Discussion Ideas:

  • Starting Out

    Perfect for a young couple starting out where there may be questions about the need for a will or life insurance.

    What steps should be taken while saving for their first home?

    How best to manage money as a couple?

    Need advice on how to pay off the honeymoon as fast as possible?

    How much of a mortgage can they actually afford?

    Does pet insurance make sense?

    How do you plan for having a baby?

  • Debt

    If you are stuck in a rut and cannot make any progress on paying off your debt.

    Does it always make sense to pay off the highest interest rate debt first?

    Why should I not take advantage of a zero percent car loan?

    Should we try to consolidate?

    My bank says my ratios are too high, what should I do?

    Since my mortgage rate is low, does it make sense to just make minimum payments and invest the difference?

    What is the difference between good debt and bad debt?

  • DIY Investing

    I don’t trust my constantly changing advisor anymore.

    I don’t know if I am paying too much in fees?

    Is there a way to pay less in fees but still have someone else manage my money?

    I am not sure I am invested properly?

    I think I want to try DIY investing but don’t know how to get started?

    I keep being told how easy it is but would appreciate some professional advice on whether it is right for me.

  • RRSP vs. TFSA vs. Non-Reg

    What is the best way to make use of the retirement tax tools available in Canada?

    Should we take advantage of the Home Buyers Plan (HBP) or the Life Long Learning Plan (LLP)?

    My partner earns more than I do, does this matter?

    Should you invest with the same asset mix for each tax account?

    Does it make sense to always maximize our RRSP before anything else?

    Should I take advantage of the RRSP Loan that my bank is offering so that I can minimize my tax bill?

    Explain why RRSP’s are good if I am going to pay tax on these monies anyways.

  • Pension Plan

    What option should we choose for our pension from work - there are so many?

    When should we start our OAS and CPP?

    Should I maximize my RRSP contributions to my work RRSP?

    I heard that there are strategies to maximize my CPP & OAS.

    I have an early retirement option with my pension but thought I should keep working and squeeze every penny out of it.

    I left my employer and I have the option to move my defined benefit pension, which my investment advisor thinks I should do because he can get me a better return.

  • Cash Flow

    We earn good money but don’t seem to be able to get ahead.

    What is the best way to deal with surprises?

    I don’t want to stop using my credit card because I benefit from the points.

    We track all of our expenses but it still doesn’t help.

    I have so many fixed expenses coming out of my account that it is hard to keep track of.

    Every year my bonus ends up going towards paying down debts from the previous year.

    How do people ever save for a vacation?

    I want to know if I can retire but do not know how much I will need each year to live?

    Does it make sense to keep all of our finances separate until my partner pays off their debt?

    How do families afford to purchase a car without a loan?

  • Kids and Money

    Are RESP’s a good investment?

    My parents would like to gift money to my kids education but we do not know the best way to do this?

    How do we prioritize the many family goals we have combined with our limited resources?

    As late starters to saving for our Childs education, is there a way to catch up?

    We were never taught how to manage money from our parents and we would like to take a different approach with out kids.

    What would be a reasonable amount to save for our kids education, wedding and a downpayment for their first home, based on our situation and retirement goals?

  • Using Leverage

    I want to use my personal Line of Credit to start a business and was wondering if there is anything I need to be aware of for tax time?

    I heard that it makes sense to borrow money to invest with rates so low.

    Since we started renting out our basement suite, we have been fixing up the place because we can deduct it from our taxes anyways.

    Is it possible for my friend to be paying off her mortgage faster by borrowing against her home to invest in the stock market?

    How risky is leveraged investing?

    Since I can deduct my car expenses through my small business, it makes sense for me to lease expensive vehicles.

    What is the difference between good debt and bad debt?

  • Unexpected Winfall

    My parents left me a sizeable inheritance and I am not sure what to do with it?

    I am expecting a large (for me) one-time bonus from my employer but I have so many places to use it.

    We have money set aside as a legacy for our adult son but I don’t know the best way to invest it?

    Does it make sense to give our children some of their expected inheritance while we are still alive?

    How can we maximize the estate for our kids?

    It is very important to me that I do something responsible with the money my Grandmother left me.