COVID-19 Update

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The Joy of Giving Back

Posted on: September 23, 2020

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

I think it’s safe to say that 2020 is a year none of us will forget. And even though we are optimistically making our way forward, the uncomfortable truth has settled in. Recovery from this pandemic—medically, economically and emotionally—is going to be a longer road than we had hoped

And as we travel this road, many Canadians are in need of support in a myriad of ways. But the charities and organizations that usually provide a lot of that support, are suffering also.

The Canadian research and educational institution Cardus reported in July that 69 percent of charities have experienced a significant decrease in revenues, down 30 percent on average, since the pandemic began. Continue reading →

Posted in Money Coaching, Will & Estate Planning


Setting New Financial Goals during the Pandemic

Posted on: August 19, 2020

By Sheila Walkington,  co-founder and CFO Money Coaches Canada

It’s been almost six months since phrases like; shelter-in-place, work from home, physical distancing, and social bubbles, have become part of the daily conversation. Wearing a mask in public started out feeling odd, but for most of us it’s become routine. But our ability to adapt doesn’t mean that anything about the COVID-19 pandemic has been easy.

I think it is safe to say that every Canadian has been affected by this virus; physically, mentally, or financially. For the first few months we were all trying to get our equilibrium back; people were out of work, others were working from home, students were learning online, and only essential services were open. Life was very much about the present moment, and what would happen tomorrow. Most long term goals and plans were placed on hold.

But as we look for solid footing in this new normal, many Canadians are thinking a lot about the future and whether the things they valued only a few short months ago are the things they value today. And when your values change, very often your financial goals and priorities change along with them. Continue reading →

Posted in Money Coaching, Relationship to money, Retirement savings


The Financial Realities of Retirement during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on: July 22, 2020

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

These are disquieting times. The way we live has been upended. For many Canadians, after their physical health, their financial well-being has been top-of-mind. And while many financial investments have bounced back from the shock they took earlier in the year, uncertainty is still with us.

This is especially true for retirees who are already drawing from their investments. At a time when they thought they would be travelling and pursuing personal goals, many find themselves feeling anxious and financially vulnerable.

But like in any stressful situation, it’s good to take a deep breath, look at the whole picture and take focussed action when and where possible. Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting and Cash Flow, Money Coaching, Retirement savings


Is Financial Freedom Still Possible?

Posted on: June 17, 2020

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

COVID-19 has rattled us to the core. It has threatened our health and taken lives. It has damaged our economy and taken livelihoods. It has physically kept us apart, yet we have pulled together. When this is over we won’t be the same. But maybe we can be better.

I recently took the BC disease centre survey which, along with the expected medical questions, also asked some excellent and surprising qualitative questions.  The one that stood out for me was; state two things that were positive and two things that were negative about COVID-19 pandemic time.

My teacher cousin thought that there should have been a children’s version of the survey and took it upon herself to ask her grandchildren some of the questions. When she asked her young grandson what was positive about the COVID-19 situation, he didn’t give the more screen time, less school time answer you might expect from an eight year-old, instead he said, “It was very good for the environment and it will be very good for us to learn more things for future pandemics.” (Eight year-olds are more informed than in my day!)

While I in no way want to diminish the negative, even tragic, impact of the pandemic, my young cousin reminded me that we are all (even eight year-olds) being asked to stop and reflect on deeper life issues. Continue reading →

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


Will Impact Investing Thrive in a Post COVID-19 World?

Posted on: May 20, 2020

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

We invest to secure our future, and for years that predominantly meant securing our financial future. With that end in mind, a significant criterion for choosing an investment was its financial performance. But for many investors, there has been an evolution of what securing our future actually means.

More and more of my clients are looking for investments that are aligned with their values. The popularity of socially responsible investments has increased over the years. Even mainstream investment companies are including Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) filters when choosing stocks and bonds to invest in. Many use the research and scoring information from the company Sustainalytics.

But being socially responsible is no longer enough for many investors who are increasingly interested in impact investing. Continue reading →

Posted in Investing, Money Coaching


Decluttering your Money and Taking Control

Posted on: May 6, 2020

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

Week 7 of the lockdown. Unlike some of my friends and family, I haven’t taken up baking, crafting or the ukulele, but I am following the news more than ever. A bit obsessively, I must admit. I keep hoping with every article I read to find the facts or insights that will predict the impact that COVID-19 will have on our clients, our coaches, our business and on the whole concept of long range planning.

Nope, the future isn’t clear yet. And, I know I’m not the only one who finds this stressful. 

With so much out of our control, I have found that focusing on small organizing tasks that I get a sense of completion and satisfaction from, like reorganizing my bookshelf, doing the dishes, deadheading flowers, is helping me stay grounded. 

Here are a few financial tasks that you might want to check off your list during the next few weeks. Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting and Cash Flow, Money Coaching


5 Ways to Lessen the Impact of COVID-19 on Your Retirement Plans

Posted on: April 22, 2020

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

This is a hard time to focus on the future. If your employment or income has been impacted by COVID-19, understandably your short-term security and immediate bills are your primary concern. That makes sense, you need to take care of yourself, your family and your community and to make sure everyone is safe and healthy.

Eventually the crisis will pass and things will return to “normal,” well maybe a new “normal,” but one where we can breathe again and start thinking about the future.

There are however, some habits you can change and actions you can take now. It’s important that the choices you make today are in the context of a proactive game plan for both short and long term financial security. Continue reading →

Posted in For your information, Investing, Money Coaching, Relationship to money, Retirement savings


Cash Flow in the Time of COVID-19

Posted on: April 15, 2020

By Sheila Walkington BBA, CFP®

No matter what your financial circumstances, you’re probably at least a little bit freaked out by the impact that COVID-19 is having or could have on your day to day cash flow. Whether you are employed, self-employed or drawing income from your investments in retirement, COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate. It’s hitting us all where it hurts financially, myself included. 

The antidote to fear is knowledge and a plan.  Continue reading →

Posted in Budgeting and Cash Flow, Money Coaching


Is Now a Good Time To Invest?

Posted on: April 8, 2020

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

Non-Registered InvestmentIn the conversations we’d had with our clients in the recent weeks, there is certainly concern and questions about the market and economic fallout from COVID-19, but most are staying the course with their investment plan.  

And perhaps that’s the point. They have an investment and financial plan. While no one could have anticipated the timing and severity of the current pandemic, our clients do have a plan that is based on realistic rate of return assumptions that takes the ups and downs of the market into consideration. They have the comfort of knowing that the investment and financial decisions they have made so far are based on a full analysis of their goals, values and their personal and financial circumstances.   

A client of my colleague Sheila summed it up: “we are grateful we have had your guidance for so long and can focus on health instead of worrying about money at a time like this”.

In fact, we’ve had more questions from clients about whether this is a good time to invest with money they have sitting in cash.     Continue reading →

Posted in Money Coaching


Should I Defer my Mortgage Payments?

Posted on: April 2, 2020

By Sheila Walkington BBA, CFP®

As the financial impact of COVID-19 is being felt by more and more Canadians, we are working with our clients to help them find the best solutions for their circumstances. There are many financial support programs offered by the government, banks and businesses that are emerging. Details are still being worked out, and in some cases changing which can be frustrating when trying to make informed and responsible decisions.

With this in mind, we will share the most pressing questions our clients are asking and the information and advice we’re providing.  As new information emerges, we will do our best to keep you updated and informed on how we are addressing the issues with our clients.     

Should I defer my mortgage payments?

If you are experiencing financial hardship from income loss or reduction due to COVID-19 and don’t have the means to pay your mortgage, then it may make sense to apply for a deferral with your lender.  Continue reading →

Posted in Money Coaching


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