Now is better than ever for small business clients to think about the benefits of starting a group retirement and savings plan. That’s because setting up and running a plan is much less complicated than it use to be and many providers are adding support for the small business market — including advisors. Plus, offering a plan may be the best investment a small business owner can make in the future for his or her business. Business owners know their employees are a valuable asset. The best and the brightest potential employees look for an attractive compensation package that includes a group retirement plan. There are three main...

Thinking of taking a trip sometime soon? We all want to get away and experience new things; however, getting ill while away is not anyone’s objective. There are some simple things that we can look into to help avoid any health issues while away from home. A great article on this can be found at the following link: https://businesstraveldestinations.com/information-about-vaccinations-and-diseases-for-international-business-travel/ Another great resource is the Center for Disease Control and Prevention travel information link. This has a wealth of information for anyone traveling to exotic or other international destinations. https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ Have fun but travel illness-free by being wise and informed.

One of the best ways to save for your retirement is through a Group RRSP. It’s affordable and convenient! Here are 10 great reasons to contribute to a group RRSP plan. Low cost – Unlike many bank GICs or mutual funds, you only need a minimum contribution as low as $25. The more you save and the longer you can do so, the bigger your retirement income will be. Defer taxes – All RRSP contributions reduce the income tax you pay. Investment earnings grow tax-free until you withdraw them. Immediate tax relief – A $25 contribution only costs you $17.50 off your net pay (assuming a 30% tax...

New Years has come and gone, and with it the promises of adding positive changes in our lives. How many of us have said we’re going to “lose a few extra pounds”, “get back in shape”, or “learn a new hobby.”? And how many of us will actually follow through on our resolutions? Making a new years resolution can feel like the thing to do at the time, when really it should be a conscious choice to do something better for yourself. So how do we make a vow for change, AND keep it? Remember to keep it simple and realistic, and be your best cheerleader! Telling yourself...

How many of us have the hours of our day already filled when we wake every day?  Wake up, get ready for work, quick breakfast and out the door. Come home, dinner, clean up, get ready for the next day and it’s time to grab a few hours sleep. Days meant for resting on the weekends are replaced by chores and errands missed during the week. When can we grab some time to unwind? We need to take advantage of the few hours offered to us through out the day to relax and shake away the stress. The opportunities to take two week vacations are few and far...

To Vaccinate or Not to Vaccinate. Is the Flu Vaccine a good idea for my family? That’s the question all of us should be asking as a new flu season nears. No one knows how bad a flu season will be until after it’s over. But each flu season, people are hospitalized, some die, and some develop other complications like sinus and ear infections and pneumonia. With last year’s Swine flu frenzy ending only recently, many of us are not ready to think about the upcoming season. But health officials want us to think otherwise. That’s why they’re ramping up the supply and their efforts to spread word...

A friend of mine confessed that she once warned her husband not to swallow his gum because it would stay in his stomach for seven years. She has since learned that her mom was only telling her this because she didn’t want her to eat it. After I closed my gaping jaw, and stopped giggling, I realized that many of us may live parts of our lives according to myths told to us in our past. The truth is that, while gum doesn’t fully digest in you, it will pass through in the same lump it was swallowed with. Below is a list of some common myths you...

Did you know… 1 in 9 women will develop breast cancer 1 in 21 women & 1 in 11 men will develop lung cancer 1 in 8 men will develop prostate cancer 1 in 3 will develop a form of life threatening cancer 3 of 4 families will be affected by cancer 30% of those with cancer are completely cured 1 in 2 will contract some form of heart disease 95% of heart attack victims survive the first attack 1 in 20 run the risk of having a stroke before 70 75% of stroke victims survive the first stroke   Thanks to medical advances and greater self-awareness, many...

It’s almost summer, the most frequent time for traveling and vacations. Many Canadians are considering sunny places or exotic countries as the best place for their destination. But as you’re deciding on the perfect destination you should also be checking if you are covered for any unforeseen incidents while traveling. Do you have basic insurance to cover a medical emergency or even the loss of baggage? Basic travel insurance can be purchased almost anywhere.  Most financial institutions and travel agencies offer this coverage. It is designed to protect you for trip cancellation and/or the loss of your luggage. With the rewards of travel come possible unexpected medical challenges. The...

There was an interesting article on the Benefits Canada website about the saving habits of Canadian versus American retirees. The article is based on the TD Bank Financial Group’s North American Report on Retirement survey. To read more on how Canadian and American retirees felt with their RRSP and 401K savings click on the following link:   Canadian retirees breathe easier - written by Jody White https://www.benefitscanada.com/news/top_stories/article.jsp?content=20100210_153628_11228