Part 6 of 7 | Financial Wellness Series
In the sixth installment of our Financial Wellness Video Series, Doug Buss, founder of YourStyle Financial, joins Rafiq Punjani from Right at Home to discuss one of the most important questions private caregivers can ask:
👉 “What are the signs we should look for that might signal concern?”
Part 5 of 7 | Financial Wellness Series
In the fifth episode of our Financial Wellness Video Series, Doug Buss, founder of YourStyle Financial, joins Rafiq Punjani from Right at Home to discuss some of the most common mistakes families and private caregivers make — and how to navigate those challenges with financial awareness and compassion.
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Part 4 of 7 | Financial Wellness Series
In the fourth episode of our Financial Wellness Video Series, Doug Buss, founder of YourStyle Financial, joins Rafiq Punjani from Right at Home to talk about how to provide meaningful support for elders who are beginning to need help — while maintaining their independence, confidence, and dignity.
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Part 3 of 7 | Financial Wellness Series
In the third installment of our Financial Wellness Video Series, Doug Buss, founder of YourStyle Financial, joins Rafiq Punjani from Right At Home to talk about what happens when someone reaches out for help because they’re struggling financially — particularly later in life.
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Part 2 of 7 | Financial Wellness Series
In the second installment of our Financial Wellness Video Series, Doug Buss, founder of YourStyle Financial, joins Rafiq Punjani from Right At Home to discuss an important topic — the financial tools available to families and private caregivers who want to help their loved ones remain at home for as long as possible.
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Part 1 of 7 | Financial Wellness Series
In this first installment of our Financial Wellness Video Series, Doug Buss, founder of YourStyle Financial, sits down with Rafiq Punjani from Right At Home to talk about the real financial challenges adults — especially retirees — are facing today.
With inflation driving up the cost of everyday goods and services, many Canadians living on a fixed income are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain the lifestyle they once enjoyed. Doug explains how YourStyle Financial works closely with clients to understand where their money is going, identify opportunities to make changes, and help them use their income and investments more efficiently.
“It’s about helping people make informed decisions,” says Doug. “When interest rates are at 40-year lows, those who rely on investment income — particularly seniors — are often hit the hardest. Our job is to help them adjust, plan, and still find ways to enjoy life.”
This episode highlights the importance of personalized financial planning, proactive budgeting, and creative strategies to maximize income, even in a challenging economic climate.
🎥 Watch the full video below to hear Doug’s insights and practical advice.
📆 This is Part 1 of our 7-part Financial Wellness Series. Be sure to check back every week for a new episode featuring helpful discussions about financial planning, investments, and real-world solutions to help you live the life you deserve.
Are you dreaming of owning your first home? YourStyle Financial, a compassionate and understanding financial planning organization in Winnipeg, is here to help you make that dream a reality.
In their latest video, Doug Buss introduces the First Home Savings Plan, a powerful tool designed to help first-time homebuyers save efficiently. YourStyle Financial’s expertise ensures that you can navigate the complexities of financial planning with ease. Their personalized approach and dedication to understanding what’s important to you make them a trusted partner on your journey to homeownership.
Watch the full video on YourStyle Financial’s Media Page to learn more about the First Home Savings Plan and start your journey towards homeownership today.
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When it comes to planning for the future, it’s never too early to start. At YourStyle Financial, we believe in the power of proactive planning to ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared for any eventuality. One crucial aspect of this planning is understanding and arranging a Power of Attorney (POA).
Why Plan Now?
Life is unpredictable. Whether it’s an unexpected illness, accident, or simply the progression of age, having the right documents in place can make all the difference. Waiting until things go wrong can lead to unnecessary stress and complications, especially when it comes to managing finances and healthcare decisions.
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At YourStyle Financial, we believe in the power of whole-life management. Based in Winnipeg, our mission is to prioritize “What’s Important To You”. Here’s how we bring family-focused financial planning to life.
The Importance of Family Meetings
Financial planning is more than just numbers; it’s about family dynamics, communication, and legacy. Family meetings can help navigate these complex relationships, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard and respected.
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You’re heading towards the next stage of life where you’re worrying less about your career and more about your future. You’ve been a diligent saver, regularly contributing to your RRSP and amassed a sizable nest egg for retirement. Now it’s time to turn on the tap and start to draw down your savings in a way that results in the least amount of taxation?
That’s where a RRIF (Registered Retirement Income Fund) comes in handy. A RRIF’s purpose is to draw down your savings in a tax efficient manner instead of accumulating them.
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Aging – Is it the worst of times or the best of times?
How many times have you heard “Do it while you’re younger”, “Enjoy it while you can” or “Don’t get old”? Advertising and social media practically shoves youth and vitality down the throats of all viewers. While aging definitely offers its own challenges but maybe it’s time to flip the story and look at it a little differently.
This is why the Centre on Aging is hosting a free six-week program to help individuals re-imagine their own aging. This program offers the opportunity to discuss the perceived negatives of aging, how they affect you and those in your circles and give ideas on how to challenge them.
When: Tuesdays
Time: 3:00pm
Start Date: January 24th, 2023
End Date: February 28th, 2023
To register for the program, sign up using the online form: https://bit.ly/3VFxbtc or call Dallas
Murphy at 204-474-8731. For more information, email: rethinkaging@umanitoba.ca.
Turn back the proverbial clock and celebrate your experiences!
Winnipeg’s housing market is starting to stabilize, but another interest rate hike is making it harder to buy or keep a home. Global News spoke with our very own Doug Buss in regards to how it’s impacting certain demographics.
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The team at YourStyle Financial is excited to see Doug in the news again. This time the Free Press has highlighted Doug’s extensive career serving clients in Winnipeg.
As Joel Schlesinger states “Then it might come as a surprise that the veteran has only recently received the Distinguished New Advisor of the Year Award, for 2022.”. Anyone who’s even spoken with Doug knows this award acknowledges everything he stands for.
“So while Buss may be an experienced certified financial planner, his most recent accomplishment and the accompanying award speak to the fact he never stops learning.”
Continuous growth and advancement are a point of pride for Doug and the YourStyle team.
Here is the link to the full article and we would love for you to read it. :
If you’d like to experience Doug’s knowledge and experience to determine “What’s Important to You?”, we would love to help you with all of your financial planning needs. Contact us today.
Doug Buss interviewed with Richard Rosin about planning your lifestyle with YourStyle Financial. Listen to the explanation of the four phases of planning.
If you have a will, you have a choice on what you would like to happen with your money once you are gone. We often think of the beneficiaries of our estate as loved ones. But a beneficiary can be any person or entity you choose to leave money or assets to. The top three are:
Who do you care most about??
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For many, the last two years have made a lot of people more attentive to two things; money and mortality – both of which are the pinnacle of adulting. They’re also both the two things no one likes to think about. For most, there’s not enough of either money or time. But when the time comes, will there be enough money?
If you’re evaluating your accounts and expenditures and deciding where you can cut costs, are you wondering if your life insurance policy is worth the monthly premiums? Is it a necessary expense? Is it something you need and why? Let’s explore those questions.
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For the first time in history, Realtors will be allowed to establish Personal Real Estate Corporations (PREC). This is a wonderful opportunity that will permit you to manage your business.
To learn more, we are hosting two live 1 hour education workshops specifically designed for Real Estate Agents.
When: November 23, 2021
Time: 11:00 AM
Where: Zoom
When: November 24, 2021
Time: 300 PM
Where: Zoom
Please contact Maria to confirm your spot or call 204-474-2929.
In our last blog we discussed the results from the USB survey indicating the deferral of financial planning by women to their partners. If you recall, the highest demographic for this was millennial women. Millennials are famous for being an easy target for mockery but perhaps it’s time for the prior generations to help them pull up their bootstraps when it comes to financial planning. Millennials are the fastest growing group in the workforce and are dealing with the challenges of graduating during a recession and the continued wage gap. Combine these factors with the likelihood of taking time away to have children and a longer lifespan, it’s more important than ever to master finances and long-term planning. Another layer of complexity is that most millennials are raised by parents who live with high debt-ratios. Baby-boomers were raised with a fear of owing money and made a concentrated effort to avoid it and to pay it back as quickly as possible. The next generations were handed credit like candy and indulged. Learning by example may not be the best course of action, so we’ve compiled some advice for the up-and-coming.
The millennial generation espouses the importance of equality, empowerment and independence. As a millennial, it is your responsibility to implement changes in your life which align with your values. If you want to be in control of your destiny, you need to control your money. Money brings freedom and freedom brings independence. If you’d like some help taking your first steps towards your financial future, we’d love to meet with you.]]>
The slogan “girl power” has been used for decades to encourage and celebrate female empowerment, independence, and confidence. The term used most often relates to sports and employment; however, new studies are showing that women need to exert their girl power when it comes to finances and financial planning. A recent study released by UBS shows that 58% of women worldwide defer long-term financial decisions to their spouses. This study included nearly 3,700 high-net-worth married women, widows and divorcees in nine countries. The results of the study showed that 85% of women were responsible for the day-to-day finances; just not the long-term. What is really interesting is the generational span of this survey and, most notably, the generation most likely to allow someone else to control their decisions: millennials! Millennials are a generation well known for promoting equality and empowerment. Unfortunately, the survey results indicate the helicopter-style parenting millennials were raised with, where someone else is always ensuring their well-being, has bled into the financial realm. Fifty-nine percent of millennial women aged 20 – 34 are more likely to allow their spouse to take the lead compared to 55% of women over 50. The general excuse from the younger women is they have “more urgent responsibilities than investing and financial planning”. Even more contradictory to the equality movement is they “believe their spouses know more about long-term finances than they do”. The challenge this arrangement poses is the lack of preparation and understanding should a life event such as death or divorce occur. The report noted that 74% of the widowed and divorced women it surveyed reported “discovering negative financial surprises after a divorce or death of their spouse.” Hindsight resulted in 74% of these respondents wishing they had been more involved in long-term financial decisions while they were married, rather than trying to navigate them while coping with such significant life changes.” The ideal solution is for both partners in a relationship to be aware of both the short- and long-term aspects of their finances. Whether you are married, engaged, common-law or committed, financial planning is another part of creating a responsible long-lasting arrangement between two parties. In this age, knowledge really is power. So be powerful, take control of your money. Like the saying goes, the first step is recognizing the problem. Take the next step in addressing the problem and book an appointment for yourself and your partner with one of our Financial Planners and begin your journey.
As 2018 becomes a shadow of the past and 2019 shines its opportunity upon us, it brings us closer to “that time of year”. Tax time. If you’ve ever seen The Lion King, saying tax time is like whispering Mufasa and watching the Hyena’s shiver. Now is the time where talk turns to deductions and retirement investments before the February cut-off for contributions. Now the shadow of 2018 is rearing its ugly head as it’s there to remind you that you had all year. You’re not alone. Millions of Canadians wait until Spring to start thinking about their RRSPs, and with a heavy heart they sigh and think “I’ll do better next year”. However, next year is already this year and it’s unlikely any signification changes have been made. Life has gotten back to normal after the holidays and lives have become a whirlwind of school, work, sports, family and just trying to manage life. Soon it will be summer and Manitoba will do it’s typical slow down where cottages become priority. Then school starts again and before you know it, it’s already the holiday season again. After which, you’ll sigh and say “I’ll do better next year”. The good news is, you can do something about it now. Instead of scrambling to put together a good contribution, perhaps this year (yes, this year) is the year to take an easier approach. RRSP loans strategies such as gross up, are a great way to boost your RRSP savings while minimizing interest rates Interest rates are quite low right now, and the gross up strategy is a great way to take advantage of that. Consider this scenario. You have $5000 to contribute to an RRSP, you’re sitting in the 40$ marginal tax rate and your RRSP limit allows for more than $5000. If you borrowed $4000, that would give you $9000 to invest in your RRSP. Based on the aforementioned scenario, you can anticipate receiving approximately $3600 in a tax refund which you can use to pay down the loan. This part takes self-control to apply those funds to the loan instead of self-indulgence. Remember, you’re indulging in the long-term plan using this approach. Depending on your stage of life, current income and debt ratio, there are numerous ways to invest in your future goals. Between RRSPs, high-interest saving accounts, TFSAs and GICs, it can be overwhelming to determine which route to take. A Financial Planner can help guide you on these options and what fits best for you.
Unfortunately, we are not bears and are not afforded the luxury of shutting ourselves down for a few months. At a time where all you want to do is snuggle under a blanket on the couch and binge watch all the shows you missed while doing yardwork, the demands of family, friends and work dramatically increase. Tis the season of holiday shopping, parties and entertaining. Tis the season to exert extreme drain on our energy, wardrobe and pocketbook. Tis the season to spend. Before you start making your list and checking it twice, it may be time to ask yourself why. Here’s a few scenarios:
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This is such a small sampling of the destinations available in Manitoba. If you love to travel and experience the outdoors, this is a great place to do it without having to hurt your wallet. Now, get out there and experience all there is to do in Manitoba!
Caregivers Are you a caregiver of a family member with a physical or mental impairment? If so you may be eligible for the Canada Caregiver Amount tax credit. The government recognizes the extra financial responsibility being a caregiver can have on your finances. This year determining if you qualify for the credit will be much simpler. Education Until recently, only post-secondary level course tuition qualified for a tax credit. If you took other courses at an educational facility, these fees weren’t eligible. With the recent changes, courses such as second language skills and occupational improvement courses such as computer skills may allow you to benefit in more ways than intellectually. While this option was added, the credit for post-secondary textbooks has been eliminated. This did not affect the tuition tax credit nor the ability to carry forward unused education and textbook amounts from years prior.  Parents The Children’s Fitness and Arts Tax Credits were eliminated in 2017. Transportation It appears the tax credit for utilizing public transit was not enough motivation for travellers to change their transport habits. Therefore, the public transit credit was eliminated mid-year 2017. If you used public transportation in 2017, this is your last chance to claim this benefit as amounts purchased for travel between Jan 1 and June 30, 2017 are still eligible. Infertility Treatments Financial help has become reality for those needing medical assistance to conceive. As of 2017, infertility treatments are now included as an eligible medical expense. As an additional benefit, this has been made retroactive. Meaning if you have received fertility treatments within the past ten years, you can request adjustments of past returns. These are just a few of the highlights for the 2017 tax filing, not that taxes are ever a highlight. While it’s great to know how to benefit during the current tax season, maybe it’s time to start planning to benefit next year. Financial Planners are able to look at your current and future finances and create the most beneficial plan for you.
