Wait. Don’t people say, “Your home is your best investment?

For many people, their home may be their only major investment. For them, that old conventional wisdom might be true. But that is unfortunate.

It is easy to find better investments with dramatically higher long-term returns.

Despite the lower returns, homeowners on average are wealthier for 2 non-investment reasons.

In my latest podcast episode you’ll learn:

• How do homes compare to other growth investments for rate of return?

• Why is it unfortunate if your home is your largest investment?

• What are the 2 non-investment reasons homeowners tend to be wealthier?

• Why does your home start being a great investment but then stop?

• Can your home be your retirement plan?

• Is home equity the key to wealth or is it “dead equity”?

• How can you make your home a good investment?

• What are the 2 best strategies to make your home a great investment?

Are you ever confused by all the different titles that financial planners and advisors use?

What types of advice and services do they offer?

Which one offers what you are looking for?

When you have real worries or questions about your money, “who you gonna call?” Who is the super-hero of advice?

In my podcast episode you’ll learn:

• When you want real advice, what are the most valuable types of advice to help you?

• What are the main titles planners & advisors use?

• What services and advice does each typically offer?

• Which type is the best to create a professional Financial Plan and confidence in your future?

• Which type offers on-going Full Service to be your financial guru and help you in all areas of your finances?

• Which types are unbiased, fee transparent, and have a fiduciary duty to you?

• Which types can help you with a wide range of investments and the best ones for you?

• Which ones are “Old Bay Street” and which are “New Bay Street?

• What would you look for to find your financial planner super-hero?

Quick disclaimer: Terms like financial planner and financial advisor are broad and often used interchangeably. What I’m sharing reflects common patterns I’ve seen, not a blanket description of every professional using these titles. There are lots of exceptions!

Most seniors start their CPP and OAS when they retire or at age 65, without evaluating the options. But many would benefit from delaying CPP until age 70.

Here’s how to figure out what’s best for you.

CPP and OAS offer cool opportunities to increase after-tax income, because seniors often have flexibility in choosing taxable vs. non-taxable income, and OAS comes with several “clawbacks” beyond regular tax.

To spot these opportunities, you need to think creatively about pensions, tax, and investments.

After 65, the biggest factors in deciding whether to delay CPP are whether you’ll need to withdraw more from your investments, and whether you’re a growth investor, as this decision looks very different for growth-focused portfolios.

In my latest podcast episode you’ll learn:

• Why should you ignore “CPP breakeven” calculations?

• Why are life expectancy stats understated?

• What is the best way to estimate your life expectancy?

• What happens if you are still working?

• How does your tax bracket each year affect your CPP & OAS & GIS?

• How can you qualify for the maximum GIS?

• How does your CPP & OAS fit into your overall retirement income?

• Who should take CPP & OAS early and contribute it to RRSP?

• How do CPP & OAS affect the estate you leave for your kids?

• Who should delay their CPP to age 65? Real life examples.