Today, we bring you another live episode, this time from the Annual Canadian Physician Financial Wellness Conference. We answer a series of compelling audience questions — drawing on information from past episodes — that meaningfully impact both sides of the client-advisor relationships. To kick things off, we break down the best time to incorporate, the downsides of incorporating too early, getting money out of your corporation tax efficiently, and common misconceptions around tax...

Today’s episode comes to you live from the 22nd Institute for Advanced Financial (IAFP) Planning Conference in Gatineau, Quebec, recorded in front of an audience of professional financial planners. For this special episode, we cover key planning issues for incorporated business owners and walk through the lifecycle of a business owner or professional who eventually chooses to incorporate. We discuss crucial financial decisions they face along the way, particularly as corporate assets begin to...

Understanding the implications of the 2024 Federal Budget and its proposed changes to capital gains taxation is crucial for individuals and corporations alike. In today’s episode, we take a deep dive into the Canadian federal budget for 2024 and its impact on capital gains taxation. In our conversation, we discuss the technical details of capital gains taxation and its historical context and offer practical advice for navigating the proposed changes in the 2024 federal budget. We discuss the...

Business owners often have reservations about paying into the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). Many think they’re getting a bad deal by paying both the employer and the employee portion of the contribution, but can they do better by paying themselves dividends? In the last two episodes, we did an extensive review of how you can compensate yourself as a business owner through a private corporation. Today, we take a deeper look at two of the payroll expense aspects that often come up in discussions...

When it comes to creating an optimal compensation strategy plan, there’s a lot to navigate. And while there may be a plethora of general rules floating around on the internet, each individual’s optimal strategy is ultimately going to be dependent on their unique situation. That is why we’re using today’s conversation to break down the findings of our mental model algorithm. Tuning in you’ll hear a detailed explanation of the five steps for creating an optimal compensation strategy plan, and...

Whether you’re self-employed or you own a small business, there are many nuances to how you can pay yourself from your business. Our episode today hones in on how we pay ourselves personally from a corporation (along with other key employees, including spouses) and the many intricacies you need to understand when making decisions about this process. While today’s episode may be our most complex and ambitious one to date, we hope it will serve as a useful resource for helping you get the most...

Today’s Case Conference episode is a supplement to Episodes 10 and 11 and uses several case studies to examine key subjects such as corporate bloat, tax-efficient retirement planning for high-income earners, the importance of diversifying your asset allocation, and more. For our first case, we take a step-by-step look at the decision to retain earnings in your corporation, and examine why you need to consider using some of that money for things like your personal RRSP and TFSA accounts. Our...

Accountants and financial advisors offer excellent professional support, but it’s also important to keep yourself informed and understand key tax implications when it comes to managing your corporate account. In today’s episode, we take a closer look at the type of information you should arm yourself with to help you optimize your tax planning and manage your corporate investments efficiently. Tuning in, you’ll learn why personal investing can often be surprisingly tax-efficient, why the...

In today’s episode, we delve into the complex topic of investing in Canadian corporations, something that will be deeply relevant to many of our listeners. Given the intricate interplay of investments and taxes within this context, it's crucial for corporate and business owners to grasp the fundamentals. We start off by unpacking key details of what defines a corporation, the intricacies of taxation for Canadian companies, and the nuances of passive income. Our conversation then goes on to...

The overarching theme of today’s conversation revolves around prudent financial decision-making, including tax-efficient investing, risk assessment, and leveraging home equity for investment purposes. This acts as supplementary material for the main episode, where we take a deep dive into the nuances of tax. Join us as we look at taxation and income through the lens of common scenarios that often lead people to make poor decisions with their investments. We uncover the importance of...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of income tax and demystify the often intimidating realm of investment taxation. Join us as we break down various forms of investment returns, from interest and dividends to capital gains and more. Discover the impact of tax integration on Canadian dividends and learn how foreign dividends can add a layer of complexity to the process. Explore the critical concept of attribution rules and understand how they influence who pays the tax bill on...

Today’s Case Conference accompanies an episode in which we provide a detailed breakdown of the registered account types available to Canadian investors and how to utilize them. Despite their numerous potential advantages, however, there are still many people who avoid them, primarily because optimizing these can seem too complicated and overwhelming. Our hope is that today’s episode will provide you with the confidence and knowledge you need to feel empowered to take the next steps in your...

One of the most complex things to navigate when it comes to your personal finances is your choice of accounts and how to use them in the best way possible. In today’s episode, we break down the types of accounts available to Canadian investors and how to optimize your use of each one. Tuning in, you’ll learn key factors you should consider, including how tax deferral can end up being neutral, beneficial, or harmful — depending on the difference between your current and future tax rate — along...

In this special episode of the Money Scope Podcast, we take a break from their regular content to reflect on the journey so far and engage with our audience. As we pause to catch our breath halfway through the planned core curriculum, we discuss the evolution of the podcast, share listener feedback, and offer insights into what lies ahead. We outline topics covered in the initial episodes, ranging from goal setting to investment basics, and highlight the upcoming shift towards more...

In this episode, we follow the stories of two distinct investors facing unique challenges. First, meet a plastic surgeon in the high-flying tech-driven world of 1997. With a high-risk tolerance and a flourishing practice, this surgeon believes they can conquer the market. However, as the dot-com bubble looms, they must navigate the fine line between risk and reward, teaching us vital lessons about diversification, leverage, and the challenges of the market. Next, explore the journey of a...

Picture your investment portfolio as a carefully crafted puzzle and asset allocation as the key to solving it. It not only helps you navigate the treacherous waters of risk but fine-tunes your investments to harmonize perfectly with your financial dreams. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the art and science of portfolio management. Discover the intricacies of portfolio planning, execution, and maintenance as we dissect this critical aspect of wealth management. We unpack asset...

After our detailed examination of the basics of investment strategy, we are now delving into some common case studies that you may encounter on your investing journey. Our studies take us through the looming recession and why it should not be a major concern for investors, the economic activity of America’s response to a recession, and deciding on how much, with whom, and when you should invest your money. We also critically assess what you need to be aware of before seeking a lower-cost...

Today’s episode is a colonoMoneyScope as we dig deep into the basics of investment strategy. But we’ve already laid the foundation (in previous episodes) and the hard work is done, and we are now moving onto a necessary procedure for the preventive care of your investment portfolio. It’s important to understand why we invest and why it matters in our lives, why fear and risk are not necessarily bad things, the differences between investing and gambling, and the inherently speculative nature...

Today’s show features our first case conference supplemental episode. We’ve built several cases, complete with figures, to expand upon our primary episode's discussions on debt, saving, and investing. These scenarios reflect common queries and challenges we frequently encounter from our audience. While we hope you can draw parallels to your own circumstances from these cases, it's crucial to understand that this isn't personalized advice. We aren't offering specific recommendations. However,...

Our relationship with money changes throughout our lives. While this journey will vary between individuals, there are broad trends that will apply to many of us. In today’s we investigate how to navigate debt, savings, and investing at different stages of our lives and break down how these mechanisms can help you move your economic value through time. From an economic perspective, it makes sense to use debt early in life. But taking on debt can be a scary prospect, and it’s important to take...

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of financial independence, values, and effective goal setting. Drawing from a wealth of knowledge and research, we guide listeners through a structured approach to identify their most meaningful financial goals. From the importance of enjoying the journey to setting measurable targets, we provide invaluable insights into achieving long-term financial success. Discover why financial independence is not just an end goal but a means to greater...

We make countless decisions every day, from choosing what we’ll have for breakfast to determining whether we have the time to take a break from our busy schedule and go for a walk. Not all decisions require the same amount of effort. And while the big decisions certainly deserve our time and attention, it can be easy to overlook how the small decisions we make every day accumulate and influence our quality of life. In today’s episode, we continue our exploration of how to master your wealth...

Have you ever found yourself caught up in the pursuit of material possessions, believing they will bring you happiness? Or perhaps you've been lured into working excessively, thinking that the more you earn, the happier you'll be? In this conversation, we expand on the concepts covered in the previous episode and dive deep into money-happiness traps and how they lead to unexpected consequences, like mounting debt, burnout, and even strained relationships. We discuss the power of social...

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of human happiness and regret by exploring the complex relationship between our pursuit of happiness and the decisions we make along the way. We unpack the essence of a ‘good life’, the different forms of happiness, and how to keep a balance between them. Discover why the pursuit of material wealth might not lead to lasting happiness and learn how to navigate the regrets that can shape your life. Explore the ‘hedonic treadmill’ and the ‘elephant...