Peace of mind through financial confidence

AFS Insights: Financial Planning

Not sure where to invest?

TFSA vs RRSP: which should I contribute to? With a tax-free savings account (TFSA) available for saving in a tax-free environment, does it still make sense to contribute to a registered retirement savings plan (RRSP)? Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) – The TFSA program began in 2009. It is a way for individuals age 18 or… Read more »

Take stressing about finances out of your plan this summer

Welcome to summer! If there was any way to remind us that we have now started summer, last week’s heat wave definitely got our attention! This summer, the only thing we want you to worry about is if you have enough popsicles in the freezer – your finances shouldn’t be burning you out. We recommend… Read more »

Did you know the RRSP deadline is March 1st?

3 important dates to put in your personal finance calendar Jan. 1: TFSA contribution limit extension Tax-free savings account holders can start the New Year by contributing another $6,000 to their TFSAs. If you withdrew money from your TFSA in 2020, that contribution space can also be reclaimed. The CRA provides personal individual limits in… Read more »

Make a Will Week

It was Make a Will week in British Columbia April 7th-13th and at Arbutus Financial we want to encourage and support you in doing so. This is a very important aspect of planning and managing your financial affairs. Click on the following link to learn more about Will planning. There are some great resources listed… Read more »

How to Help Your Kids Achieve Financial Independence

“Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” – Chinese proverb The same principle applies with your kids and money. By teaching your kids how to manage their money, you’re preparing them to be self-sufficient when it comes to… Read more »

Planning for Incapacity

Incapacity.  For many people, it’s not something they want to discuss, never mind prepare for.  Some people trust in their families or the government to look after them while others are simply confident it will never happen to them.  In the end though, there is only one person responsible for making your wishes known: You…. Read more »

The Clawback Conundrum

Most people’s retirement income includes government benefits that can be clawed back or forfeited altogether if their reported income is too high. There are several ways you can reduce your reported income to maximize benefits in retirement. To learn more about this important planning area, check out this article: The Clawback Conundrum If you’d like to… Read more »

The Benefits of Budgeting

Let’s capture the momentum of the New Year and improve our knowledge of our personal finances.  This will provide greater peace of mind, and clarity around steps you need to take to get things back on track.  Some people just naturally live within their means, without paying much attention to the relationship between how much they… Read more »

Teaching Children About Money

Speaking with your children on the importance of managing money seems to be a topic the majority of parents bypass.  Many parents will either push away the financial conversation or just neglect to have it at all.  The fact is starting the conversation at a young age and continuing it during different stages of your… Read more »

Two Tips in a Low Interest Rate Environment

Every day we read stories in the media about the impact of low interest rates on Canadians.  It doesn’t appear rates will be rising any time soon.  So, what should we do?  Many of our clients are wondering how low rates will affect them over the short- and long-term.  Following are a couple of key… Read more »