Assante Wealth Management - Halifax Financial Advisor Nicholas Hounsell

Assante Newsletter

The hardest thing to do in investing

March 25, 2018 • Investment Planning

Booming markets or a sudden downturn can sometimes tempt investors to stray from their regular investment program, with potentially damaging results. Find out what motivates this irrational behaviour — and how to avoid it. Read more…
Should you and your spouse retire at the same time?

March 25, 2018 • Retirement Planning

There are pros and cons to synchronizing your retirement start date with your spouse versus taking a staggered approach. Understanding the factors to consider will help you reach a decision that works for both of you. Read more…
To save tax, get down to business

March 25, 2018 • Tax Planning

The federal government has begun clamping down on tax-reduction opportunities for small businesses, including introducing changes to income sprinkling among family members. That makes it all the more important to take full advantage of the tax planning strategies that still exist. Read more…
Vacation property solutions for a taxing problem

March 25, 2018 • Estate Planning

If you own vacation property or expect to in the future, you may be saddled with a hefty tax bill when you sell the property or leave it to your children or grandchildren. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to minimize or offset the taxes. Read more…
Digital property belongs in your will

March 25, 2018 • Lifestyle

“And to my beloved daughter, I give the leather-bound album of cherished family photographs.” Sure, that sounds right for the old days. Today the pics might be on your laptop. We’ve got all sorts of valuable items stored electronically, and it’s time we started treating them accordingly. What is digital property? Digital property is [...] Read more…
The Big Picture - Volatility returns

February 23, 2018 • The Big Picture

Investors who experienced the unprecedented market volatility during the financial crisis of 2008-2009 were recently provided with a reminder of how unsettling these times can be.
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Should you borrow to invest?

December 25, 2017 • Investment Planning

Every year, you contribute the maximum allowable amount to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) and meet your non-registered investments goal. You’re on track to achieve your retirement savings objective. But now let’s say you want a larger nest egg — perhaps to retire earlier or more comfortably. So you’re [...] Read more…
When retirement is on the horizon

December 25, 2017 • Retirement Planning

Visions of retirement are quite different from person to person, but the financial planning to get there is similar for everyone. Here are five essential items on your pre-retirement to-do list. 1. Set the date Setting the date is the fun part — it gives you a specific day to look forward to! Even [...] Read more…
Staying on course through divorce

December 25, 2017 • Lifestyle

In Canada, about four in ten first marriages end in divorce.1 Breaking up is never easy, but you can ease a lot of the stress by staying on top of the financial side. Here are some tips to help you steer through the process. Initial steps Essential first steps typically involve the following. [...] Read more…
Take a proactive approach to helping your parents

December 25, 2017 • Lifestyle

As parents get older, they may need assistance with things like yard work, home maintenance, and so on. Often, they’d benefit from a helping hand with financial matters, too. By taking action now, you may prevent problems from arising down the road. Here are five proactive ways to help. 1. Make sure their wills [...] Read more…