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Author: Oskar Malone

  • Questrade eliminates trading fees — helping Canadians save thousands on investing costs

    Questrade eliminates trading fees — helping Canadians save thousands on investing costs

    Questrade enthusiastically showered a lot of love on Canadian investors when it announced the elimination of trading fees on stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) bought and sold on its award-winning trading platform, as of February 2025.

    Prior to this Feb 9, 2025 change, Questrade clients could avoid trading fees on the purchase of ETFs and stock but paid trading commissions on the sale of these assets.

    By removing these trading fees, Questrade trading platform is helping Canadian investors save hundreds — or even thousands — in trading fees, each year.

    “We are continuing our tradition of disrupting the industry,” said Edward Kholodenko, president and CEO of Questrade. “We believe Canadians should keep more of their money, and $0 commissions, coupled with our industry-leading platform, will help them do just that — whether [investors] are just starting out or are highly sophisticated traders.”

    How much could you save with Questrade’s $0 commissions?

    The amount an investor will end up saving if they used the $0 commission Questrade platform depends on a number of factors. But to illustrate, let’s assume an investment portfolio worth $100,000 that’s made up of four broad-market ETFs and six blue-chip stocks.

    Even a conservative, growth-oriented investor would still need to purchase and sell shares — on a monthly or quarterly basis if using a dollar-cost-averaging strategy to invest, or on an annual basis, when the investor rebalances their portfolio.

    Based on the trading fee of $9.95 per trade, this theoretical (albeit conservative) investor would save approximately $480 per year. Over a decade, that’s nearly $5,000 in savings — money that stays invested and compounds over time.

    More active traders could save double or quadruple this amount — amounting to $10,000 or $20,000 in savings over the next 10 years.

    Not the first time Questrade disrupted the investing space

    Questrade has a history of challenging traditional brokerage models. It was the first to pare down trading fees to $9.95 when competitors charged $30 or more. Later, Questrade introduced $4.95 stock trades and eventually dropped these fees to $0.01 per share before eliminating the fee completely on all stock purchases.

    This latest move to $0 commissions reinforces Questrade’s reputation as a disruptor in the investing and trading platform space.

    Innovative offerings from Questrade

    Beyond pricing, Questrade has proven it’s a market leader in trading app space. Notable firsts include:

    • The first Canadian brokerage to offer the First Home Savings Account (FHSA).
    • Ranked best in Canada for its award-winning customer service.
    • Advanced trading platforms available on web, mobile and desktop.
    • Integration with more than 30 third-party platforms, including TradingView and Passiv.
    • Low-fee, professionally managed investment portfolios offered through Questwealth Portfolios.
    • Free US dollar (USD) accounts.

    Questrade’s company profile

    Questrade, Inc. has been in operation for 25 years, managing over $50 billion in assets. It’s a registered investment dealer and a member of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).

    Why should investors care?

    Questrade’s move to eliminate trading commissions is more than just a cost-saving measure — it’s a game-changer for Canadian investors.

    By removing barriers to entry, the investing platform gives both new and experienced traders the opportunity to get actively involved in their investment strategy without losing a portion of their returns to fees.

    Over time, the savings from commission-free trading can compound significantly, reinforcing the long-term benefits of disciplined investing.

    Whether an investor follows a passive strategy with ETFs or actively manages a diverse portfolio, the ability to buy and sell securities without commission fees enhances portfolio flexibility and growth potential.

    Moreover, this recent update by Questrade reinforces the trading platform’s position as a positive disrupter in the brokerage industry — putting pressure on competitors and traditional financial institutions to innovate. This competition only serves to help the every day investor benefit from an industry-wide shift toward more affordable and accessible trading.

    Learn more about Questrade’s $0 commissions

    For any investor interested in learning more about Questrade’s $0 commission, the company is hosting a live info session on Thursday February 13, 2025, from 12pm to 1 PM EST. To register or for more information, go to: Questrade FAQs.

    Or make the switch and open a Questrade brokerage account, today.

    Get started with $0 commissions with Questrade

    at questrade.com/home

    This article Questrade eliminates trading fees — helping Canadians save thousands on investing costs originally appeared on Money.ca

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • ‘Heart-wrenching’: This Calgary man’s home just got demolished to make room for ‘Green Line’ transit project that might not even be reality — how is this legal in Canada?

    ‘Heart-wrenching’: This Calgary man’s home just got demolished to make room for ‘Green Line’ transit project that might not even be reality — how is this legal in Canada?

    Patrick Lindsay watched as his home in the River Run townhome community of Eau Claire, Calgary, was torn down for a transit project.

    “It’s just heart-wrenching,” says Lindsay. “I knew everyone in all the units. We will never have that again.”

    The homes were being demolished for a Green Line LRT with a station at Eau Claire. But in the fall, Calgary City Council decided to cut back the project after the province pulled its $1.53 billion in funding.

    A few weeks later, the province promised the money again, but the new plan now leaves out Eau Claire.

    So where does that leave Lindsay and the others whose homes were wrecked?

    Will the Green Line move forward?

    Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said that talks are still happening about the Green Line possibly going through Eau Claire in the future.

    “We continue to be engaged with the provincial partners and we have had a working group meeting that was quite productive,” she says. “We continue to move forward to figure out how we can get the Green Line moving, and what that alignment will look like.”

    How did these homeowners lose their properties?

    When the owners got notice that the property was being acquired, they negotiated for four years but finally were given until the end of May 2024 to vacate the property.

    Even though Eau Claire’s future isn’t set in stone, the city is still moving forward with tearing down the properties. Work began in late January, and is continuing until summer.

    All of this leaves people like Patrick Lindsay and his former neighbours in the dust.

    Can the former residents fight back?

    The Green Line is Calgary’s next LRT line and the biggest infrastructure project in the city’s history.

    According to the City of Calgary website, the demolition of the River Run condominiums took place even though the land may not be required for the station because “the removal of these buildings will decrease the potential for safety and security issues, while fulfilling contractual obligations.”

    When the city took ownership of the River Run condos, residents were sent a letter, then an agent visited to figure out the market value.

    Owners got buyouts of about $800,000 each, but some argued that they would have been worth more in the open market.

    Market value includes things like renovations, location and landscaping.

    Twenty of the 23 owners filed appeals with the Alberta government’s Land and Property Rights Tribunal, where disputes can be made around expropriation.

    “I don’t think it was necessary,” Lindsay told CityNews. “I just think they wanted to because they are comfortable with putting homes into the landfill to make something shiny and new.”

    The Green Line should take about six years to finish.

    This article ‘Heart-wrenching’: This Calgary man’s home just got demolished to make room for ‘Green Line’ transit project that might not even be reality — how is this legal in Canada?

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Dating in Canada: 3 cheap date ideas, plus tips for planning affordable third date ideas

    Dating in Canada: 3 cheap date ideas, plus tips for planning affordable third date ideas

    Dating in Canada is hard and making it to the third date is a big deal. Ask any experienced dating app user — where a simple swipe right or left can make or break a budding romance. For single Canadians, making it to the third date adds a bit of pressure — for the expectation of physical intimacy and the impact on the pocketbook.

    “I haven’t dated for about a year,” explains Reddit user MountainPerformer210. “One of my biggest pet peeves…was dealing with the third date.”

    By the third date, there appears to be an expectation of physical contact — or even sex. It’s an assumption that draws directly from the three date rule.

    What is the three date rule?

    The three date rule (aka: 3-date rule) suggests that the third date offers the ideal opportunity for potential partners to initiate physical intimacy. The idea is that by the third date, both partners will have a much higher comfort level and a better appreciation of where they’d like to take the relationship.

    While this rule is more of a guideline, some statistical evidence suggests that waiting until the third date — or longer — can help improve the quality of a relationship. In a 2014 study, authors Brian Willoughby, Jason Carroll and Dean Busby concluded that “waiting to initiate sexual intimacy in unmarried relationships was generally associated with positive outcomes.”

    Perhaps this is why the ‘3-date rule’ has been immortalized in various Hollywood movies and TV shows, including Sex And The City, where the character Charlotte York used this dating trend as her urban romance mantra.

    How the 3-date rule can hurt

    For those dating in Canada, the three-date rule can be helpful, but it can also add a sense of urgency and implied importance to the third date. This can be a problem as the added pressure can lead to dashed expectations, blown budgets, or both.

    To set realistic expectations and reduce the pressure to be intimate before you are ready, it’s best to set clear boundaries, explains dating and relationship expert founder of LoveQuestCoaching, Lisa Concepcion, in an interview with Cosmopolitan.

    On the flip side, you’ll need to set dating financial boundaries to avoid depleting your cash reserves while looking for love. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Building on previous trends, singles continue to prioritize financial transparency in dating. Setting financial boundaries remains a key consideration for many, ensuring that dating experiences are both enjoyable and financially sustainable. This trend towards fiscal responsibility while searching for love isn’t new. In 2023, the Bumble annual survey showed that 28% of dating app users chose to set financial boundaries in their dating lives — showing that the concept of blowing the budget in the pursuit of love is starting fade.

    How to set dating financial boundaries

    Setting a financial boundary can be uncomfortable but necessary. Consider it a critical skill that’s required to accomplish bigger financial goals.

    To set a financial boundary you need to establish and stick to limits, which are dictated by your current budget and future goals.

    The only difference with dating financial boundaries is that the limits focus on what you spend on dates — and this includes transit, food, entertainment, gifts and even your wardrobe.

    Setting a date budget

    To set dating financial boundaries, start with establishing a date budget. Once you know what you’re willing to spend, you can narrow down your options.

    To help, consider making a list of restaurants based on price points and always check out the menu online, so you know exactly what to order ahead of time and can estimate what the total bill will cost. Do the same for entertainment options.

    By doing this research beforehand, you can easily build out ideas for each date that fit your dating financial boundaries.

    Recent trends indicate that singles are embracing more authentic and casual dating experiences. According to Bumble’s 2025 Global Dating Trends, 41% of singles appreciate dating content that shares both the highs and lows, reflecting a preference for genuine connections over extravagant dates. In an earlier Bumble survey, more than half (57%) of daters were clearly more interested in casual, not fancy dates.

    Dating in Canada: 3 cheap date ideas, plus tips for keeping costs down

    "If you’re seeking third date ideas that are both memorable and budget-friendly, here are three strategies. Just remember, to keep within your dating budget, it’s best to do some research before setting off for a romantic soiree.

    No. 1: Take it outdoors

    One great strategy to keep costs lower is to set up an outdoor date. This helps eliminate budget creep as it eliminates many budget-buster temptations, such as buying a better bottle of wine or staying for another round of cocktails. To make the most of an outdoors date, make sure you know the weather and have a backup plan — oh, and let your date know so they can dress appropriately.

    A few suggestions for outdoor dates include:

    • Take in a free concert
    • Go to a free festival
    • Visit a local Farmer’s Market
    • Explore a new neighbourhood
    • A park and a picnic
    • Plan to complete a photo shoot or movie montage
    • Set up a scavenger hunt
    • Spend the day at the beach or lake
    • Go for a hike
    • Rent a tandem bike
    • Visit a farm, garden or bird sanctuary

    No. 2: Unconventional entertainment

    While dinner and a movie or a late-night cocktail are often the standard go-to date ideas, there are plenty of other options. As such, it pays to keep in mind the unconventional entertainment options that can make for a great date.

    A few suggestions include:

    • Art galleries
    • Roller skating
    • Ice skating
    • Board game cafe
    • Aquarium
    • Stroll through a farmer’s market
    • Bowling
    • Check out free concerts
    • Go indoor rock climbing

    No. 3: Stay home

    By the third date, you may want to try a more intimate setting — just keep in mind that this intimate setting is about getting to know one another, not about setting the scene for physical intimacy.

    A few suggestions include:

    • Cook dinner together
    • Watch a movie (great option if you have a good home theatre)
    • Download a karaoke app and sing the night away
    • Make mocktails together
    • Play board games or solve a puzzle together

    BONUS: When dating in Canada, you need to tap those deals

    For those still interested in the more traditional date options, there are ways to cut costs. The best way is to tap deals, use loyalty programs and look for ways to subsidize your dating costs. To help, here are three strategies:

    Strategy #1: Use Scene points or go to a movie on cheap Tuesday

    If you’re a movie fan, chances are you already collect Scene points — the loyalty program for Cineplex that lets you collect points that can be traded in for free movie tickets and concession snacks. To maximize your Scene points, consider using a Scene+ credit card, such as Scotiabank’s Scene Visa card. For every dollar spent on the card, you earn Scene+ points (or earn more by shopping at select retailers). For some cards, if you meet a minimum monthly spend you get free movie tickets — perfect for date night!

    You can also reduce the cost of your movie date night by agreeing to out on ‘Cheap Tuesday’ — the day Cineplex and Landmark theatres offer discounted movie tickets.

    Strategy #2: Use loyalty programs or work perks to get cheaper tickets

    Some loyalty programs offer access to discounted tickets. For instance, RBC customers (along with a number of Canadian employees) get free Perkopolis memberships, where they an buy discounted tickets for major attractions across North America, including Toronto’s Royal Ontario Museum.

    Another option is looking for deals using coupon sites like Groupon or shopping using deal sites, such as Capital One Shopping or Swagbucks.

    Strategy #3: Use cashback to reduce overall costs

    Even with a dating budget, it’s a good idea to maximize potential savings when it comes to spending on a potential partner. One easy way to do this is to use a cash back credit card for all dating expenditures.

    For instance, if you use the no-annual fee you could earn up to 2% cash back on every purchase made on your date. On a dating budget of $500 per month, that’s $120 in cashback earnings in just one year.

    Bottom line

    There’s hope for single Canadians looking for love in 2025. If your goal is to find love, without going broke, concentrate on setting your financial and personal limits. The more honest and committed you are to yourself and your own goals, the more attractive you may be to a potential partner.

    Sources

    1. National Library of Medicine: Differing relationship outcomes when sex happens before, on, or after first dates (Nov 2, 2012)

    2. Cosmopolitan: If You’ve Made It to the Third Date, Here’s Everything You Should Know and Expect (July 5, 2021)

    This article Dating in Canada: Three date rule + Cheap date ideas originally appeared on Money.ca

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Krista Ford-Haynes’ GoFundMe for police officer husband sparks backlash over privilege and legal fees

    Krista Ford-Haynes’ GoFundMe for police officer husband sparks backlash over privilege and legal fees

    The daughter of Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Krista Ford-Haynes, recently launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise $100,000 for her husband’s legal defence. Her husband, Toronto Police Service (TPS) Staff Sergeant Dave Haynes, is facing misconduct charges for refusing to comply with the force’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate in 2021.

    The fundraising effort ignited widespread debate, with many questioning why the daughter of a wealthy premier is soliciting public donations.

    Ford-Haynes made her appeal to her 40,000 Instagram followers, citing a lack of financial support from the Toronto Police Association (TPA) and arguing that her husband deserves independent legal representation.

    Public outcry about a request for financial support after cuts to public services

    Critics were quick to point out the optics of the campaign. Many took to social media to question why the Ford family, with its considerable financial resources, would seek public assistance. Some referenced Premier Ford’s history of cuts to public services, such as education and health care, making the request seem particularly tone-deaf.

    “Isn’t her father the Premier who is a millionaire? Out here asking me for money when I have to buy paper for my kid’s class after her daddy cut millions from schools,” wrote one Instagram user.

    Not everyone is critical of the financial appeal

    However, Ford-Haynes and her husband have received support from those who believe he has been unfairly treated.

    Some donors and commenters argue that Haynes is being penalized for standing by his convictions. A supporter commented, “We support you and Dave indefinitely. What can we do to help?”

    Privilege and choice: Who should rely on crowdfunding?

    The controversy raises broader questions about privilege and choice.

    Crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe are often used by people facing medical emergencies, housing insecurity or other urgent needs. When public figures with access to wealth use the same platform, it can highlight disparities in who can afford legal battles and who must rely on community aid.

    Haynes, a 22-year TPS veteran, remains on active duty at the Toronto Police College despite the charges. The TPA typically provides legal support to officers facing misconduct allegations, but Ford-Haynes claims they were denied assistance because of their past opposition to pandemic-related mandates.

    Options for managing unexpected legal costs

    For those facing significant legal expenses without the financial resources of a premier’s family, several options exist.

    Many unions and professional associations offer legal defence funds, though access may depend on the nature of the case. Some individuals turn to pro bono legal services or legal aid programs, which vary by province in Canada, and require you to meet an income threshold.

    Crowdfunding remains an option, but public reception can be unpredictable. Transparency about financial need and why external funding is necessary can influence public support. Alternative solutions include negotiating legal fees through payment plans or seeking community legal clinics that offer lower-cost services.

    Setting up an emergency fund

    Finally, setting up an emergency fund is one option to help with unexpected expenses. Typically this fund is the equivalent of three to six months’ worth of expenses and allows you to pay living costs or unexpected expenses without relying on expensive debt.

    Good options for emergency funds include high-interest savings accounts (HISAs), as well as reward spending accounts, such as Wealthsimple’s Cash Account or KOHO’s spending account.

    What happens next for the GoFundMe campaign?

    As of publication, the GoFundMe campaign has raised nearly $16,000, far short of its $100,000 goal. Haynes is scheduled to appear before a tribunal on February 25, a proceeding that will determine the outcome of his misconduct case.

    Regardless of the tribunal’s ruling, the controversy surrounding Ford-Haynes’ fundraising campaign underscores broader societal discussions on privilege, access to justice and public trust in institutions.

    Sources

    1. Now: ‘Isn’t her father a millionaire?’ Canadians react to GoFundMe launched by Doug Ford’s daughter to cover husband’s legal fees (January 31, 2025)

    This article Krista Ford-Haynes’ GoFundMe for police officer husband sparks backlash over privilege and legal fees

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • How to file your taxes online in Canada

    How to file your taxes online in Canada

    Whether you’re filing your taxes for the first time or looking for a better, cheaper way to do it, this short guide will show you how easy it is to file your taxes online in Canada.

    In truth, you can file your tax return online or by mail. But the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) — Canada’s tax law administrator — considers filing online the fastest and easiest way to do your taxes. Quite often you can do it for free.

    The deadline to file your personal return for the 2024 tax year is April 30, 2025. So let’s dive into the why’s and how’s behind five simple steps that will make filing your tax online easier than you think.

    Can I file taxes online by myself in Canada?

    The short answer is usually yes. Tax preparation software makes it easy to file your taxes by yourself — even if you’ve never done it before. Not only will you get free built-in guidance, but many programs offer paid expert help along the way if you need it.

    By asking simple questions about things like your income and deductible expenses, tax software guides you through how to fill out your tax return step-by-step and how to file your taxes online when you’re done.

    In most cases, online tax software will even send your completed return to the CRA when you’re done.

    Why it’s worth knowing how to do taxes online in Canada

    In their tax FAQs, the CRA highlights five great reasons for filing your personal tax return online:

    1. It only takes two weeks to process most digital tax submissions (versus up to eight weeks for paper returns)
    2. You could get your tax refund faster (in as little as eight business days with direct deposit)
    3. You don’t have to mail anything (your return gets submitted electronically)
    4. You don’t have to send in your receipts (though you do have to keep them for six years after you file)
    5. You can use the CRA’s ReFILE service to change your return after filing (good to know if you make a mistake or leave something out)

    Another great reason to do your taxes online is that you can probably do it for free (more about this in a minute).

    Can I file a tax return by myself if I’m self-employed?

    If you’re self-employed, run a business or work in the gig economy — or if you have rental income or investments outside an RRSP or TFSA — you can still do your taxes yourself. But you might need to use paid software to get the forms and information you need.

    If your tax situation is complicated, getting help from an accountant or tax preparation service could also make more sense. (You can always start a free tax return with H&R Block and, if you run into issues, pay for professional help).

    No matter the company you use, be confident in the knowledge that registered tax preparers in Canada must use CRA-certified software and a secure EFILE login to prepare and file your return.

    Is it free to file my taxes online in Canada?

    If your situation is straightforward, there’s a good chance you can do your online tax return for free. All you need is software certified by the CRA and a reliable internet connection.

    There are plenty of free tax software options available. And to make it easy, the CRA lists all the certified software links on their website.

    You can (and should) explore various free offerings from providers like:

    No matter which software you choose, it’s good to know your tax return will be sent directly to the CRA through their secure NETFILE portal.

    Unlike an EFILE login, NETFILE is an electronic service for individuals filing their own returns online. It’s free to use and even provides immediate confirmation that your tax return has been received.

    Read more: How to choose the best Canadian tax return software for you

    Is free software (like TurboTax) really free?

    Free tax software and pay-what-you-want models really are free to use. But since free offerings from paid software providers are based on individual tax situations or income levels, it’s important to check what’s included.

    Here are a few examples of how to file taxes online in Canada at no cost:

    • TurboTax Free is 100% free to use so long as you’re completing a ‘simple tax return’ (visit their website to see what is and isn’t included when filing for free)
    • H&R Block Online is free if you’re 25 or younger
    • UFile Online is free if you’re a student
    • Wealthsimple Tax lets you pay what you want to file with their basic plan (including $0)

    All CRA-certified software includes the auto-fill my return service. This secure, super-convenient feature lets you automatically fill in parts of your return from information the CRA has on file — including the information on most tax slips (like your T4).

    How to do taxes online in Canada in 5 simple steps

    Once you’ve chosen your software, the rest of the filing process is equally straightforward. Just follow these five steps and you’ll be doing your taxes online in no time.

    1. Update your personal information

    If you’ve filed in the past, you won’t be able to change certain personal information when completing a tax return online. So it’s important to update the CRA in advance if things like your name, address or marital status have changed.

    The easiest way to update your information is to register for the CRA’s My Account and make the changes there. My Account is great because it also lets you do things like use ‘Auto-fill my return’ and ReFILE, get tax refunds directly deposited into the account of your choice, and you can view your tax return, notice of assessment, refund, and payment information.

    2. Gather your tax documents

    Gathering your documents before you start will make it easier to complete your tax return and be ready to file in just one go.

    Here are some common tax slips you might need to collect from places like your job, your bank or the My Account platform:

    • T4s and T5s for employment, EI and investment income
    • T2202 receipt for tuition
    • RC62 statement for childcare benefits
    • RC210 statement for working income tax benefit advance payments
    • Official receipts for student loan interest, childcare, RRSP contributions, donations and medical expenses

    You should receive most tax slips by the end of February; however, you won’t get a T5 for investment income (like bank interest) if the sum earned is less than $50. Keep in mind, though, you still have to report this amount on your return.

    3. Enter your information

    As you enter your information into your tax software, you’ll notice it follows a pretty logical path:

    • First, you’ll be asked to enter personal details like your home address, SIN number, marital status and which province you live in
    • Then you’ll be asked questions about your tax year, like whether you worked, went to school, had kids or got married
    • Next, you’ll walk through entering tax slips (like your T4) for any income you earned
    • Finally, you’ll enter slips for expenses (like donations you made) that you can claim as a tax credit or deduction (tax credits and deductions basically reduce the amount of tax you need to pay)

    You can use your software’s search function along the way to help understand what information you need to enter and where it goes. In most cases, you’ll mostly be matching the numbered boxes on your tax slips to the numbered boxes in the corresponding sections of your online return.

    And remember: If you signed up for My Account, you can use ‘Auto-fill my return’ to automatically fill in certain information for you.

    4. Review and file your return

    Once your information is entered, you should definitely review it to make sure it’s correct and complete. Your software will help you with this by pointing out possible errors for you to fix and suggesting tax credits or deductions you might have missed. This optimizes your return so you can pay less tax (or even get a refund).

    You’ll also see a summary of your finished return when you’re done (your return is officially called a T1) so you can save or download a copy before sending it off to the CRA.

    5. Pay your tax or enjoy your refund

    If you owe tax after filing your return, the CRA offers several ways to pay. You can use your bank account, debit card, credit card, or cheque to make a payment online, in person, or by mail. The deadline to pay your taxes for 2024 is April 30, 2025.

    On the other hand, if you’re expecting a tax refund and you’ve signed up for direct deposit, then the money will show up in your account in eight to 14 business days from the day you submit your tax return.

    And that’s pretty much all there is to it.

    Read more: How to file taxes and best ways to find deductions and rebates

    Bottom line

    For uncomplicated returns, filing your taxes online in Canada isn’t nearly as hard as it looks. Tax software is designed to help you file the DIY way. Just be sure to only use CRA-certified software and to check out different features before choosing the best online tax filing site for you.

    File your taxes online FAQs

    • The RRSP contribution deadline for the 2024 tax year is March 3, 2025.
    • The RRSP contribution limit for 2025 is $32,490.
    • The federal Basic Personal Amount for 2025 is $16,129.
    • The TFSA contribution limit for 2025 is $7,000.’

    This article How to file your taxes online in Canada originally appeared on Money.ca

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • 4 tips to help optimize your student loan repayment in Canada

    4 tips to help optimize your student loan repayment in Canada

    Life is unpredictable, and financial obligations, such as student loans, can prevent us from acting quickly and decisively to adjust to changing economic circumstances.

    According to the Government of Canada, the total amount of student loans owed sat at $23.5 billion in 2022. In April 2023, the accumulation of interest on Canada Student Loans was eliminated. This is certainly helpful in terms of paying off your debt faster, but it still does not totally eliminate the burden of repayment.

    In August 2023, Embark Student Corp. reported that 79% of Canadian students believe that the amount of debt they’ve taken on can be debilitating — and this was after the interest elimination.

    That being said, no matter what stage of student loan repayment you’re at, it’s never too late to optimize your repayment plan and reduce your debt quicker.

    Here are four strategies to help you optimize your student loan repayment plan.

    1. Tackle non-government student loan debt first

    Canada student loans are a relatively low-cost form of debt. If you have other types of student loan debt, such as a line of credit or a personal loan, those debts will most likely have higher interest rates. That means it’s best to focus your debt repayment efforts there first to minimize the total interest paid.

    2. Apply for student loan forgiveness

    Some provinces offer student loan forgiveness programs, where they will forgive a certain amount of your debt. These programs are usually centred around specific professions (for example, nurses) and require you to work in certain conditions (like being in a rural area) to qualify. These programs are usually provincially run, so try searching for “your province + student loan forgiveness” to find a program available locally.

    3. Consider debt repayment assistance

    If you can’t afford to pay back your student loan, apply for repayment assistance. Repayment assistance will recalculate your minimum debt payment as a percentage of your income, or if you don’t earn enough, payments may be suspended altogether.

    4. Apply for a debt consolidation loan

    If you’ve taken out bank student loans as opposed to Canada student loans, you may find your loan interest rates relatively high.

    If that’s the case, a debt consolidation loan could help absorb all of your student debts into one loan with a single, lower interest rate.

    If you take this route, it’s best to fully explore the options available to you to get the best rate. Loans Canada — a lending platform — is a great tool for doing this. They specialize in matching Canadians with poor credit scores or thin credit histories with suitable lenders, so regardless of your circumstances, you can find a rate that works for you.

    5. Stick to a budget

    This tip may seem obvious, but it doesn’t take long for the concept of budgeting to slip away as you rack up expenses.

    Having a set budget with space for essentials, your loan payment, and yes, even non-essentials, can help keep you on the fast track to getting your loans paid off.

    By having your monthly financial plan set out in front of you, you are more likely to stay on top of the money you owe instead of tapping your credit card into oblivion. You can even use a budgeting app to streamline the process and have your budget just a click away at all times.

    Sources

    1. Government of Canada: Canada Student Financial Assistance Program annual report 2021 to 2022

    2. National Student Loans Service Centre: What’s New

    3. Canada News Wire: 79 per cent of Canadian students believe the amount of debt taken on for education can be debilitating, new poll finds (Aug 29, 2023)

    This article 4 tips to help optimize your student loan repayment in Canada originally appeared on Money.ca

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • How student loan forgiveness works in Canada and the best ways to pay down your student loans

    How student loan forgiveness works in Canada and the best ways to pay down your student loans

    Student loans are often the first debt accrued by young Canadians with the average student loan at graduation for a Bachelor’s degree being $30,600 in 2020, according to Statistics Canada.

    What’s more, the total amount of student debt totals a whopping $23.5 billion. Women make up the majority (59%) of borrowers. Suffice to say, paying down student loans is a right of passage for many Canadians.

    But managing your student loan isn’t just about paying off your debts. It’s also about beginning your journey to financial literacy.

    Part of this puzzle is understanding how student loan forgiveness works in Canada.

    Does Canada forgive student loans?

    Canada has specific circumstances where student loans can be forgiven, but in general, once you take out student loans, you’re locked into a repayment plan.

    However, this repayment plan can be adjusted through Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) after you graduate. A RAP allows you to:

    • Not pay interest on the federal part of your loan
    • Have the principal and interest paid off after 60 months or 10-years after graduation

    Those on disability may be able to apply for a Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with Disabilities (RAP-D).

    Who is eligible for student loan forgiveness in Canada?

    In Canada student loan forgiveness is limited to medical professionals and reservists.

    However, those studying medicine need to compromise to get their loans repaid. You’ll need to work in a rural area with a population of no more than 30,000. To be eligible you’ll also need to have been employed for at least one year and have provided 400 hours of in-person service to this community, with some exceptions.

    Doctors can receive a maximum of $60,000 over five years, while nurses or nurse practitioners can receive up to $30,000 over the same time period.

    Meanwhile, reservists who are full-time post-secondary students are exempt from paying back student loans while serving in a designated operation. This includes operations that last more than six months.

    But there are still some other ways to get your loans under control.

    Provincial Loan Forgiveness Programs

    RAP and RAP-D cover almost all provinces and territories in Canada. There are, however, a few exceptions.

    British Columbia: Student Loan Forgiveness Program

    Student loans in BC are administered by the provincial government. BC’s student loan forgiveness program offers a wider range of applicable professions. Rather than doctors and nurses, it also includes physiotherapists and some in-demand specialists in children’s medicine.

    Likewise, BC offers forgiveness programs for working in remote areas with small populations.

    As this is an exhaustive list, we suggest taking a look at the BC Loan Forgiveness Program if it applies to your situation.

    Québec: Loan Remission Program

    Québec’s Loan Remission Program drives down student loan debt by 15% provided you graduated on time and received a bursary each year that you were studying.

    This applies to both technical and university programs. You can apply for this 15% windfall up to three years after the end of your program.

    PEI Debt Reduction Program

    PEI’s Debt Reduction Program seeks to encourage graduates to work in island communities through forgiveness incentives.

    The program applies to post-graduate students who have received a degree within the last three years, borrowers from the PEI student loan program, and PEI residents. In all cases you need to have lived on PEI for at least 6-months post graduation to get the loan.

    Since August 2, 2018 PEI allows $3,500 per year in aid.

    Nova Scotia Student Loan Forgiveness Program

    Meanwhile, graduates in Nova Scotia may also qualify for loan forgiveness depending on your graduation date. The upper limit is five years of forgiveness totalling up to $20,400. Even better, the Nova Scotia Student Loan Forgiveness Program is automatically assessed for all new graduates.

    Unlike other forgiveness programs you should automatically receive a letter indicating whether you qualify. For more information, check out the program’s landing page.

    Ways to pay less on your student loans

    There are two primary ways to pay less on your student loans.

    First up, you can reduce your monthly payment amount. This would in turn make it take longer to pay for your loan, but give you temporary breathing room.

    The second option is to make interest-only payments. This can lead to paying more in the long run.

    Other options include the hard work of budgeting, or compromising on your living situation. You can also check out ways to build credit without a credit card and low interest loans to temporarily boost your finances.

    Overall, paying down your student loans as aggressively as possible is often the best bet.

    Conclusion

    Overall, student loans in Canada have much stricter write off conditions compared to student loans in the United States.

    For instance, in the US, student loans can be written off or discharged, based on your type of employment, disability status and for breaches of legal trust (e.g. being misled by a university on matters of qualification or due to forgery).

    As with most loans, the best course of action is to pay them down early and as aggressively as possible.

    FAQs

    Do student loans get written off in Canada?

    Student loans in Canada are only ever written off under extreme circumstances like bankruptcy.

    If you choose to declare bankruptcy to discharge your student loans you must do so at least seven years after graduation in most cases. Even then, your debts will only be discharged for a good reason. You’ll need to prove:

    • You used your loan responsibly
    • Made every effort to complete your eduction
    • Utilized other repayment methods (e.g. Repayment Assistance Plans)
    • Acted in good faith with the intention to pay back your debts

    After a court confirms your bankruptcy, your credit will take a major hit, you’ll likely be barred from taking out loans for some time and you’ll be issued a new repayment plan. Recovering from bankruptcy can easily take a decade.

    Do student loans go away after 10 years in Canada?

    In short, no. Student loans persist until repaid in Canada unless you take action.

    However, if you’re struggling with repayment there are some options. Canada offers a Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP) and Repayment Assistance Plan for Borrowers with Disabilities (RAP-D). If you’re struggling to make payments post graduation you should immediately apply for either RAP or RAP-D depending on your circumstances.

    Note that you’ll need to re-apply every six months to maintain your eligibility.

    How to get rid of student loan debt in Canada?

    The best way to get rid of student debt is to proactively look into RAP and RAP-D as soon as you graduate, provided you qualify.

    Sometimes you study a field that undergoes job market contractions, have to take on family debt due to a death, or end up ill in a way that reduces your day-to-day capability, like with long-COVID.

    No matter the reason it’s important to find a way to keep paying your debt down to avoid becoming overwhelmed by interest payments post graduation.

    Sources

    1. Statistics Canada: Student debt from all sources, by province of study and level of study

    2. Government of Canada: Repayment Assistance Plan – Apply

    3. Government of Canada: Repayment Assistance Plan – Disability assistance

    4. Government of Canada: Repayment Assistance Plan – Disability assistance

    5. Government of Canada: Financial assistance for reservists

    6. Student Aid BC: B.C. Loan Forgiveness Program

    7. Quebec: Remission of your student loan debt

    8. Prince Edward Island: The Debt Reduction Grant Program

    9. Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Student Loan Forgiveness Program: undergraduate degrees

    This article How student loan forgiveness works in Canada and the best ways to pay down your student loans originally appeared on Money.ca

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • Canada’s gender pay gap: Tech wage gap almost triples in 8-years as public service wages equalize

    Canada’s gender pay gap: Tech wage gap almost triples in 8-years as public service wages equalize

    Canada’s gender pay gap has widened to a gulf in some industries and trickled to a stream in others.

    For instance, men in tech are now making $20,000 more than women annually, based on research conducted by the Dais using Statistics Canada data. However, in some arenas, such as public service, Canada has eked out solid gains.

    But the gender pay gap in Canada is much more than a headline. Differences in salary for the same work cut into the country’s tax base, impact consumer spending habits and can delay cornerstone investments such as a first home.

    This article dives into the state of Canada’s gender pay gap, industries to watch and how Canada stacks up globally.

    Is there a gender pay gap in Canada?

    Yes, like most countries, Canada has a gender pay gap, and it’s not always as extreme as in the tech industry.

    On average, women were paid 11.1% less than men in 2021, according to Statistics Canada. Women between the age of 50 and 54 saw the highest pay gap at 14.1%. Those between the age of 20 and 24 saw the lowest gap at 5%, based on an intersectional breakdown.

    In Canada, the gender pay gap is typically measured as the average difference in hourly wages for Canadian-born men and Canadian-born women as a percentage.

    But the country-wide average only tells part of the story.

    Factoring in things such as ethnicity or immigration status can deepen the pay gap even further. For example, Statistics Canada has found that immigrant women who came to Canada as adults make on average 20% less than a Canadian-born man.

    What’s more, Canada’s progress in closing the gender pay gap since 2016 can be chalked up to three factors. Since 2016, Canada has seen a decline in the number of unionized men and increased educational attainment among women. The distribution of jobs by gender has also shuffled around leading to closer parity.

    Why is there a gender pay gap in Canada?

    The gender pay gap comes from assumptions about an employee’s worth based on gender stereotypes.

    Sometimes, the gender pay gap is the result of several factors— from societal expectations about work to more explicit or implicit discrimination. Gender stereotypes persist everywhere, including in Canada.

    One example is the fatherhood premium and motherhood penalty, as identified by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

    When a man becomes a father, he can see up to a 15% pay bump in the private sector and a 7% increase in the public sector, according to the report. This slight uptick can intensify existing differences in wages. This is especially true when mothers aren’t offered the same soft incentive. Women with children tend to see a slight decline in wages in the private sector (down 0.5%) and a slight bump in the public sector (up 1.3%).

    The CCPA’s report notes that this kind of pay bump ties into preconceptions about fathers being the providers in a family unit.

    The gender pay gap: Which provinces come out on top?

    Some provinces are better than others when it comes to the gender pay gap in Canada.

    Leading the charge is Prince Edward Island at an average of 0.99 cents to the dollar. Meanwhile Alberta ranks in last places at 0.82 cents to the dollar.

    Check out the full breakdown of provincial averages below:

    • Newfoundland and Labrador: 0.84 cents
    • Prince Edward Island: 0.99 cents
    • Nova Scotia: 0.91cents
    • New Brunswick: 0.93 cents
    • Quebec: 0.91 cents
    • Ontario: 0.87 cents
    • Manitoba: 0.92 cents
    • Saskatchewan: 0.88 cents
    • Alberta: 0.82 cents
    • British Columbia: 0.87 cents

    This data was compiled using labour force survey responses during 2024. Although Statistics Canada regularly gathers data on the pay gap, the last analytical article summarizing the history of Canada’s wage gap using long form census data was published in 2021.

    Finally, note that Canadian territories were excluded by Statistics Canada due to statistical uncertainty, and different research methodology compared to the provinces.

    The gender pay gap: Public or private sector?

    The gender pay gap in Canada also tends to be greater in the private sector versus the public sector, but it’s not all bad news.

    Some of Canada’s best pay gap progress has been made in the public service. The wage gap has been effectively closed for public servants making between $20 and $30 per hour, according to the CCPA.

    However, part of the reason for this is that the Canadian civil service limits the number of high paying positions. This means that top talent is paid less than their private sector counterparts, which creates a floor for employees in lower wage brackets.

    With that said, women in the public sector still make about 5% less than their male colleagues, on average. By comparison, the private sector sees women paid 9.7% less, based on the same CCPA report.

    This gap is even wider in the private sector at the highest levels, like board directors and executive officers.

    Between 2016 and 2020, women in these positions earned 38.8% less than their male counterparts, according to Statistics Canada. When accounting for a variable pay structure that includes bonuses this gap widened further to 55.5.

    Canada’s gender pay gap: A global perspective

    However, this isn’t the only way to look at the gender pay gap. Many international organizations see the gender pay gap as just one part of reaching parity between sexes.

    For example, the World Economic Forum (WEF) uses an index where a result of one means total gender parity across four weighted categories: Economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment. These sub indexes are in turn based on between 12 and 14 weighted indicators.

    When taking all this into account Canada ranks 36th out of 146 countries, according to the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap report.

    Furthermore, Canada comes fourth among G7 countries:

    1. Germany: 7th at 0.810
    2. The United Kingdom: 14th at 0.789
    3. France: 22nd at 0.781
    4. Canada: 36th at 0.761
    5. The United States: 43rd at 0.747
    6. Italy: 87th at 0.703
    7. Japan: 118th at 0.663

    When it comes to the gender pay gap the WEF’s 2024 report is slightly more critical compared to Statistics Canada. The WEF reported a median gender wage gap of 17.14%.

    However, unlike Statistics Canada, the WEF uses the median hourly wage instead of the average.

    The WEF report also uses employment data gathered from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Stats Can uses data from regular labour force surveys.

    Conclusion

    Overall, Canada has made good global progress in upping the number of educated women in the work.

    But much of this progress has been made in wage-adjacent areas like increasing educational opportunities, or by truncating the top end of a pay spectrum like in the public service.

    To reach a higher level of gender parity targeted interventions are needed, like examining discrepancies in executive level pay or in tech.

    FAQs

    What is Canada ranked in the gender pay gap?

    Canada is ranked 33rd globally when it comes to economic participation and opportunity, according to reporting by the World Economic Forum in 2024. This places Canada in the top third of countries surveyed.

    The economic participation and opportunity subindex is based on a series of weighted indicators, some of which paint a less optimistic picture of Canada’s global ranking.

    For example, in terms of “wage equality for similar work” Canada ranks 48th and comes 44th on “estimated earned income.”

    Canada gets a boost to its overall ranking in this subindex from the fact that most women in the country participate in the labour force and contribute just as much as men do as professional and technical workers.

    What is the pay gap in Canada by salary?

    The gender pay gap in Canada is typically calculated as the percentage of hourly wages a woman makes compared to a man.

    In 2021, this gap came down to 11.1%. Another way to look at this is that for every dollar a Canadian-born man earns a woman will instead make 89 cents. This can then be mapped onto salaries.

    Broadly speaking, we could then say that if a man makes $70,000 a woman would make $62,300, or 89%, of that wage.

    However, as we mentioned earlier in this article, the wage gap is highly dependent on industry, ethnicity, immigration status and age bracket.

    Which country has the highest gender pay gap?

    Calculating gender pay gaps globally is extremely challenging due to the combination of differences in regional policy regarding women in the workforce, industry trends and the like.

    However, the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report includes four sub-indexes for calculating gender parity. One of these, economic participation and opportunity, provides the clearest pictures of wage inequality globally.

    According to this sub-index Bangladesh has the lowest parity score of all 146 countries surveyed at 0.311 out of a maximum score of one.

    This ranking has been driven by a low labour force participation rate for women, low estimated earner income, and scant few women in legislative, managerial or senior positions, among other indicators.

    Sources

    1. Daus: Canada’s Got Tech Talent

    2. Statistics Canada: Pay gap, 1998 to 2021

    3. Statistics Canada: Intersectional perspective on the Canadian gender wage gap

    4. Statistics Canada: Gender Equality Week: Examining the intersectional gender wage gap in Canada

    5. Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives: How the public sector is fighting income inequality

    6. Statistics Canada: Employee wages by occupation, annual

    7. Statistics Canada: Gender pay gaps among board directors and officers in Canada

    8. World Economic Forum: Global Gender Gap Report 2024

    9. OECD: Gender wage gap

    This article Canada’s gender pay gap: Tech wage gap almost triples in 8-years as public service wages equalize

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • What it takes to retire with a comfortable $10,000/month in Canada

    What it takes to retire with a comfortable $10,000/month in Canada

    Retirement is the goal for many, but getting there can feel like a formidable but rewarding challenge.

    It takes preparation, diligence and patience to be able to accrue enough saved income in order to enjoy those golden years, especially suited to your individual circumstances and lifestyle preferences.

    Everyone’s goal may be different, but all future retirees will agree: To live this period of your life as comfortably as possible.

    It may take some extra effort, but putting in the work now to reap the rewards later is important. To help, here’s a few tips on what it takes to retire with a comfortable $10,000 per month in Canada.

    Stats about retirement in Canada

    For those between the age of 55 to 64, the median amount for saved for retirement breaks down to the following:

    • $150,000 in your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)
    • $21,489 in your Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
    • $127,007 in non-registered accounts, such as an investment portfolio

    This works out to just under $300,000 (or a grand total of $298,808) saved for non-income earning years. For Canadian open to the idea of living frugally and depending on government programs like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS), this sum may be more than adequate. But it’s not nearly enough to support a $10,000-per-month lifestyle.

    This doesn’t mean you need to save tens of millions of dollars in order to live comfortably in your retirement years. However, to live on $10,000 per month in retirement, without running out of money, is only possible with careful planning and savings strategies. To help, follow these tips.

    Calculate your total income

    To determine how much you’ll need in savings to maintain your desired spending rate, it’s important to gather information about all sources of income you’ll have access to in retirement.

    For many, government benefits like CPP and OAS make up a sizable portion of their retirement income. According to a poll conducted by Ipsos on behalf of the Ontario Securities Commission, 85% of retirees rely on CPP for their primary income, with another 73% relying on OAS, sometimes boosted with the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

    Other revenue streams that are less essential, but equally as important, to Canadian retirees include investment income — with 34% of Canadians relying on income from investment portfolios — a workplace pension (51%), as well as personal savings or selling investments (33%).

    Several factors can affect your total income in retirement. How much you contribute to CPP during your working years will influence the amount you receive, as well as the age at which you begin collecting benefits. For example, claiming CPP at age 60 results in a lower monthly amount than waiting until age 65 or 70.

    Your portfolio allocation — the types of investments you hold in your RRSP or TFSA — can also impact how much you’ve saved by the time you retire. Higher-risk investments offer the potential for greater returns but also come with more volatility and this can translate into portfolio losses.

    Additionally, the timing of your retirement will affect how long your savings need to last. The average retirement in Canada now spans decades, since people now live longer. This means the earlier you retire the more you may need to set aside.

    How much you need to save for a comfortable retirement

    Many financial planners use the 4% as a general guideline for determining how much savings are required for a secure retirement.

    First introduced by financial adviser William Bengen in 1994, the rule suggests that a retirement portfolio should last 30 years if you withdraw only 4% of the portfolio and allowing the rest to continue accumulating earnings. Bengen agreed that overall withdrawal percentage would have to adjust, based on inflation, but the overall aim was to keep the maximum withdrawal to the 4% benchmark.

    Using the 4% rule for a $10,000 per month comfortable retirement goal

    Using Bengen’s 4% withdrawal rule, any Canadian that wishes to live comfortably on $10,000 per month during retirement would need a portfolio that could sustain an annual withdrawal of $120,000. Working backwards, this means your retirement portfolio needs to reach around $3 million in invested funds; however, this amount can be reducted if you factor in the income supplements from CPP, OAS, and other sources of income.

    Using the guardrails framework for a $10,000 per month comfortable retirement goal

    Another approach is the "guardrails" framework introduced by Jonathan Guyton and William Klinger. This method prompts retirees to choose an initial withdrawal rate — typically between 4% and 6% — and adjust their withdrawals based on market conditions to ensure they don’t deplete their savings too quickly.

    It’s important to remember that these strategies are guidelines, not guarantees. Some experts, including Morningstar analysts, have suggested a safer withdrawal rate may be closer to 3.7%, given today’s economic conditions.

    Speaking with a trusted financial adviser can help you assess your current financial situation and retirement goals to determine the best strategy for you.

    Sources

    1. Ratehub: What is the average saving by age in Canada?, by Jordan Lavin (Dec 20, 2024)

    1. Ontario Securities Commission: Profiles of Retirement (Jan 10, 2024)

    1. Morningstar: Unpacking the 4% rule for retirement-portfolio withdrawals, by Christine Benz (Nov 5, 2014)

    1. The White Coat Investor: What Is the Guyton-Klinger Guardrails Approach for Retirement?, by Eric Rosenberg (Nov 1, 2024)

    This article What it takes to retire with a comfortable $10,000/month in Canada originally appeared on Money.ca

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.

  • You sold a successful business. How do you use your windfall? Maybe a dream trip?

    You sold a successful business. How do you use your windfall? Maybe a dream trip?

    Being a business owner means getting cozy with uncertainty. From shifting consumer preferences to a global pandemic, your company can be trucking along the highway of prosperity one day and flipped over in a ditch the next.

    Typically, superior service, products and operations act as a sufficient barrier between a business and the daily uncertainties that threaten it. That structure makes long-term planning for your financial future possible as a business owner.

    But when you sell your business, you’ll need to create an entirely new plan to guard your future.

    Even if you’re lucky enough to be freshly flush with millions of dollars after selling your business, you still need a comprehensive financial plan to ensure you can fund the next stage of your life, provide a legacy for your loved ones if you like, and perhaps leave something behind for causes you believe in.

    What does a plan like that entail?

    Start at the very beginning

    David Rowat, vice president at boutique investment bank Strategic Exits, says owners should start thinking about the sale of their businesses when they first form the company.

    “It all has to do with tax, and the structures that you put in place early on can dramatically affect the tax that you will have to pay upon exit,” says Rowat, a specialist in guiding companies through the exit process.

    For example, an exemption for Canadian-controlled private companies allows an individual to accumulate the first $800,000 in capital gains tax free. A common strategy among business owners is divvying up a company’s shares among as many family members as possible, allowing each of them to shelter up to $800,000 in capital gains generated by a business sale.

    While experienced business owners may have laid the groundwork for their eventual ride into the sunset, young, aggressive entrepreneurs focused on surviving until the end of the week aren’t always as concerned with such a distant future.

    But youth isn’t an excuse for ignoring what could be real concerns in the future. Particularly in the technology space, where Rowat spends much of his time, “certain kinds of wealth management and tax planning don’t happen soon enough,” he says.

    The cheque’s been delivered. What now?

    Let’s assume you just sold your highly successful business for $40 million. By planning ahead, you have minimized the amount of your proceeds going to the CRA, while putting other vehicles in place: trust funds for your children, tax-free savings accounts, various retirement savings plans and registered education savings plans.

    Time to put the rest of your money to work.

    1. Paying for the rest of your life

    With your own finances mapped, you might have other priorities you want to tend to, such as leaving a legacy for your family members and supporting organizations close to your heart.

    This is where more volatile investments, including growth stocks and foreign currency, play a larger role, as the higher returns involved will make the most impact. You won’t necessarily want to take big swings at individual stocks, but funds geared toward technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and medical tech, as well as those that track today’s FAANG giants (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google), could provide short- and long-term growth.

    With a substantial amount of money to spend, different tiers of the real estate market will open to you — residential, commercial, land and even development. Don’t overlook this option as a source of potential legacy income.

    Not only can you set aside rental income from residential and commercial properties for your family or chosen charities, but when you’re ready to offload them, you can potentially reap a hefty profit or simply pass them on. An appreciating asset makes a pretty decent gift.

    And at a time when so many young Canadians are struggling to afford homes, buying your kids property may be the shortest route to helping them build wealth of their own.

    2. Providing for your family and favourite charities

    With your own finances mapped, you might have other priorities you want to tend to, such as leaving a legacy for your family members and supporting organizations close to your heart.

    This is where more volatile investments, including growth stocks and foreign currency, play a larger role, as the higher returns involved will make the most impact. You won’t necessarily want to take big swings at individual stocks, but funds geared toward technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence and medical tech, as well as those that track today’s FAANG giants (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google), could provide short- and long-term growth.

    With a substantial amount of money to spend, different tiers of the real estate market will open to you — residential, commercial, land and even development. Don’t overlook this option as a source of potential legacy income.

    Not only can you set aside rental income from residential and commercial properties for your family or chosen charities, but when you’re ready to offload them, you can potentially reap a hefty profit or simply pass them on. An appreciating asset makes a pretty decent gift.

    And at a time when so many young Canadians are struggling to afford homes, buying your kids property may be the shortest route to helping them build wealth of their own.

    The last piece of the puzzle

    Once the grunt work’s done, and you’ve ticked each box on your financial planning checklist, Rowat suggests that you actually enjoy some of the money from your business sale.

    “Take that trip to Antarctica you always wanted. Go see the Taj Mahal. The time to do it is before you start accumulating the aches and pains that make it harder to get around,” he says.

    “Take a little money and go crazy because you’ve earned it.”

    With files from Sean Cooper

    This article You sold a successful business. How do you use your windfall? Maybe a dream trip?

    This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.