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TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT: BEING A PATRIOTIC CANADIAN CAN SAVE YOU MONEY

trade and developmentTrade and development: Introduction

We live in a time of interesting politics when it comes to trade and development. Unfortunately, due to the trade war between the U.S. and Canada, many products are now considerably more expensive. Since household debt is at record highs and many Canadians are already living paycheque to paycheque, the price hikes on popular products can cause a significant impact on your finances. The best way to keep your spending in check is to show your patriotism and buy Canadian.

Trade and development: The Canadian list

According to the Retail Council of Canada, this is a list of popular products that will cost you more if not sourced locally or from a country other than the U.S.:

  • Yogurt
  • Roasted coffee – not decaffeinated
  • Maple sugar and maple syrup
  • Licorice candy and toffee
  • Sugar confectionery
  • Chocolate in blocks, slabs or bars
  • Pizza and quiche
  • Cucumbers and gherkins
  • Strawberry jam
  • Orange juice, not frozen
  • Soya sauce
  • Tomato ketchup and other tomato sauces
  • Mayonnaise and salad dressing
  • Mixed condiments and mixed seasonings
  • Soups and broths
  • Waters, including mineral aerated waters containing added sugar or flavour
  • Whiskies
  • Manicure or pedicure preparations
  • Hair lacquers
  • Pre-shave, shaving or after-shave preparations
  • Preparations for perfuming or deodorizing rooms
  • Organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin
  • Automatic dishwasher detergents
  • Candles
  • Plastic sacks and bags
  • Tableware and kitchenware
  • Plywood, consisting solely of sheets of wood other than bamboo
  • Paper and paperboard
  • Toilet paper
  • Handkerchiefs, cleansing or facial tissues and towels
  • Tablecloths and serviettes
  • Printed or illustrated postcards
  • Printed greeting cards, with or without envelopes
  • Cast iron grills
  • Combined refrigerator-freezers
  • Dishwashing machines
  • Lawnmowers
  • Inflatable boats
  • Sailboats
  • Motorboats
  • Mattresses
  • Sleeping bags
  • Pillows, cushions and similar furnishings of cotton
  • Playing cards
  • Ballpoint pens
  • Felt-tipped and other porous-tipped pens and markers

Trade and development: Be a nationalist and save money

Many of these products are manufactured in Canada so perhaps this is a good opportunity to make mindful purchases, whether or not there is a trade war on. E.g. Quebec produces 72% of the world’s maple syrup, so why would we ever buy it from the States? President’s Choice has an extensive list of products that are manufactured in Canada. As a nation, we have a long tradition of making Whiskey, so if that’s your pleasure, try a Canadian brand. With a little research, you could become quite the expert in buying Canadian and save a lot of money in the process.

Trade and development: What to do if you have too much debt

If the spike in prices because of the tariffs could put a strain on you financially, then the time for professional help is now. Unfortunately, we can’t remove the tariffs, but can help you deal with debt. At Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. we believe that financial problems can be solved with immediate action and the right financial plan. You can put your financial problems behind you and live a debt free life Starting Over, Starting Now. We’re just a phone call away.

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MANAGING FAMILY FINANCES: DO YOU NEED FAMILY FINANCIAL PLANNING AT 65 AND BEYOND?

MANAGING FAMILY FINANCES 0
managing family finances

Managing family finances: Introduction

Many Canadians are under the mistaken impression that financial planning is a young person’s game. After all, you’re now retired and you have your pension(s) and perhaps some savings. What financial planning is there to do for managing family finances? I’m here to tell you that it’s never too late to have a financial plan. You may not realize it but there are many financial decisions still to make – even after the age of 65.

Managing family finances: CIBC financial planning advice

Lana Robinson, executive director, CIBC financial planning and advice, says it’s never too late to plan. The biggest mistake for those heading into their 70s and 80s would be not to have a plan or mistaking a budget for a plan, she said. They might say ” ‘Well I have a budget and I’m living to my budget‘ but is that really a plan?

Have you:

  • taken into account all the needs you might have?
  • anticipated the cost of healthcare?
  • Figured out whether your goal is to have in-home care as opposed to living in a retirement home?

Managing family finances: Can you answer these seven questions?

  1. Should you take your Canada Pension Plan (CPP) at 65 or defer it?
  2. Should you take your Old Age Security (OAS) at 65 or defer it?
  3. How much do you know about Registered Retirement Income Funds (RRIFs) and annuities?
  4. Do you need to rebalance the risk in your investment portfolio?
  5. What is the most financially helpful way to use your RRSPs?
  6. What are your financial goals and what are these goals going to cost you?
  7. Are you in debt?

Managing family finances: Don’t retire in debt

If we can give you one piece of extremely valuable advice for managing family finances it’s DON’T RETIRE IN DEBT! If you do, your retirement will be extremely stressful trying to figure out how to make ends meet. Family financial planning is not fun when you need a financial plan to get out of debt. But, don’t despair – we can help.

The Ira Smith Team has many years of experience helping people just like you facing financial crisis or bankruptcy that need a plan for Starting Over, Starting Now. We approach every file with the attitude that financial problems can be solved given immediate action and the right financial plan. Give us a call today and take the first step towards a debt free retirement.

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Retirement Planning Advice: Every Comprehensive Guide To Retirement Planning MUST Include A Healthy Lifestyle Plan

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retirement planning advice

Retirement planning advice: Introduction

As part of the credit counselling process, many people start asking for retirement planning advice. When I ask, do you have a retirement plan? people start talking to me about how they will need to grow their savings and investments. Retirement planning is so much more than that. What your retirement ultimately looks like is largely dependent on your healthy lifestyle plan.

Retirement planning advice: You can’t go from full throttle to neutral

You’re most likely used to working at least a 40 hours a week. And, at the end of the rainbow is retirement – no more alarm clocks, no fighting rush hour traffic or an overcrowded public transport system, no more brown bag lunches… Now you can reclaim at least 40 hours a week in addition to the hours that you spent commuting; but what will you do with those hours?

Retirement planning advice: The key to a happy retirement is having a healthy lifestyle plan

People that retire are very prone to depression, particularly men, whose sense of identity is closely tied to work. A 2013 study from the Institute of Economic Affairs that says retirement increases the chance of suffering from clinical depression by about 40%.

Men also have the highest rates of suicide worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. It’s not the job or the money that men miss so much in retirement, but the socialization and self-esteem that work brings, says Ken LeClair, co-chairman of the Canadian Coalition on Seniors Mental Health (CCSMH) and professor of psychiatry at Queen’s University in Kingston.

Retirement planning advice: Retirement is a huge adjustment

Retirement is a huge adjustment and like all stages of life, requires a plan. The key to a happy retirement is having a lifestyle plan. Do you have hobbies and interests? Volunteer work? Learning new things? Meaningful friendships? Travel? Lifestyle planning should ideally start 5 – 10 years before retirement starts so that you’ll be prepared for the transition.

Retirement planning advice: Start saving early on for your healthy lifestyle plan in retirement so as not to have to make tough financial adjustments

The likelihood is that once you retire there is going to be a significant change in your income. Most retirees can’t continue to live the same lifestyle as when they worked full time. The reality is that you’re going to have to make some financial adjustments that may involve downsizing your residence, driving a more economical car, traveling less.

However people generally want to do more in retirement. They have put off their travel and hobbies because they lacked one of the most precious resources – time. Many retirees start off by doing more now that they have the time. There is only one problem; they never saved properly during their working years to have the money to turn their dreams into reality in retirement.

Retirement planning advice: What to do if you have too much debt in retirement?

Unfortunately many retirees are taking on debt they can’t afford by using credit that they can’t repay to support their lifestyles. This is a recipe for disaster and the sooner you seek professional help the better.

A professional trustee can help. Although your particular situation may seem catastrophic, Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. can get you back on track Starting Over, Starting Now with sound advice and the right action plan. Give us a call today so we can help you start on your healthy lifestyle plan.

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COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT LIVING: YOU NEED A PLAN TO SAVE TODAY TO HAVE A COMFORTABLE RETIREMENT INCOME

comfortable retirement livingComfortable retirement living: Introduction

We all want a comfortable retirement living but many Canadians haven’t got a clue how to make that happen. Your financial health is never a matter of chance, unless you’re a big lottery winner; it takes careful planning and you need to make saving a habit. All the retirement blogs say so.

I can see many of you rolling your eyes now and wondering how you’re supposed to think about saving when you’re trying to make ends meet. But, without a plan your financial situation will never change.

Comfortable retirement living: You need a comfortable retirement budget

Are you thinking about your retirement? If not, now is the time. Research has shown that people who have a plan often save more money and are financially healthier than those who don’t.

  • Those who thought about retirement — “a lot,” “some” or even “a little” — approached retirement age with twice the wealth of non-planners (2007 Pension Research Council study)
  • Simply using a retirement calculator increased someone’s likelihood of saving (Journal of Consumer Affairs in 2011)
  • Parents who created a plan to pay for their children’s college educations saved 76% more than parents who saved but didn’t have a plan (Sallie Mae’s How America Saves for College 2016 report)
  • Households that plan for large, irregular expenses are 10 times as likely to be financially healthy as those that don’t (Center for Financial Services Innovation study in 2015)

Comfortable retirement living: What is financial health?

What exactly does financial health mean? The Centre for Financial Services Innovation has described financial health as having emergency and retirement savings, sustainable debt loads, good credit scores and property, life and health insurance. Are you financially healthy?

Comfortable retirement living: What is a comfortable retirement definition?

How do you define comfortable retirement? CANSTAR Pty Limited, a privately owned Australian research agency that provides finance comparison services, has what I think is a very good definition:

“…one which enables an older, healthy retiree to be involved in a broad range of leisure and recreational activities. It allows funding for private health insurance, a reasonable car and regular holidays (domestic and occasionally international)…”

Comfortable retirement living: How can you become financially healthy?

Everyone needs a plan – not just for retirement, but for more immediate goals like having enough for the monthly expenses. A financial plan always involves a budget and I can’t stress enough how important a budget is.

Once you have a plan in place you can start saving. It doesn’t have to be huge amounts of money, but just enough to start making saving a habit. Start building a little emergency fund. Once you follow the plan and make saving a habit, you’ll be well on your way to financial health.

If you’re struggling with debt and can’t see a way out, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. We’re licensed trustees who are experts in helping people just like you get back on your feet Starting Over, Starting Now. Give us a call today and with the right plan you too can be financially healthy again.3bestaward

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MANAGING YOUR PERSONAL FINANCES IS RISKY BUSINESS

managing your personal financesManaging your personal finances: Introduction

Managing your personal finances may seem like a good idea in theory but according to Eric Kirzner, a professor of finance at the Rotman School of Management in Toronto, “Going solo on your financial future probably isn’t worth the risk”. Never-the-less many Canadians are under the mistaken impression that managing their personal finances is a DIY project.

Managing your personal finances: How knowledgeable are Canadians about personal finance?

According to a recent survey by Tangerine:

  • Only 50% of Canadians surveyed consider themselves knowledgeable when it comes to personal finances
  • 39% consider their personal finance knowledge satisfactory, saying they only have enough knowledge to get by
  • 12% say they have limited or no knowledge

Managing your personal finances: Why aren’t more Canadians hiring financial planners?

There are a lot of misconceptions about financial planning – it’s only for the rich or young, or that it’s too expensive. And, many Canadians think that financial planning is only about budgeting or retirement planning.

Managing your personal finances: What is a financial plan?

A financial plan is a roadmap that shows you where you are today and helps you define your financial goals and aims for the future. And it provides you with the tools, information and structure to help your realize your financial goals and aims. A study by the Financial Planning Standards Board reports that 69% of Canadians still don’t have a comprehensive written financial plan to meet their life goals.

Managing your personal finances: What are the benefits of financial planning?

A study conducted on behalf of the Financial Planning Standards Council has shown that:

  • People who engaged in comprehensive financial planning have higher levels of financial and emotional well-being
  • Individuals with a financial plan have a better handle on their cash flow, have a plan to pay down debt and are more ready for emergencies
  • They have a better understanding of their investments, they know what to do to retire comfortably and have greater peace of mind3bestaward

Managing your personal finances: Why do I need a financial plan?

According to the Government of Canada a good financial plan will help you understand what your choices are today and in the future, reduce uncertainty about the future and help you make good decisions. A financial plan will answer these types of questions:

Managing your personal finances: What if I managed to accumulate too much debt?

Managing your personal finances may compromise your financial future. Always consult with a professional for financial services advice. If you’re seeking advice about debt, consult with Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. Our expertise in insolvency and financial restructuring can help you overcome your financial difficulties Starting Over, Starting Now. We’re just a phone call away.

 

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AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD DEBT IN CANADA: CANADIANS LOVE TO MAKE IT CONTINUALLY RISE!

average household debt in canada, canadian household debt, household debt, mortgage debt, trustee, financial plan, retirement income, household debt in canada, ira smith trustee, consumer debt, credit card debt, canada, carney talks canada’s household debt, mark carney, finance, saving, savings, bankruptcy canda videos., bank of canada, national debt, canada's debt, talks canada household, canada's-public-debt, household debt has been, td bank" "household debt, and mail" debt "household, canada's household debt hits, canada's household debt risesWhat is average household debt in Canada?

Average household debt in Canada: the average of the amount of money that all Canadian adults in the household owe financial institutions.

Statistics Canada said that total household consumer debt, which includes consumer credit card and mortgage and non-mortgage loans, increased 1.2 per cent to $1.923 trillion at the end of last year. The total included $573.6 billion in consumer credit debt, including credit card debt, and $1.262 trillion in mortgage debt.

The growth helped drive the ratio of household debt to disposable income to a new peak of 165.4 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2015, up from 164.5 per cent in the third quarter.

It’s unbelievable but true – average household debt in Canada continues to rise! Unfortunately it seems that nothing has so far been able to stem this tide, particularly as already sky-high housing prices continue to reach new heights. We’ve reported on this very alarming situation in a series of blogs and the situation continues to worsen.

Video – Household Debt In Canada Crisis

How Binge Borrowing Raises Canada’s Household Debt Burden

Canadian Household Debt: We Seem To Love It!

Household Debt; Canadian Levels Sound Alarm Bells

How is it affecting Canadians?

According to a ManuLife Bank survey:

  • 33% of homeowners have been “caught short” at least once in the past year and didn’t have enough money to cover expenses
  • 60% lack confidence that they’ll have enough savings for retirement
  • Average mortgage debt increased to $181,000 since last fall
  • 25% of homeowners predict that their home equity will make up 80% or more of their household wealth when they retire

What are the options available to Canadian homeowners with limited retirement income?

  • Delay retirement and keep working as long as possible
  • Work part-time
  • Move to a less expensive home and use the money to fund retirement
  • Sell the home and use the money to fund retirement
  • Borrow against the home equity

What is the top financial priority for Canadian home owners?

More than anything, Canadian home owners want their average household debt in Canada at a manageable amount and ultimately zero; i.e. be debt free. If you’re like many Canadian home owners struggling with alarming levels of household debt, seek help as soon as possible. A professional trustee can help you deal with your debt problems, and believe me they are not insurmountable. With immediate action and the right financial plan the Ira Smith Team can help you realize your dream of living a debt free life Starting Over, Starting Now. We’re only a phone call away. Book your free consultation today.

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FINANCIAL FRAUD AND BANKRUPTCY: DID YOU REALLY MEAN TO DO IT?

 

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The Financial Fraud Bankruptcy Case

The bankruptcy financial fraud case that created this important precedent is R. v. Shek. Wilson Chi-Man Shek was charged with six counts under section 198(1)(g) of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA) after he obtained $186,000 on credit and then filed for bankruptcy.

This section of the BIA states:

“after or within one year immediately preceding the date of the first bankruptcy event, hypothecates, pawns, pledges or disposes of any property that the bankrupt has obtained on credit and has not paid for, unless in the case of a trader the hypothecation, pawning, pledging or disposing is in the ordinary way of trade and unless the bankrupt had no intent to defraud,…”

He had received credit from five different credit card companies. He had 13 different credit cards, as well as lines of credit. Shek ran through all this credit by:

  • writing cheques;
  • obtaining cash advances (some of which happened at casinos while he was gambling and losing); and
  • making cash withdrawals on his accounts. His luck and credit ran out and he filed for bankruptcy on Feb. 12, 2013.

The Verdict

Many were amazed when the judge dismissed all charges. It all boiled down to intent to defraud and the lack of ability to prove that Mr. Shek intended to commit financial fraud.

“So one reasonable inference is that Mr. Shek began to gamble, which is legal, with credit that he obtained, which is legal and had no intention to defraud his creditors, but rather hoped as all gamblers do that his luck would turn and he would be able to pay enough to maintain his credit.

This may have been unrealistic given interest charges and the perils of poker and slot machines, but it is Mr. Shek’s true subjective state of mind that is relevant to the words ’unless there is no intent to defraud,’” wrote the judge. “But I genuinely do not know what occurred here about Mr. Shek’s intent when he spent the money that he obtained on credit. It follows that all charges are dismissed.”

The judge’s ruling states that insolvent gamblers who have legitimately obtained credit and believe their luck will turn cannot be convicted of financial fraud. This will no doubt be an important precedent that will impact how some cases are prosecuted under Canada’s bankruptcy law.

What to do if you have too much debt – hint: don’t commit financial fraud!

Please do not test out this precedent! If you are experiencing serious financial difficulties, DO NOT apply for credit cards and lines of credit to get funds to gamble with. This is not the way to solve financial problems. Consult a professional trustee. Ira Smith Trustee & Receive Inc. are experts in dealing with debt. With immediate action and the right financial plan you can be well on your way to a debt free life Starting Over, Starting Now. Give us a call today.

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STUDENT DEBT BANKRUPTCY: NEW SECRET TACTIC TO AVOID BANKRUPTCY

student debt bankruptcy

Student debt bankruptcy inquiries on the rise

Student debt bankruptcy is a very serious issue in our country. We’ve looked at the problem from different angles in a series of blogs and like you, are left with more questions than answers.

Cases on the rise

Unfortunately, regardless of which government is in power, there’s been no solution or improvement regarding this kind of debt and student debt bankruptcy. In fact, university and college debt have now taken on epic proportions. According to the Canadian Federation of Students (the largest organization for post-secondary students in Canada), last year the number of student debt bankruptcy files of those who received student loans hit a 10-year high as more than 6,000 students declared bankruptcy in 2015, more than double the number in 2014.

We don’t have a level playing field nationally

The costs of post-secondary education have become prohibitive. Firstly, we don’t have a level playing field. The cost of tuition varies greatly from province to province, from city to city and from college to university (where the same program is offered). According to a study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives the cost of tuition alone (not including books, living expenses, transportation, entertainment, etc.) is:

  • $8,756 in Ontario
  • $6,969 in Nova Scotia
  • $2,655 in our easternmost province
  • $2,350 for the police foundations program at Georgian College
  • $4,466 for the police foundations program at Laurentian University in the same buildings with the same teachers as Georgian College

Some Provinces are coming up with a new secret tactic

Newfoundland and Labrador have replaced student loans with needs-based grants, essentially wiping out tuition costs. Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia don’t charge interest on these loans but there are still too many people who are being crushed by a mountain of student debt. Recently, the Ontario Liberal government announced in its recent budget that it is combining existing programs to create an Ontario Student Grant, which would pay for average college or university tuition for students from families with incomes of $50,000 or less.

The Canadian Federation of Students has called on the federal government to make tuition at university and college free for all students but that’s not going to happen.

So the new secret tactic is free university tuition? It may be a nice idea but who’s going to pay for it?

What to do if you have too much debt

Unfortunately, we can’t solve the student debt issue where during studies, or after graduation, (former) students have debt they cannot afford to repay. However, we are experts in dealing with debt.

If you’re a student loan recipient who’s thinking of declaring bankruptcy or you’re being strangled by general financial obligations that you can’t meet, contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. Given immediate action and the right financial plan, we can have you on your way to a debt free life Starting Over, Starting Now. Watch for our blog next Tuesday when we’ll be discussing Student Loan Debt: Will Bankruptcy Eliminate It If You Are Not The Student?

 

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SENIOR CITIZEN DEBT RELIEF: DO CANADIANS BELIEVE CPP/QPP WILL BE ENOUGH?

senior citizen debt relief

Introduction

Believe it or not, when it comes to senior citizen debt relief, many Canadians believe that they can comfortably retire on Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) benefits alone. According to a 2014 Bank of Montreal study:

  • 89% of Canadians said they expected CPP or the Quebec Pension Plan to fund part of their retirement
  • 31% said they expected to rely heavily on their CPP/QPP

Is expecting the government to fund your retirement realistic?

No! Paul Shelestowsky, a senior wealth adviser with Meridian Credit Union in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario believes that Canadians are playing a dangerous game with their future by expecting the benefits of making up for meagre savings. “CPP and OAS were never meant to form somebody’s retirement plan. They were meant to augment it and help as one of the pieces of the puzzle,” Mr. Shelestowsky says.

Do you know how much you’d earn if CPP and OAS were your only sources of income in 2015?

Your net income would be $17,883/year or $1,490/month. Could you possibly live out your golden years in the manner you had imagined with such a scant income? How would you ever obtain senior citizen debt relief?

If you’re like many Canadians you’re in a total state of shock right now. In 2013, a Leger Marketing survey for H&R Block found that 7 out of 10 non-retired Canadians were unaware of how much money CPP pays out monthly. The maximum in 2015 was $1,065 a month, but this is the maximum. The average CPP payment is only about $550.

What about senior citizen debt relief?

How many of you could maintain close to your current lifestyle on $1,490/month? It would be hard enough to pay your monthly bills, let along pay down your liabilities. Yet seniors are adding to their financial load even faster than the general population, with the average Canadian senior owing approximately $15,000. This is a serious issue and as a result, we’ve done a series of blogs/vlog about this issue:

Your solution

If you’re in need of senior citizen financial relief, you need a professional trustee to help you manage your financial problems before it reaches a critical stage where bankruptcy is your only option. We have been able to help many seniors carry out a successful debt settlement program. Successful completion of such a program will free you from the burden of your financial challenges to go on to live a productive, stress-free, financially sound life.

You should never take liabilities into retirement. NOW is the time to deal with financial problems; not once you’re on a seriously limited income and barely making ends meet. Sit down with a professional trustee and discuss your options. We’re experts on dealing with senior citizen debt relief and not so senior citizen financial issues. With immediate action and the right financial plan in place, you can be well on your way to a debt-free life Starting Over, Starting Now. Contact Ira Smith Trustee & Receiver Inc. today. Help is only a phone call away.

 

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CONSUMER PROPOSAL PROCESS FOR LOTTERY WINNERS? BUT WHY?

X bankruptX BankruptcyX bankruptcy alternativeX financial planX Ira Smith TrusteeX living paycheque to paychequeX lotteryX powerballX trusteeX consumer proposal processConsumer proposal process for a lottery winner? Why?

Here’s a headline I’m sure you all remember – Three winners of the $1.586 billion Powerball jackpot. Here’s a headline you may have missed – The odds are that the US$1.5 billion Powerball winner will end up bankrupt (and if a Canadian, possibly a consumer proposal process).

Call a Trustee Now!