Walletpop Canada http://www.walletpop.ca/blog Walletpop Canada http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/media/feedlogo.gif Walletpop Canada http://www.walletpop.ca/blog en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Choosing a Financial Plannerhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/05/10/choosing-a-financial-planner/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/05/10/choosing-a-financial-planner/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/05/10/choosing-a-financial-planner/#commentsFiled under: , ,

If you're looking for a financial planner and unsure who to turn to, you're not alone. One issue many of us have is that financial planners aren't regulated in most provinces.

"Anyone can call themselves a financial planner," says Tamara Smith, Vice President of Marketing & Consumer Affairs for the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC). "But not all of them have financial planning credentials. They may be licensed to sell products, but they're not licensed financial planners."

So, how do know if the planner you're thinking about working with is for real? You can start by finding out if they're a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). While being a CFP doesn't necessarily mean a financial planner is right for you, all CFPs have to complete 30 hours of continuing education every year. They also have to abide by a strict code of ethics and follow established financial planning practice standards set by the FPSC. And that's something.

Start Your Search
But certification isn't the only thing you'll want to ask about before you choose a financial planner. To help you get started on your search, the FPSC has created 10 Tips for Choosing a Financial Planner. The list includes tips such as doing your own research on financial planning strategies, thinking about your financial goals, asking for referrals, checking credentials, and interviewing multiple planners.

Continue reading Choosing a Financial Planner

Choosing a Financial Planner originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Tue, 10 May 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>CFPfinancial planfinancial plannerfinancial planningfinancial planning tipsFinancialPlanFinancialPlannerFinancialPlanningFinancialPlanningTipsDanielle ArbuckleTue, 10 May 2011 14:45:00 ESTParty Leaders and Pension Promises: Do They Affect Your Vote?http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/04/26/party-leaders-and-pension-promises-do-they-affect-your-vote/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/04/26/party-leaders-and-pension-promises-do-they-affect-your-vote/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/04/26/party-leaders-and-pension-promises-do-they-affect-your-vote/#commentsFiled under:

Have you seen the posters? The ones that say, "You wouldn't let your grandparents choose who you date. Then why let them choose your government?" Sure they're ageist, and some say offensive, but they're also a little bit true. Middle-aged and older Canadians vote in higher numbers than our youth, and pensions matter to them.

So with the federal election just over a week away, you just know that all the party leaders are making big pension promises. We thought this would be a good time to recap what the leaders are saying, and find out if it will change the way you vote.

Conservatives
Stephen Harper has promised to double the amount of money you can put into your Tax Free Savings Account. Currently, you can put up to $5,000 a year into a TFSA without paying taxes on any interest or capital gains earned within that account. Harper says he will raise that amount to $10,000 a year, but there's a catch. He won't do it until the federal deficit is eliminated, which is predicted to happen in fiscal 2015-16.

Beyond that, the Conservatives will stay the course with the new Pooled Registered Pension Plan, which we told you about in December.

Continue reading Party Leaders and Pension Promises: Do They Affect Your Vote?

Party Leaders and Pension Promises: Do They Affect Your Vote? originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Tue, 26 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>conservative party of canadaConservativePartyOfCanadaelection promisesElectionPromisesfederal electionFederalElectionjack laytonJackLaytonliberal partyliberal party of canadaLiberalPartyLiberalPartyOfCanadamichael ignatieffMichaelIgnatieffndp partyNdpPartypensionsstephen harperStephenHarperDanielle ArbuckleTue, 26 Apr 2011 12:00:00 ESTJuno Awards Go Greenhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/03/28/juno-awards-go-green/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/03/28/juno-awards-go-green/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/03/28/juno-awards-go-green/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Juno Awards celebrated their 40th anniversary and organizers were going all out to mark the occasion.

The awards show was back to Toronto, where the first Junos were held in 1970. A new statuette was unveiled, and Shania Twain, the best-selling Canadian female artist was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

And for the first time the event will be completely powered by green electricity. Bullfrog Power, a 100 percent green electricity provider, announced this week that it will be "greening" 568 MWh of electricity on behalf of the Junos, which is about enough electricity to power 58 homes for a year.

Continue reading Juno Awards Go Green

Juno Awards Go Green originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>green electricitygreen energyGreenElectricityGreenEnergyjuno awardsJunoAwardsDanielle ArbuckleMon, 28 Mar 2011 11:00:00 ESTCanadians Go Online for Financial Infohttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/03/25/canadians-go-online-for-financial-info/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/03/25/canadians-go-online-for-financial-info/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/03/25/canadians-go-online-for-financial-info/#commentsFiled under: , ,

As a financial type, I shouldn't admit this, but March is my least favourite time of year. RRSP season is barely behind me, and now I have to think about taxes? Wonderful.

I know I'm not alone, so it's no surprise that Canadians are looking for plenty of financial information at this time of year. And according to new research by Investors Group, who surveyed more than 1,000 Canadians who save and invest, many of us are finding the information we need online through financial websites, blogs and social media.

"We conducted this survey because advisors keep hearing [from clients] that their information is coming from the Web," says Christine Van Cauwenberghe, Director, Tax and Estate Planning at Investors Group. "Lots of people send all sorts of information through blogs or on Twitter or LinkedIn."

Online Sources More Credible?
The survey shows 42 percent of us now use online sources and social media to find information to help us make financial decisions. And 38 percent believe online sources of financial information are more credible than family and friends (30 per cent) or traditional TV, radio and print media (29 per cent). However, 66 percent still rely on experts when making the final financial decision.

Continue reading Canadians Go Online for Financial Info

Canadians Go Online for Financial Info originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>blogsfinancial advisefinancial planningFinancialAdviseFinancialPlanningonline adviceOnlineAdvicerrspssocial mediaSocialMediataxesDanielle ArbuckleFri, 25 Mar 2011 16:45:00 ESTOlder Laid-Off Workers May Be Forced into Retirementhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/27/older-laid-off-workers-may-be-forced-into-retirement/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/27/older-laid-off-workers-may-be-forced-into-retirement/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/27/older-laid-off-workers-may-be-forced-into-retirement/#commentsFiled under:

A new study by the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP) says older Canadians who are laid off work struggle to find new jobs. Or rather, they struggle to find appropriate jobs. At the time of being laid off, many older workers have years of seniority, yet the jobs available to them are often lower paying than their previous jobs. Rather than take lower-paying jobs, many older laid-off Canadians feel forced into early retirement.

The study, Labour-Force Participation of Older Displaced Workers in Canada: Should I Stay or Should I Go?, says this premature retirement will reduce Canada's economic growth and put additional pressure on private and government pension plans.

Pay Cuts for Older Canadians
Canadians aged 45 to 64 who return to work after being laid off end up earning an average of 40% less than they earned at their previous jobs. This statistic is in contrast to what happens to younger workers who return to work after being laid off, many of whom find new jobs at the same or higher salaries, and that salary often grows over time.

Continue reading Older Laid-Off Workers May Be Forced into Retirement

Older Laid-Off Workers May Be Forced into Retirement originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>early retirementEarlyRetirementforce retirementForceRetirementlaid offLaidOffpension plansPensionPlanspensionsretirementDanielle ArbuckleSun, 27 Feb 2011 16:10:00 ESTOntario Announces $3B in Clean Energy Contractshttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/25/ontario-announces-3b-in-clean-energy-contracts/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/25/ontario-announces-3b-in-clean-energy-contracts/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/25/ontario-announces-3b-in-clean-energy-contracts/#commentsFiled under: ,

The Government of Ontario yesterday announced it has awarded $3 billion in contracts to about two dozen wind and solar power companies, enough to light up more than 200,000 Ontario homes.

The announcement sends a clear signal that the province's Clean Energy program (formerly the Green Energy Act) is here to stay, following a month of setbacks for the program

Month of Setbacks
At the end of January, Ian Hanna launched a legal challenge in the hopes of shutting down Ontario's wind farm industry, claiming wind turbines pose a health risk to those who live nearby. And earlier this month, about 1,000 farmers who sought contracts to place solar panels on their property were turned down because the province doesn't have enough capacity to connect them to the electricity grid.

Continue reading Ontario Announces $3B in Clean Energy Contracts

Ontario Announces $3B in Clean Energy Contracts originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>clean energyCleanEnergygreen energyGreenEnergyontariosolar powerSolarPowerwind powerWindPowerDanielle ArbuckleFri, 25 Feb 2011 15:00:00 ESTSaudi Arabia Boosts Oil Production, Prices 'Retreat'http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/25/saudi-arabia-boosts-oil-production-prices-retreat/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/25/saudi-arabia-boosts-oil-production-prices-retreat/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/25/saudi-arabia-boosts-oil-production-prices-retreat/#commentsFiled under: ,

In response to the disruption of oil supply stemming from the civil unrest in Libya, Saudi Arabia has quietly increased its oil output to more than 9 million barrels per day (bpd). That's an increase of 700,000 bpd from Saudi Arabia's estimated 8.3 million bpd in January.

The price of crude oil reached almost $120 a barrel yesterday, but had dropped to $111.38 earlier today.

Real Disruption to Supply
It seems like just a few weeks ago that we were on the edge of our seats because oil was approaching $90 a barrel. Oh, that's right. It was. Last month's civil unrest in Tunisia saw oil prices rise rapidly, then fall again to slightly more comfortable levels. At that time, the Organization of Oil Exporting Countries (OPEC) said they would not change their output quotas because there was no issue with supply.

Continue reading Saudi Arabia Boosts Oil Production, Prices 'Retreat'

Saudi Arabia Boosts Oil Production, Prices 'Retreat' originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>gas pricesGasPriceslibyalibya protestslibya unrestLibyaProtestsLibyaUnrestoil pricesOilPricesOPECsaudi arabiaSaudiArabiaDanielle ArbuckleFri, 25 Feb 2011 14:00:00 ESTWill TMX-LSE Deal Happen? Investors Don't Think Sohttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/19/will-tmx-lse-deal-happen-investors-dont-think-so/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/19/will-tmx-lse-deal-happen-investors-dont-think-so/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/19/will-tmx-lse-deal-happen-investors-dont-think-so/#commentsFiled under:

Last week, the London Stock Exchange (LSE) announced its $7 billion takeover of the TMX Group Inc. (owners of the Toronto Stock Exchange). Market and investor reaction to the deal has been, predictably, mixed. Supporters of the takeover say merging the two exchanges will cut costs for both exchanges and open up access to European capital markets for Canadian companies. Others fear it will be a regulatory nightmare.

But what most market analysts and investors seem to be saying is that the merger simply isn't going to happen. Shortly after the announced merger, Scotia Capital published a research note giving the merger a 40% chance of failing to get regulatory approval. The odds of failure were more recently increased to almost 50%. Not surprising when you look at the number of political and regulatory hurdles the merger must clear.

Multiple Hurdles
Under the Investment Canada Act, the federal government has to review and approve any merger worth more than $299 million. To get that approval, the TMX Group and LSE will have to show that the merger is good for Canada and its markets. The federal government has 45 days from the time the review is initiated (expected to be soon) to issue a decision.

Continue reading Will TMX-LSE Deal Happen? Investors Don't Think So

Will TMX-LSE Deal Happen? Investors Don't Think So originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>Investingmergers and acquisitionsMergersAndAcquisitionsStock ExchangesStockExchangestakeoverToronto stock exchangeTorontoStockExchangeDanielle ArbuckleSat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:00 ESTWomen and Money: Why We Shouldn't Want to Be Treated Like Menhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/19/women-and-money-why-we-shouldnt-want-to-be-treated-like-men/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/19/women-and-money-why-we-shouldnt-want-to-be-treated-like-men/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/19/women-and-money-why-we-shouldnt-want-to-be-treated-like-men/#commentsFiled under: ,

women and moneyEarlier this week, Royal Bank of Canada released a survey about how men and women approach investing. The survey found significant differences in what we invest in, how much we invest, and why we invest, with men being more likely to save for the future and women being more focused on spending today. To me, this highlights the obvious: Men and women are different. We approach many things differently, and money is no exception. So when it comes to financial advice, shouldn't women expect something different? Something tailored to our unique goals and needs? I think so. Investment advisor Natalie Jamison agrees.

In 2007, Natalie created Women and Wealth[TM], which provides financial planning services for each stage in a woman's life. Her clients include career women, women entrepreneurs, moms, widows, and divorcees. But they're all women. Here, Natalie talks about her company, and why women need different financial advice than men.

What drove you to create Women and Wealth[TM]?
I worked for an advisor for many years, and I observed that female clients were interested in finance. They wanted to take charge of their portfolios, but they were intimidated by our industry. Even when I had couples in my office talking to me, I could see that the female was often shy and reserved and wouldn't ask a lot of questions. I wanted to create something specific for women. And I wanted to remove any level of intimidation there was in managing their personal finances.

Continue reading Women and Money: Why We Shouldn't Want to Be Treated Like Men

Women and Money: Why We Shouldn't Want to Be Treated Like Men originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>financial advicefinancial advisorsfinancial planningFinancialAdviceFinancialAdvisorsFinancialPlanningwomenwomen and financeswomen and moneyWomenAndFinancesWomenAndMoneyDanielle ArbuckleSat, 19 Feb 2011 14:45:00 ESTWhat Women Want (for Valentine's Day)http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/11/what-women-want-for-valentines-day/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/11/what-women-want-for-valentines-day/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/11/what-women-want-for-valentines-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,

This article started out with a simple question from a friend: What do women want for Valentine's Day? Unfortunately, my friend was asking the wrong woman. After several years of marriage and two kids, my husband and I don't do much for Valentine's Day.

Sure, we make it fun for the kids, who are still young enough to get a kick out of heart-shaped pancakes and roses made of chocolate. But for me, a sweet card and an "I love you" are pretty much all I want.

Still, I couldn't help wondering, "Is this all I should want for Valentine's Day? Is there something wrong with me? Where has the romance gone?" After all, my television has been telling me for weeks that I should want knot-shaped pendants and diamond bracelets, or at least an expensive dinner out. Isn't that what most women expect? I wanted to know, so I put it out there to my 50 or so closest friends. I asked them, "What's the number one thing you want for Valentine's Day?"

Continue reading What Women Want (for Valentine's Day)

What Women Want (for Valentine's Day) originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>chocolatesflowerslovevalentines dayvalentines day giftsvalentines-dayValentinesDayValentinesDayGiftsDanielle ArbuckleFri, 11 Feb 2011 15:30:00 ESTThink You Could Turn Your Passion Into a Thriving Business?http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/03/think-you-could-turning-your-passion-into-a-thriving-business/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/03/think-you-could-turning-your-passion-into-a-thriving-business/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/02/03/think-you-could-turning-your-passion-into-a-thriving-business/#commentsFiled under:

Andrea Lekushoff has always had a passion for communications. She started her career at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C., where she worked as a press assistant.

She eventually returned to her native Toronto, where she worked for a leading communications and PR agency, got her MBA, then joined Deloitte Consulting as a strategy consultant. In 2004, she decided it was time to turn her passion for communications into a business and founded Broad Reach Communications.

Her award-winning firm now has almost twenty associates who work remotely but collaboratively.

Why did you decide to start Broad Reach?

In 2004, I was in my early thirties. I didn't have a mortgage, I had paid off my student debts, and I thought it's now or never. So I left Deloitte to become a freelancer. Very quickly, I was working many more hours than I had been working with Deloitte, and I was turning down work. I thought, why should I do that? So I started building a practice. Broad Reach now has 17 associates, and they're all senior practitioners. These are people who are very experienced in their field. They've either worked in agencies or in the corporate world, but now want to have more work-life balance. Broad Reach is very different than a traditional agency, where the senior people go out and impress the clients and sell the business, then hand the files over to junior people who actually do the work. All of our work is done by senior practitioners. And we've heard time and again from our clients that the work we do stands head-and-shoulders above other work they've seen because of the senior talent that works on each project.

Continue reading Think You Could Turn Your Passion Into a Thriving Business?

Think You Could Turn Your Passion Into a Thriving Business? originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>communicationsentrepreneurentrepreneursEntrepreneurshipmompreneurmompreneurspublic relationsPublicRelationsDanielle ArbuckleThu, 03 Feb 2011 10:00:00 ESTPlanning a 'Working Retirement'? You're Not Alonehttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/30/planning-a-working-retirement-youre-not-alone/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/30/planning-a-working-retirement-youre-not-alone/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/30/planning-a-working-retirement-youre-not-alone/#commentsFiled under: ,

planning a working retirement?Earlier this week, we asked you to think about what your retirement will look like. Does it include continuing to work, at least part-time? For many boomers, it does.

Recent research from Investor's Group shows that many boomers plan to continue working beyond age 65. In a recent poll, 42% of boomers said they plan to retire gradually.

"That's what they're saying," said David Ablett, a financial planning expert with Investors Group. With the oldest boomers set to turn 65 in five years, "It will be interesting to see what actually happens." "..

Boomers Want to Keep Working
So, why the shift to what's know as a "working retirement"? For some, the reasons might be financial, but that doesn't seem to be the motivation for most. Ablett shared some numbers from Statistics Canada, which show that people with a university degree are twice as likely to continue working beyond age 65 as those who didn't finish high school. (Statistics Canada's most recent figures are from 2006, yet were just released in 2010.)

Those numbers suggest that many boomers are planning a working retirement because they want to, not because they need to. And the Investors Group polls backs this up: 52% of boomers said they think working beyond retirement will keep them young.

Continue reading Planning a 'Working Retirement'? You're Not Alone

Planning a 'Working Retirement'? You're Not Alone originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>cppoasold age securityOldAgeSecurityretirementretirement planningRetirementPlanningRRSPsTFSAsworking retirementWorkingRetirementDanielle ArbuckleSun, 30 Jan 2011 18:00:00 ESTIs the PRPP a Pipe Dream? Maybe Nothttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/28/is-the-prpp-a-pipe-dream-maybe-not/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/28/is-the-prpp-a-pipe-dream-maybe-not/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/28/is-the-prpp-a-pipe-dream-maybe-not/#commentsFiled under:

Earlier this month, the federal government confirmed that making any improvements to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is low on their priority list. Instead, their focus will be on building up a new, voluntary Pooled Registered Pension Plan (PRPP).

Although Canadians haven't been given many details yet, we know the PRPP is supposed to help those of us who don't have workplace pension plans, particularly the self-employed, contract workers, and people who work for smaller companies.

A Pipe Dream?
Critics of the plan have been quick to say that the PRPP won't do much to help people without employer-sponsored plans. The plan is voluntary, which means employers and employees can opt out at any time. So is the PRPP a pipe dream? Will most Canadians decide to opt out?

Not everyone thinks so. Wendy Hope, Vice President of External Relations at the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, thinks the PRPP is a step in the right direction.

Continue reading Is the PRPP a Pipe Dream? Maybe Not

Is the PRPP a Pipe Dream? Maybe Not originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>canada pension planCanadaPensionPlancppprppretireretirementretirement planningRetirementPlanningRetirementSavingsDanielle ArbuckleFri, 28 Jan 2011 16:00:00 ESTOntario Wind Farms Challenged in Courthttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/28/ontario-wind-farms-challenged-in-court/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/28/ontario-wind-farms-challenged-in-court/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/28/ontario-wind-farms-challenged-in-court/#commentsFiled under: ,

Wind turbineLove it or hate it, Ontario's Green Energy Act (GEA) has definitely excelled at one thing: creating controversy and debate.

The latest blow to the GEA comes from a court challenge about the medical safety of wind farms, which was heard by a panel of Superior Court justices on Monday. Ian Hanna, who owns property near a wind farm in Prince Edward County, launched the challenge asking the court to stop development of wind farms until a medical study can be performed. He claims the Ontario government was misinformed when it decided wind turbines were safe at a distance of just 550 meters from homes.

Turbines Bad for Our Health?
There has been plenty of opposition to the costs of the GEA, particulary since the provincial government admitted last year that green energy initiatives were behind most of the 46% increase in energy prices Ontario residents should expect over the next five years. But this is the first challenge based on medical safety. And it does have some legs.

Continue reading Ontario Wind Farms Challenged in Court

Ontario Wind Farms Challenged in Court originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>green energyGreen Energy TechnologyGreenEnergyGreenEnergyTechnologyontariowind energywind farmingwind farmswind turbine criticswind turbinesWindEnergyWindFarmingWindFarmsWindTurbineCriticsWindTurbinesDanielle ArbuckleFri, 28 Jan 2011 08:00:00 ESTQuestions to Ask About Your Retirement Planhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/24/questions-to-ask-about-your-retirement-plan/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/24/questions-to-ask-about-your-retirement-plan/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/24/questions-to-ask-about-your-retirement-plan/#commentsFiled under: ,

Have you given much thought to what you want to do with your retirement? Whatever you're imagining, I bet it doesn't include filing for bankruptcy or a significant drop in your living standards. Yet that's the reality facing many Canadians as they enter retirement today.

So what could we be doing to better plan for retirement? For one thing, says the Financial Planning Standards Council (FPSC), we could focus less on RRSPs and more on a holistic approach to financial planning.

Continue reading Questions to Ask About Your Retirement Plan

Questions to Ask About Your Retirement Plan originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>financial plannersfinancial planningfinancial planning tipsFinancialPlannersFinancialPlanningretirementretirement mistakesretirement planningretirement savingsRetirementMistakesRetirementPlanningRetirementSavingsRRSPsTFSATFSAsDanielle ArbuckleMon, 24 Jan 2011 14:30:00 ESTShould Shareholders Have a Say on Executive Pay?http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/19/should-shareholders-have-a-say-on-executive-pay/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/19/should-shareholders-have-a-say-on-executive-pay/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2011/01/19/should-shareholders-have-a-say-on-executive-pay/#commentsFiled under:

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is once again asking for your input. This time, the OSC is looking at legislative reforms that would affect shareholder democracy, and it wants your comments by the end of March.

Possibly the biggest issue on the table is proposed "say-on-pay" legislation. The OSC is considering making Ontario the first province to force companies to give shareholders a say on how much executives make. The Commission noted in its call for comments that many European countries already have "say-on-pay" legislation, and the United States is currently moving in that direction. Shareholder advocacy groups like the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance have long asked for these types of reforms to improve shareholder rights.

Another issue open for comment is legislation that would require companies to let shareholders vote for individual directors on a board (instead of voting for the board as a group), For more dFor and a "majority voting" rule, which would force directors to resign if they don't get a majority of votes from shareholders.

Finally, the OSC is looking at changes to the way proxy votes are counted, in a bid to ensure shareholder votes are counted properly. Currently, there are many issues with proxy votes, and many instances of votes being counted twice or not being counted at all.

The Commission has said it will draft new regulations after it reviews the public comments. So if you're a shareholder, and you think you should have a stronger say in how much corporate executives make, who sits on a board of directors, or how votes are counted, get your comments in now.

For more details on the OSC's proposals and information on where to send comments, click here.

More on this topic:
Securities Regulator Hears from Regular Investors
Should Steve Jobs Leave Apple for Good?

Should Shareholders Have a Say on Executive Pay? originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>executive compensationExecutive PayOntario Securities Commissionsay on paysecuritiesshareholder rightsshareholdersDanielle ArbuckleWed, 19 Jan 2011 14:00:00 ESTTaking Complaints Online: The Good, Bad, and Downright Nastyhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/24/taking-complaints-online-the-good-bad-and-downright-nasty/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/24/taking-complaints-online-the-good-bad-and-downright-nasty/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/24/taking-complaints-online-the-good-bad-and-downright-nasty/#commentsFiled under: ,

A friend recently complained on Facebook about some horrible service she received from a national eyeglass retailer.

"Turns out they did my prescription incorrectly (as I suspected, despite their claims that they did it right," she said. "My optometrist confirmed. I will never, ever go back to (that retailer again). Bad enough to mess up, but then to claim my glasses were fine!"

It's pretty typical these days to see complaints about bad service or products on Facebook, Twitter or websites like TheSqueakyWheel.com. And for the most part, this is a good thing. It's never been easier for consumers to share bad (and sometimes good!) experiences and to learn for others' mistakes. My Facebook friend is both honest and patient. I know she must have been pushed to her limit to write what she did, and I'll avoid shopping at that store because of it.

Continue reading Taking Complaints Online: The Good, Bad, and Downright Nasty

Taking Complaints Online: The Good, Bad, and Downright Nasty originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Fri, 24 Dec 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>complainingcomplaintsConsumer ComplaintsConsumerComplaintsCyberBullyingonline complaintsOnlineComplaintsDanielle ArbuckleFri, 24 Dec 2010 10:30:00 ESTSecurities Regulator Hears from Regular Investorshttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/23/securities-regulator-hears-from-regular-investors/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/23/securities-regulator-hears-from-regular-investors/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/23/securities-regulator-hears-from-regular-investors/#commentsFiled under:

If you're a small (i.e., non-retail) investor living in Ontario with something to say about mutual funds, legal standards for financial advisors, or credit rating agencies, now's your chance to say it.

The Ontario Securities Commission's Investor Advisory Panel wants to hear from you. The panel was established a few months ago specifically to receive input from small investors when it comes to developing new policies. Earlier this month, the panel released its first round of initiatives and is inviting small investors to comment.

Specifically, the panel is looking for input on four things:

1. The Ontario Securities Commission's new point-of-sale rules, which aim to provide better information to mutual fund investors about the funds they buy. As of January 1, 2011, mutual fund companies must provide a "fund facts" document to investors who ask for one, but the commission is still developing other ways to improve mutual fund sales disclosure.

Continue reading Securities Regulator Hears from Regular Investors

Securities Regulator Hears from Regular Investors originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>credit rating agenciesCreditRatingAgenciesfinancial adviserFinancial advisorFinancialAdviserFinancialAdvisorInvestinginvestmentsinvestorsmutual fund feesMutual fundsMutualFundFeesMutualFundsOntario Securities CommissionOntarioSecuritiesCommissionsecuritiesDanielle ArbuckleThu, 23 Dec 2010 14:00:00 ESTFinance Ministers Endorse New, Voluntary Pension Planhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/21/finance-ministers-endorse-new-voluntary-pension-plan/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/21/finance-ministers-endorse-new-voluntary-pension-plan/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/21/finance-ministers-endorse-new-voluntary-pension-plan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and his provincial counterparts came to a consensus on pension reform at yesterday's meeting in Kananaskis, Alberta.

Until last week, it had been widely expected that Mr. Flaherty would be proposing gradual enhancement to the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Late last week, that proposal was shelved in favour of the new, voluntary Pooled Retirement Pension Plan (PRPP).

Yesterday, Mr. Flaherty gained support from provincial finance ministers for the PRPP. He also committed to ongoing discussions on enhancing the Canada Pension Plan, promising an update in June.

Proponents of gradual enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan argue that, because it is mandatory, increasing CPP contributions is the only way to ensure Canadians start saving more for retirement.

The PRPP, on the other hand, is a voluntary plan. While employers will be forced to offer the PRPP, they won't be forced to contribute. Likewise, employers must enroll their employees in the plan, but employees can subsequently choose to opt out. Supporters of the PRPP believe that by offering an opt-out clause (as opposed to allowing employers and employees opt in), many Canadians will remain in the voluntary plan.

Continue reading Finance Ministers Endorse New, Voluntary Pension Plan

Finance Ministers Endorse New, Voluntary Pension Plan originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>canada pension planCanadaPensionPlancpppooled retirement pension planPooledRetirementPensionPlanprppretirementretirement planningretirement savingsRetirementPlanningRetirementSavingsDanielle ArbuckleTue, 21 Dec 2010 13:00:00 ESTKnow How to Handle Ambiguity Says Entrepreneur David Easonhttp://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/20/know-how-to-handle-ambiguity-says-entrepreneur-david-eason/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/20/know-how-to-handle-ambiguity-says-entrepreneur-david-eason/http://www.walletpop.ca/blog/2010/12/20/know-how-to-handle-ambiguity-says-entrepreneur-david-eason/#commentsFiled under:

At the age of 39, David Eason has achieved a remarkable level of success as an entrepreneur. He and his business partner started Berkeley Payment Solutions in 2006, and in less than four years the company has become the largest competitor in its sector.

Berkeley delivers prepaid Visa cards to companies looking for creative ways to reward their employees and customers. These prepaid Visa cards can be used just like cash. Take them anywhere Visa is accepted and use them to buy anything you want. Many companies are choosing to give their employees prepaid Visa cards in place of bonus cheques, which cost more to issue and process. And retailers are choosing to use prepaid Visa cards to reward customers instead of traditional loyalty cards, which can take a while to build up points and are sometimes a hassle to redeem.

In this article, I talk to Eason about Berkeley's success, and what makes him a natural entrepreneur.

What were you doing before you started Berkeley?
I graduated from business school and got into the world of management consulting, where I focused on strategy and financial services. I worked for Deloitte Consulting and American Express.


Continue reading Know How to Handle Ambiguity Says Entrepreneur David Eason

Know How to Handle Ambiguity Says Entrepreneur David Eason originally appeared on Walletpop Canada on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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]]>entrepreneurEntrepreneur SpotlightentrepreneurialentrepreneursEntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurSpotlightDanielle ArbuckleMon, 20 Dec 2010 17:30:00 EST