Tag: Retirement

6 Things To Avoid With a Tax-Free Savings Account (Ep. 55)

6 Things To Avoid With a Tax-Free Savings Account (Ep. 55)

Just the name Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) sounds wonderful, doesn’t it? You can set aside money tax-free throughout your lifetime and it is a great idea… If you don’t make some simple mistakes. We need to be aware of the regulations around these accounts to avoid any painful mistakes.

In this episode, Kris goes through six simple steps you can check off in order to have a tax-free savings account as a valuable tool that benefits you. Your TFSA is a registered plan that could help you save a certain amount of money each year and grow it tax-free.

Kris discusses:

  • Why you should name your spouse as a successor holder rather than a beneficiary of your TFSA
  • The reason you should not use your TFSA as a high-interest savings account
  • The importance of planning when to withdraw money out of your TFSA
  • Factors to consider when looking to make a big purchase
  • And more

Connect with Kris Dureau:

An In-Depth Look At Your Canadian Pension Plan (Ep. 53)

An In-Depth Look At Your Canadian Pension Plan (Ep. 53)

One of the biggest cornerstones to retirement income planning is knowing the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and what your duties are associated with it. When planning for retirement, many people want to make sure they are setting themselves up for total security in their retirement. 

When it comes to retirement, its common to have questions like how much will you receive as your pension based on your contribution, the process of how much money from your current job is going into your retirement, and many more.

In this episode, Kris Dureau talks about the things you may not know about your retirement, helping you better understand what to look forward to once you decide to take out your pension. 

Kris discusses:

  • The reality of monthly payments once you start taking pension in your retirement
  • The meaning of Yearly Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) 
  • Your monthly CPP payment estimates and how to find that information
  • Contributing to your CPP while being self-employed
  • Factors that will affect your retirement
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kris Dureau:

The Four Wealth Destroyers (Ep. 45)

The Four Wealth Destroyers (Ep. 45)

What reduces wealth — do you know? 

Find out in this episode, as Kris Dureau explains how taxes, inflation, fees, and overreacting to the market impact our savings, income, and investments. He also unveils ways we can avoid making common mistakes and make better decisions with our money.

Kris discusses:

  • The importance of working alongside helpful and supportive financial advisors 
  • Ways taxes, inflation, fees, and overreacting to the market impact our savings and investments
  • How to curb and overcome common wealth destroyers
  • The value of being aware of our emotions during times of volatility
  •  And more!

Connect with Kris Dureau:

The asset classes featured in this podcast are for illustration purpose only, this should not be viewed as a solicitation of buy or sell. Always talk to a professional before investing to know if the product is right for you. Past performance does not necessarily predict future results; each asset class has its own risks.



The Ins and Outs of Pension Planning (Ep. 44)

The Ins and Outs of Pension Planning (Ep. 44)

Whether you’re retiring or changing jobs, remember to always have your pension plan in mind.

In this episode, Kris Dureau helps out the 37% of Canadians who still have pension plans. With an all-time high of employees moving jobs, here is how you can start planning around the options you have so you can get the most out of your employee pension.

Kris discusses:

  • The types of pension plans
  • What happens to your pension if you leave your job
  • What you should know about withdrawing from your pension before retirement
  • Taxable pension plans
  • And more!

Connect with Kris Dureau:

34. Parents As Roommates? 5 Things To Consider Before They Move In With You

34. Parents As Roommates? 5 Things To Consider Before They Move In With You

Are you thinking about inviting your aging parents to move in, but you’re not sure if it’s the right decision?

In this episode, Kris Dureau shares five things to consider before your parents become your roommates. He points out factors that, all too often, adult children aren’t aware of before making this big decision. The best part is that this advice applies to a variety of health situations and family types.

Kris discusses:

  • The first thing to consider before inviting your parents to move in
  • Why and how to incorporate health and money into the planning process 
  • Pros and cons of having parents live with you (and other options)
  • The benefits of having a family meeting before making this decision
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kris Dureau:

32. When Should You Take Your CPP Payment? With Gary Armstrong, CPA, CGA

32. When Should You Take Your CPP Payment? With Gary Armstrong, CPA, CGA

“When should I start taking my Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) payment?”

This is one of the most common questions Kris Dureau’s clients ask him as they start navigating the path of retirement income withdrawal.

This week, Kris tackles this question to provide you with some clarity. 

He sits down with chartered professional accountant Gary Armstrong of Green Private Wealth Counsel – Harbourfront Wealth Management to explore the world of CPP and to give listeners a better understanding of how and when to approach their CPP payments.

Gary discusses:

  • The right time to approach CPP-related cash
  • CPP tax consequences
  • Which age demographics should consider taking their CPP 
  • Mistakes people make when withdrawing their CPP early
  • And more!

Connect with Gary Armstrong:

Connect with Kris Dureau:

About our Guest:

Gary Armstrong is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified General Accountant (CPA, CGA) with a specialization in taxation through the In-Depth Tax Course offered by CPA Canada.  Before joining Green Private Wealth Counsel, Gary worked for almost ten years at a local accounting firm that focused on personal and corporate tax services for individuals and businesses of all sizes. Before that, Gary worked in 2 different large international accounting firms providing general accounting and US personal tax services.

29. Top 10 Frequently Asked Financial Questions

29. Top 10 Frequently Asked Financial Questions

If you have a personal finance question on your mind, chances are, you’re not alone.

In this episode, discover the 10 most frequently asked finance questions financial advisors like Kris Dureau receive from clients.

From questions about the financial markets to  queries about retirement, investing, and insurance, Kris breaks down these questions and shares his valuable insight and easy-to-follow answers for each.   

Kris discusses:

  • The difference between RRSP and TFSA accounts
  • Must-know considerations around investment fee deductions 
  • Why you shouldn’t name underage children as secondary beneficiaries
  • Why bond prices and interest rates tend to go in opposite directions
  • How to determine the right time to retire 
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Kris Dureau:

27. Manulife One: More Than Just a Conventional Mortgage With Wade Arseneault

27. Manulife One: More Than Just a Conventional Mortgage With Wade Arseneault

Imagine being able to combine your mortgage, bank accounts, short-term savings, debt, and income all into one banking product.

This is exactly what Manulife One allows you to do. 

In this episode, Manulife Financial’s mortgage specialist, Wade Arseneault, joins Kris Dureau to explain just how Manulife One does this, and how they set themselves apart from conventional mortgage alternatives by providing an all-in-one product.

Wade discusses:

  • Manulife One as flexible, debt-free, and one-umbrella product 
  • Who can benefit from this mortgage solution 
  • A client success story
  • Interest rates differences between a fixed and a Manulife One mortgage 
  • How Manulife’s mortgage changes as you and your lifestyle changes
  • And more

Resources:

Connect with Wade Arseneault:

Connect with Kris Dureau:

About Our Guest:

Wade Arseneault is a mortgage specialist at Manulife Bank & Trust, specializing in the Manulife One product and mortgages. His specialties include but are not limited to transaction banking, internet banking, mortgage, banking, deposit accounts, client/advisor relationship management, and more.  Along with providing direction, knowledge, and coaching, Wade is all about offering unique financial solutions for clients of all ages.

Episode 16 – How to Retire Well — Part 2

Episode 16 – How to Retire Well — Part 2

It’s no secret that when it comes to preparing for retirement, one major question pre-retirees are asking is, “Will I have enough to retire?”

In part two of his miniseries on retiring well, Kris Dureau reveals how you can find out the answer to this question. He highlights three financial areas to consider when assessing your retirement-related finances, assets, and benefits so that you can achieve the retirement lifestyle you’ve always desired.

In this episode, you will learn:

  • The difference between discretionary and non-discretionary expenses
  • How to plan for your retirement cash flow
  • Why you should create a debt inventory — and how to do it
  • How creating three financial buckets can help your portfolio in retirement 
  • And more!

Tune in now to discover actionable tips for preparing your finances to retire well!

Resources:  How to Retire Well – Part 1 | Cash flow Spreadsheet | Retirement Shift Worksheet

Connect with Kris Dureau: