Most Canadians throughout the country will at some point in their life will apply for a mortgage. As with any other financial transactions, it is a good idea to do your homework and understand the complexities of your mortgage. Having a solid understanding of your finances as well as the different mortgage products available can help you make the best choice. Your mortgage will probably be the most important debt of your lifetime; making a well informed decision will benefit you for years to come.

You must determine how much you are able to afford to spend when buying a home. This includes not only the purchase price of the home, but all of your other financial obligations. Do not assume that the maximum amount you are pre-approved for is an amount you can actually afford. Figure out what your monthly expenses are, including car payments, insurance, groceries, cable, telephone, etc. You may want to track these expenses for a few months in order to get an accurate total of your monthly expenditures. It's also a good idea to set aside money for emergencies, i.e. car repairs, house maintenance, etc. Subtracting the amount of the monthly expenses (including savings) from your monthly income will give you an estimate of how much you can afford for a mortgage payment. The general rule is to not exceed 32% of your gross monthly income for housing costs, and no more than 40% on monthly debt payments.

Once you've decided on the amount you can afford, you will need to shop around for a lender. Banks, mortgage companies, insurance companies, trust and loan companies as well as credit unions can all offer mortgages. Different companies will offer different prices as well as conditions; talk to several different lenders, as well as types of lenders in order to get the best product for your specific needs. You may also want to consider using a mortgage broker. A mortgage broker does not directly lend money, but rather finds a lender best suited for your needs. Because mortgage brokers have access to a wide range of lenders you will usually have more choices regarding products and terms. If you choose to use a mortgage broker, remember that not all brokers have the same access to financial institutions so you may want to consider consulting with more than one broker.

When shopping for a mortgage, obtain the information you will need in order to compare products. In Canada it is federally regulated that all banks, insurance companies and trust and loan companies must provide you with the following information before you sign a mortgage agreement. If you are shopping for a fixed-rate mortgage you must be provided with:

• The amount being lent
• The term of the loan as well as the amortization period
• Total amount of payments at the end of the term, as well as how much of that total you will have paid in interest
• Annual interest rate, including the real annual percentage rate which includes any and all extra charges (APR)
• The actual date on which interest will begin to be charged
• The amount of the payment and the due date
• If your payments are first applied to cover the interest and other applicable charges, and then to the outstanding principal
• Any optional services, i.e. disability or life insurance, that you have accepted, as well as the cost and the penalties, rebates and/or charges that will be applied if you decide later to cancel these services
• Any default charges that will be applied if your mortgage is in default
• Description of any property that is being provided as security for the loan
• Any broker fees that are paid by the lender to a broker that are included in the amount being lent
• The fee you will have to pay to discharge the mortgage after it has been paid off
• Any other charges that may apply, including the type of charge and the amount

If you are applying for a variable-rate mortgage you must be provided with:

• The annual interest rate of your mortgage as of the date of the disclosure statement
• How and when the annual interest rate is calculated
• How much your payments are based on the annual interest rate
• What your total payments will be at the end of the term based on the annual interest rate
• If the interest rate variations are linked to a public index you must be provided at least once a year with a disclosure statement that contains the annual interest rate and outstanding balance and the beginning and end of the period covered by the statement. You must also be provided with the amount of each payment and when it is due based on the annual interest rate that is applied at the end of the period

If you are applying for a variable-rate mortgage and the amount of your payment is not automatically adjusted to reflect changes in the annual interest rate you must also be provided with:

• The annual interest rate above which your payments will not be sufficient to cover the interest due on your loan for the period
• You must be made aware that negative amortization can happen. This occurs when your outstanding balance increases even when payments are made in full

Federal law also prohibits the financial institution from unduly pressuring you to buy their other products as a condition for accepting your mortgage application. For instance, the institution cannot deny your mortgage application because you choose not to buy your mortgage life insurance from them. You have the right to shop around for not only your mortgage, but for any other financial products that you may need for your new home. It's wise to always compare different products from different institutions, lenders and/or brokers in order to assemble the best package for your personal needs.

Having a budget that actually works for you can be a great tool to help achieve your financial goals. By having a spending plan that accurately reflects your goals, you can truly understand how and where you spend your money. Making a budget can also show you where you are unnecessarily spending money that instead could be going towards a more important purpose.

The first step in making a budget is to gather up all your financial statements. This includes bank statements, credit card bills, utility bills, etc. Also include items that may be paid on a yearly basis, i.e. car insurance, life insurance, property taxes, etc. The more information you have on your expenses, as well as income (i.e. bonuses), the more accurately you can define your spending and saving habits.

Calculate the amount of all sources of income. When using the amount of your paycheck, record the net amount (the amount after taxes).

Once you have all your documents together, create a list of monthly expenses. Items that are paid on a yearly, semi-annually or other non-monthly basis should be divided by 12 in order to figure out the monthly cost. Include this cost in your monthly expenses, as it is the amount you should be saving for that specific expense. Also include in this such financial items as retirement savings, RRSP contributions, etc.

Divide your expenses into 2 categories: fixed and variable. Your fixed expenses are the expenses that stay relatively the same each month. These include such items as phone, cable, electric bills, etc. as well as credit card payments. While these may change slightly, they will not increase or decrease dramatically throughout the year. For items such as car and life insurance, property taxes, etc. divide the total amount by 12 in order to find out the monthly amount of money that should be put away for that expense. This ensures that you are not stuck with a large bill that you have not budgeted for.

Your variable expenses are your expenses that tend to fluctuate more throughout the year, i.e. groceries, entertainment, clothing. This is also the category where you will be able to have more control over where to cut expenditures if necessary in order to reach your goals. This also gives you a more comprehensive understanding of your daily spending habits. You may be surprised to actually see how much, for instance, you spend on buying take-out coffee everyday when you see the weekly or monthly total.

People tend to only factor in the major expenses and bills. However, by keeping a daily log of how and where you spend your money, you will have a greater understanding of where exactly your money goes. By doing this for a week, you can have an accurate record of your daily spending habits. This is usually a category where spending habits can be changed in order to free up more money for either other expenses or for savings.

Once your expenses as well as sources of income are calculated and accurately identified, total the amount from each category. If your income is higher than your expenses, then you can prioritize this excess to such areas as retirement savings, paying more on credit card debt, etc. However, if your expenses are higher than your income, you will need to make changes in your expenditures.

Remember to review your budget on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. This will give you the opportunity to review your spending habits, as well as how well you stuck to your budget. You will always need to revise your budget for any financial changes, i.e. raise in pay, major expense (new car, etc) as your budget will have to be re-worked to reflect the changes.

While Canadian parents may be striving to achieve financial freedom as well as the "good things in life", we may be forgetting about what we are teaching our children. New studies are showing the correlation between a parents' attitude towards money and how this impacts the child's spending habits when they become adults.

A recent study out of the United States has reported that while 80% of parents described themselves as positive role models regarding money issues, only 19% had actually discussed issues such as budgeting with their children. As well, 48% had discussed the difference between 'wants' and 'needs', 36% revealed that they had never discussed any financial issues with their children.

While children will ultimately make their own decisions (and mistakes!) parents can help instill some sound financial ideals in their children. By simply being aware of some of the basic financial pitfalls, they can make better choices earlier on in life, and hopefully avoid those that quickly lead to large debt. It's also a great opportunity to help your child develop a healthy attitude about money, i.e. money doesn't buy happiness. It's natural to want to buy our children things that maybe we didn't have as children, but we also want our children to have respect for money and not be "spoiled".

The following tips are a guideline for not only discussing financial responsibility with your children, but also for parents to understand how their child may view the family’s financial patterns.

• Credit Cards: We are all bombarded with television advertisements and mailers regarding "low or zero interest rate" credit cards. Very few teenagers or young adults understand that this is a "teaser" rate and generally will rise to up to a 20% interest rate. At the appropriate age, you may want to get your child their "own" credit card on your account, with a low spending limit; this way you can monitor their expenditures, and help teach them how to responsible with credit. As most college/university students will obtain credit cards, this will offer your child the experience beforehand of being able to manage credit and not get into debt that they cannot afford to pay off.
• Being able to discuss money: Most teenagers will "tune out" if their parent(s) is yelling at them about their spending habits. Talking to them in a normal voice, and explaining where they made a mistake, instead of berating or using guilt, will usually accomplish a more positive result. Realize that mistakes will be made; by calmly explaining what happened, and what a better alternative would have been, will allow your child not only to learn more, but it will foster a more positive environment where your child can feel comfortable talking to you about money.
• Bribing your child(ren) with gifts: It's normal for parents to buy their child a gift or give them money as a special reward for an achievement, but beware of using this method every time. You cannot expect a child to understand the "value of a dollar" if they grow up with the expectation that every time they do something well, they get something. A better alternative is to discuss the price of the specific item they want, and then agree on what the appropriate amount of chores is required in order to earn it. This method allows your child to learn early on to associate the monetary worth of the items they want.
• Lead by example: Whether you intend to or not, your child will mimic your spending habits. For instance, you cannot expect a child to be responsible with credit cards if he/she has grown up in an environment where parents are constantly complaining about how high their bills are. This also applies to saving habits and budgeting. If you don't already have one, make a household budget, and discuss it with your child.
• Shopping is NOT entertainment: Teenagers especially can have the tendency to view shopping as a social event. While "hanging out at the mall" is not a problem, having your child view having to spend money in order to have fun can be a problem later on in life. Try to expose your teen to other forms of "fun events" that don't require them to spend money.
• Budgeting: This is a skill that will last your child a lifetime. Even with young children, giving them an allowance, and showing them how to keep track of their spending, can teach them this basic concept. As they grow older, you can help them introduce items such as savings, etc. If your teenage child gets a job, sit down with them and help devise a budget that gives them a savings component, as well as budgeting for clothing, entertainment, etc.

By talking to your children about finances you can give them the tools they need later on in life. Also include financial mistakes you have made; this will allow them to see that no one is perfect, and hopefully they will learn to avoid the errors you have made. By ensuring an environment where your child can easily and comfortably talk to you about money, they will be better prepared for when they are independent and have to be in control of their own financial destiny.

For many retiring Canadians, living outside of the country either full-time or part-time can be an attractive option. Whether choosing to winter in a warmer climate, or altogether moving to a different country, you need to be aware of the financial issues surrounding these decisions. Canadians can reside in another country without having to give up their Canadian citizenship; however you will still be subject to Canadian taxation laws. It's important to understand the taxation and financial regulations of either living abroad.

There are many things to consider when deciding where to spend your retirement years. If you are planning on living outside of Canada, you should do some research on the country where you plan on moving to. You will need to research that particular country's immigration regulations, as these vary greatly depending on the country chosen. You should also familiarize yourself with that country's laws, as well as political climate. Realize that countries you've enjoyed vacationing in may not offer the type of lifestyle you are accustomed to when it comes to actually residing there.

Financial and taxation issues are very important as well when contemplating to live outside of Canada. Some developing countries may seem to offer a lower cost of living; however many lack the resources to collect taxes on foreign sourced income, and instead will impose high consumption taxes and/or import duties. Especially for those who will be living on a fixed income and/or budget, you will need to thoroughly understand the financial implications of the country you are considering. You should also factor in the costs of traveling back to Canada as well as items such as larger phone bills to maintain contact with your friends/family.

Another major financial consideration will be health care and insurance. As Canada offers a very high standard of medical care, some countries may be considered inadequate by our terms. If you have specific health problems, i.e. diabetes, heart condition, you will need to ensure that your country of choice has medical facilities as well as physicians that are capable of giving you quality care. You will also need to obtain full health coverage as you will no longer be entitled to your Canadian provincial health care benefits.  Be aware that even if you have supplemental health insurance (to supplement your provincial healthcare plan), this will not be enough coverage when leaving Canada. If you are planning on living abroad only part time, remember that your provincial healthcare only provides limited coverage for up to only 3 months. Your level of provincial benefits will probably not be enough to fully cover any medical expenses that you may incur; it is advisable to have your own health insurance even when leaving Canada on a temporary basis. Depending on the length of your absence from Canada, you may also have to wait for your provincial health plan to be reinstated, which will temporarily leave you without health insurance coverage.

If you are planning on leaving Canada to live in another country (either full or part time) you will need to ensure that your passport is valid, and doesn't expire while you are out of the country. You will also need to open a bank account in your new country; it is a good idea beforehand to research their banking regulations. You may also want to have a safety deposit box in order to safeguard copies of your documents, i.e. birth certificate, identification which bears your photo, etc. You should also have the numbers of the Canadian consulate on hand should you require these in an emergency. As well, have a copy of your visa (if it is required).

If you are planning on permanently residing in another country, you will need to establish a legal status there, i.e. permanent residency or citizenship status. Requirements for legal status vary greatly from country to country, but usually will be based on principles such as employment status, investment status, and/or family connections. Some countries may recognize people such as retirees with a guaranteed minimum income as potential immigrants. Many countries will require proof of guaranteed income in order to establish sufficient support for the retiree and any dependents. You will need to provide financial documentation supporting your claim that you meet these requirements; have copies of bank statements, investments, RRSP’s, etc ready in order for submission.

You can still receive your Canadian Public Pensions while living abroad, provided that you still qualify for the benefit. Old Age Security (OAS) requires that you lived in Canada for at least 20 years after the age of 18; as this benefit is subject to an income test, you will need to file an annual tax return which reports your worldwide income. Canada does impose a withholding tax on "passive" income paid to nonresidents from Canadian sources. This includes interest, dividends, RRSP income, rental income, RRIF income as well as pension income. This rate is usually 25%; but may be reduced depending on the terms of any tax treaties that exist between Canada and your new country of residence. You will also be required to file tax returns in Canada if you are still receiving income that originates in Canada, i.e. income from a business in Canada, the sale of taxable property, or any income that is earned. However, you may also be entitled to a tax refund on such items as rental income and/or pension income if your taxable income is low enough to qualify.

If you are planning on retiring and living outside of Canada, you may want to obtain advice regarding the financial and taxation issues. Do your own research about any potential countries you are interested in, either on a part or full time basis, so you can better plan ahead. Remember, the earlier you start planning, the better prepared you will be when you actually retire.

The majority of working Canadians have Employment Insurance (EI) deducted from their wages. This insurance is intended to provide temporary financial assistance to those who are unemployed and looking for work and/or upgrading their skills. EI also provides financial assistance for other reasons though; such as maternity leave, work absence due to illness, caring for a new child, as well as short-term help for those who need to care for a family member who is seriously ill with a significant risk of death.

Compassionate Care Benefits are intended to help those who are employed, but who need a short leave of absence in order to care for a relative that is gravely ill and at risk of dying within 26 weeks. People who are collecting EI at the time can also ask for this benefit. This benefit is payable up to a maximum of 6 weeks; however, it can be shared among eligible family members (i.e. 3 siblings can each claim 2 weeks to be used in succession.)

In order to be eligible for Compassionate Care benefits, you must be able to prove that your regular weekly earnings have decreased by more than 40%. As well, you must have accumulated 600 insured hours within the last 52 week period, or since the start of your last claim. This is known as the qualifying period. There is a 2 week waiting period; however if the 6 week period is shared by family members, only the first person will serve the waiting period.

EI recognizes family members as either your blood relative or a blood relative of your spouse (if common law spouse, you must have resided together for at least one year). These relatives include:

• Your child or the child of your spouse
• Your wife/husband or common-law partner
• Your parent or the parent of your spouse
• Step-parent or common-law partner of a blood parent
• Sibling or step-sibling, as well as sibling or step-sibling of your spouse
• Father or mother in law, either married or common-law
• Son or daughter in law, or your spouse's son or daughter in law
• Uncles and aunts, as well as their partner; or your spouse's uncle or aunt, or their partner
• Nephew and nieces; also a nephew or niece of your spouse
• Current or former foster parent; current or former foster parent of your spouse
• Current or former foster child as well as their partner
• Current or former ward; current or former ward of your spouse
• Current or former guardian or their partners

There is also a provision for someone who although they are not "related" they do consider you as a family member, i.e. friend or neighbor. In this case, a Compassionate Care Benefits Attestation is required from the person who is gravely ill and requesting your help. Care/support is defined as providing psychological/emotional support, arranging care through a third party, and/or directly providing or participating in care.

When applying for Compassionate Care benefits, you will be required to provide documentation proving that the ill family member is in need of care/support, as well as being at risk of dying within 26 weeks. 2 forms will be required to be submitted:

• Authorization to Release a Medical Certificate which is completed and signed by the ill relative or their legal representative
• Medical certificate for Employment Insurance Compassionate Care Benefits which is completed and signed by the ill relative's medical doctor to confirm the significant risk of death within the prescribed 26 weeks

These forms must be submitted at the same time; as well, the applicant assumes the cost of any fees charged by the doctor/legal representative. Only one Medical Certificate is required even if several family members are sharing the 6 weeks leave. If more than one is submitted, the first one submitted will determine the beginning and end of the 6 week period. Compassionate Care benefits end when either the 6 weeks have been paid up and the time period has expired, you have exhausted the maximum payable benefits allowed for your claim, or if the family member dies or no longer requires care and support. If the family member dies while you are receiving this benefit, it is your responsibility to immediately inform the administrator of your benefits in order to prevent EI overpayments.

For more information regarding eligibility as well as the complete list of requirements regarding this benefit, please visit the Service Canada website.

If you're like the majority of  Canadians, funeral planning is not a topic you wish to think about. Whether it's your own funeral, or that of a loved one, it's a subject that we all put off planning. But do you even know how much a typical funeral costs? What are your options? What about pre-paid funerals? These are all questions that do require some thought as well as financial planning, and should also factor into the amount of your life insurance coverage.

Pre-paid funerals do have certain advantages. It ensures that your wishes are specifically carried out, and takes the pressure away from your loved ones of making plans during their time of bereavement. It also removes the financial burden from your family. Pre-paying your own funeral also gives you the time to shop around for the best prices and to decide your own budget. If you do choose this option, make sure you inform your family of these arrangements, who you have pre-paid, and give someone copies of all the necessary paperwork. While pre-paid funerals are designed to give everyone involved peace of mind, there are some disadvantages to this option. For instance, there is no guarantee that the service provider you have pre-paid will still be in business at the time of your death. If you die before all the payments have been completed, the service provider may demand that your survivors pay the outstanding balance before they will honor the contract. As well, if you happen to move outside of the area that the service provider services, you run the risk of not being able to get a refund and/or transferring the services. Penalties may also be assessed for any late payments, and if you change your mind, there is a chance that you will be refunded substantially less than what you have paid in. Canadian provinces may have different regulations regarding this topic, so research what the current law is in your home province.

An alternative to a pre-paid funeral is to set up an interest bearing account that is specifically earmarked for your funeral expenses. This choice will still give you the time to decide on what type of service you would like, as well as pricing the various options you have. If you choose this type of planning however, you must keep in mind that the prices of what you have chosen will probably increase as time goes on, and plan accordingly. Once again, if you die before enough money has accrued in the earmarked account, your loved ones will be faced with either going against your wishes, or having to pay the balance themselves. As well, your loved ones must be able to quickly access the bank account, as well as be informed and able to carry out your wishes.

In order to either plan your own funeral, or plan one for a loved one, you must be aware of all your options, and what these cost. The average funeral in Canada today can range in price from $2,500 to $6,000. This price range does not include such added expenses like a burial plot, headstone, etc. Burial plots can range in prices depending on the location of the cemetery; as well not all burial plots are priced the same, some "desirable" locations within the cemetery are usually more expensive. Likewise, the size and detail of a headstone will determine the cost. The cost of a funeral will depend on what type of service you want, whether you choose burial or cremation, etc.

The 2 most common choices are funerals and memorial services. Memorial services are generally less expensive, as there is no casket, no embalming and no grave liner costs involved. A typical memorial service will cost around $2500, depending on what type of service you are planning. This does not include the cost of cremation however, which can cost anywhere from $500 up to $2000.  A memorial service is simply a service to commemorate the deceased's life; usually the body has already been cremated. Because there is no body present, there are more choices available regarding the location of the memorial service. This type of service tends to be more informal than the more traditional funeral.

Funerals have long been the most commonplace option when a loved one dies. Depending on the type of funeral planned, the cost can run from $2500 to over $7500. Although this is a more expensive alternative to a memorial service, funerals offer the advantage of the funeral home bearing most of the responsibility for the arrangements. They will arrange for the transportation of the body to the funeral home, as well as file the necessary paperwork such as the Declaration of Death. By law, Canadian funeral providers must present you with an itemized list of the prices for all the services and products that they offer. It is important to ascertain whether or not the funeral provider is what is known as an immediate disposition funeral provider; this type of provider has limited facilities and does not offer all services. Legally, a funeral provider must disclose that the facility is not allowed by law to provide full-range funeral services.

Choosing a funeral home, especially when planning the funeral for a loved one, can be difficult. If no previous arrangements have been made, and you need to acquire the services of a funeral home, asking the following questions will help you to choose the right facility:

• Can the funeral home accommodate all your needs? Do they have a chapel, visitation room, reception room, catering facilities, etc?
• Who have your friends and/or family used in the past and can recommend?
• Is the funeral home in good standing with an applicable professional association?
• How long has the funeral home been in your community? What is their professional and personal reputation?

It is important to understand what exactly a funeral home does when assisting you with a funeral. Typically, a complete funeral service requires 80 hours of work; this does vary depending on the individual needs of the family as well as any personal and/or religious requests. The majority of the funeral costs are incurred by charges for professional service, merchandise and final disposition. A qualified funeral director will be able to explain these costs, and assist you with planning a funeral that conforms to your budget.

The professional fee that is charged by the funeral home should include such services as:

• Transfer of body from place of death to the funeral home
• Obtaining the medical certificate of death and completion of government forms, registering the death and obtaining any necessary permits
• Sanitary care of the body, including embalming, restoration, and readying the body for viewing if requested. Embalming is not a legal requirement, but it may be required in instances where the body is being transported after 72 hours.
• Use of the funeral home and all necessary facilities such as: arrangement office, reception area(s), preparation room, chapel, selection room, parking, etc. This should also include the use of service vehicles (i.e. hearse).
• Transfer of the deceased to the crematorium and/or cemetery
• Complete personal supervision of all service arrangement details that precede as well as follow the services: the arrangement conference with the family, preparing and placing an obituary notice, consulting with clergy, cemetery and/or crematorium, arranging and caring for floral arrangements.

The other major expense is the merchandise, i.e. casket, urn, etc. It is important to remember that by law, a funeral home must display their lowest priced caskets and urns. They must also have a book/brochure illustrating the entire product line of caskets that they sell.

Using a reputable funeral home can make the time of bereavement much easier as they will take care of all the details for you. They can also help you make arrangements that are within your budget, as well as helping you to honor any specific requests that may have been made by the deceased.

It’s important when choosing the amount of your life insurance coverage that you incorporate the funeral expenses. You may want to consult with a funeral director in order to understand what all will be involved, and what expenses your survivors will be facing. You may also want to consult with your life insurance broker about ensuring that you have the right amount of coverage.

For many Canadian seniors, maintaining their independent residence sometimes isn't a feasible option. Health issues may make living alone a dangerous situation for some people. Children and/or caregivers of seniors who are facing this issue may be confused as to what is entailed, what level of care is needed for that individual, and what is covered by provincial insurance and what isn't.

Some seniors may be able to live in their home (at least for a period of time), provided they have In-Home Care services. Many different programs are available; some are funded by government agencies or non-profit organizations, while others are offered by for-profit private service organizations. The home care services that are typically provided include:

• Personal nursing care
• Physiotherapy and/or occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Counseling
• Day programs
• Friendly visiting
• Transportation
• Foot care
• Homemaking and/or home maintenance
• Information and/or referrals
• Meal programs (i.e. Meals On Wheels)
• Respite Care
• Emergency Response Service

If you think that the senior you care for may need these types of services, contact a local agency to get an assessment. Some services may be covered under Ministry of Health funding, regardless of income; as well, some may offer a subsidy for those who fall within a certain income bracket. Some however, will have to be paid for out-of-pocket if you do not have private insurance coverage.

For seniors who are no longer able to live on their own, a retirement residence may be the best solution. This can be the ideal arrangement, giving the senior the level of support and security they require while being able to maintain their independence and privacy. A retirement residence can also offer the social aspect for those seniors who are feeling lonely and isolated. Retirement residences can greatly vary in terms of what services they offer, as well as the types of accommodation they offer (i.e. single or shared rooms), as well as prices. The majority of retirement residences are privately owned and operated with no government funding, which means you and/or the resident must assume all the costs.

If you are looking into a retirement home for a loved one or someone you provide care for, it is essential that the senior is actively involved in the selection process. Some things to remember when choosing a retirement residence are:

• Make a list of all homes you plan on visiting; also make a list of questions you want to ask, so you won't forget when you are there. Keep notes on the different homes you visit.
• Ask questions not only of staff, but of the residents. Ask their perceptions of the residence, as well as what they like and dislike.
• Don't visit just once, plan another visit, but at a different time of day (i.e. go for a lunch or dinner)
• Ask to view all of the residence, not just the room and common areas. Checking the kitchen and stairwells can give you a good indication of the level of cleanliness and how often things are maintained.
• Ask if they will allow the prospective resident to actually spend a night at the residence, so that they can get a better idea of what to expect.
• Ask for a list of families who will give the facility a recommendation.
• Ask about the neighborhood, i.e. how close are such things as hospitals, churches, dentists, etc.
• Ask about the fees, i.e. is everything included in the price quoted, or will you have to pay extra for additional services, and if so, how much
• Ask how often are their rates increased, and how much notice do they provide for the increase in price

Long-Term Health Facilities (formerly known as nursing homes) are different than retirement residences. A long-term facility is needed for those seniors who have significant health issues and who require a greater deal of care. This type of care is needed for those who, because of age and/or level of disability, can no longer be properly cared for in the community. This is an ideal solution for those seniors who require care on a regular basis, but who do not require long-term hospitalization. Some long-term facilities are publicly funded, while others are not.

If you are facing the challenge of finding services for a senior in your care, you need to find out what exactly their insurance will cover. You may also want to consider the possibility of needing these services in the future, and have the right insurance that addresses this issue. Tangible offers a hybrid policy that combines life insurance with a long-term care component. If needed, a certain percentage of the policy converts into LTC insurance, if not, it simply remains as life insurance. This type of policy offers you the flexibility and security of being able to ensure that you will have the right type of coverage for whatever your needs may be.

Canadians who have RRSPs have the opportunity to withdraw up to twenty thousand dollars tax free to use as a down payment on a home. This money also does not have to be claimed as income on your tax return. This is a great opportunity for those who wish to be homeowners, but cannot afford to save for the down payment and contribute to their retirement savings.

The Federal Home Buyers Plan is available to those who qualify as "first time" homebuyers. This is defined as any Canadian who has not owned a home that they have occupied as their principal residence for a minimum of five years. You can qualify for the program at any time during the fifth calendar year since owning a home. This rule applies to both you and your spouse regarding previous home ownership. If you have owned a home within the previous five years, but your partner has not, then while you are not eligible, your partner will be. However, if you are using the homebuyers plan again, you must not have an outstanding balance on the previous Home Buyer Plan loan.

There are certain criteria that must be met in order to qualify for the HMP plan.  You must be considered a factual resident of Canada, meaning that even if you are not currently living in Canada, you are considered a Canadian resident for income tax purposes. You must also enter into a written agreement (offer of purchase) to buy or build a qualifying home. This agreement can be with the builder, contractor, realtor or private seller. It is important to know that simply obtaining a pre-approved mortgage does not satisfy this requirement. You must also intend to occupy the home as your principal place of residence within one year of buying or building your home. Certain exceptions can be made if you are unable to reside in the home, as long as your original intention was to move in within a year. As well, either you or your spouse (this includes common law spouses) cannot own the home more than 30 days before the planned withdrawal.

You must make the withdrawal request for the funds in the same year in which you wish to participate in the Home Buyers Plan. Each person (if applicable) can withdraw a maximum of twenty thousand dollars from your own RRSPs. Multiple withdrawals however, are allowed. The home that you are buying must be located in Canada, and can be either an existing home or a home under construction. This includes single detached family home, semi-detached homes, town home, mobile home, condominium unit, a share in a co-op, or an apartment.

You must begin repaying the withdrawal under the HBP starting the second year following the year in which you made the withdrawal. You make the repayments by contributing to any of your RRSPs in the year the repayment is due or within the first 60 days of the following year. However, you cannot designate sums to be considered s payments to your spouse’s (including common-law) RRSP are not considered payments, and vice-versa. As well, transferring amounts from another registered pension plan, deferred profit-sharing plan or registered retirement income fund will not be considered as a payment.

An important part of any financial plan is dealing with your debt. For most Canadians, debt is a fact of life and is not detrimental to their overall financial goals. However, too much debt can negatively impact financial health. Missing payments may end up hurting your credit rating; as well you may not be able to save and/or invest the money you need to in order to accomplish your long-term goals.

Not all debt should be considered "bad". Debt that is incurred for the purposed of attaining assets that will more than likely increase in value is considered "good" debt. This includes buying a home, borrowing money to invest (stocks, bonds, RRSP's) that can end up making you more money than what you spent on the interest payments. These assets can also be used to secure the debt in order to qualify for lower interest rates. Money borrowed for investment purposes may also be tax-deductible.

Debt that is viewed as "bad" comes in the form of purchasing items that depreciate in value (cars, electronics, etc), or is used for daily spending habits. Debt is usually incurred this way in the form of credit cards. In fact, debt in this form can actually hurt your chances of getting a mortgage and/or the amount you are qualified for. Credit cards that have really high interest rates can keep you in debt for a long time if you cannot afford to pay off the balance immediately. 

There are ways to manage your debt without having to to take the drastic measure of declaring personal bankruptcy. The following tips can be used as a guideline not only for those currently in debt, for also for those who wish to avoid having their debt become out of control.

• Spend less than you earn. Keep a running log of everything you spend. Make sure to factor in expenses that may only occur once a year (house insurance, vacations, Christmas spending, etc). These expenses should be divided by 12 and added to your monthly total of what you spend. Your log will be able to help you determine your earnings/expenditure ratio, and give you an idea of where you can cut back, i.e. taking lunch to work, etc.
• Restructure your debt. Almost half of Canadians are paying more interest than necessary due to the fact that they haven't shopped around. Invest some time researching getting a cheaper interest rate for not only credit cards, but for your loans. 
• Refinance your mortgage. You may be able to get a lower interest rate on your mortgage by refinancing it. You also may want to consider using a home equity loan and use the money to pay off credit card debt, which is generally higher in interest payments.
• Personal line of credit. This can be one of the cheapest ways to borrow money. Lines of credit can be secured against your assets, or unsecured. The rates do vary with the prime, but will be considerably less than the interest charged for credit cards. Money obtained through a line of credit is available for any purpose.
• Consolidation loans. Unlike a line of credit, this money is borrowed for the specific purpose of paying off debts that carry higher interest rates. The bank may directly pay off your creditors in order to insure that the money is spent in the manner for which it is intended. The bank may also require that you cut up your credit cards and/or that no new debt is incurred.

The amount of your debt along with the amount of your income will determine the best way for you to manage your debt. The end result will be a healthier financial plan, and the realization of your long-term goals.

Midnight of February 29, 2008 is the deadline for RRSP contributions for the tax year of 2007. RRSPs give Canadians a tax break, as well as letting your hard earned money grow tax-deferred. This differs from capital gains and interest accumulated on other investments, which are added to your taxable income for the year. As RRSPs are deducted from your taxable income, it effectively reduces the total amount that is subject to taxation. Waiting until retirement to cash in your RRSPs means that you are now in a lower income bracket, therefore you will pay less taxes, as your RRSPs are only taxable upon withdrawal.

RRSP is an acronym for Registered Retirement Savings Plan. It is not a specific financial product. It is rather a number of investments that are registered with the federal government specifically earmarked for your retirement. The Income Tax Act has a current list of eligible investments from which you can choose; the most popular is mutual funds, guaranteed investment certificates, accumulation annuities , segregated funds, and equities. However, you have a wide range of possible investments to choose from, depending on the financial risk you are willing to take. Some investment choices are quite volatile; they can make you a lot of money, but you must be prepared to take the risk of losing a lot of money. Others are more conservative; you may not make as much, but the risk factor is lower. Talk to your financial advisor about which types of RRSPs are best for your retirement savings plan.

Due to last year's federal budget, Canadians can now contribute to RRSPs until the end of the year in which they turn 71 as long as they are still earning income. This is a 2 year extension from the previous deadline. Once this deadline has been reached, 3 choices will be available:

1. Converted the RRSPs into a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) which is a tax-deferred retirement plan. Like RRSPs, the RRIF account is registered with the Canadian Revenue Agency. RRIFs are used to generate income from savings accumulated from the previous RRSPs. Once an RRSP has been converted into a RRIF, no further contributions can be made. RRIFs offer an annual minimum withdrawal which is cashed out and sent to the accountholder; this amount is tax free.
2. Purchasing an annuity. This is a good financial idea when interest rates are higher.
3. Cashing out. This is not recommended as taxes will have to be paid on the whole amount.

The 2007 tax year for the first time also offers senior couples the option to split their pension income. They can now allocate up to 50% of their eligible pension income to their spouse/common law partner. This includes company pension plan payments, RRIF payments as well as annuity income. For those who are still working and contributing to their RRSPs, it may be advantageous to contribute to a spousal RRSP if your spouse/partner has either no or little income for the year.

You can "over-contribute" by up to $2000 to your RRSP without being penalized. While you will not be eligible for the tax deduction, you will benefit as the earnings will be tax-free. Consider the option of borrowing money if you do not have the available funds to contribute the maximum amount; you may be able to make more money than you will spend on the interest for the loan. To calculate what your maximum allowable contributions are, use the calculator found at the Canadian Savings Bond website.

It's also important to decide who will be the beneficiary of your RRSP. By naming your spouse/common law partner, dependent child or grandchild, the proceeds upon your death may be tax-deferred even longer. Discuss this with your financial advisor in order to set up the most beneficial plan.