Ambassadors: Featured Posts

Financial stress is on the rise in Canada. According to a new report by FP Canada, the Financial Stress Index found that 44% of Canadians say money is their primary source of stress. Other factors include personal health, at 20%; work, at 16%; and relationships, at 16%.
The numbers suggest the financial burden is a big deal. Yet, financial stress can sometimes be self-induced. The reality is that many need help to keep up with the inflation, higher rates, and record debt levels that are stretching households. The silence that follows can be deafening. In a world where comparisons are everywhere, keeping up with Jones’ has become financially exhausting. I use “MONEY” as the acronym to break down the options that could be explored.

Small changes can lead to significant results. When something feels out of place physically or financially, it may be time to bring in the experts. Trust me, I have been there. I am a certified financial planner, yet we have a financial advisor who manages our money. Getting started can be overwhelming, and procrastination can be the one thing in both arenas that can derail you. If you are embarking on a new physical or financial journey, here are a few steps to help you.

Cyberattacks and fraud are escalating. In 2023, Canadians lost $554M due to fraud, with financial loss expected to cost almost $10.8 trillion globally this year. However, there has been a long-standing belief Boomers are more likely to fall prey than any other generation. But when it comes to falling for scams, every age group is equal. Baby boomers are no more likely than any other generation to fall for a scam. Here are a few basics to ensure you stay cyber-safe and avoid potential scams and scammers. These scammers have upped their game. And finally, if you feel you have released too much personal information, don’t be embarrassed or ashamed because it happens to smart and tech-savvy people all the time.

Last night, I began reading Alvin Finkel’s new book, Humans: the 300,000 Year Struggle for Equality. Suddenly, the dark cloud over my head lifted, and I started to recognize a beam of shining light. As Joan Sangster, Vanier Professor Emeritus at Trent University, says, “Finkel’s book is a bold recounting of world history over thousands of years emphasizing common peoples’ past and the ongoing desire for cooperation, dignity and equality, even in the face of hierarchy, hate and inequality.”

Canadians approaching retirement age face some important decisions about when to start receiving their Canada Pension Plan (CPP) benefits. One of the most compelling reasons to delay CPP benefits is to boost your monthly payments. For every year you delay receiving CPP after age 65, your monthly payment increases by 0.7% a month or 8.4% annually – that means retirees can boost their CPP by 42% by delaying the benefits from age 65 to age 70.

We all wish to feel happy. Perhaps not every minute of each day, but at least from time to time throughout the days and weeks of our lives. Yet, as a recent article in The New York Times stated: “We’ve all experienced the urge to withdraw and duck experiences we know we’ll enjoy — even when a mood boost is what we need most. We skip the birthday party. We cancel lunch. They don’t seem worth the effort. And then, more likely than not, we feel worse than we did before. So, how do you find the motivation to get out there, especially when you’re feeling low, stressed, tired or lonely? One proven strategy is to strengthen what psychologists call your reward sensitivity. Our drive to seek happiness is a muscle we can develop.”

When HomeEquity Bank approached me four years ago to be their spokesperson, I did a lot of research into the company. My reputation and personal integrity are important to me. I didn’t just want to be a face and a name. I wanted to believe in what I was endorsing.

Kurt Browning, a Canadian figure skater and the celebrity spokesperson for HomeEquity Bank, partners with his dog to describe the benefits of a CHIP Reverse Mortgage and how it can help you retire in the home you love.

Kurt Browning, a Canadian figure skater and the celebrity spokesperson for HomeEquity Bank returns to tell you more about the CHIP Reverse Mortgage.