Back to School tips for Everyone!

While it's still summer, many students are getting ready to head back to school. Young ones may be going to preschool and  others off to university / college.   You may be thinking of what they'll need to bring to school or you may be trying to figure out how to pay for it.  See below for a few tips on how to save if you're just starting down this road, as well as a few tips to help prepare for packing for the move away to school.

Preparing for Kindergarten

If you’re a parent or a grandparent, here’s a one pager on how a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can take some of the stress out of figuring out how to pay for these expenses.

Back to school tax tip: Understand and use the RESP

https://docmgt.dynamic.ca/documentdownload/getdocument/10917

Also a little article on how to help your little ones with kindergarten anxiety

https://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/10-ways-to-ease-kindergarten-anxiety/

Packing for College or University

If you're trying to make a list of things to help you prepare for the move away to university or college, here’s some things to consider bringing with you.

https://www.hercampus.com/life/campus-life/what-bring-college-best-college-packing-list-ever

Wishing you all the best for whichever path you're on!

Jodi

How the Beach Benefits Your Brain, According to Science.

HEALTH is WEALTH

GOOD FOR THE BRAIN, GOOD FOR YOUR OVERALL HEALTH.

Why It Matters:

• Alzheimer’s disease carries with it immense physical, emotional and financial burdens.

• There’s a link between diet, exercise, social engagement, and brain health.

• Keeping your brain active and healthy may fend off dementia in later years.

Click here more information on all of the above points.

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How the Beach Benefits Your Brain, According to Science

There is something soothing about the sound of ocean waves, the smell of salt water, and the feeling of warm sand beneath your toes. Having grown up near the beach, I always classified my happiness on the beach as no more than nostalgia. Yet, recent studies prove that a beach-type environment can have a profound impact on our brains and mental health.

Although few people deny the importance of brain health, most of us don't focus as much effort on taking care of our brains as we do our bodies. The misnomer that physical fitness trumps mental health is at our detriment. The reality is that we need balance, both mentally and physically.

Numerous studies help us appreciate why the beach may be the premier destination for us to unwind and recharge our minds. 

Listen to Crashing Waves

Several months ago I partook in a deprivation float (the practice that many superstars such as, Steph Curry swear by). As my mind reached a meditative state, I could not help but hear a sound similar to that of waves crashing gently on the beach. This repetitive sound that was created as a result of  my rhythmic breaths and my ears being submerged in salt water instantly put me at ease.

"These slow, whooshing noises are the sounds of non-threats, which is why they work to calm people," says Orfeu Buxton, an associate professor of biobehavioral health at Pennsylvania State University. "It's like they're saying: "Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry." The sound of waves can help you achieve a meditative state, which is proven to heal and strengthen your brain.

Remove the Blues

Studies have shown that different colors often produce different psychological, emotional, and physical effects. The color blue, for instance, is often used in marketing material to convey a sense of calmness. The Global Healing Center advises individuals to actually surround themselves in blue as a way to reduce stress. 

According to Richard Shuster, PsyD, clinical psychologist, he agrees that blue has a profound calming effect on people. "Staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves' frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state," says Shuster. 

Smell the Ocean Mist

When you first step out on the sand and allow your lungs to be filled with salty misty air, your brain may be receiving instant benefits. The negative ions (oxygen ions with an extra electron attached, produced via water molecules) in the ocean air can actually help calm your brain.

Negative ions have been shown to have a pronounced anti-depressant effect as well. As early as 1932, American research engineer Dr. Clarence Hansell noticed that the mood of one of his colleagues fluctuated in response to the type of ions - cheerful when subjected to positive ions and gloomy when subjected to negative ones.

Subsequent studies have found that the act of negatively ionized air -- the kind you receive when you get outside for a gulp of fresh air -- can alleviate symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).  

Feel the Sand Between Your Toes

Grounding, otherwise known as walking barefoot, has been proven to have a number of stimulating benefits to our bodies and minds. The reason is that our feet contain a rich network of nerves and acupuncture points. Our feet are able to absorb free ions on the earth surface in much the same way that our lungs are able to absorb ions in the air.

A report in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine shed some more light on these benefits. The earth is negatively charged, so when you walk barefoot, you're connecting your body to a negatively charged supply of energy. The result is one that many of us feel as soon as we kick off our shoes. Walking barefoot on the beach can trigger tingling warm sensations produced as a result of us "grounding" to earth.

"There are all these cognitive and emotional benefits that we derive every time we spend time by water" said Wallace J. Nichols, a marine biologist and best-selling author of the Blue Mind. "Once you get into it, you realize that it's chemistry, it's biology, it's physiology. It's deeply personal but it's also strong science."

In 2012, a University of Exeter study found that simply living within close proximity to a beach improves one's health and wellbeing. While it may be unreasonable for some of us to uproot and move to a beach town, prioritizing getting outdoors and connecting with the earth will still help you stay mentally fit. 

I feel like this is important information to remember at any age.

See here for the direct links were my information was gathered

https://knowledge-place.wealthmeethealth.com/individual/be-smart/article/good-for-the-brain-good-for-the-body/

https://www.inc.com/anne-gherini/how-beach-benefits-your-brain-according-to-science.html?cid=sf01001&sr_share=twitter

Thanks for reading, Enjoy your summer!

Michelle Currie

Planning for the future- Estate Planning

Many people enjoy taking time off during the summer and hopefully it is while we are having nice sunny days!

In the case that you do experience a rainy day it may be a good time to do some homework on your estate plan.

Pull out your will (if you have one) and make sure it still reflects how you would like your assets distributed.

Here are some things you should consider:

Click here for a Will Planning Checklist

Also use this time to update your personal records.  In case of emergency let your loved ones know where you keep your important documents and keep this booklet with those papers. 

Click here for Personal Record Keeper

Don’t forget to write in your digital accounts and passwords as well as things like air miles and rewards points.

After all you don’t want your facebook profile living on long after you’re gone.

Happy Planning

Jodi

Summer has arrived!

SUMMER IS HERE!!!

The kids are done school, and the craziness of summer begins!!

This also means that our Summer Hours are in effect,  so we can all enjoy some time with our families.

Our Summer hours for the months of July and August are:

• Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

• Friday: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Remember:

1) Hope, our receptionist, is here daily from 8:30-5pm. Feel free to drop by if you simply need to drop off or pick up something.

2) If you call on a Friday afternoon after 1:00 pm, we will return your call on Monday.

Enjoy the summer and be safe!

Jodi, Bonnie and Michelle

EMBODY SUMMER

10 Ways to Let It All Hang Out

Summer’s here and it’s the time of year when you’re being called to enjoy the warmth and fun of the season. As a child, you may have waited all year for school to let out just so that you could swim in the lake with your friends, have outdoor parties, and lose ourselves in three months of fun. As an adult, you may or may not have the luxury of time and freedom to spend your days in a hammock enjoying the afternoon shade, but you can steal some time back to have some good old-fashioned fun.

As an adult, you may have long forgotten what it’s like to not have a care in the world—to sleep in as late as you want, to spend an entire day at the beach, or to take a real vacation. (You know, the kind where it’s all play—no work.) You may have spent your life building a career and/or building a family of your own, which means your attention is usually focused on doing, going, accomplishing, and achieving so that “someday” you can enjoy life. In today’s crazy world, it’s hard enough to carve out an hour for yourself at the end of a day, let alone giving yourself permission to fully embody summer. Those days seem a distant memory, when you weren’t rushing off to work to spend 8 to 10 hours in an office while the kids are away at camp or your friends are lunching and hanging out poolside.

But what if you could throw caution to the wind and steal back some time to let it all hang out? Wouldn’t that make the summer season just that much more enjoyable? Here’s the thing: you can do just that if you choose to put joy, happiness, and fun into the mix while still honoring your responsibilities. Adulting doesn’t have to mean life outside your work is over. In fact, you can improve your physical, emotional, and mental health exponentially by taking a break, peddling around the park, and daring to be young again at heart.

We can talk about why it’s important to have fun and we can cite research and data that proves how much better off we’ll be by enjoying life, but let’s just get right into the nitty gritty of some fun ways to spice it up this season to help bring a little of that inner you out to play. Here are 10 ways you can embody summer and bring some fun into your days.

1. Give Yourself Permission to Have Fun

First and foremost, you’ve got to give yourself permission to unwind, let loose, and enjoy life. This can be the single most difficult thing for you to do because the weight of expectation and responsibility can feel too heavy a burden to unload. At the end of the day, if you’re not giving yourself permission to have some fun, then what is all the work and worry for?

2. Go Someplace You’ve Never Been

Pack a bag, pull out a map, hop in the car, and drive. Whether it’s a day trip into the mountains, a picnic in the park, or a vacation to a destination resort, find someplace new to visit. New places bring new perspectives on life. A change of scenery can do wonders for the mind—sparking creativity and igniting inspiration. Be willing to go someplace you’ve never been. You never know who or what fun might await you there.

3. Make a New Friend

Talk to a perfect stranger. Engage in conversation with a friend of a friend at a social gathering. Connect with that interesting person from yoga class. Make a commitment to meet one new friend this summer and make a date for coffee, lunch, or a walk on the beach. Get to know this person, learn about their interests, and expose yourself to the newness and excitement that comes with enjoying their company.

4. Buy a New Outfit and Rock It

Who doesn’t love a new outfit that makes them look good and feel confident? Take yourself shopping for something perfect (even consignment and thrift stores have some chic steals!), and then create the perfect opportunity to rock it. Maybe it’s a romantic date night with your love, an afternoon romp through wine country, or a night out dancing with your girlfriends—make this outfit (and yourself) come alive! Ladies—don’t forget the power of a bright pink lip for extra “pop.”

5. Exercise Outdoors

This is so simple yet so underrated. If working out is part of your daily routine (and it should be!) get your jam on in the outdoors. There’s nothing quite so invigorating (besides rope swinging into a cold river) as exercising in nature. A run through wooded trails, a swim in the ocean, yoga in the park, or cardio and weights in the backyard can be just what the doctor ordered to change up your daily routine in summer months.

6. Lighten Up

This can mean different things to different people. When I think of lightening up, it conjures up images of not taking life so seriously all the time. Yes, you have roles and responsibilities, but let’s face it, you’re also here to experience joy, happiness, and a carefree sense of freedom and wonder in your life. Lightening up could mean dumping some of the unnecessary burdens, whether they’re mental or physical. Off-load old baggage, cut loose toxic relationships, and clean out your closet (literally or figuratively) so that you can breathe in the exhilaration of the summer season. 

7. Do Something Daring

Can you recall a time in your life when you did something that was so bold, so daring, that it simultaneously scared you (in a good way) and excited you? Maybe it was taking a risk and kissing that one person you were totally into, or perhaps it was the day you moved to a new city or went skydiving. Think back to how nervous you were to do “the thing” and how absolutely ecstatic you felt after having done it. Find something you would love to do—something that, when you look back on having done it later, you’ll think to yourself, “That was SO crazy, and it was SO worth it!”—and then go DO IT!

8. Take Breaks in Your Work Day

Even the shorter blocks of time you can peel away in your work day can make the biggest difference in how you experience summer. Get breakfast at an outdoor café before heading into work to change up how you start the day. Pack a blanket and brown bag it for lunch outside in nature rather than sitting at your desk. Take 15 minutes to walk around the block to get some fresh air and clear your mind instead of powering through for several straight hours. Meditate in your car for a midday reset.

9. Try On a Fresh New Look

Tired of your same old look? Take yourself in for a total makeover. Head to the makeup counter and have one of the pretty ladies give you a fresh, dewy look to change things up. Donate clothes you never wear and take yourself shopping for some new duds. Peruse magazines or do a Google search on trendy new summer cuts and head over to the salon to give your locks some fresh, new lines. It needn’t be anything dramatic—unless that’s what’s calling you—and a new look can be an invigorating way to embrace the summer season.

Gentlemen—this is not just for the ladies. If you could use a solid refresh, this is a great time of year for you to step out with a new look as well!

10. Spoil Yourself

Remember, at the end of the day, to treat yourself to the things you truly enjoy. You are the number one most important person in your world. You have to nurture and care for yourself before you can expect to do the same for others, so take the time and be willing to invest in your self-care. Date yourself. Buy yourself fresh flowers. Sleep in. Get a facial. Go see live music—often! Take an entire day to read a great book under the shade of a tree.

Summer is here and it’s calling you to get out of your normal routine, have some fun, and let it all hang out. After all, you work hard, you’re doing an amazing job, and you deserve it. 

Bonnie McPhail

Going Paperless!

Frequently we are asked... Should I go Paperless?..... How can I eliminate all the paper that comes to my house? 

We can help you set up online statements from HollisWealth. (See Below for a Step by Step Tutorial)

We've done some research as well and  here are 3 benefits of going paperless.

1) Help the Environment: Making paper uses a lot of water, a lot of trees and a lot of chemicals. The process also releases some nasty compounds into our air and rivers, including cancer-causing toxins. By reducing our need for paper, we can make the environment a little bit cleaner.

The typical household sent or received an average of 20 bills, statements and checks per month in 2006. If every household switched from paper billing to viewing and paying bills online, the environmental benefits would be significant.

By making this small change we would:

• Save 16.5 million trees (2.3 million tons of wood).

• Decrease emission of greenhouse gasses by 3.9 billion pounds, the equivalent of taking 355,000 cars off the road.

• Reduce fuel consumption by 26 million BTUs.

2) Decrease Clutter: Going paperless provides a fantastic opportunity to organize the paper that's currently cluttering your home office and kitchen counters. To get rid of paper documents, you'll first make electronic versions of them. The process requires an initial investment of time, but in the long run your documents will be easier to find. What's more, you'll eliminate clutter, which can save you time on a daily basis.

3) Gain Security: A paperless lifestyle involves a lot of backups. You can save documents on your computer hard drive, an external hard drive, removable media such as CDs or DVDs, or an online data storage center similar to the cloud. This way if disaster strikes, you'll have a better chance of recovering paperless documents than their paper counterparts.

We've taken some snap shots as a Tutorial to help you receive the HollisWealth / Investia Statements electronically.  Please see them below. 

We've taken some snap shots as a Tutorial to help you receive the HollisWealth / Investia Statements electronically.  Please see them below. 

( PLEASE NOTE YOU MUST HAVE already registered for online access. If you have not yet done so, please follow the Blog titled " Registering for HollisWealth ONLINE ACCESS TODAY")

That's it!,  It was that simple :)

Now you can keep going if you like. You may register to go paperless with each of the Fund Companies you're invested with.

You may find instructions on your current statements advising you how this can be done.

If your having trouble, or if you find it easier, each company will also walk you through the process over the phone.

I have included some fund company Phone #'s here as a directory, if i am missing a phone # you need feel free to call us at the office.

*Before you call make sure you have their account # for your account with them, the rest of the security questions should be simple such as your name, your financial advisors name, your home address etc.

AGF Mutual Funds: 1-800-268-8583

B2B Bank: 1-800-263-8349

CI Investments: 1800-563-5181

Dynamic Mutual Funds: 1-800-268-8186

Edgepoint: 1-866-818-8877

Fidelity Investments: 1-800-263-4077

Franklin Templeton: 1-800-387-0830

IA Clarington: 1-888-860-9888

Invesco: 1-800-874-6275

Mackenzie Investments: 1-800-387-0614

Manulife: 1-888-790-4387

If you have any questions, please contact our office.

Michelle Currie

Registering for HollisWealth ONLINE Access TODAY!

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Please follow the step by step Tutorial snap shots below to REGISTER FOR ONLINE ACCESS!

We are here to help, and we want to make this process easy for you. Your accounts are view-able online and we want to make sure you can easily access them, and LINK them together if needed. ( For the Linking Option, please continue to the bottom)

The Security Questions are there for you to choose from. You may use the same questions for a different registration of yours, but we recommend doing them in a different order.

After that, your DONE!

* If you have any problems, please call for assistance, Michelle and Bonnie will be glad to help!

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Family Linking starts HERE!

( See Below for Step by Step Tutorial)

All Done!!

If you require assistance, please call Michelle or Bonnie.

Michelle Currie

Springtime

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Your body naturally craves light, refreshing foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, salad and smoothies.

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Check out this link for the Top 5 Market pics-

Click

Bonnie McPhail

The Secret To Happiness Has Nothing To Do With Money

Some people just ooze happiness: They always seem to be smiling and having fun, and let negative emotions and experiences roll off their backs. But if you think there's no way you could possibly ever be that way, you're wrong. Science proves that you do have the power to change your outlook on life. And it isn't hard, either: Most of the tips that follow are as simple as cracking a smile once in a while (yes, that's one of the tips). Here's to a happier you!

Michelle Currie

What I Own What I Owe

Before you can make any plans for your financial future, you have to figure out where you stand today.

Use this form to help determine your net worth, then sit down with your advisor and plan for tomorrow.

Jodi Dark

Take Control of Debt

A successful four-step formula - reprinted from Fidelity Investments
  
Over the last decade, Canada has become addicted to debt. According to a March 2004 report issued by Statistics Canada, for every $100 in disposable income, Canadian households owed an average of $102.90 in debt including consumer credit and mortgages.    Obviously, owing more than your income is rarely a good way to achieve financial independence. So if you find yourself having difficulty staying ahead of your bills, take heart. There are ways to reduce your debt and take back control of your finances. Here are four simple steps to help get you started.    

1. Assess your situation
The first step to getting out of debt is to assess your current situation. Answer the following questions for yourself: What debts do I owe? When are they due? At what rate of interest? After you’ve compiled a catalogue of your obligations, ask yourself how much you can reasonably put toward each of those debts each month. Writing this information down will put your situation into perspective, and provide you with a roadmap for regaining control of your finances.  

2. Control spending 
It’s hard to reduce your debt without setting limits on your spending. Give yourself a specific amount of money to spend each week on essentials as well as miscellaneous expenses. Withdraw this amount in cash at the beginning of the week—do not use credit cards! Once you’ve spent your allowance, you’re done for the week. This “get tough” approach will slowly wean you off of credit.    

3. Track your spending
To prevent yourself from sliding into debt again, you must understand how you got into trouble in the first place. You can do this by tracking your expenses for a specific time period—say, one month. Keep a small notepad with you and make a note of every dollar that leaves your wallet. Once you see how you're spending your money, you’ll be in a better position to change spending habits and trim unnecessary expenses  

4. Consider a consolidation loan
If your debts are substantial, consider a consolidation loan. By lumping smaller debts into a single, large debt, you can keep better track of your progress. More importantly, consolidation loans are often available at lower rates of interest than credit cards and other loans. That could help you shave months off your payment schedule.  

Staying debt-free over the long term
Understand that financial freedom isn’t a one-time event. Rather, it is an ongoing process that requires patience and discipline. In the end, whether you’re successful or not at reducing your debt depends largely on making a lifelong commitment to being responsible with your money.  

Jodi Dark

Watch your wallet and eat Healthy with these budget friendly tips in mind.

Wealth means nothing if you don’t have your health, here are some tips for keeping your eating clean. 

Here are some cost saving strategies for buying organic produce. Buying organic food can be an expensive endeavor.  Watch your wallet and eat healthy with these budget friendly tips in mind. 

1)      Know ‘The Dirty Dozen’ and ‘Clean 15’ (See Below).  It isn’t necessary to purchase every single item organic, prioritize your spending on foods you care most about and foods that come highly recommended for buying organic because they have the highest level of pesticide residue.  The least pesticide covered can be purchased non-organic.

2) Try to buy in season.

3) Planning out your meals ahead of time is a great way to save money and time.

Bonnie McPhail

Simplify preparing for Income Tax Time

We would like to help you simplify your time while preparing for taxes this year! Here we have a few things for you to keep in mind. 

During this time of year we always receive a lot of calls, for missing tax slips, also clients looking for some of their tax slips early hoping  they can file their taxes early.

Here's something to keep in mind. In our Feb 2, 2018 Blog we have a couple lists, as well as the deadline for some tax slips. Note: The deadline for some slips is not until the end of March. 

For those of you who would like to simplify life. We suggest registering for My Account an Online site with CRA. This will help to ensure that you have all your investment tax slips as well as any T4's and more, see below for a overview of the options available.

My Account is an easy option to help you! It will allow you to track your refund, view or change your return, check your benefit and credit payments, view your RRSP limit, as well as your TFSA Contribution limit. You can set up direct deposit, receive online mail, and so much more.

If you are registered with My Account, you can also use Auto-fill my return when you file online using certified software.

On your mobile device? Try the MyCRA mobile app - you can securely access key parts of your tax information and manage personal details, wherever you are.

Michelle Currie

2018 Federal Budget Summary

In order to keep you up to date on the proposed changes in the Federal Budget you may want to click on this document to see how they may affect you.

Click here

Jodi Dark

WHAT A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER CAN DO FOR YOU!

2018 marks my 10th year as a Certified Financial Planner. Although I've been in this business for 21 years now, 10 Years ago I decided to go the added mile for my clients and myself and take the education to become a certified specialist in financial planning. It was one of the most challenging periods of my life, taking courses with a young family at home, while being in the office full time, but so worth it.

CFP's follow a strict code of ethics and must maintain many hours of continuing education each year. 

To learn more about what a CFP can do for you and what it means to me, please see the following links.

• Benefits of working with a financial professional

• Video- A Matter of Trust

• Video- What is a Financial Planner

Jodi Dark

A comment on the recent -Market Correction -

A comment on current market volatility from Fidelity’s Jurrien Timmer Director of Global Macro for Fidelity Management & Research Company

“Whether last week's correction ended on Friday or continues for days or weeks to come is of course unknowable. My guess is that the market chops around for a while, perhaps several months, as typically happens after the economy reaches a momentum peak. For the typical investor, it's worth remembering that part of the value of the stock market is that over the long run, equities generate better returns than less risky investments (like money market funds or bonds) but that the "cost" of those higher returns is higher volatility. In that respect, nobody should view the 52% return for the S&P 500 over the last 2 years—amid record low vol—as normal.

So I for one am not concerned that the stock market is starting to behave like its normal self again. And for investors with an appropriate investment plan based on their risk tolerance, goals, financial situation, and timeline, short-term volatility shouldn't require any action. More active investors may actually welcome this volatility. I myself am relieved actually. Better a correction now than a bear market later.

Corrections are like vegetables in that sense. They don't always taste good, but they can be good for you.”

Jodi Dark