Oaken Blog

With the holiday season now long behind us, and several months yet until the busy summer travel season begins, we’ll soon be into what the travel industry refers to as the “shoulder season”. Running from April to mid-June, the shoulder season is a good time to look for travel bargains before prices rise, as inevitably … read more

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) was frequently in the news during last year’s federal election campaign. TFSAs made headlines again when the newly-elected government followed through on its pledge to roll back the TFSA annual contribution limit. With the RSP deadline now looming, conversations are once again turning to TFSAs and the annual question of whether … read more

When it comes time to convert your RSPs or other accumulated savings into steady retirement income, the choices primarily come down to transferring funds into a RIF, or purchasing an annuity. Both can provide a reliable source of income for your retirement years, but there are important differences between the two. We’ve previously looked at … read more

You’ve diligently saved for the day when you can finally leave the daily grind behind. You’ve crunched the numbers, and are on track to have the funds you figure you’ll need to afford the retirement you’ve been promising yourself your whole working life. Good job. But are you sure you haven’t missed something critical in your … read more

Like most homeowners, you likely chose your particular house based on a desire for certain features, such as a two-car garage or backyard pool, as well as the more practical issues of price and location. Sure, you hoped and even expected that the property would increase in value over time. But few actually base their … read more

On Friday, Finance Minister Bill Morneau announced that Ottawa intends to increase the minimum down payment requirement for some new home purchases early in the new year. In order to qualify for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) mortgage insurance, as of February 15, 2016, down payment requirements will increase from 5% to 10% for the … read more

There was no mention of reducing the annual TFSA contribution in last Friday’s throne speech, however Finance Minister Bill Morneau confirmed the following Monday (December 7) that the $10,000 annual contribution limit would be rolled back to $5,500. In an interview with CBC Newsworld on Monday morning, Morneau stated that the $10,000 limit would remain … read more

If you’re one of the thousands of Canadians who spend long stretches of time in the U.S. each year, you need to keep the number 183 in mind. Here’s why. In 2011, Canada and the U.S. agreed to the Perimeter Security Pact, which ties together the entry and exit data of the two countries. This … read more

For every Canadian with a registered Retirement Savings Plan (RSP), an important event looms on the horizon – converting your RSP into a retirement income source. If not done earlier, you’ll be forced to convert your RSP by December 31 of the year you turn 71. At this point, you’re probably asking two questions: “what … read more

Re-balancing portfolio asset classes Financial advisors recommend an investment portfolio balanced with equities such as stocks or mutual funds, together with fixed income instruments including bonds and GICs. Generally speaking, equities are considered higher risk than fixed income as equity values fluctuate depending on market conditions. Fixed income securities, as their name implies, produce a … read more