Cindy Bowden Insurance and Benefits

After being approved for a U.S. visa, a friend of mine got her passport back from the consulate, turned the page, and gasped, ‘That’s not my photo!’ (True story!)

You’d never think that an error like that could happen, especially in such a tightly controlled environment, but the fact is, mistakes do happen.

If there are people involved, there’s the chance of human error – and if there are computers involved, well, there’s the chance of computer error! It’s understandable though… we live in a time when there’s…

It’s that time of the year… the time I reach out to all the people in my network and say ‘thank you’ by sending you your very own pocket planner -- yes, that old fashioned relic of an analog booklet that you actually write in by hand! Who does that anymore? Well, I do! 

In today’s day and age where everything is digital, some people might say that pocket planners are obsolete and relics of the past. 

True, you probably have a calendar on your phone and/or computer for alerts and notifications. But every…

Did you know that the whole idea for insurance started out with the Phoenicians? They depended heavily on trade. Because shipping was expensive, and there was always the risk of losing ships and their cargo, they needed a way to mitigate those risks. Voila insurance! (Smart people, those Phoenicians!) 

The ancient Romans were the first to take the concept of marine insurance and apply it to individuals. They created “burial clubs” to help cover the cost of members' funeral expenses and assisted survivors…

A few months ago, a client asked me to chat with their 20-something nephew about financial planning. He understood that he did not truly understand the complex financial situation that young people face today. In some ways, it’s no different than it would have been 30 years ago, but in other important ways it’s very different. I have two children around that age, so I know! 

My client knew that my experience as a CLU -- Chartered Life Underwriter -- with expertise in tax planning, investment strategy…

“Mann Tracht, Un Gott Lacht” is an old Yiddish proverb that means, “Man Plans, and God Laughs.”  The paradox of planning has never been more stark than in the past year. With unexpected lockdowns, travel cancellations, and all this other craziness from a year with COVID, you might be tempted to throw up your hands in defeat. 

That’s certainly what was going through my mind when I put in my annual order for Pocket Planners to send to you. But there’s still a good reason to plan… and it can be summed up in…

In all my years as an accredited Chartered Life Underwriter*, I’ve been through seven recessions. And while this one is very, very different in some respects, it’s already showing many similarities to all seven I’ve had the good fortune to live through. 

Look, this COVID thing is anything but fun, and if you or someone close to you has been personally affected, then it’s downright terrible. But I say ‘good fortune’ because each recession has taught me a very valuable life lesson, and each one has helped me…

Santa has a lot of houses to visit — and only one night to do it all. The only way he gets it all done is with a plan. Sure, the elves help him make the toys, but it’s his wife, Mrs Claus, who does all the strategic planning and mapping of routes. (I am always amazed to learn that most people don’t know this!) 

People have a similar challenge: we have so many things to do as we head toward retirement — and only one life to get it all done. That’s why each and every one of us would benefit from a plan. 

…

…and by that I mean out of your retirement strategy!!!         

Look, we all know just about everything ebbs and flows, or swings in cycles – the seasons, economic activity, political leanings, interest rates… everything! And if you take a look around, you’ll notice that those swings have become more intense, turning everything into a wild roller coaster ride. 

It’s undeniable that weather events are getting more intense, politics are getting more polarized, and who knows what will happen with climate…

Being backed into a corner always puts you in the worst possible position. That’s true in the boxing ring; it’s true when you’re painting your house; and, it’s true in retirement planning. 

And in a few years, that’s exactly the position you’ll be in… unless you do a bit of planning today. 

Here are three example of what I mean: 

By law you have to do something with your RRSP assets by the end of your 71st year.  They have to be converted from an accumulation account with ongoing contributions to some form…

I was recently in a workshop in which the participants were asked, ‘what is the most valuable thing you do that your clients don’t even see?’ 

The responses were incredible – it made me realize how much we all do that most people never see, let alone appreciate. I bet that in your life and business, there are more than a few things that you do that no one notices – and yet you do them anyway because it’s part of who you are and what you feel is important to provide truly superior service. It’s just the…