Financial Planning & Advice
Financial Planning
At FSG we help to create, review and assist people as they develop and implement their personal financial and business plan. Our experienced advisors work with you to develop and stick with a plan that will help you to accumulate and protect your wealth. At FSG we believe a sound financial plan can add more to your net worth than a lifetime of work.
Gary often explains the importance of a financial plan by using the Measuring Tape Test. Roll out a measuring tape on the floor to the number 94, representing 94 years. Now put your big toe on the number representing your current age. Look back over the years you have lived and then ahead to what the future holds. The average life expectancy for males is 76 years and for females is 86 years. These numbers will increase somewhat if we attain the magic 65 years of age.
We often remind clients that our best years are likely the current ones rather than the future ones. A couple, both age 65, may have 10 to 15 years together and chances are good that the female may live alone for 15 years or more. No matter where you sit on the measuring tape of life a good financial plan is crucial.
Investment Planning
Investment planning involves the construction and ongoing review of your investment portfolio. It covers all activities related to your portfolio, including selecting appropriate investment vehicles and determining and refining your asset allocation strategy - all with your investment objectives, time horizon and priorities in mind.
Retirement Planning
The retirement planning process looks to determine your retirement goals and the necessary steps to achieve them. Retirement planning includes identifying sources of income, estimating expenses, projecting retirement income needs, implementing a savings program and effectively coordinating your post-retirement income sources by selecting the right retirement account types (RRSP, RRIF, TFSA, LIRA, and LIF).
Estate Planning
The estate planning process allows you to preserve your legacy. It involves developing a plan that can reduce the taxes and expenses of your estate, simplify and speed the transition of assets to the next generation and ensure that your beneficiaries are protected. This essential step maximizes the legacy to your family, charities and other beneficiaries.
Tax Efficiency Planning
The tax planning process helps you to meet your tax obligations while achieving tax efficiency through a number of strategies. These tax minimizing strategies include the selection of appropriate investments and retirement plans, as well as the timing of income and the purchase and sale of investments.
Education Planning
Saving for post-secondary education is an important milestone - whether it's for a loved one or yourself. The education planning process allows you to prepare and save for the goal of post-secondary education and take advantage of government grants and investment vehicles that maximize the potential for tax-free growth.
Business Ownership Planning
Business ownership planning targets wealth management issues specific to business owners - from considering the best structure for your business to the development of a succession plan. A thorough wealth plan assists you in solving important day-to-day business issues and ultimately transitioning into a well-planned and funded retirement
