5 Tips to Plan Out Your Financial Goals in A Smart Way
Our financial advisors say that everyone should consider planning for their financial goals no matter what stage of their life they are in. Financial planning is important because it can help you proficiently manage your finances. But, how do you set up your financial goals in a way that will benefit you down the road? Well, if you’re asking yourself this question, you’re in the right place. Our experts share their 5 tips to plan out your financial goals in a smart way. Let’s see what’s they had to say!
#1 Think About your Goals
The first thing you can do to plan out your financial goals in a smart way is actually to think about what your goals are. This will help you create a financial plan and understand your long-term needs and expectations. It is essential to consider both short-term and long-term goals. Our financial advisors recommend writing down a list with all your financial goals. This will offer a better view of your needs and expectations for both the near future and not so near future.
#2 Start Prioritizing
After you have your list ready, you can move on to our next professional tip, which is to plan your finances. At this point, you should prioritize and focus on your financial needs and wants. For example, if you are planning on paying off credit card debt and saving for your retirement, both items can’t be achieved right away. This is where prioritizing comes in. Inspect your list and number your goals depending on your true interests. It can be helpful to discuss your goal priorities with a financial advisor.
#3 Set up a realistic budget
Another tip for planning out your financial goals in a smart way is to create a realistic budget. A budget outlines both your money coming in and your expenses (money going out). Most people consider their regular monthly expenses but ignore annual or quarterly expenses. Ensure you include insurance, property taxes, and fuel. A budget will help you prioritize how your expenses.
#4 Consider Automated Saving
Once you have noted your expenses, you can better understand how much income you have left for savings or miscellaneous expenses. An easy way to save money is to have a portion of your earnings automatically moved to a savings account.
#5 Check Your Progress
It isn’t enough to plan out your financials, you need to act and check in on your progress to ensure everything is moving according to your plan. Financial planning is fluid as your goals may change. Start with your base plan and review and update as needed.
If you’re not currently collaborating with a financial advisor, it might be a good idea to schedule an annual review consultation. This is an excellent approach to sit down and check your goals and budget. A financial advisor can help you adjust your plan and guide you towards the best way to achieve your goals.
What Are the Key Benefits of Life Insurance Plans?
Life insurance assures you that your family will be financially stable after you are gone. It is a financial strategy to cater to your family's needs after you pass away. Although the most common information about life insurance is about covering funeral expenses after your demise, there are other key benefits of life insurance plans that are not known by many people. Read further to learn more about how you can maximize the benefits offered by life insurance plans.
Below are the key benefits of life insurance plans:
1. Income Replacement and Settlement of Debts
Life insurance benefits can be used to replace your income when you pass away. The money could be used to pay off expenses, such as your mortgage and the college tuition for your children. Additionally, other debts such as car loans and credit card bills can also be settled from your life insurance benefits. Your family will not be put under financial pressure to pay off debts and cover mandatory expenses if you had a life insurance policy that covers these items.
2. Inheritance
Another key benefit of life insurance is that it can be left as an inheritance to loved ones. Instead of leaving assets, you can invest in a life insurance plan and choose a specific person to receive the benefits as an inheritance. Given this, you must name the chosen heir or heirs as the beneficiary on your policy. This will ensure that the benefits go to the right person or people.
3. Caring for Aging Parents
If you have aging parents who depend on you for their day-to-day expenses or personal support, the best way to secure their financial independence, in case you pass away before them, is to buy a life insurance plan and name them as the beneficiaries. This will ensure that your parents have a lifeline to cater to their needs if you pass away.
4. Tax Payment
After receiving an inheritance, some regions have tax laws that mandate the heirs need to pay an estate tax after receiving the life insurance benefits. Because of this, the taxes can be paid from the insurance benefits. However, you should contact your financial advisor and insurance provider to verify and know what impact estate taxes may have on your beneficiaries.
5. Final Expenses Payment
When you pass away, all the final expenses will be paid from your life insurance benefits. Hospital bills, funeral, and burial or cremation costs will be taken care of from the life insurance benefits.
The above are some of the key benefits of having life insurance, however, not all policies offer the same coverage and options. If you want your family or loved ones to be free from financial burdens after passing away, speak with a life insurance professional to better understand your options.
Does changing your job affect your mortgage application?
Looking to apply for a mortgage but thinking of changing your job? A job transition is common and not a deal-breaker for your mortgage. You can get a mortgage between jobs by applying for an offer letter mortgage. Most of the time, to be approved for a mortgage, you need the income that’s stable, reliable, and likely to continue for at least 3 years. And with regards to new jobs, you’d have to be making an upward or at least a lateral move within the same industry.
How important is your job when applying for a mortgage?
It is a no-brainer that your job is very crucial to your mortgage application. The reason is that you need to state your profession, who your employer is and how long you have been working with the employer.
Lenders need to know this information to determine the level of the security of your finances before approving the mortgage loan. Your qualification for a mortgage will not be based only on the length of employment. The mortgage lenders will also consider your income, credit history, and age.
When does your job affect your mortgage application?
Your job has a direct effect on your mortgage application in the following ways:
1. Nature of Job
It is crucial to know that your job or career has a significant impact on your mortgage application. If your job is more stable or high in demand, it will increase your chances.
2. A New Job
If you just got a new job, lenders would assume that you are on probation period. This means you may be out of work anytime, leaving you without a source of income. In this case, your mortgage application may not be approved because many mortgage lenders do not accept applications from people who just started working at a new company.
As a result, changing your job will affect your application. However, there are twists to this condition based on some factors like when the new job offers a higher salary. In this case, it is possible to be offered a higher amount of money to borrow, if your job is considered stable by the lender.
Changing Your Job Versus Getting a Mortgage
If you have secured a mortgage and started making money repayments, you may not tell your lender about the change of job or that you have been made redundant, as long as you can meet up with the monthly repayments. However, if you can’t keep up with the monthly repayments, you must inform the mortgage provider.
If you are optimistic that you will get a new job and earn a higher salary, get the job and wait for the probationary period to be over before applying for a mortgage. On the contrary, if you are not sure that changing your job will give you a higher income, secure the mortgage first before changing your job.
Request Professional Advice from a Mortgage Broker
If you are considering changing your job and getting a mortgage at the same time, seek professional advice from a mortgage broker. The mortgage broker can help you find a provider that will be suitable for you. However, do not be too eager to act. Consider the existing factors and your chances before making a final move.
5 Crucial Financial Moves to Make Before You Get Married
Choosing to get married is one of the biggest decisions you will ever make. However, it’s important to consider your financial situation before you get married to ensure you and your partner are on the same page. As you start preparing to get married, here are 5 crucial financial moves you should make:
Understand each other’s current financial situation
Before getting married, it is crucial to understand the current financial situation of your partner. Similarly, your partner should know yours too. Some of the things you should know about each other’s current financial situation include:
- Current income
- Existing debts
- Total assets
- Opinions about utilizing credit cards
By having an understanding of each other’s financial situation you can be fully aware of any financial challenges you and your partner may face.
Go for a prenuptial agreement
When individuals get married they never intend to get divorced. But sometimes things happen, problems arise and divorce may become necessary. This is why it is always best to consider having a prenuptial agreement before getting married. A prenup is a written agreement about how properties and earnings will be shared after a divorce. It can prevent your divorce from becoming even messier. If you and your partner are considering having a prenup you should always consult a financial advisor.
Consider a joint budget for the wedding
Many individuals start having financial issues before their marriage even begins. In fact, many couples get into disagreements during wedding planning and coming up with an appropriate budget. So, if you plan to have a wedding ceremony, you should have a joint budget for it. In other words, both parties should contribute to the ceremony. Additionally, you should be mindful of how much you spend on the ceremony by making sure you don’t go over your agreed-upon budget.
Have a money management style
In a marriage, one person is usually better at managing the finances than the other. However, you shouldn’t assume the better money manager. Both of you should discuss the issue and consider past experiences when establishing your money management style. Regardless of which person chooses to manage the finances, the other person should still be informed about the situation. In other words, you should plan to have regular discussions about your finances. This ensures that you have open communication and transparency with one another.
Consult a tax professional to discuss your tax differences
By filing your taxes together you can improve your finances. However, you need to be careful as taxes can be quite complicated. Given this, you should consult a tax professional to discuss the differences in your taxes.
Takeaway
It’s always good to be well informed about your partner’s financial situation before you get married. If you and your partner want to know more about financial literacy, talk to a financial advisor today for expert advice!
What can affect your mortgage application?
Before you begin the mortgage application process, you should think about how your finances look on paper. As a result of the crisis, lenders have toughened their affordability requirements, making it more challenging to get a mortgage. How can I increase my chances of getting a mortgage?
You can increase your chances of getting a loan by keeping a watch on the following typical spending habits:
Using Joke Payment Descriptions When Sending Money
Adding a 'funny' description to a bank transfer with a friend may seem amusing at the moment, but not when a mortgage lender discovers it in your bank statements. To avoid any queries from your mortgage lender, it's better to avoid using any comical payment descriptions at all.
Betting Apps
Although sports betting apps have made gambling even more straightforward, you must keep track of your spending to ensure it does not become a source of concern. If a bank or building society discovers that you are an active gambler when applying for a mortgage, they may reject your application. This is only true if the transactions consume a large portion of your monthly income or cause you to incur an overdraft; the odd wager is perfectly OK.
Using Buy Now, Pay Later Schemes
It's becoming more challenging to find an online fashion shop that doesn't offer a buy now, pay later option that allows buyers to spread the cost of an item over many weeks interest-free. While using systems like Klarna or Clearpay may be appealing, it may influence your odds of getting a mortgage. Lenders can view this as a lack of money to pay for low-cost items upfront.
Payday Loans
Although if you paid off your payday loan entirely and on schedule, it might still work against you when applying for a mortgage. Payday loans reveal to the lender that you have lived beyond your means at times.
Monthly Subscriptions
Netflix, Spotify, gym memberships, and app subscriptions are all monthly expenses to be careful of. Although being relatively cheap in contrast to your other monthly expenditures, subscription services can be used to reduce your capacity to repay mortgage payments. Examine your living expenses and make sure you have the money to continue with your existing subscriptions - you may be paying for something you no longer need.
How can I increase my chances of getting a mortgage?
Are you searching for ways to increase your chances of getting a mortgage? Do you want to get a mortgage and wish to have a hassle-free process? Read the tips below to find out how you can get a mortgage more easily.
Review Your Credit Report
Your credit report is crucial to getting a mortgage because lenders will review your report to determine your suitability for a loan. You must check your credit report personally and make efforts to fix it if your credit score is not where you need it to be.
Having obtained your credit report, do not assume that everything is accurate. Check and verify every detail and fix any mistakes you may find. Some mistakes can negatively affect your credit. Look out for information that is inaccurate such as debts that you have settled but still appear as unpaid, outdated information, and mistakes with personal information, such as addresses, Social Security Number, etc. Be sure to fix any issues in your report before applying for a mortgage.
Boost Your Credit Score
If you have a higher credit score, your chances of getting a mortgage increases. However, if your credit report reflects unpaid debts, lenders may feel reluctant to grant your request, doubting your ability to repay the loan when it's due. Check if your credit score matches the FICO score. If your score is lower, try and improve your score by paying off outstanding debts and paying your bills on time.
Reduce Debts
Another way to increase your chances of getting a mortgage is to reduce your debt profile. Your debt-to-income ratio should be 36% or lower and not more than 43%. Reduce your monthly recurring debts, settle outstanding debts, and increase your monthly income. Explore all possibilities to boost your income to reduce your debt ratio.
Prepare Large Down Payments
One way to make your application attractive is to show the lender that you have a big down payment ready. This will undoubtedly increase your chances of getting a mortgage. A large down payment reduces your loan-to-value ratio and also your overall loan debt. If you have a 20% or more down payment, you will be in favor of lenders and would not require mortgage insurance.
Takeaway
Follow the tips above to increase your chances of getting a mortgage. Check your credit report, reduce your debt profile, and increase your monthly income to make your credit score look good for lenders to approve your application.
5 tips for mortgage renewal time
Knowing the date your mortgage term comes up is important as it gives you the opportunity to prepare for the best renewal rate possible and not get unexpectedly trapped by your current lender. You would hope after years of loyalty, your current lender will offer you a lower rate on your mortgage renewal, but this is not always the case. Because of this, keep a tab on your mortgage maturity or renewal date and start planning far ahead. Below we highlight 5 tips for mortgage renewal time to help you make an informed decision on your renewal.
1. Evaluate your Financial Goals
Before you decide whether to sign a mortgage renewal, take the time to examine your current financial situation and goals. Your finances have undoubtedly changed since you last applied for a mortgage. Consider your current financial status, as well as if there are plans to move in the near future, is it beneficial to access some of the equity in your home? Are there other reputable lenders offering lower rates? You should consider all these before affixing your signature to mortgage renewal papers.
2. Search for Better Providers Early
Several months prior to your mortgage maturity or renewal, you should start shopping for better rates especially if your current lender is not committing to a lower rate off the bat. Although you cannot change your provider until the mortgage matures, you can still find a better product or provider that will give you a better rate and have it locked in. There is no harm in contacting a mortgage broker for advice and assistance in finding the best product to switch to. Finding a better lender early will allow you to have the paperwork ready for a hassle-free switch.
3. Negotiate a Better Mortgage Rate
Negotiating a better rate when renewing your mortgage is not always fun, but is necessary when trying to secure the best rate for your renewal. A slight reduction in your mortgage rate has a significant impact on the amount payable per year, which directly affects your financial status. Your lender may present diverse rates and figures to make you renew the mortgage with them; these might not be the lowest rates they offer, negotiate. So, if you start negotiating early, you can decide to switch your lender, if you are not offered a favourable rate.
4. Use a Mortgage Broker
The best way to get the best product at the best rate is to work with a broker. Mortgage brokers are privy to information about lenders and rates they offer. They can examine your credit report and present you with a list of lenders that can work with your credit score and still provide the best rates possible. This will also help make switching lenders easy.
5. Understand the Terms
Before you sign any papers, you should make sure you fully understand the terms of your mortgage. Look at how much your payments re and how much of your payment will go toward principal versus interest. Do you have the ability to pay your mortgage off early without any fees?
When it comes to a mortgage renewal you need to be prepared. Do not renew your mortgage without asking for lower rates or searching for better offers from other lenders. Although it may be faster and more convenient to renew your mortgage with your current lender, not exploring the possibility of getting a better rate elsewhere can end up costing you thousands of dollars.
How do I prepare for a mortgage approval?
Applying for a mortgage can be an exciting, but yet daunting task. The excitement of finding a new home or an investment property that you want to purchase and the fear of not meeting the requirements to qualify can definitely keep you up at night. With the rate of many mortgages at an all-time low, you may be thinking of upgrading your home or investing your savings into property. The best way to ensure that your mortgage application is approved, is by being well prepared for it.
The tips below will help you get prepared for your mortgage applications.
1. Favorable Credit Report
The first thing that lenders look out for before considering approving mortgages is your credit report. It is crucial that you have a favorable credit report that is accurate and shows your credit worthiness. Without a good credit report, it will be difficult to get approved. In view of this, start preparing to put your credit scores in order before applying for a mortgage.
2. Monitor Your Credit Report
Keep an eye on your credit report. If there are discrepancies in the report across the three relevant credit bureaus, dispute the inaccuracies and ensure that the records are put in order. Monitor your debt-to-credit ratio to keep it as low as possible. If you notice transactions or accounts that are not yours in the report, investigate them immediately and ensure that they are expunged from the report.
3. Research Mortgages and Lenders
The next step that is crucial to your mortgage approval is to find out about the best rates available. Research mortgages, rates, lenders, and brokers around you before you commit to anything. Find the best rates and read up the relevant terms. Based on your findings, you will discover what you can afford in terms of down payment and rates.
4. Find the Best Way to Finance the Mortgage
With different brokers and lenders available, it will be best to decide how you will finance the mortgage before committing to it. You must evaluate your financial condition when buying a home and decide how best to finance it without aggravating your condition. You may choose between a 15-year mortgage and 30-years mortgage, as well as choose between fixed and variable rates.
You should know the pros and cons of both fixed and variable rate mortgages before you choose which of best suits your situation.
5. Down Payment Amount
One significant way to prepare for mortgage approval is to be realistic with how which you can afford as a down payment. If you have a large down payment, you will find that you have more options to choose from and chances are you will be approved by more lenders. The down payment amount is considered by every mortgage lender. It would definitely assist the approval process if you were able to save a larger sum for your down payment.
The tips addressed above are meant to help you prepare for your mortgage approval. However, every lender has different criteria which the review every application against, if you are not approved by the first lender you applied with, do not get discourage as there are plenty of lenders that can provide you with a great rate for your mortgage.
Partner with an experienced mortgage broker, as they have the industry knowledge and the understanding of multiple lenders approval process to get you the best rate possible and ensure your new home or investment property is properly financed.
5 steps to a financially secure retirement
You may have heard a financial advisor say that “it’s never too early to think about retirement”. There are many ways to prepare financially for retirement, but they all begging with planning well before your retirement years approach. Planning for your retirement early ensures that you have the financial freedom to not only cover your expenses but to enjoy yourself. A well-thought-out plan will reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with dealing with finances after retirement.
Below we share 5 ways that can help you prepare financially for your retirement today!
1. Save a Portion of Every Pay Cheque
Ideally, you should be trying to save anywhere from 10% to 15% of your gross pay. There are numerous approaches to savings and retirement contributions depending on your employer. We recommend you discuss your options with a financial advisor, as they will be better able to provide you with a deeper understanding of how to save money for your retirement.
2. Manage Expenses
One of the best ways to prepare financially for retirement is by managing your expenses. Keeping track of how you spend your money and building a monthly budget can help you prevent unnecessary expenses. Don’t overlook budgeting for unexpected emergencies as well.
3. Investment
Investing part of your money can contribute to a financially secure retirement. We encourage you to discuss this with a financial advisor before making any decisions on this topic. Investments aren’t risk-free, so you need to know both the strengths and weaknesses of this activity. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate can turn out to be an excellent opportunity to boost your savings.
4. Set a Tentative Retirement Date
To help you prepare financially for retirement, choose an estimated retirement date. This date is not set in stone and can be delayed or moved up depending on your situation at the time. Having a retirement date in mind will help with your calculations and understanding how much money you will need to put aside annually to be able to live an enjoyable retirement.
5. Have a Plan to Pay Off Your Debts
Paying off all your debts, including your mortgage before you reach the age of retirement means that you will be able to spend your savings on your day-to-day activities versus paying off loans. The additional expense associated with debt repayment can take a toll on your retirement savings. A financial advisor can help you put a plan together to ensure that your mortgage and other loans are all clear by the time you retire, while still being able to save for retirement.
These are some of the ways you can prepare financially for retirement. Keep in mind that a personalized retirement plan is good to have as it will ensure you can live the retirement life you envisioned and will help make your retirement transition stress-free. If you have any questions about your retirement plan or if you are looking to start planning for your retirement, AWealth Management can help, call us today to schedule a risk-free consultation, 416-666-7264.
What are the Benefits of Having an RRSP?
If you have looked into any form of retirement plans, you more than likely have come across RRSP offerings before. RRSP stands for Registered Retirement Savings Plan and is a special retirement account that you can register with the federal government. With this type of registered account, you can easily save for your retirement and access your funds when it comes time to retire.
Having an RRSP comes with certain advantages such as:
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You enjoy tax-deductible contributions
Your contributions to an RRSP can be claimed as a deduction on your tax return. These tax-deductive contributions work for people of all tax brackets. For instance, if you fall into Ontario’s top tax bracket, each $1000 you put in your RRSP account will lower your tax by about $535. However, if you fall in the lower tax bracket, you are allowed to transfer the deduction to a future date when you may be earning more. With this, you can enjoy better tax savings with proper tax planning.
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You can grow your savings without paying tax
Normally, you need to pay some tax on your investment earnings. However, if you have an RRSP contribution, you don’t have to pay tax on anything you earn from your investment. As a result of this, your savings will grow without a dip caused by paying tax on your earnings.
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It reduces your combined tax burden through a spousal RRSP
If your income is significantly higher than that of your spouse, you should consider opening a spousal RRSP to save without tax. With the aid of a spousal RRSP, you can divide your retirement income into two equal parts. As such, the total payable tax on the money will be significantly reduced.
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You can convert your RRSP into regular payments after retirement
Once you have retired, this exceptional plan allows you to convert your RRSP savings into an annuity or RRIF. It is worthwhile to note that this conversion doesn’t require any tax. Afterward, you will be getting regular payments during your retirement while paying only the regular tax on the amount you get annually. Furthermore, you can pay less tax if you belong to a lower tax bracket.
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You can borrow money from it for education or for your first-home purchase
Are you planning to return to school? Would you like to purchase your first home? If the answer is yes, an RRSP can make life easier for you. Using the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP), you are allowed to withdraw as much as $25,000 to use as a down payment for buying your first home. Also, you can take advantage of the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) to get as much as $20,000 to pay for your education or your spouse’s education. If you return the money within the agreed timeframe, the withdrawals will not require any tax.
With these benefits of an RRSP, you will agree that it is a plan that everyone should consider. If you have any doubt about this plan, don’t hesitate to get in touch with a financial advisor. Apart from explaining the plan, a seasoned financial advisor can help you set up your RRSP account as well as provide direction on where to invest your savings.