Article Topic: Blog

Financial thoughts, tips and tricks for you to consider.

I feel shame

As a wealth strategist I work with individuals and families to improve cash flow and build significantly greater long term wealth. The problem is I have been overly focused on one strategy in particular.   Real Estate.    Real estate funds, rental properties, rent to...

Reality Check

I must admit … we just got a reality check. As a wealth strategist, my job is to advise people.     And one of the pieces of advice I am often giving is to “Be Your Own Banker” and control the banking function in your life. But I must admit, while making great strides...
You Don’t Know Jack

You Don’t Know Jack

Jack is 45 and he just purchased $1,000,000 of Term 20 insurance. He pays $1,930 to the insurance company every year. The plan is to drop the insurance after 20 years. His family won't need it. Mortgage will be paid off. Wealth will be amassed. Children are through...

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Safe Withdrawal Rate

Safe Withdrawal Rate

If you are not familiar with the term “Safe Withdrawal Rate” you should be.   Its the key factor to guide you in determining how much money you can withdrawal from your savings each year once you reach retirement.     Nobody wants to run out of money.    So using this...

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Are you spooked yet?

Are you spooked yet?

​Today scary decorations are all around our neighbourhood.   Halloween, the day of dressing up and trick-or-treating, is full of fun and excitement for the young.    But there are often 365 days of fears for retirees. What scares retirees the most? The Market When you...

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Classic Financial Planning Mistakes

Classic Financial Planning Mistakes

I believe there are core financial planning beliefs that benefit financial instutions and not Canadians.    Which is why my wealth planning process is significantly different then most.  To get a taste of how you may be on the wrong track, consider listening to this...

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Use Debt Strategically

Use Debt Strategically

Coming from European parents, especially my Dutch father, paying off debt was probably the most important financial truth instilled in us at an early age. You never owed people money. You always paid your credit card off 100% every month. And you worked hard to be...

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BRRRR

BRRRR

If I had to use one word to describe this summer it would be BRRRR! No, I am not crazy. I realize this has been one of the hottest summers on record. Around the world. But BRRRR has nothing to do with being cold. It’s a real estate strategy that my husband Bill and I...

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Financial Priorities

Financial Priorities

As a wealth strategist, when I speak with most of my clients their financial focus is usually on paying down debt, investing in stock markets or real estate, and saving for retirement. They overlook one of the most important pillars of financial success … life...

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905-425-5327 • vws@live.ca

Kathleen van den Berg, MBA, CFP

4 Branthaven Court
Brooklin, Ontario  L1M 0B2
Canada