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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · 1d

This “senior” (still hard to acknowledge) would happily see my home price decline if it made housing more affordable for my children.

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Reposted by Russell Sawatsky

Dr. Mike P. Moffatt @mikepmoffatt.bsky.social · 2d

Every single day, I'm told that home prices have to stay high since seniors rely on that equity to fund their retirement.

The evidence that this is true, however, is remarkably thin. Yet it's something that's nearly universally treated as true.

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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Oct 3

CTV called it a Consumer Alert when a daughter faced a $660K tax bill after both parents died in the same year.

This wasn’t a scam; it was just Canada’s tax rules.

In my latest #MoneyArchitect blog, I review what happened and how families can plan ahead:
moneyarchitect.ca/this-is-not-... #PFCan

An empty chair at the end of a dock, representing a deceased cottage owner and the tax and estate implications when leaving a cottage and an RRSP to one's beneficiaries.

Reposted by Russell Sawatsky

David Chilton @thewealthybarber.bsky.social · Oct 1

You’ve heard Dave talk about her for years—Here’s Mo, his right-hand woman.

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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Sep 23

Most investors believe they’re above average. But in investing, as in driving, not everyone can be. Stock picking feels right but the data show it rarely works. Read my latest Money Architect Financial Planning blog post for more: moneyarchitect.ca/how-can-stoc... #PFCan

An image of a chart showing the movement of a stock's price.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Sep 16

#Stewardship isn’t just for the wealthy. Even on minimum wage, there are ways to steward what you have: benefits, tax tools, generosity of time and action. Read my latest #MoneyArchitect blog post for more: moneyarchitect.ca/personal-fin... #adviceonly #FinancialPlanning #PFCan

This is the text of the image, a quotation from Rabindranath Tagore: "The one who plants trees knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life."

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Sep 9

Is the complaint that “RRSPs aren’t fair” legitimate? In my latest blog post, we follow Susan as she compares the traditional RRSP/RRIF path (with reinvested tax refunds) to non-registered investing. moneyarchitect.ca/case-study-s... #AdviceOnly
#RetirementPlanning

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Jul 29

Withdrawing RESP funds can be confusing: grants, investment growth, contributions—each comes with its own rules. Should you prioritize EAPs or PSEs? This new post walks through how parents can make the most of their RESP for their child's university years. #PFCan moneyarchitect.ca/making-the-m...

A couple with their son as he prepares to go off to the University of Alberta. The husband and wife have saved for their son's education in an RESP since the year he was born. Now is the time to start spending it.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Jul 22

Linda and David are 65, mortgage-free, and retired in a mid-sized Ontario city. With average savings and modest pensions, can they afford the average retiree lifestyle? I work through the numbers—and the trade-offs.
Read more: moneyarchitect.ca/will-average... #PFCan

Linda and David are sitting on the back deck of their house enjoying their morning coffee and looking forward to their new lives as retirees.

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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Jul 8

Why do some investors embrace #high-income ETFs while others stay committed to #totalreturn? In my latest #MoneyArchitect blog post, I explore this question through the story of Christopher and Ashley—twins with diverging paths and philosophies. #PFCan
moneyarchitect.ca/twins-at-the...

Fraternal twins Christopher and Ashley, who have very different approaches to saving for retirement.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Jul 1

#Vacations are meant to restore us, but what if the way we do them just adds stress? In my latest post, I explore how #budgeting for #rest, financially and personally, can help us recover what's been lost.

moneyarchitect.ca/budgeting-fo...

#PFCan #AdviceOnly #FinancialPlanning

A family of four enjoying a rejuvenating hike in Canada's mountains. They exemplify the budgeting for a vacation that is more about time together and restoration than exotic locations and busyness.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Jun 24

Health and finances are more connected than we admit. A serious diagnosis can derail not just well-being but also income, savings, and goals.

Planning ahead can soften the blow when life goes off course.

Read: moneyarchitect.ca/health-and-p...

#PFCan

A man in a hospital bed looking worriedly at his computer as he contemplates the impact of his health situation on his finances.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Jun 17

My latest #MoneyArchitectFinancialPlanning blog post explores the stories of fraternal twins, Jessica and Michael, whose respective risk-seeking and risk-averse investing behaviours reveal lessons about financial discipline. #adviceonly #FinancialPlanning #PFCan moneyarchitect.ca/twins-tensio...

Jessica and Michael, fraternal twins, frowning because they are experiencing the challenges of being extremely risk-seeking (Jessica) and risk-averse (MIchael) in their investing lives.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Jun 3

Daniel is thoughtful about where he puts his money. With Trump back in the headlines, he's wondering: should he keep investing in the U.S.? My new #MoneyArchitect blog post explores how politics and #investing intersect. #PFCan moneyarchitect.ca/should-i-inv...

Daniel, a UI/UX designer at a company in Calgary, AB, shown at work. He wonders whether he should keep his current allocation to U.S. equities given the recent actions of President Trump against the Canadian economy.

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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · May 27

James and Sandra, both 65 and newly retired, are thinking through how to leave a well-structured estate for their beneficiaries. With $1.7 million in assets and cross-border complications, their story offers a strategic take on estate planning.
Read more here: moneyarchitect.ca/estate-plann...

James and Sandra, a newly retired couple in Winnipeg, Manitoba, are shown discussing their estate plan with a professional (not shown in this image).

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · May 13

If you have a #DefinedContribution (DC) pension through work, you’re not alone. But what does that actually mean?
My latest #MoneyArchitectFinancialPlanning blog walks through how DC plans work, your choices, and how to plan for retirement. #PFCan moneyarchitect.ca/understandin...

A photo full of coins representing the accumulated value of a defined contribution pension plan.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · May 6

#Alternatives. #Commodities. #RealAssets. If you’re wondering whether these asset classes belong in your RRSP or TFSA, my latest #MoneyArchitect blog post breaks down what they are and why they’re gaining attention. moneyarchitect.ca/should-you-a... #adviceonly #financialplanning #PFCan

A middle-aged man Canadian man looking at his laptop and considering the option of whether to add alternatives and commodities to his investment portfolio.

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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Apr 29

A typical Canadian couple is entering retirement in 2025. What can their story teach us about balancing risk, income, and longevity? In my latest #MoneyArchitectFinancialPlanning post, I explore adding annuities to the retirement mix in a practical way. #PFCan moneyarchitect.ca/can-annuitie...

An image of green shoots emerging from a glass filled with coins.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Apr 22

We often hear “Max your #RRSP!" But is that always the best move?

In my new #MoneyArchitect blog post, I look at Karen and Michael & Sarah to explore who benefits most from RRSPs, and who might want to rethink them.

moneyarchitect.ca/should-you-m...

#AdviceOnly #FinancialPlanning #PFCan

Karen, a lower-income earner in Mission, BC, and MIchael & Sarah, an upper-middle-income earner couple in Stratford, ON.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Apr 15

The CPC's proposed “Canada First TFSA Top-Up” offers a $5,000 bonus for Canadian investments, but it raises big questions:
1. Will it help Canadian companies grow?
2. Could it worsen home bias for investors?
3. What are the long-term tax impacts?
Full blog here: moneyarchitect.ca/the-canada-f...

Two women having coffee while discussing the election in Canada and talking about the Conservative proposal for the "Canada First TFSA Top-Up."

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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Apr 8

Recent market volatility might have you questioning everything. In my latest #MoneyArchitect blog post, I explore how to stress-test your #InvestmentPlan, stay grounded in your goals, and avoid emotional traps. moneyarchitect.ca/how-investor... #AdviceOnly #FinancialPlanning #PFCan

A senior is looking at his laptop, stressing over the state of his investment portfolio following the recent market turbulence.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Mar 31

This is no big deal. Investing in a broad-based index fund that includes Brookfield, among other Canadian-domiciled assets, is exactly the asset one would hope a political leader would hold and what should be in a blind trust. BTW, not a fan of Poilievre!

Occupy Calgary 🇨🇦 @calgaryoccupy.bsky.social · Mar 28

~Anybody surprised?

Mark Gerretsen 🇨🇦 🇺🇦
@MarkGerretsen
You are never going to believe this.

Screenshot
BREAKING NEWS

The most recent filing with the Ethics Commission reveals Poilievre investments include Vanguard DTSE Canada ETF.

One of the top assets in that fund is Brookfield, the investment firm where Mark Carney was formerly chair of the board.

Pierre Poilievre may desperately attack Brookfield but Poilievre invests in Brookfield.

WHATEVER POILIEVRE SAYS PUBLICLY, EVEN POILIEVRE BELIEVES BROOKFIELD IS A GOOD INVESTMENT.

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Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Mar 25

Hannah’s new tech job pays well but has no pension benefits. She decides to build her own by contributing to an RRSP and investing in a 2065 target date fund. Learn how you can create your own pension plan, even without employer support. moneyarchitect.ca/building-you... #retirementplanning

24-year-old Hannah sitting at her desk at her tech job.

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Mar 18

For #seniors moving to a retirement community, emotional and financial considerations are paramount. This blog post shares how thoughtful planning helped Margaret embrace a new chapter with stability, support, and connection. #AdviceOnly #RetirementPlanning moneyarchitect.ca/where-do-i-g...

Russell Sawatsky @russsawatsky.bsky.social · Mar 11

#Investing isn’t just about picking stocks—it’s about knowing what you can and cannot control. My latest blog breaks down key factors DIY investors should focus on for smarter, more confident decisions. Read more here: moneyarchitect.ca/what-investo... #AdviceOnly #FinancialPlanning