Entries by Kelly Smith Group

The Six Steps to Financial Planning

A certified financial planner is trained to focus on all aspects of your finances – everything from your taxes to retirement savings.

The six steps to financial planning are:
• Meeting your financial planner
• Determining your goals and expectation
• Reviewing your current financial state
• Developing a financial plan
• Implementing a financial plan
• Monitoring the plan

A certified financial planner will develop a plan that works for you both today and in the future.

Permanent versus Term Life Insurance – What are the Differences?

You know you need life insurance – but you’re not sure which kind is best for you. There are two main kinds of life insurance:
• Permanent, which lasts for your entire life. Premiums can be more expensive, but you can also use the policy to build up cash value.
• Term, which is only good for a set amount of time. Premiums are less expensive, and you cannot build up cash value – but coverage is easy to get and understand.
We can help you determine which type of insurance is best for you and how much it will cost you.

Financial Planning for Business Owners

Financial planning for business owners is often two-sided: personal financial planning and planning for the business.
Business owners have access to a lot of financial tools that employees don’t have access to; this is a great advantage, however it can be overwhelming too. A financial plan can relieve this.
A financial plan looks at where you are today and where you want to go. It determines your short, medium and long term financial goals and how you can reach them. For you, personally and for your business.

2022 Ontario Budget Highlights

On April 28, 2022, the Ontario Minister of Finance delivered the province’s 2022 budget. It’s focused on five different pillars:
• Rebuilding the economy.
• Better jobs and bigger paycheques.
• Building highways and critical infrastructure.
• Keeping costs down.
• Investing in health care.
Budget 2022 includes no changes to personal or corporate tax rates.

2022 Federal Budget Highlights

On April 7, 2022, the Federal Government released their 2022 budget. Our article contains highlights of the various financial measures in this budget, divided into these sections:
• Housing
• Alternative minimum tax
• Dental care
• Small businesses
• Tradespeople
• Canada Growth Fund
• Climate
• Bank and insurer taxes

2021 Income Tax Year Tips

It’ll be time to file your 2021 taxes soon, and you must take advantage of every tax credit and deduction that you can. Our article includes information on a variety of subjects you need to know about, including what to do if you’ve had to repay COVID-19 benefits, how to plan ahead if you’re self-employed or retiring soon, and what you need to know if you have a home office or employer-provided benefits.

The Five Steps to Investment Planning

An investment advisor can help you figure out what the right investment choices are for you.
The five steps to investment planning are:
• Meeting your investment advisor
• Determining your goals and expectations
• Developing your investment plan
• Implementing your investment plan
• Monitoring the plan
The sooner you start planning for retirement, the sooner you can get there! An investment advisor can help you get there quicker.

2022 Financial Calendar

Looking for an “at a glance” document covering all the important dates you need to know to stay on track with your financial planning in 2022?

Our 2022 financial calendar (which you can easily bookmark or print out) makes sure you’re always in the loop! It lists important dates, including:

• Payments dates for the Canada Child Benefit, CPP, OAS, and the GST/HST credit.
• When TFSA contribution room starts again.
• Tax filing deadlines.
• Charitable contribution deadlines and the last day to contribute to registered investment accounts.
• When the Bank of Canada interest rate announcements are.