I’ve been writing a lot recently on keeping things up-to-date and properly planned. Here are some indicators that your estate plan might be out of date: You have bought something major. A house, a cottage, a fancy RV: all of these are reasons to think about updating...
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cesia@wall-arm.ca
The comfort principle
I recently came across this article on Lifehacker about where to focus your spending. Basically, the best plan if you have disposable income is to focus your spending on where you focus your time. You likely spend more time sleeping than you do watching TV, so...
A final walkthrough
Most purchase agreements provide for one or two additional visits after the agreement has gone firm, usually to take measurements for furniture and to check on the progress of any agreed-upon repairs. Another good time to have a walkthrough? Right before closing....
3 ways to do a will
In Ontario, there are three ways to do your will, all of which have pros and cons. Holograph wills. I have written about these before; holograph wills are done entirely in your own handwriting. They have been done on bags, on hubcaps, and, more commonly, on pieces of...
Are you on the voter list?
Municipal elections will take place next month, with voting starting as early as October 12. Municipal politics affect us all more directly than any other politics, yet voter turnout is lower than any other elections. If you want to help reverse that trend, you can...
Talk to the hippo
Many people think that buying is automatically better than renting; this is not always the case. However, it can be tricky to figure out whether buying a house is in fact better for you, so I love tools that make it easier to figure out if you’re ready to own a house....
Everyone gets a gift
Today’s post needs no comment. This is an art print for the estate planner or disappointed beneficiary in your life.
Nominate someone for the Spirit Catcher award
Every year, the City of Barrie awards one or two people with its highest honour, the Order of the Spirit Catcher. Last year, I was given the honour of speaking at the gala where the award was presented to two incredibly deserving women, Shannon Murree and Mackenzie...
Buying a cemetery
Last week, I wrote about murder and suicide. This week, it’s cemeteries. Last year, a couple in Chatham bought a piece of vacant land, intending to build a home on it. They received a building permit, and began to excavate. Partway through, they discovered several...
Top 5
Last week, I talked about top tips for planning your estate. This week, it’s top tips for managing an inheritance: Don’t spend it all. Sit down with a financial planner before you decide what you are going to do with it. Your relative took a long time earning that...