True North Retirement Counsel | The True North Blog

Estate Planning for Canadian Immigrants: A Guide To Protecting Your Legacy Across Borders

May 20, 2025

Today, we’ll explore why having these discussions with yourself and your family sooner rather than later is more beneficial, especially if you are in a common-law or marital relationship. It is even more critical if you have little ones. Yes, no one likes to talk about death, young or old, including me.

The Final Step in Your Financial Planning Journey: The Financial Fitness Review™

May 12, 2025

From Immigration to Financial Freedom: Mastering Retirement Planning for Canadian Entrepreneurs

May 8, 2025

In this second edition of retirement planning, we’ll explore strategies specifically tailored for entrepreneurs and self-employed Canadian immigrants.

Filling the Financial Prescription™ aka Plan Implementation

May 1, 2025

Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide for Canadian Immigrant Professionals

April 30, 2025

Considering the complexity of these rules and their financial implications, if you are an immigrant nearing retirement age, it’s beneficial to consult a Financial Planner specializing in retirement planning for newcomers to Canada to optimize your benefits according to your unique circumstances.

Smart Tax Moves for Canadian Immigrants: Building Wealth Without Overpaying the Taxman

April 17, 2025

Today, let's dive into tax planning – and yes, it can be enjoyable once you realize the Income Tax Act provides perfectly legal ways to minimize your tax burden!

The Financial Prescription™ aka Plan Presentation

April 14, 2025

The first thing the planner should do when presenting is review what’s important to you - your goals and objectives. When they do this, ask yourself if you think they truly understand the essence of your hopes, dreams and fears for your future and what you want in life? If not, the rest of the plan won’t be meaningful. Don’t be afraid to send them back to the drawing board at this point until they get this part right.

Financial Starter Kit: A Guide for Canadian Immigrant Professionals to Build Wealth and Confidence

April 10, 2025

You've taken the brave step of building a new life in Canada - congratulations! As you navigate the immigration system, it's equally important to master your money mindset and the Canadian financial system. So, let's explore!

What’s your Financial Diagnosis?

April 9, 2025

All the heavy lifting in this step is done by your planner. That said, sometimes extra clarification is required to ensure they really understand your situation and goals.

From Career to Crib: Balancing Work and Parenthood as a Canadian Immigrant Professional

March 28, 2025

In this blog post, we'll explore some ideas for achieving that mythical work-life balance while navigating the unique challenges of being an immigrant professional in Canada.

Your Financial DNA Discovery™

March 24, 2025

As my high school data processing teacher used to say, “garbage in, garbage out”. Yes, I am that old and used “punch cards” for programming. At this step in the process, you want to be as complete and accurate as possible with the information you provide.

My Canadian Story: From Immigrant to Financial Empowerment

March 19, 2025

Every journey begins with our earliest influences. In my case, different villages and cultures shaped who I am today and continue to inform my perspective on wealth, family, and community.

Anti-Goals: A Game-Changer for Your Financial Journey

February 19, 2025

From vision boards to annual planning sessions, we pour time and energy into chasing what we want.

Demystifying the Financial Planning Process

January 15, 2025

Today I’m going to pull back the curtain on the “mystery” that seems to surround both financial planning and what financial planners can do to help. I’ll outline the process in simple terms, with the hope that it will eliminate one of the biggest hurdles to just getting started.

CPP 101: Key Insights for Immigrant Business Leaders in Canada

January 8, 2025

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is vital to your financial future. Your retirement security depends on understanding what CPP is and how it works. This piece explains CPP's meaning and shows how to qualify as an immigrant entrepreneur. You will understand the available benefits and learn about international social security agreements.

Protecting Your Family and Finances Amid Dementia

December 5, 2024

The deterioration of the brain, however, robs people of the latter. For that individual, coming to terms with the reality, confusion and memory loss must be terrifying. For loved ones turned carers, it is heartbreaking and the emotional toll heavy.

Vacation Dreams or Financial Plans: What’s Your Pick?

November 13, 2024

“Would you rather plan your next vacation than plan your finances? If so, Financial Literacy month might be a great time for you to consider why and make a change! Check out our latest BLOG at True North Retirement Counsel to see how!

The Toll of Risk Aversion

October 1, 2024

The first step in addressing excessive risk aversion is understanding its roots. One cognitive bias that greatly influences risk aversion is loss aversion - the tendency to prefer avoiding losses rather than acquiring equivalent gains

2024 U.S. Election and The Potential Impact on Our Portfolios

September 10, 2024

There is no doubt, however, that the current campaign is anxiety inducing for investors. Canada may be gearing up for its own divisive political battle, but its noisy neighbour is a behemoth that dominates news cycles. And just like a good horror film, these stories are full of jumps and nerve-shredding moments. It’s only human, therefore, to get caught up in these feelings.

The Promise of Employee Ownership Trusts in Canada

August 13, 2024

In the latest federal budget, Canada introduced an innovative strategy to transform the landscape of business succession: Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs).

Navigating Your Prized Cottage Investment

July 17, 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic compelled the Bank of Canada to drop its overnight lending rate to an historic low of 25 basis points. The result was predictable: a frenetic rush for housing across the country. However, because employees had by then begun working remotely, they suddenly had the freedom to live anywhere and cottage country became a natural destination.

Playing The Long Game: Prioritizing Psychological Well-Being Over Financial

June 19, 2024

It’s worth embracing a new approach that places greater value on psychologically optimal outcomes.

Taking the Risk Out of Retirement Income

May 27, 2024

For those heading towards or already in retirement, now is not the time to gamble with your future.

Sharing is Caring – and More Tax Efficient

May 14, 2024

One way to stay a step ahead and to improve next year’s returns is income splitting.

Four Reasons Why Every Business Leader Needs a Personal Financial Plan

May 6, 2024

A comprehensive business plan is widely recognized in entrepreneurship, where success hinges on unwavering dedication, strategic foresight, and navigating unpredictable financial landscapes.

Digesting the Proposed Capital Gains Tax Hike

May 2, 2024

History, ultimately, will be the judge of the recently proposed capital gains tax hike. The Government argues the extra billions of dollars generated will be invested in programs that give people a fairer chance “to build a good, middle-class life”, but critics say this will deter the risk-taking capital that stimulates economic growth and penalize hard-working business owners and individuals.

Managing Your Inheritance

March 22, 2024

Inheritance can be a life-altering event, representing both a windfall of opportunity, challenges and significant emotional challenges. While the influx of wealth can offer newfound financial security and opportunities for personal growth, it also presents a host of complex emotions and financial decisions to navigate.

Income Tax Deadline Checklist

March 20, 2024

No sooner have you navigated the RRSP contribution deadline, then another key date looms into view – your annual income tax return. If only the world was so keen to remind you to watch movies or take a vacation!

How to Strive for Family Harmony Amid Intergenerational Wealth Transfer

February 23, 2024

Canadian families are at the precipice of a massive intergenerational wealth transfer. Although this presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for families to pass along their hard-earned wealth and values, it often comes at the cost of family harmony.

Couples and Money – A Beautiful Partnership

February 14, 2024

According to The Beatles, money can’t buy you love but as many people will attest, money can certainly destroy. Paul McCartney was always the Fab Four’s hopeless romantic.

Integrative Thinking: Merging Finances & Lifestyle

February 1, 2024

As we usher in the New Year, it's an opportune time to adopt an optimistic mindset and go beyond conventional financial planning. Integrative thinking, a concept that encourages a holistic approach to decision-making, can be a powerful tool in crafting a resilient financial and lifestyle plan. Have a read to find out more.

Can We Finally Expect Interest Rate Cuts?

January 22, 2024

No one can really predict the future. But rewind to the end of 2022 and analysts were forecasting recessions, hard landings, and interest rate cuts. They never happened.

How to Beat Blue Monday

January 15, 2024

When it comes to personal finances, January can be a month when the festive adrenaline eases and your own economic reality hits home. The cure lies in forward-thinking, a positive mindset and goal setting.

Accumulation for Show, Decumulation for Dough

December 7, 2023

Even those who despise golf will likely have heard the saying, “driver for show, putter for dough.” The premise: that smacking the ball 300 yards looks great but the ability to get it in the hole is what determines success.

The Incumbent’s Curse

November 25, 2023

Rooted in the safety of the familiar is a profound mindset known as the Incumbent's Curse; it can be both a guardian and a saboteur of your financial future.

Making it Through the Retirement Risk Zone

November 11, 2023

As you approach retirement, there exists a zone of paramount importance that can either ensure the retirement you've envisioned or plunge you into financial uncertainty.

Tax Tactics for the Wealthy

August 15, 2023

Navigating the breaks and rules to your advantage is a legitimate tactic to not only keep more money in your wallet but also fuel your family’s legacy, whether that’s through charitable donations, community work, or simply ensuring the kids’ and grandkids’ futures.

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