Early in my career, I worked in the Rulings Division of Revenue Canada Taxation, now Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). In the realm of cool jobs, it wasn’t on the level of an astronaut, but learning what I did for a...
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While 2023 saw Canada’s inflation rate drop by more than a third compared to the rate for 2022, our average inflation rate over the last 3 years was the highest it has been over any 3-year period for more than...
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As financial investments go, pet ownership is hard to recommend. Of course, the money and time we invest pay huge dividends in love and companionship. I’m in the pro-pet camp – we share our home with three cats and two...
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It’s no surprise that “saving more money” is a perennially popular New Year’s resolution. It’s equally unsurprising that it’s a resolution many of us don’t keep. Without question, jumps in the cost of living and unexpected expenses are two reasons...
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Effective tax planning takes place year-round, but there is still time in December to consider whether there are steps we can take to legally minimize the amount of income tax we must pay. RRSP contributions Tax-loss selling Charitable donations
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Exchanging handmade gifts at Christmas has encouraged more modest and thoughtful gift exchanges ever since
When you hear the Stan Rogers’ song “At Last, I’m Ready for Christmas,” do you wish you didn’t relate so much to the lyrics? The song tells the tale of a couple who “said this year we’d keep things simple,...
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Being asked by a friend or loved one to be the executor of their estate is an honour. It means they trust you to look after their affairs when they’re gone. But I’m here to suggest that you should seriously...
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That day in March 2019 started out like most other Mondays. I had no premonition of disaster. But nine hours later, I was on life support, and Sharon, my wife, was being asked if I had an end-of-life care plan....
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Stillness of St. Margaret's Bay After Sunset
I first met Beryl, a woman in her 60s and a new tax client, about a year after her husband, George, died. We sat at her dining table amidst a sea of papers and prior years’ tax returns. She had...
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Bob Joyce can work from anywhere to help clients.
A few years ago, I had a gym membership with a large chain. One day, the gym offered an assessment and six one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer, all free. Thinking it was time to update my routine, I accepted....
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