- My Own Advisor

Weekend Reading – TFSA contribution room hike and great blogs

Posted on November 29, 2012 by Mark | 16 Comments

Earlier this week, the amount Canadians can stash away each year in their tax-free savings account (TFSA) increased by $500. Starting January 1, 2013, the federal government now allows us to contribute $5,500 in our TFSA each calendar year. You…

Why using your home for retirement is a bad idea

Posted on November 27, 2012 by Mark | 6 Comments

Why using your home for retirement is a bad idea Relying on your home as your sole retirement nest egg might be a consideration for some Boomers but it’s a very risky proposition in my opinion. I wouldn’t do this for…

Skyfall meant sky high prices

Posted on November 25, 2012 by Mark | 32 Comments

Recently, my wife and I went to the movie theatre to watch Skyfall, the new James Bond flick. It’s been some time since we had a night out at the movies and the latest installment in the Bond series seemed…

Weekend Reading – Giving thanks U.S. style, a good week and great blogs

Posted on November 22, 2012 by Mark | 19 Comments

It was a good week for My Own Advisor. Earlier this week, I learned one of my U.S. stocks increased their dividend, again, by almost 4%. On Tuesday, Dividend Stock Analysis mentioned yours truly as their investment blogger of…

Whole Life Insurance Part II: The Spending Game

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Mark | 10 Comments

This post is by Brian Poncelet, an insurance specialist and independent certified financial planner (CFP) who has been working in the financial services industry for almost 20 years. Life insurance isn’t just for young families – it can be beneficial…

T1135 Note to CRA – foreign income reporting doesn’t need to be a foreign concept

Posted on November 18, 2012 by Mark | 29 Comments

T1135 Note to CRA – foreign income reporting doesn’t need to be a foreign concept Our Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has been guilty of many things but on the top of my personal list are cryptic requirements and one example…

Weekend Reading – Financial Literacy month and great blogs supporting it

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Mark | 11 Comments

Weekend Reading – Financial Literacy month and great blogs supporting it Kudos to Glenn Cooke for organizing a great campaign today in support of Financial Literacy month. Earlier today, I wrote about My Best Financial Tip and I managed to…

My Best Financial Tip

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Mark | 12 Comments

My Best Financial Tip The best financial tip I received was given to me by my father – pay yourself first, son. No, my father is not David Chilton. He is a retired nurse administrator now in his early 60’s…

October 2012 Dividend Income Update

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Mark | 17 Comments

I read an article on Investment Executive recently that summarized Bank of Nova Scotia’s global financial literacy strategy. The strategy is broken down into investment life stages to encourage lifelong financial learning. I found this article interesting because I’ve been doing…

FREE Giveaway and Book Review – Cash Cows, Pigs and Jackpots

Posted on November 4, 2012 by Mark | 28 Comments

FREE Giveaway and Book Review – Cash Cows, Pigs and Jackpots Right out of the gate, author David Trahair says Canadians are going about their financial future all wrong: “Our quest to build wealth and secure a comfortable retirement often…