Search found 153 matches

by planB
28 Mar 2020 12:52
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Downloading stocks to a spreadsheet
Replies: 83
Views: 14699

Re: Downloading stocks to a spreadsheet

Newer versions of Excel provide a stock price function

Data: Data types: Stocks

https://support.office.com/en-us/articl ... 3cf07fbc54
by planB
07 Jan 2020 16:02
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Aussie VBAL
Replies: 9
Views: 704

Re: Aussie VBAL

wrote: or could i potentially keep investing in my vbal after i move to australia and declare residency there?
When I lived and worked in Australia there was no problem maintaining and trading in my accounts at TDDI. I would check with your broker ahead of the move, but theoretically once you advise them of your moving date and address in Australia, they should apply the correct withholding tax.
by planB
27 May 2019 15:58
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: T 1135 for Returning Canadians
Replies: 13
Views: 1840

Re: T 1135 for Returning Canadians

Another data point to support filing the T1135: I recently moved back to Canada, and my tax accountant (with one of the big firms) filed a T1135 with my first return as a Canadian tax resident (split year with US).
by planB
05 Jan 2019 12:13
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: How Did You Do in 2018?
Replies: 133
Views: 6032

Re: How Did You Do in 2018?

-1.9% with a 60/40 portfolio, after fees and some withholding taxes.
by planB
31 Aug 2018 15:39
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2018)
Replies: 465
Views: 47478

Re: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2018)

AltaRed wrote: 31 Aug 2018 14:40 There are really 2 questions in one. Firstly, they are deposits, not investments, so by buying or selling ISA units, does not trigger a buy/sell transaction for CG purposes on their own at that time.
Thanks AltaRed. I just moved back to Canada and I'm sorting things out. Good to know that these USD accounts can be used without triggering currency gains/losses, otherwise they probably wouldn't be worth using. Also thanks for the reminder that USD cash has a CAD ACB as well when used to buy investments. At least the deemed acquisition rule still applies when returning to Canada. Cheers
by planB
31 Aug 2018 14:00
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2018)
Replies: 465
Views: 47478

Re: High interest rates for savings, GICs and MMFs (2018)

AltaRed wrote: 31 Aug 2018 12:12 Added: I hold DYN5001 for my USD cash.
Hi. For USD HISA funds like this, are we required to track ACB of these funds in CAD and report currency gains/losses? Or are these USD HISA accounts considered deposits and not funds? Many thanks.
by planB
10 Aug 2018 12:45
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Investing in Emerging Markets - Yes or No?
Replies: 54
Views: 2376

Re: Investing in Emerging Markets - Yes or No?

Yes. I own EM around market weight and plan to keep it as part of the portfolio through retirement.
by planB
18 Mar 2018 12:24
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: Canadian moving to the US
Replies: 27
Views: 2148

Re: Canadian moving to the US

In addition to AltaRed's very helpful response 1. When I moved to California (on a TN) I was required to get a California license, but only had to take the written test. In addition to car registration/insurance you probably want a US drivers license anyway, since it is required for ID often including access to health care. 3. I use Interactive Brokers because of cheap forex and CAD/USD trading. When you move back to Canada you can transfer your assets from IB USA to IB Canada (I called and asked IB about this question). I assume this works with other brokers too. 5. I use T Mobile prepaid. The phone works in Canada and Mexico. Side note: TN status/visas now run for 3 years. You can renew them by crossing the border with your paperwork, or ...
by planB
07 Nov 2017 10:30
Forum: Financial Planning and Building Portfolios
Topic: Passing on a DIY portfolio after death
Replies: 35
Views: 2268

Re: Passing on a DIY portfolio after death

ronjoh wrote:My wife is computer illiterate and has no interest (at this point) in how I've been managing our DIY investment portfolio. ...snip... We both know she should sit down and go over everything but I really don't think that's going to happen.
(a) Annuity
(b) Low cost balanced fund with trusted advisor and clear withdrawal plan

Maybe work up a couple of financial scenarios/plans like selling the house, anticipated health care expenses/changes etc
by planB
02 Nov 2017 10:37
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Equifax credit score dropped for no apparent reason
Replies: 26
Views: 2637

Re: Equifax credit score dropped for no apparent reason

My FICO score is listed on my US bank login page, so I see it every time I log in. I noticed that overpaying credit cards or paying in round numbers (like $1000s) will cause it to drop. This implies that I can't manage debt or something like that.

Anecdotally I have noticed that my US coworkers watch their scores closely. People tend to run on cash flow and many things are financed. As a new resident I understand why you want to establish a good financial record.
by planB
11 Oct 2017 15:31
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: Moving back to Canada from the US
Replies: 6
Views: 841

Re: Moving back to Canada from the US

Does anyone have a good cross border tax consultant to suggest? I have used both KPMG and PWC, but they were through corp contacts. 4. For your car I believe that you will pay tax/duty on the value above $10,000. (Canadian residents who buy a car in the US to import pay tax on the full purchase price). Note that you will have to get daytime running lights set up on your car to meet Canadian regs (as kcowan mentioned) and get the car inspected. Don't know if it applies to dual citizens but returning Canadians should (used to/supposed to) file a 'sailing permit' with the IRS, i.e. a tax return that makes sure all US tax obligations are paid before physically leaving the USA. I had to do this for a past assignment in the US, but KMPG recently...
by planB
07 Oct 2017 17:40
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Travel/Vacations
Replies: 614
Views: 16889

Re: Travel/Vacations

Shakespeare wrote: 07 Oct 2017 10:11
planB wrote: 07 Oct 2017 09:23
BRIAN5000 wrote: 06 Oct 2017 16:37 Anyone have any suggestions about luggage, hard side soft side?
Samsonite hard shell with a good strap. I lock the zipper closed with a cable tie wrap to see if anyone opened the luggage.
Doesn't that mean you need a knife or scissors in the carryon? Or sharp teeth? :wink:
Yeah it can take a little creativity to cut/twist them off at destination!
by planB
07 Oct 2017 09:23
Forum: Community Centre
Topic: Travel/Vacations
Replies: 614
Views: 16889

Re: Travel/Vacations

BRIAN5000 wrote: 06 Oct 2017 16:37 Anyone have any suggestions about luggage, hard side soft side?
Samsonite hard shell with a good strap. I lock the zipper closed with a cable tie wrap to see if anyone opened the luggage.
by planB
21 Sep 2017 13:29
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: Working as an EXPAT in the US
Replies: 18
Views: 1080

Re: Working as an EXPAT in the US

Everything AltaRed said. The tax treaty sets the rules for tax residency, usually interpreted by an accountant with your visa and travel info. I'm pretty sure that if you are living and working in the US with the intent of staying for 2+ years you will be a US resident for tax purposes. In my case, having cars, property, and financial accounts in Canada had no impact on determining my US tax residency. From expat water cooler talk, residency for employees (not retirees) becomes uncertain when they are part-timing on both sides of the border, or if the family stays home while the employee is working across the border. [OT] I thought that the ties to Canada argument was mainly relevant to travelling retirees trying to dodge taxes, people work...
by planB
17 Sep 2017 13:43
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Equifax security breach
Replies: 19
Views: 2002

Re: Equifax security breach

AltaRed wrote: 17 Sep 2017 13:15 Do you mean a 'fraud alert' with Equifax in the USA? Or in Canada? AFAIK, they operate independently.
Sorry I meant the US. Most of my financial activity is currently in the US and I think the risk is higher on the US side. I have had fraudulent charges on my US debit card, credit card and company card. I don't use my debit card for purchases anymore.
by planB
17 Sep 2017 12:47
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Equifax security breach
Replies: 19
Views: 2002

Re: Equifax security breach

Thanks all - good info. I will look into putting a fraud/freeze on my credit file (I'm still in the US).

Note the IRS is conducting identity verification checks to help with fraud. I was notified this year that my tax return would not processed until I called in and vertified some info relating to past and present returns.

The Equifax mess looks like an Arthur Andersen level event to me.
by planB
27 Apr 2017 17:58
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: Home Capital Group (Symbol-HCG) [Delisted 31-Aug-2023]
Replies: 279
Views: 25100

Re: Home Capital Group (Symbol-HCG) [Delisted 31-Aug-2023]

There was so much noise earlier in the week I transferred my Oaken HISA balance back to my main bank. Sorry for the run on the bank guys. I also have a $100k GIC and even though Oaken is insured up to $200k with two issuers I felt that I was exposed enough.
by planB
13 Apr 2017 22:47
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Opening a US account at RBC or TD
Replies: 12
Views: 1584

Re: Opening a US account at RBC or TD

AltaRed wrote: 13 Apr 2017 20:31 I think the OP is talking about bank accounts but I could be mistaken.
Thanks, I misread the post.
by planB
13 Apr 2017 20:21
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Opening a US account at RBC or TD
Replies: 12
Views: 1584

Re: Opening a US account at RBC or TD

I contacted TD Ameritrade a couple of years ago and they did not offer a CAD account in addition to the base USD account, so I didn't see any advantage to sticking with TD. I ended up opening an account with Interactive Brokers (US) which allows CAD and USD accounts/trading and very cheap forex. The IB account was opened on line with no problems.
by planB
04 Apr 2017 14:30
Forum: Retirement, Pensions and Peace of Mind
Topic: Financially uninterested spouse inheriting stock portfolio
Replies: 50
Views: 3527

Re: Financially uninterested spouse inheriting stock portfolio

Perhaps the best final gift to a financially uninterested spouse (of retirement age) would be a house/condo and an annuity. Nothing wrong with a trustee and a couch potato portfolio if cost and complexity still put you ahead of an annuity I guess.

I have met a few financially uninterested retirees and the probablility of them becoming financially interested seems pretty low! An annuity plus a cash account for cars and travel would be the way to go for those folks.
by planB
22 Mar 2017 17:04
Forum: Financial News, Policy and Economics
Topic: Federal Budget 2017 - March 22
Replies: 55
Views: 4874

Re: Federal Budget 2017 - March 22

Federal budget highlights from KPMG.
by planB
02 Feb 2017 16:49
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: Umbrella liability insurance - a survey
Replies: 14
Views: 2191

Re: Umbrella liability insurance - a survey

I have $5m umbrella coverage. I bought it because I have met a few folks who have had unexpected liability issues (e.g. cyclists hitting pedestrians). Its hard to quantify tail risk in everyday activities, but I feel better having the insurance.

Someone suggested to me that umbrella coverage should be large enough for the insurance company to have incentive to get involved in the case of an ambitious lawsuit. I don't know what that level would be or if this is an necessary consideration.
by planB
03 Jan 2017 12:55
Forum: Stocks, Bonds, ETFs, Funds, REITS and More
Topic: What did you Buy? What might you buy? (2017)
Replies: 532
Views: 60898

Re: What did you Buy? What might you buy? (2017)

I bought VEA (foreign developed), and VWO (emerging markets) to rebalance.
by planB
03 Jan 2017 12:33
Forum: Taxing Situations
Topic: Canadian moving to US, TFSA question
Replies: 8
Views: 1046

Re: Canadian moving to US, TFSA question

does the non-resident continue to accumulate further TFSA room annually whilst non-resident which he/she can utilize on returning to Canada?
Every year (full or partial) where you file as a resident counts. Otherwise, it doesn't count.
This clarification is a real disadvantage for us expats. As a temporary non-resident, I still get paid in CAD, participate in my employers DC/registered savings plan, and pay into CPP. Yet no TFSA. I will contact CRA when I return to see if there is any wiggle room to catch up.
by planB
14 Nov 2016 00:24
Forum: Under the Mattress: Protecting Your Money
Topic: to buy new or used car?
Replies: 1590
Views: 126839

Re: to buy new or used car?

With new 2017 models now available, it seems likely that at some point dealers/manufacturers will be eager to clear out old 2016 inventory. Based on historical practice, is there a month or particular time of year that one should expect the available discounts on the previous year's models (2016) to be greatest?
Year end is always best - the last few days of the year when they want/need to get sales on the books. Otherwise any month end is a good time.

If you are buying a demo or last year model, sometimes a print out of a reputable online car price estimate can be a helpful negotiating tool.