire. By doing this beforehand, you can also determine whether your account information is correct, and deal with any mistakes before you need this income. Having an accurate dollar amount of what you are entitled to will greatly aid you in determining your retirement budget, and exactly how much savings you will need.

How about your company pension plan? You need to be fully aware of what type of plan it is, whether or not your employers offer matching funds, and whether or not you are contributing as much as you can. You need to research whether or not you can choose the investments and track how well they are doing, as well as what you are entitled to if you choose to leave your employment early. It is important to know how much your plan is worth, and how much it will grow between now and your retirement date.
What happens to your health and life insurance benefits? Determine whether or not your benefits are available after your retirement. Most benefits end upon termination of employment, just when life and health coverage is most needed. For those who are concerned about getting coverage with existing health problems, we offer a Guaranteed Issue Life Insurance plan that is affordable and requires no medical exam. We also offer FollowMe Life Insurance, specifically designed for those who lose their employee benefits. There is no medical examination required, providing you apply for coverage within 60 days of your employment termination. You can choose the amount of coverage you want, and it is guaranteed renewable up to the age of 80, regardless of health conditions. This coverage also provides a Living Benefit, at no additional cost. We also provide Guaranteed Issue Health Insurance; for more information please visit our website HealthQuotes.ca

The closer you get to retirement, the more often you should review all these criteria to ensure that your plan is still meeting all your requirements. Consult a financial planner if you are unsure whether or not you are maximizing all your options. If you are concerned about getting insurance coverage after you retire, please contact us for assistance.

Choosing The Right Charity

Many Canadians choose to donate to charities in an effort to make life better for those less fortunate. Charities play an important part of Canadian society, raising money for programs that would not otherwise be able to financially survive. Before donating, it is important to make sure it is a legitimate recognized charity, and that your donation is being spent properly.

Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous people posing as charities in order to illegally profit from donations. With so many different charities to choose from, potential donors need to exercise some caution before committing to donating their money. A simple way to verify if a charity is legitimate is to see if they are registered under the Income Tax Act. The Canada Revenue Agency registers qualifying organizations as charities, and handles auditing and compliance issues. All registered charities are required by law to file an annual tax return, which is available to the public. They must meet government requirements regarding their expenditures and activities. If a charity is registered, they are entitled to issue official receipts for donations, which can be used by the donor to reduce their payable income tax. If you would like to verify whether a charity is registered, you can call 1-888-892-5667 or visit the Charities Direcorate webpage.

It is advisable to do some homework on the charity that you are interested in. A reputable charity will offer information if asked, such as budget information, annual reports, etc. It is important as well to ask exactly how your money will be spent, i.e. how much goes to operating costs vs. directly going to the intended cause. Never give out your personal information to someone over the phone or internet. Beware of solicitors who pressure you into giving a donation immediately, without allowing you the opportunity to investigate the charity first. This may be an indication that they are not a charity at all, but rather a "scam" that relies on high pressure tactics to dupe unsuspecting citizens. These scams may also use "sound alike" names of reputable charities, trying to trick a potential donor believe that they are legitimate, when in fact they are not.

Once you have decided on a reputable charity, you may want to consider donating a life insurance policy. This can be done by either gifting ownership of an existing policy to the charity, or by having the charity take out a policy on the donor’s life. With either of these options, the charity becomes the owner of the policy. Choose carefully which option will suit your taxation purposes, as they carry very different results.

If you donate an existing policy, or have the charity take out a policy on your life,  a tax receipt can be issued for the fair market value. This is calculated by the cash surrender value of the policy minus any outstanding loans plus any accumulated interest. Premiums paid on the policy by the donor, either directly (by you to the insurer) or indirectly (funds paid to the charity that are specifically earmarked for payment of premiums) are considered charitable donations. The charity can issue an annual receipt in regards to these premiums. The beneficiary designation does not need to be irrevocable in order to obtain this charitable tax credit. The donor may also be entitled to a tax deduction for the value of the donated policy. Upon death however, the estate will not be entitled to any further tax benefits.

The other option is to purchase a policy and name your estate as beneficiary. You can then directly specify that the benefits go to your charity or charities. This option does not entitle the donor to a tax receipt for the premiums, but instead entitles the individual for a charitable donation tax credit on the proceeds on their terminal return. However, it is important to remember that there is no "carry-over" for gifts made in the year of death. If the full amount of the tax credit cannot be used, there is a provision in the tax laws to carry back any unused donation one year. The donation limit for the year of death and the preceding year is limited to 100% of the net income.

Donating a life insurance policy can be beneficial to both the donor and the charity. Discuss with your family your intentions of donating a life insurance policy to charity. It is also advisable to seek help from a qualified insurance broker in order to ensure that you understand your options, and can select the method which best suits your taxation requirements.