The Healthcare Conversation You Need To Have Now
I came across this article in Forbes magazine and thought it was worth sharing. This is relevant to anyone with aging parents – it puts protection in place for them and gives you peace of mind.
Why have a will when you have beneficiaries?
You give up some control when you just have beneficiaries and no will
Q: I am married. I have RRIF and LIRA and my spouse has RRSPs. We have joint cashable accounts too. We have appointed each other as beneficiaries for every account. I am told this arrangement takes longer to settle on death if there is no will. Why do I still need a will?
—Krish
Click to read the answer to this question on the MoneySense website.
Budgeting
If you’ve made a resolution to be more disciplined with your spending, or you’ve overspent over the holidays, a budget is a good way to get back on track. Here’s a good article from Practical Money Skills that you might find helpful.
A budget is a plan, an outline of your future income and expenditures that you can use as a guideline for spending and saving.
Only 47 % percent of Canadians use a budget to plan their spending. But Canadians are feeling more in debt than ever with 90% saying they have more debt today than five years ago. A budget can help you pay your bills on time, cover unexpected emergencies, and reach your financial goals — now and in the future. Most of the information you need is already at your fingertips. Read more 
How to prepare your finances for maternity leave
By Helen Burnett-Nichols
Expecting your first baby? By all means get the nursery ready — but make sure you put your financial house in order, too.
Preparing for a baby is a time full of celebration, showers and shopping, but the arrival of a little one brings not only added expense for your family but also a noticeable drop in income for many new families. Read more
