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Best Tips for Smart Savings

Posted on: August 18, 2021

By Janet Gray, B.A., B.Admin, CFP®, EPC, CPCA

I often get asked ‘how can I save more?’  This might help to get you started. Which statement currently best describes your situation?

Income minus Savings and Needs = Spending

Or Income minus Spending and Needs = Savings

The first statement is pro-active and ultimately allows you to have savings for your goals. Added bonus- it helps you to live within your means (aka no/minimal additional debt). After paying your essential costs (housing, groceries, debt payments etc), make sure savings are set aside for your most important goals. Your discretionary spending is then the remaining money. Set your goals and prioritize them. Are they a need? Or are they a ‘nice’ to have?

The second statement is more reactive and the result is that sometimes you might save, but more often you can’t. You spend first and then see what is left over for savings. It’s like accidental savings and it often can’t happen because you have already spent too much by the time you get to setting aside savings.

Without being proactive with savings, you will end up spending more than you thought because unexpected or urgent costs will always come up (think car, home, kids or pets).  More often than not this leads to a heart-sinking credit card bill or a line of credit that keeps increasing. Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting and Cash Flow, Debt, Money Coaching, Relationship to money, Retirement savings


Financial Facelift, Money Coaches Offer Their Best Tips

Posted on: July 21, 2021

Our Money Coaches are often asked to offer advice to readers of The Globe and Mail Financial Facelift column. It is a popular feature with readers as it offers a glimpse into someone else financial affairs while offering helpful recommendations that can be applied to others lives or at least lead them to seek their own professional counsel.

Here are Financial Facelift features from the past 12 months featuring our Money Coaches.

Please note: the links below lead to the articles posted on The Globe And Mail website and some may be available to subscribers only. We have gathered the articles in PDF format which are available on our Media page. If you are unable to access the article on the Globe and Mail, be sure to read them on our website here.

Looking for money advice yourself? Connect with one of our money coaches today.

Can Luke get out of debt and develop better money habits so he can buy a home with his partner?

Published on May 15, 2020
Continue reading →

Posted in Money Coaching


The Number One Money Must Do for Women Entrepreneurs

Posted on: June 16, 2021

By Karin Mizgala, MBA, CFP

Women’s rights, economic and otherwise, have come a long way, but the cultural baggage of a male-dominated financial system hasn’t completely left us. Lingering financial gender roles and the still significant gap in pay equity, savings rates, and financial literacy may be holding you back from achieving the financial success you deserve.

Money Map Coaching Program For Women Entrepreneurs

A recent study by Mercer Canada found that women retire 30% less wealthy than men. As a result of the gender pay gap, greater likelihood of career disruption, and greater longevity, women have a lower annual income in retirement and reduced standard of living. The study concluded that all else being equal, women must work two years longer than men to be retirement ready.

Continue reading →

Posted in Money Coaching


How to Make the Most of Your Inheritance

Posted on: June 9, 2021

By Janet Gray, B.A., B.Admin, CFP®, EPC, CPCA

Waiting for inheritance is not a solid financial plan. But the fact is, that in 2018 Stats Canada reported that the total net worth of Canadians 65 or older was $2.30-billion, and much of that legacy will be passed on. Those on the receiving end of a generous bequest can make a real impact on their financial well-being, but only if they make the right choices in the short and long term.

There are many ways to use a large inheritance, and we’ll look at several of them in this article. But, whenever you receive any kind of financial windfall, the first thing you need to do is catch your breath.

Take a Deep Breath and Park Your Money

The gift of an inheritance is bound to the sadness of loss. Allow yourself time to grieve. Don’t make important decisions for at least three or four months. Park the assets in a high interest savings account until the emotional fog begins to lift. In fact, parking your money is good advice for any sudden financial windfall. The shock needs to normalize before you make decisions.

When you are ready to make some decisions, they should be made within the parameters of a comprehensive financial plan.

Here are some of the options to consider. Continue reading →

Posted in Ask Your Money Coach, For your information, Money Coaching, Will & Estate Planning


Decluttering Your Money and Taking Control

Posted on: May 19, 2021

By Karin Mizgala, co-founder and CEO Money Coaches Canada

With tax and RSP season behind you, you may be left wondering what to do with all the financial paperwork that has accumulated over the months or in some cases years.  A client recently mentioned how stressed she felt about the paperwork piling up on her desk but she kept hitting a wall. She didn’t know what she could toss, what she should keep or how to keep on top of it and stay organized. So the piles kept growing as did her discomfort and inertia.

If you’ve experienced anything similar, this is a great time to check-in on your financial management systems and to implement these easy ways to simplify and stay in control!

Here are a few financial tasks and organizing tips that you might want to check off your list before you kick back and relax into summer mode. 

Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting and Cash Flow, Money Coaching


Aging Parents – Reversing the Roles

Posted on: May 12, 2021

by Karin Mizgala MBA, CFP®

I’m not sure when it happened, but several years ago I realized that the tables were turning in my relationship with my parents. Although still extremely healthy and vibrant at the age of 70, my parents were starting to ask me for advice and I could feel a subtle shift in the balance of power.

Most children of aging parents that I know are busy, stressed, and ill-equipped to deal with the added time and financial demands of caring for elderly parents. And often the need to step in comes during a crisis. This isn’t a great time to make the emotional, financial and legal decisions that are often necessary. Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Planning, Relationship to money


When Should I Take CPP? The Big Payoff if You Wait to Age 70

Posted on: April 21, 2021

By Noel D’Souza, P.Eng, CFP®

When should I take CPP? The big payoff if you wait to age 70The Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) is alive and well in Canada. It’s why we check our phones for emails and texts every minute, sign up for store sale notifications, and pile into speculative investments, driving them to baffling heights. And if there’s one thing we know, it’s that decisions made out of fear are rarely good decisions.

But perhaps the most widespread and surprising example of FOMO is the age at which Canadians choose to start receiving retirement payments from the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Continue reading →

Posted in Retirement savings


A Better Way to Stay On Track with Your Money

Posted on: April 7, 2021

By Noel D’Souza, P.Eng, CFP®

Do you feel like your money is just trickling out of a hole in your pocket, and you are not really sure where it’s all going or why there is nothing left at the end of each month? You’re in the right place!

If there is anything that we have taken to heart over the past year it is that our world can be turned upside down when we least expect it and in ways we could not have imagined.

We need to be financially prepared, and mindful spending and intentional saving are paramount.  Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting and Cash Flow, Relationship to money


What You Need To Know About Filing Your 2020 Taxes

Posted on: March 17, 2021

by Jenny Reimer, CFP®

What You Need To Know About Filing Your 2020 Taxes

The year of COVID-19 will be a memorable one. It changed many aspects of our lives, from the ways we work and shop to how we support each other. For many, filing your 2020 taxes will also look a little different this year. 

Here is what you need to pay special attention to if you have new income sources to declare, took advantage of COVID-19 government benefits, worked from home or have other expenses to claim due to the pandemic.

Continue reading →

Posted in Financial Planning, taxes




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