The Greenard Index

Kevin Greenard

Kevin Greenard, CPA CA FMA CFP CIM, is a portfolio manager and director of wealth management with the Greenard Group at Scotia Wealth Management in Victoria. His column appears every week in the Times Colonist.

Kevin Greenard: Online access and paperless options becoming more mainstream

Computers, phones and tablets have all become mainstream in today’s modern households. The thirst for current knowledge in a busy mobile world has never been greater. More than ten years ago, . . .

Kevin GreenardMay 10, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Protecting client information is critical in a digital world

Today there are many different ways for us to communicate financial information with clients: in-person, over the phone, email and so on. With all of these ways to communicate, it is important for . . .

Kevin GreenardMay 3, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Looking at total rate of return rather than yield alone

Yield is essentially the income an investment will pay, such as interest or dividend payments, and is normally expressed as a percentage. Yield will fluctuate on equity investments based on the . . .

Kevin GreenardApril 26, 2019
Kevin Greenard: It’s tough to get it right on both sides of the equation

During the last quarter of 2018, the TSX/S&P Composite declined 10.11 per cent on a total return basis while the first quarter of 2019 the TSX/S&P Composite posted gains of 13.27 per cent . . .

Kevin GreenardApril 19, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Asset mix should be tied to cash-flow needs and market conditions

The term asset mix refers to the portion of your investments that are held in cash, fixed income, and equities. Asset mix has historically been touted as the most important decision with respect to. . .

Kevin GreenardApril 12, 2019
Kevin Greenard: The benefits of consolidating investment accounts

In the last 10 years, there have been a number of changes to investments and regulations. Many of these changes have an impact on your financial plan and tax situation. All firms have been spending. . .

Kevin GreenardApril 5, 2019
Kevin Greenard: The rewards of investing outside of Canada

Seeking out the best risk adjusted returns for clients involves allocating investment dollars outside of Canada. For over a decade we have been educating clients on the benefits of investing . . .

Kevin GreenardMarch 29, 2019
Kevin Greenard: A spring break refresher on RESPs

Parents and grandparents, who typically set up Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs), are referred to as the “subscriber.” The children or grandchildren are referred to as the “beneficiary” of. . .

Kevin GreenardMarch 22, 2019
Kevin Greenard: It’s tax time — will you do it yourself, or hire a professional?

In 1988, I got my first job working at an accounting firm. It was a great year to start in the accounting world as most clients were still doing everything manually. Individual tax packages could . . .

Darron KlosterMarch 15, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Do you need to make income tax instalment payments?

Twice a year, Canada Revenue Agency sends out instalment reminder letters to those taxpayers who are required to make payments. The February letter outlines the required payments on, or before, . . .

Kevin GreenardMarch 8, 2019
Kevin Greenard: When to stop contributing to an RRSP

Most articles are written about “contributing” to an RRSP. This one highlights that many people should either avoid RRSPs or stop contributing to them. Going a step further, calculations should . . .

Kevin GreenardMarch 1, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Many couples should consider spousal RRSPs

For couples that make approximately the same annual income, a spousal RRSP may not be necessary. The greater the disparity between incomes with couples, the more important it is to consider spousal. . .

Kevin GreenardFebruary 22, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Investment options within your RRSP

The key word in Registered Retirement Savings Plan is savings. The government allows Canadians to defer up to 18 per cent of the previous years earned income, up to a maximum of $26,230 for the . . .

Kevin GreenardFebruary 15, 2019
Kevin Greenard: 50 questions to consider before making an RRSP contribution

An RRSP could be an important vehicle in reducing the amount of tax you pay in your lifetime. However, an RRSP may not be for everyone. Last week, we reviewed marginal tax brackets and took a . . .

Darron KlosterFebruary 8, 2019
Kevin Greenard: The mathematical approach to RRSP contributions

The Income Tax Act allows you to contribute up to 60 days after the end of the year to your RRSP. For the 2018 tax year, the last day to contribute is Friday, March 1. This 60-day buffer gives . . .

Kevin GreenardFebruary 1, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Linking family accounts has many benefits

Within financial services, the term family is referred to as a household. A household used to be defined as those people who resided at the same address, but now extends beyond a single physical . . .

Kevin GreenardJanuary 25, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Understanding TFSA beneficiary terminology

The Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a registered account. One of its features is the ability to name a beneficiary. When we are opening a TFSA for a client, they must advise us who they would . . .

Kevin GreenardJanuary 18, 2019
Kevin Greenard: Strategies help contribute to your TFSA early

Last week we mentioned the Tax Free Savings Account contribution limit was increased to $6,000 for 2019. Contributing early on, say this month, isn’t always easy. Holiday bill payments, . . .

Kevin GreenardJanuary 11, 2019
Kevin Greenard: TFSA limit increased to $6,000 for 2019

The Tax Free Savings Account turns 10 this month and many Canadians have fully embraced the benefits that come from tax-efficient investment income and growth within these accounts. The federal . . .

Kevin GreenardJanuary 4, 2019

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