A few weeks ago, fellow Kamazooie member, Brad, posted a blog on preserving your financial legacy. At that time, I commented that I wanted to come back and talk more about the non-financial legacy so here comes that.

If you know me, or if you've read my blogs, you may have caught on that I'm a little preoccupied with legacy. Maybe its a fear of dying, or maybe it’s because I struggle with the dreaded "meaning of life". Maybe still, I've seen some great men and women and I aspire to do…

 Ok, perhaps the title overstates it a bit. But ever since I was a young lad I liked to sing. Christmas carols, radio tunes in the back of the '67 Chevy Biscayne that was the family car and, during my teen years, at Christmas parties hosted by the Payette's in my home town of Chapleau. During the early 80s I actually performed a couple of gigs in Chapleau with home town bands. The first group, "People People",…

Hi there everyone, just a quick one today. 

I caught this clip last weekend about a 3-year-old girl taking her first ride on a train. …

Your legacy represents a lifetime of earnings and savings - your lifetime. If it's worth a lifetime to accumulate, it's worth keeping. Preserving your wealth ensures your heirs receive the full value of your legacy.

Remember, the government will probably be an unintended beneficiary of your estate. You may be able to offset your tax liability through careful planning.

What gets taxed upon your death?

• RRSPs and RRIFs, unless rollover exemption…

Do you have a mortgage? Did you sign up for mortgage insurance? This is usually found at the end of the mortgage application. You answer a few simple health questions and you're done. Right? Wrong.

Here's why:

1. The lending institution owns and controls the policy. They decide who the beneficiary is and it's not you. Not your spouse. They are. They control the use of the death benefit.
2. Policies can be cancelled at any time without your approval.
3. Premiums…

Hi folks,

Here are my top 10 tips to get the most out of your Registered Retirement Savings Plan:

1. Maximize Your Contribution. A $10,000 contribution equals $4,500 in deferred tax savings (assuming your tax bracket is 45%). Got lots of contribution room? Consider a RRSP loan. The tax savings should exceed the interest paid on the loan.
2. Contribute Early. Making a lump sum contribution in early March rather than…