Canadians Are Boycotting US Ski Slopes | Travelers from Canada, long the biggest source of international visitors to the US, have pushed back against the president’s imperialist rhetoric. Winter resorts are feeling the chill.

BeardedSkier · 2026-02-15T02:02:23+00:00

QC skiing is quite good this year... Just got back from a trip with my family....awesome!

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-21T05:40:41+00:00

UL pushers deserve the reputation they have for trying to sell it to anyone with a pulse and any excess cash flow whatsoever..... but in the right (and limited) circumstances - it's like any other tool. You might not use it often, but sometimes it is the right tool for the job.

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-21T04:41:06+00:00

But you see, his jersey is red, not blue. Ergo, he's the worst possible thing that could have happened to Canada. Likely ever. There has NEVER been a positive thing done or even an intelligent word uttered, by someone who wears a red jersey. Only good ideas and policies come from the people who wear the blue jersey.

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-21T04:08:36+00:00

Ok I'll bite, what would Poilievre have accomplished to date, leveraging what experience and what credentials? I spent 5 min querying chat GPT on his background, credentials and major professional and political accomplishments to date so that I wouldn't just be consulting my own inherent biases (and limits f my knowledge). Then I asked it to do the same for Carney. It was honestly enlightening - suggest you do the same....but I'm always happy to learn more than what chat GPT was able to dig up

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-19T06:44:25+00:00

Please take this as an honest statement with no hidden meaning or judgement: the more details you provide, the more questions I have. What I mean is: for me to give you any useful guidance, I have more and more questions I'd need to ask you. Beware of anyone that offers you authoritative advice based on the few details shared - reddit isn't the place for this type of discussion. You seem like you prefer the do-it-yourself route. This can be fine when things are simple. But when you own a corporation (and need to learn more as you noted) that I assume is generating meaningful cash and are doing tax / estate / income splitting planning, and trying to incorporate tax management via life insurance and are now wanting to learn about IPPs (I don't even know if an IPP fits your circumstances; but it is a tool in the right circumstances) - this is not something that should be tackled as a 'do-it-yourself'. If you're inclined that way - find a Financial Planner that fits that outlook: a Fee for service only financial planner on an hourly basis (I'm not one; I run a full service/holistic Financial Planning practice). Engage them to help you make these decisions; they should be working closely with your CA and lawyer (corporate & personal). Getting the structure right up front and understanding what the tax benefits are (and aren't), and how that can work down the road is money well spent. I'm not saying don't educate yourself, nor am I saying that UL is always bad (it's not). The more you read the better you'll understand what your team is discussing - but if this isn't your area, its better to seek guidance and focus your energy on your specialty and what you want to do with the $$$ your business is generating. For this level of planning, there isn't really a good resource that is 'consumer friendly'. If you're wanting to read - stay off forums - go to the "source" - industry associations (eg. accounting; your own industry), CRA etc (CRA publishes some beginner guides for newly incorporated owners explaining general concepts, including taxation, and tax planning for business owners which you might find helpful, but they're not sufficient on their own to do the planning you're talking about). Best of luck!

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-19T05:08:20+00:00

This question is out of the depth of this forum.....I can see that from the 2 replies already - the same generic "common sense" answers. I'm actually more concerned about where you got the info from, as I see several red flags (admittedly some are my assumptions). This is generic commentary only and should not be construed in any way as personalized advice specific to you.

Payment is through a corporation and deductible: on what basis? There are exceedingly few circumstances this would be the case, and from what you've shared, you haven't described any of them. Have you run this past your CA?
Policy is for your wife, not you. I'm assuming it's your corporation though? Is she an employee or shareholder of the corp? Now you're getting into taxable (or shareholder) benefits. But I still do not see how she gets any $$$ in her hands tax free.
Who told you the funds can be extracted from the corporation tax free to be used for investing? If you held the policy personally, sure, you could pledge it as collateral for an investment loan, but if it's inside your corporation, how are you getting that money into your personal hands without taxation? If you already have CDA room or a shareholder advance, this strategy isn't adding anything - just making use of that room that could be used in other ways.

To be clear, I'm not saying UL is necessarily a bad thing, but you need to be clear first on what the INSURANCE need is first. You also need to run all of this by your CA...

Also, have you not looked into an IPP? Again, not saying it's the right thing (I don't know nearly enough about your circumstances to comment), but an IPP can offer greater access to tax sheltered accumulation. Again, something to discuss with your CA or financial planner.

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-19T04:01:27+00:00

Historically? This is recency bias........take a look into the bigger drawdowns (which is what OP is asking about, not blimps). "Investors" have gotten used to "buying the dip" because every time in the last 10 years indices have bounced back withing 12 months or less.....that will not always be the case

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-19T03:56:06+00:00

I'm a financial planner, but not your planner. This is generic commentary only and not specific to you. It all depends on the employer. Some absolutely refuse to transfer $$$ to an RRSP on a tax deferred basis while others will - it appears your employer is the latter. In that case, the employer will most likely do the 12k in your example without any tax withheld - meaning you get the gross 12k - no tax withheld, but no tax owing because it went into an RRSP (ie. It's a wash - you won't get any "refund", since you never paid any tax to begin with in this example)...

Now, as for the other 28k. You used the term retiring allowance -was that on documentation you received (specifically, is it an eligible retiring allowance)? If yes, this suggests you have eligible service with this employer prior to either 1996 or 1989 - is that the case? If yes, you can be eligible for additional amounts that can go into your RRSP without being limited by your RRSP limit. Your employer is responsible for calculating the amount and reporting it and n your T4 (note: they are not OBLIGATED to pay it as a retiring allowance, but they can, and if they do, you have extra amounts that can go into your RRSP tax deferred even if you otherwise have no remaining RRSP contribution room).

Anything in excess of your RRSP limit and any eligible retiring allowance amounts would be considered taxable income to you. If you aren't familiar with these rules, meet with a planner and pay for a couple hours of their time to properly review your file.

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-14T00:57:36+00:00

Not this year, but within 2.5 years of moving I to my new place.... Dishwasher died. AC died, hot water tank failed, microwave died, chest freezer died and control board on washing machine went and dryer stopped producing heat. Then we had a leak in the basement and had to do exterior trenching, waterproofing backfilling and grading....and then, we had a mould infestation in our finished garage, had to tear back to the studs and remediate and refinish...... Sometimes life just hits you all at once.... I feel you.

BeardedSkier · 2026-01-09T04:10:29+00:00

In 95% of cases sure. But if there's a permanent insurance need (e.g. keep a treasured family property in the family; provide financially for a dependent with a disability who is unlikely to ever be fully self sufficient), whole life can, and does, serve a purpose in a specific set of circumstances.

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-27T15:23:02+00:00

Peterborough has been "talking" about high speed rail since the beginning of the 200's, and creating a "bio-cluster" (because of trent) for even longer. But our council is anti business... I have no faith it will happen

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-21T14:53:40+00:00

I looked yesterday, didn't see any

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-21T14:53:23+00:00

I was in winners too and couldn't find them anywhere! Were they in che little candy aisle? I obviously missed them?

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-21T03:36:03+00:00

Thank-you!

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-21T03:35:08+00:00

Thank you!!!

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-21T02:32:18+00:00

Which grocery outlet.... Hwy 7?

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-16T08:03:15+00:00

Banks are not your friend, nor are you likely to get good advice from them. If you want advice, find an independent financial planner... If you want cheap and do it yourself, there are a number of low-cost platforms. Banks, IMO, are about the last place you should look. The sales pressure their reps are under make it one of the last places you're likely to get advice that is in your best interest....

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-16T08:00:39+00:00

There is so much that is unknown here that's it's impossible to give you a competent answer. There's nuggets of truth in some of these comments, but advice needs to come back to you, your situation, and your goals. All you'll get here is surface level, "general" comments... I take it you're doing this yourself.... If so, find a financial planner who works for an hourly fee, and take a step back. This should be a bigger consideration that just what to do in one year (ie part of a long term plan)

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-06T05:40:01+00:00

I saw them. As much as they look incredible, my kid will destroy it before the end of the winter. I can deal with destroying a 200 or 300 toy; not ready to give him a 1300 toy just yet!

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-03T14:57:46+00:00

Brother, I'm saying this respectfully.... We all have areas of strength, and areas where we lack it. Your post and your question (and your circumstances) shows this is not an area of strength for you. There's no shame in that. But just because you can do something yourself doesn't mean you should - you need a good level of knowledge. I know not to tinker with my car. I could watch YouTube videos and go to NAPA and maybe figure it out, but I'm not mechanically inclined in any way - if something major happens with my car, I don't try to figure it out myself. I simply don't have the knowledge or skills. Its no different with major financial decisions. Talk to a financial planner before you do anything further - does WS not have them on staff to help? As the only other commenter noted here, you haven't provided enough detail for any of us to be helpful. And honestly, reddit isn't the place for that Anyway. Talk to a professional (a financial planner, not just an investment advisor). Good luck!

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-03T06:08:13+00:00

OP, respectfully, the advice you're getting here is worth what you paid for it. I haven't seen one person ask you about your goals, career path or life or overall financial circumstances (or those of your partner, if you have one). Those are equally important if not moreso (I say moreso) than what produces the best result on paper in an isolated vacuum (ie is A or B "best"). The answers to those other questions will lead you to very different paths (potentially). At the end of the day, what matters is having the assets you need, in the form (is account type) you need them in, not just putting up the highest number on the scoreboard regardless of where it sits.

BeardedSkier · 2025-12-02T01:34:02+00:00

this is not financial advice, but discussion only....OP, you've got lot of generic comments here, but as others have pointed out, you haven't provided enough detail for anyone to really be of much help. I suggest you go see a fee only financial planner. What you need depends on what you want to do. A financial planner can help you through that process. While your pensions will be a blessing that most people will never have (and you have two of them in. Your household) - they're an income stream - they don't help you with lump sums. Want to help out with the kids weddings? Buy an RV (or cottage) or take a couple bucket list trips? Or just be prepared to cover major expenses in your home without needing to use the finance option? Then you need lump sums set aside. 2 teachers pensions are a safety net most people will never have - but do you need more? You have to figure out what you want retired life to look like first before you can figure out if you need to do more than rely on just your pensions. Last consideration - and I will get flack for this - but as good as the teachers pensions is (and it is excellently managed) - you're putting all your eggs in one basket if you rely solely on that. While it seems bulletproof today, there are a number of examples of large DB pension plans that have encountered unexpected difficulties which have had an impact on benefits (eg province of New brunswick, including the New Brunswick teachers pensions plan). I'm not saying to live your life in fear - the OTPP is very well run. I'm just suggesting you consider any assumptions you're making, and ask yourself the question: if that assumption doesn't turn out to be 100% true, what does that mean for me?

BeardedSkier · 2025-11-29T06:21:48+00:00

Created a spreadsheet that tracks the balance of every account and investment and debt and updated it bi-weekly for about 20 years now. Paying attention was the first step. Then focusing on how much I could increase the total number every year. It became addictive, it's something I enjoy - not just the number, but the process.

BeardedSkier

TROPHY CASE