Summertime has finally arrived! This is the perfect time to take a moment to think about your short-, medium- and long-term projects! Considering a move or renovations? Do you want to build an emergency fund? Have you reached a point in your life where you are thinking about moving up your retirement plans? Whatever your situation, you can keep track of all your projects by completing these 4 steps this summer.
With retirement coming up, maybe you’ve cut back on your work hours and have a better idea of what to expect when the time comes. You also realize that you don’t have as many financial commitments. And if you have kids, they’ll soon be leaving the nest, if they haven’t already. Your home might already be paid off or about to be, which takes a huge financial load off your shoulders. You might have more funds at your disposal, which you could use to save for retirement and beyond—money to make the most of those proverbial golden years and reduce the chances of outliving your savings.
Unexpected turns in the road keep life interesting. But when it comes to an unexpected job loss or a leaky roof, it’s really no fun at all. To be prepared for whatever life might throw your way, it’s a great idea to have an emergency fund. So keep this in mind: the more you set aside, the easier it will be to get back on your feet when life throws a curve ball.
An RRSP is a tax-deferral tool that helps you save for retirement. A TFSA is a savings tool that you can also use for retirement, as well as the other projects you have going on. In other words, we have two plans with two different sets of goals. Choose the one that best suits your needs and goals or combine them to maximize their benefits.
Approximately 5% of Canada’s labour force works in the financial sector. For the other 95%, the topic of investing might be intimidating. Deciding where to invest is an important part of financial planning, and there’s no shame in admitting, “Umm, I’m not sure where I should invest my money”. The good news is there are a number of resources that can help you!