December 2014

Year End Tax Tip: Take advantage of re-balancing when markets have been stronger than average and trim some of your gains, if this can be done in a tax-efficient manner. This can protect your gains and ensure you have additional income flow if that's needed. Worried that you have some investing bad habits. Read the following to identify some

Investing Behaviour- 8 Bad Habits to Throw you off Track

If you have questions, please ask.

Hanukkah, Christmas & New Years are just around the corner! With so much to do, so many places to be; how do you simplify your life at this time of year? To help with any key financial items for Year End, read Tax Tips for Year End

The Joy of Aging 2014: Thank you to all who came out and contributed to this event all about healthy aging for women. This was the 6th year, and we had a blast! We're also proud that it helped to raise over $30,000 for Mackenzie Health Foundation. The proceeds are going towards a 2nd MRI for the hospital. This year, Valerie Gibson helped to re-ignite the spark in our relationships, with Christine Bentley as MC, and a great expert panel, including Dr. Jessica O'Reilly, Dr. Stacey Grossman, Dr. Michelle Crisp, Dr. Oren Amitay. If any of you couldn't make it, but want to learn ideas to re-ignite that spark, check out the website and pictures. In fact, if you would like to contribute, you can do so by going to The Joy of Aging website, and making a donation, or by donating for a VIP bag, which provides over $400 worth of items as a thank you. To make a donation, or purchase your VIP bag, The Joy of Aging

Tax Free Savings Account Contribution Limits for 2015 $5,500 effective January 2nd. The TFSA allows you to continue to save & invest into the account with no tax implications. One additional benefit of TFSA's is that they allow us to circumvent the Attribution rules. Therefore, the higher-income earning spouse can contribute to theTFSA, for both spouses.

Remember, TFSA's are a great savings vehicle for both short and long term planning. Depending on your priorities, you can invest in almost anything. The key is you are not restricted to high interest options. Consider any combination of GIC's, stocks, bonds, ETF's and mutual funds to help build the accounts over time.

For more information on TFSAs, click the video below
for Janine's apperance on RogersTv

Markets:

2014 brought great returns for Global markets around the world. However, Canada has lagged, particularly the precious metals sector, repeating the challenges of 2013. This reinforces the case for diversification. While many are now concerned about fixed income, and the yields are very modest, it can still play a part to protect a portfolio from higher losses in a market downturn.

The big picture still entails that a long-term responsible fiscal plan is in order. To help keep you up to date on this beyond the headlines, read our "Big Picture" and learn how emotions can sideswipe your financial plan, or "Playbook".

These are updated regularly and help identify how these events can play out on the markets.

Year-End Tax Distributions:

Information is just coming in and will continue until mid-December. If there are few substantial distributions for 2014, we will send information by e-mail. If you would like to discuss your personal situation in the non-registered account, we would be happy to accommodate, and ask that you return all calls over the next few weeks to ensure we can assist you with any tax planning.

RESP: If your child was born in 1997, then this is the last year to receive grant money. Please ensure any contributions are in by mid-December to avoid missing the deadline. Remember, maximum contribution levels for 2014 are $2500/annum/child.

Corporate Money to Invest: Looking for a safe place to hold your corporate cash? Hard to find income? Always put that needed for cashflow in a safe, guaranteed place. If there is more than you need, there are options that can provide some income, and offer tax efficiency better than GIC's. Interested, let us know and we can help.

Does your accountant have a good newsletter? We would love to share the information. Please pass it along.

Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter! Social media is everywhere, even at Assante. As we are becoming more frequent users of social media, I invite all clients and contacts to go to our sites and connect with me. If you use any of the following and would like to stay in touch, please click on the following links to keep updated with our sites.

Facebook- http://tinyurl.com/8wur9ed
LinkedIn- http://tinyurl.com/95a3gqw
Twitter - http://twitter.com/JaninePurves

We're sending out articles, links to other helpful websites and often involved in online conversations which may prove helpful. I look forward to keeping in contact with more of you through these media sites.

"If you buy things you don't need, you will soon find yourself selling the things you do!" Warren Buffet.

I had to smile at this quote, and I hope a few of you do too. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season, enjoying friends, family and great food.

Thank you for the pleasure of doing business with you. We truly value your choice to work with Assante and our team and look forward to many more years in helping you make good financial decisions.

Sincerely, Janine & Andrek & Barb.

Please feel free to pass these e-mails on to contacts, friends & family who may find them helpful.

This material is provided for general information and is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to compile this material from reliable sources however no warranty can be made as to its accuracy or completeness. Before acting on any of the above, please make sure to see me for individual financial advice based on your personal circumstances. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Assante Capital Management Ltd.

Insurance products and services are provided through Assante Estate and Insurance Services Inc. Assante Capital Management Ltd. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and is registered with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada.

Assante is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of CI Financial Corp. ("CI"). The principal business of CI is the management, marketing, distribution and administration of mutual funds, segregated funds and other fee-earning investment products for Canadian investors through its wholly-owned subsidiary CI Investments Inc. If you invest in CI products, CI will, through its ownership of subsidiaries, earn ongoing asset management fees in accordance with applicable prospectus or other offering documents.

Dates to Remember

Dec.15- Final Tax Installment

Dec.19- RESP contributions to our office Born in 1997? Last year to contribute.

Dec. 23- Last day to intiate tax gains/ losses for 2014

Dec 25-Jan 1 - Office closed for holidays.

Jan 2, 2015 - 1st business day of New Year. TFSA contributions now at $5,500.

Janine Purves,

CFP, CPCA

Senior Financial Advisor

Assante Capital Management Ltd.

Ph (905) 707-5220

Fax (905) 707-1035

NEW ADDRESS:

9130 Leslie St.,

Suite 302

Richmond Hill,

ON L4B 0B9

Visit our website at www.janinepurves.com