Lisa Whittleton, Financial Advisor

Claims at TuGo has noticed an increasing number of negative customer experiences with medical emergencies in Mexico - both during their hospital stay, and when they return home. To prevent you from experiencing similar frustrations, here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Permanent life insurance can be a great financial and estate planning tool.

This decision leaves Canada with the highest rate in the industrialized world.

In 2016, one-person households became the most common living arrangement in Canada for the first time, representing 4 million Canadians. Here if some information on how to manage finances on a single income.

Please note: I am on holidays from today, Tuesday, October 15 returning to work on Thursday, October 24. Feel free to email me at [email protected] and I will get back to you upon my return. Sorry for any inconvenience! Can anyone guess where Im going based on the photo?

In this season of thanks, may there be many things to be grateful for. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a joyous time with family and friends!

The new First-Time Homebuyer Incentive is a program that provides an interest-free loan to qualified first-time homebuyers who wish to top up their down payment amount. In order to qualify, the borrower: - must be a first-time homebuyer (more on this below!) - must have qualifying household income (combined income of all borrowers) of less than $120,000/year ... - must have at least 5% saved as a down payment - is only eligible to borrow less than four times their qualifying income You are considered a first-time homebuyer if you meet ONE of following criteria: - you have never purchased a home before - you are experiencing the breakdown of a marriage/common-law partnership - in the last 4 years, you did not occupy a home that you or your current spouse/common-law partner owned

My father did this for our family and when he passed away, his instructions made everything SO MUCH easier in what was already a very difficult time. If you want a FREE Personal Records Organizer to help guide you, please DM me with your email address and Ill send you one!

If financial worries are keeping you up at night, it doesnt have to be that way! While I understand some people simply have incomes that cannot keep up with their expenses, for the most part, an average income earner with some guidance and small changes can feel a lot better about their situation and sleep through the night!

If you are leaving an employer and have a defined benefit pension plan, you may be able to commute it - this means taking a lump sum today instead of receiving a stream of payments in retirement. See what your options are when commuting a pension in this great infographic!

On January 1, 2020, Ontarios Ministry of Health terminates its Out Of Country OHIP coverage for residents, which means if you travel outside of Canada, youll need travel insurance to cover you in case of unexpected medical emergencies or accidents. Here are 4 other key things to know before you leave Canada.

Yikes! Lying on a mortgage application is NOT worth it! 1 - its mortgage fraud and could have legal consequences 2 - it may lead to being unable to pay your mortgage commitment

Do you use an app to manage your finances?

"Today, the average undergraduate student leaving school with debt will owe over $27,500". There is no guarantee that a graduate will walk into a well-paying, stable job with benefits allowing them to pay off their student loans. Many will take internships (some unpaid!), contract and part-time work, chipping away at their student debt well into their 30s and 40s. :( This is why a Registered Education Savings Plan is so helpful!

As kids are returning to school, its never too early to start thinking about a Registered Education Savings Plan for their post-secondary education! Take advantage of free money in the form of government grants! DM me for more info.

Having money and being good with money are two different things!

Is/are your pet(s) included in your will? It may sound crazy to some but considering what could happen to them if you have a pet that isnt part of your estate plan, its crazy NOT to have them included! I own a parrot with a lifespan of ~35 years so its definitely something I think about!

Is your TFSA invested properly? If not, you may not be benefiting from the tax-free compounding that makes the TFSA such a great account!

Unfortunately, people are denied insurance for many different reasons. Pre-existing health conditions are just one reason insuring a child while they are still healthy is smart (itll also be cheaper!). If your parents didnt think to get insurance for you as a child, and you have been denied by a provider or worried you might be, reach out. I promise I will find a solution for you!

If you have ever applied for or used a Capital One credit card, your data may have been compromised. Dont fall for any phone scams pretending to be Capital One - they have made it explicitly clear that they will not call anyone whos data was stolen in this breach.

The Ontario Securities Commission survey results indicate that, in many cases, basic financial planning concepts are not addressed in the advice provided. What kind of advice are you getting?

When I decided to write the FPSC Level 1 Certification in Financial Planning exam on June 6 of this year, I had to finish two required courses in 19 days (you normally get 4 months per course) and review the content of two other courses I took in 2014 over another 16 days. After writing the 4 hour exam, I had to wait over a month to get the results but I can now say it was ALL WORTH IT!!!! I PASSED!!!!!!! *happy dance* I am now eligible to write the Certified Financial Planning exam so that means more studying! Thankfully, I enjoy learning. Onward and upward!

Morningstar, Inc. announced plans to overhaul its influential ratings system, putting bigger emphasis on investors costs. Do you use Morningstar to help make investment decisions? I do!

Why do you need a will? Dying without a will has consequences including: - loss of control to the courts - extra legal fees - extra taxes - delays in asset distribution ... - guardians appointed for minor children arent whom you would have wanted - vulnerable to being contested If you dont have a trustworthy lawyer, I have worked with a few that I trust and can refer.

Is there a big difference between financial planning and investment advice? Yesheres why.

Happy 152nd Canada! Hope everyone has a fun and safe day!

Happy Fathers Day to all the amazing dads out there! I wouldnt be the person I am if it wasnt for my dad. He pushed me to be the best person I could be and I am grateful for it. Hug your dads today for me today since I cant.

In Ontario, June is Seniors Month. Did you know that 14% of Canadians expect that supporting their parent(s) will postpone their retirement and 12% think it will delay paying off their debts? Read the full results of the Aging Parents & Financial Support Survey for more.