Why You Don’t Want a Tax Refund
Canadians often see a tax refund (the balance owed or owing after the process of submitting your tax return) as a small victory at the end of the year—a “bonus” cheque from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) that feels like a reward for another successful filing of taxable income. In reality, a large refund is […]
Understand What You’ll Need to Retire Comfortably
How Far Will $500,000 Last in Retirement? A step-by-step guide to create your retirement plan was created by Family Wealth Advisor Christopher Jardine, CFP®, to help pre-retirees in Canada answer the age-old question, “How much will I need for retirement?” At first glance, $500,000 seems like a reasonable nest egg—half a million dollars is a […]
A Guide to Charitable Giving in Canada
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank Canada’s charitable landscape is shifting. Fewer philanthropic Canadians claim charitable donations on their tax returns each year, yet total giving and the average donation have reached record highs—signalling a quiet concentration of generosity among a smaller group of committed households. For families with the […]
Understanding Income Splitting in Canada: Tax Saving Strategies
Gifting in Life: Inter Vivos Gifts in Canada
Absolute Return vs. Relative Return: Key Differences
“The wise man is he who knows the relative value of things.“ – William J. Bernstein
Estate Bond Strategy: Tax-Efficient Wealth Transfer in Canada
Originally posted on June 18, 2025. Updated on March 5, 2026. There’s a common misconception that estate planning is purely a future-focused exercise. In practice, the right approach can improve tax-efficiency today. The estate bond strategy can do exactly that—surplus capital moves into an exempt permanent life insurance policy, where it grows with less tax […]
Third Chapter: An Update on Settling My Mom’s Estate
Today’s article is a guest submission from Janine Guenther CFA, CMT, a Portfolio Manager and Senior Wealth Family Advisor with over 30 years of industry experience. The views presented here do not necessarily represent those of Bellwether Investment Management.
Investor Guide: What is tax-efficient investing?
“This is a question too difficult for a mathematician. It takes a philosopher.” – Albert A. Einstein
10 Things to Know About Dividend Tax Efficiency
“A stock dividend is something tangible—it’s not an earnings projection; it’s something solid, in hand. A stock dividend is a true return on the investment. Everything else is hope and speculation.” —Richard Russell — Richard Russell