Russell Sawatsky
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Russell Sawatsky
@russsawatsky.bsky.social
34 followers 24 following 34 posts
Owner, https://moneyarchitect.ca/; retired IR; CFP®, CIM; Mennonite; From Chilliwack, BC, resident of London, ON; 日本に10年間住んでいた; New kidney, July 29, 2016. Posts about personal finance in Canada, #PFCan, and other stuff.
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This “senior” (still hard to acknowledge) would happily see my home price decline if it made housing more affordable for my children.
Reposted by Russell Sawatsky
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.
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
Reposted by Russell Sawatsky
You’ve heard Dave talk about her for years—Here’s Mo, his right-hand woman.
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
#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
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
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...
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
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...
#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
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
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...
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...
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...
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...
#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 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...
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
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...
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
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!
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
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...
#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