How Healthy Are You Financially?

Use these questions to determine your level of financial knowledge.

1.) Do you have a regular savings plan?

Setting up a pre-authorized contribution savings plan can be a great start to accumulating wealth. Most institutions will allow you to choose the contribution frequency that is the most convenient for you. As simple as this strategy may seem, it has been proven over time to be a great way to lower your risk and ensure that you stay invested.

2.) Do you have a taxation plan?

The goal of a taxation plan is simple…to pay less tax. A good tax plan will help you lower your taxes not just in the current year but over the course of your life. There are many strategies available that allow you to minimize taxation now without having to overpay in the future. RRSPs, permanent insurance and leveraging, if used appropriately, are examples of taxation strategies available to the average Canadian.

3.) Are you insured appropriately?

A good insurance plan will not only protect your loved ones should you die, it will do this in a cost efficient manner. Aside from life insurance, you need to decide if you should insure yourself against the risks of a disability, critical illness, or the need for long-term care both now and in the future. The ability to protect yourself against these risks is well worth the cost of the insurance.

4.) Have you protected your lifestyle?

Sometimes the simplest advice is the best advice. Understanding the importance of having a rainy day fund is crucial to becoming financially independent. Your rainy day fund should be large enough to cover three to six months of your lifestyle expenses. This simple strategy will allow you to avoid frivolous debt and keep your spending within the constraints of your income.

5.) What is your debt reduction plan?

When will you be debt free? How much debt do you have now? Can you pay less interest? A good debt reduction plan will focus on paying off your debt in the most efficient way possible. Always pay off high interest debt first.

6.) What happens if you die?

A good estate plan will address any probate, taxes, and debt should you die. It should also cover issues such as what each heir of your estate receives and how the assets are distributed. An up-to-date will and the appropriate investment vehicles will help your estate immensely when the time comes to pass it on.

In today’s economy I can’t stress enough the importance of having a plan to cover each of these areas. Your financial success depends on your financial plan and the foresight you are willing to put into it. No doubt, the task can be daunting; as a financial advisor, these are areas that I work with for clients on an ongoing basis because the best plan for today may be obsolete by next year.

A Proper Diet & Good Health Habits Helps Keep the Weight Away

Everyone writes about weight loss and diets these days so I wanted to write an information packed article about the benefits of good health. What most people don’t realize is that when you focus your attentions on practicing the right steps towards a healthy vibrant lifestyle you will very rarely find yourself over weight or battling the diseases that go along with poor health.

Hypertension ( stress), Bad Cholesterol, Obesity, High Blood Pressure.

Do these words sounds all too familiar?

These are the buzz words of our time…listen to the news or read a magazine, its all that we hear these days. This is the legacy we pass on to our future generation. These are the words that describe poor health.

Unfortunately, all of our focus these days is on Diet and body image when it should stress the importance of good health. Society dictates that thin is in! The advertising industry invests billions of dollars in the marketing of miracle fat burners and quick loss schemes that promise amazing overnight results. The fact is that most fad diets are developed by people with little to no scientific or health background.Most quick weight loss diets may produce short term results that in turn prove harmful with long term side effects for the very people who suffer from the health problems I have listed above

Your body weight and clothes size is not a reliable indication of a healthy person. No two people have the same body composition. Ask any doctor or nutritionist and they will likely state that the true measure of health and longevity has mainly to do with proper diet,healthy eating habits, a high degree of exercise and most of all a sound mental outlook on life.

Good health is not hard to achieve. Below is a complete list of healthy habits to practice throughout your life and I can almost guarantee that when you focus on your health, the excess weight will naturally take care of itself

Check List For A Healthy Lifestyle

1. Eat a well rounded diet each day consisting of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and calcium rich foods.

2. Replace large meals with 5 small low fat, high fiber meals.

3. Drink plenty of water. Make sure to drink at least 15 oz. of water in the morning to start your day. This will hydrate your organs and body and get your system off to a good start.

4. Cut back on your alcohol intake.

5. Limit caffeine intake and all other beverages that contain fat or high amounts of sugar.

6. Practice deep breathing exercises. When you breathe deep through your diaphragm and exhale slowly, this will reduce daily stress and stimulate your lymph nodes to help cleans and flush toxins from your body

7. Do at least 30-45 minut of strenuous exercise per day. This will burn calories, rev up your metabolism, tone your muscles and also reduce stress levels.

8. Take a good multi-vitamin along with certain natural supplements that will enhance your energy level and replace important nutrients not absorbed with your meals. * Note: Consult with your doctor or a licensed nutritionist before setting up your dietary plan.

9. Be good to yourself! Do something each day that brings you personal joy. Read a good book, travel, meditate, garden, enjoy your pets,spend quality time with your spouse, get together with friends. All of these are good suggestions that will relieve stress and create a healthy & positive state of mind.