We’d like to be clear to start of this blog: Scams are on the rise in Niagara, and we’re hearing about them more and more from our Members.

Scams are becoming more sophisticated every year. This guide highlights the most common scams targeting our Members today, along with new techniques that use artificial intelligence. It also includes an important section on romance scams that often target seniors. If you or a loved one may be susceptible to any of these scams below, please share this blog with them to help protect them and their money.

Let’s face it – discussing estate planning with your parents might feel about as comfortable as watching a romantic movie scene with them. But unlike your teenage years, this conversation is one you definitely shouldn’t skip. After all, nobody wants to be caught in a messy family situation that could have been avoided with a few candid chats.

So, your great-aunt Mabel left you an unexpected chunk of change. First off, our condolences – and congratulations? (It’s okay to feel both sad and excited – money emotions are complicated!)

Let’s face it—talking about wills and powers of attorney (POA) isn’t exactly the most thrilling dinner table topic. But stick with us! Creating these essential documents isn’t just about creating paperwork; it’s about making sure your family doesn’t have to guess what you would have wanted while juggling life’s curveballs. Plus, wouldn’t you rather call the shots even if you’re not around to say, “I told you so”?

Talking to your kids, or other loved ones, about your estate plan may not be the easiest topic to bring up, but it’s an important step in preparing your family for the future. By being open and transparent, you can help your family understand your wishes, reduce confusion, and promote harmony when it comes time to manage your affairs.

Creating an estate plan involves working with several professionals to ensure your plan is legally sound, comprehensive, and tailored to your goals. Here’s who you may need to collaborate with:

Do you remember the good old days: $5 footlongs at Subway, Toonie Tuesdays at KFC or a BigMac extra value meal for less than $5? The price of these delicious meals long ago versus the prices now are examples of inflation. Sadly, this has drastically affected my fast food addiction. Unless you’ve been living in a cave, I’m sure you’ve noticed that hardly anything lately has been immune to these price hikes. In this blog, I am going to do my best to describe inflation, how it can hurt your future self and some options you have available to reduce its effects.

This is one of the questions that most investors find themselves asking once they have either ceased employment or are down to part time, or maybe even once a health event hits. As usual, there is no one size fits all solution to this question, but I want to shed some light on some of the underlying factors that go into the decision.

One of the first questions that potential investors often ask is which account should I use – Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RSP), Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA), or First Home Savings Account (FHSA)? All of these accounts offer benefits to investors and understanding the differences between them is the first step in making a choice.

What’s the Big Deal?

The news coming out of the USA that up to $10,000 of student debt was being eliminated for most students by the government has dominated the news these days as we once again approach the beginning of school.

And it’s no wonder why that’s such a big deal as post-secondary costs continue to rise not just in the USA, but right here in Canada.