Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Kim MacInnis

06/10/2026

When your child is ready to buy their first home, you might want to help financially. There are several ways to do this, and each comes with different considerations.

Scenario 1: Gift money toward a down payment. This can be straightforward, but you lose control of how those funds are used once gifted. If you're considering this, it's important to keep your own future financial needs in mind first.

Scenario 2: Loan funds with clear repayment terms. This keeps you in more control, but increases your child's debt load, which could affect the size of mortgage they qualify for. Proper documentation is essential to prevent misunderstandings later.

Scenario 3: Co-sign their mortgage. This helps them access better rates or a larger loan without requiring you to access your own capital. But you may be on the hook for the full amount if they can't make payments, and it could limit your ability to access credit in the future.

Each approach should align with your own long-term financial plan. What works for one family might not work for another.

If you're thinking about helping your child purchase a home, let's talk. We can help you understand which approach makes sense for your situation and how it fits with your overall financial goals.

Here’s what to consider

06/09/2026

Helping your child buy a home? There’s more than one financial strategy to consider.

Each approach can open the door to homeownership but could affect your finances in different ways.

The key is choosing a strategy that supports your child while staying true to your long-term financial goals.

✨Want more guidance on balancing family and finances? Reach out and let's talk.

Here’s what to consider

06/08/2026

A lot of people hear “financial planning” and immediately think about investing. But investing is only one piece of the puzzle. A real financial plan connects your money to your life, the things you value most. Whether you’re saving for education or working toward early retirement, your investments should support your goals.

If you’re curious about what a holistic plan could look like, I’m here to help.

Reach out to book a meeting and let’s bring your goals into focus.

Investments are tools. A financial plan is the blueprint. Together, they help you build and experience the life you want.

06/07/2026

Edward Jones Canada and Gallup just released (2026) national research on financial fulfillment in Canada, here’s what the data shows:

• Only 12% of Canadians are financially fulfilled
• 47% feel financially conflicted, feeling both gratitude and stress about money at
the same time
• 41% are in consistent financial stress

What stands out most: in an analysis controlling for net worth, age, and other factors, professional advisors were the only source of financial guidance with a positive association with financial fulfillment. Guidance from other sources including friends, family, personal internet research, news, social media, and AI had no or negative relationships with fulfillment.

If you're not sure your money is working toward what matters to you, that's worth a conversation. Reach out, I'd love to help you.

Source: Gallup & Edward Jones - Money and Meaning: Understanding Financial Fulfillment, 2026

06/06/2026

Market headlines can be overwhelming. One day it's good news, the next day it's concerning. When you're trying to make sound financial decisions, all that noise can make it hard to know what's right for you.

This is where personalized guidance can make a difference. Your goals, your timeline, and your comfort level with risk are unique to you. A strategy built around your specific situation helps you tune out the daily market chatter and stay focused on what you're working toward.

Working together, we can create a plan that reflects your priorities and helps give you confidence, no matter what's happening in the markets.

Let's build a strategy that's designed for you.

When considering where to invest your hard-earned money, it's natural to wonder: should I wait for conditions to settle before investing?

06/06/2026

Last week's blowout U.S. payroll report underlined the improvement in the U.S. labour market this year, with hiring accelerating and broadening across sectors, signaling a more durable foundation for growth. Canadian employment data were also surprisingly strong, reversing some of the weakness in hiring this year.

How did the markets perform this week? Get the highlights and the latest economic news.

06/05/2026

The way most people think they spend money and the way they actually spend it can be surprisingly different. You might assume you're only spending a certain amount on dining out or subscriptions, but when you track it, the reality often looks quite different.

That's why the first step in creating a balanced family budget is simply knowing where your money goes each month. Not judging it. Not changing it yet. Just understanding it. Track your income, your essential expenses, your debt payments, and yes, the money you spend on things that make life enjoyable.

Having a clear picture of your spending habits can help you gain more control. And having more control can help reduce financial stress and can help you make better decisions about what matters most to your family.

If you'd like help getting a clear view of your financial situation and creating a plan that works for your family, reach out. We can walk through it together.

These considerations can help you get a handle on how you spend money each month.

06/05/2026

Recent headlines about Middle East tensions and oil supply disruptions have created short-term market uncertainty.

Here's what I want you to know: markets experienced a pullback from some early 2026 gains in March, but longer-term returns remain strong. Average annual stock returns over the past three years have ranged from 13-25%, even after the recent pullback.

The reality? Periodic volatility is completely normal across market cycles. The S&P 500 typically sees a 10% correction about once a year. We didn't see that through Q1, so this isn't unexpected; it's healthy market behavior.

Rather than reacting to headlines, I encourage you to revisit what really matters: your comfort with risk, your time horizon, and your financial goals. These drive your portfolio design, not the news cycle.

If recent volatility has you questioning your strategy, or if you haven't reviewed your plan in a while, let's talk. We can walk through whether your current approach still aligns with where you want to go—and discuss any adjustments that might make sense for your unique situation.

What questions do you have about navigating market volatility? Drop a comment or send me a message, I'm here to help.

Learn more about your portfolio’s performance, and check out our recommendations for disciplined investors.

06/04/2026

Before you commit to helping your child financially with a home purchase, it's worth understanding how this decision might ripple through the rest of your financial picture.

1. Your retirement and savings: Large gifts or loans can influence your long-term savings or retirement goals. If you need to liquidate investments to provide a gift, there could be tax consequences you'll want to plan for.

2. Your credit and borrowing capacity: Co-signing affects your own credit and borrowing ability. It shows up on your credit report and could limit what you can access for your own needs or to help other children down the road.

3. Fairness across your family: If you have multiple children or a blended family, you'll also want to think through fairness considerations. How will you ensure equal treatment over time? What happens if you pass away before you're able to help all your children equally?

4. Documentation and protection: Regardless of which approach you take, clear documentation helps avoid family misunderstandings later. This is especially important if you're loaning money or if there's any possibility of a relationship breakdown in your child's future.

If you're considering helping your child buy a home, reach out. I can help you understand the full financial impact and help make sure this decision supports rather than compromises your own future.

Here’s what to consider

06/03/2026

One of the most common questions about Old Age Security (OAS) is when to start taking it. The standard age is 65, but you can delay until age 70. Each choice affects how much you receive.

Starting at 65 means you begin receiving income earlier. But if you delay, your monthly payments increase by 0.6% for each month you wait, up to a maximum 36% increase at age 70.

So which option is right for you? It depends on several factors unique to your situation. Your current tax rate matters. If you're still working or have other significant income, delaying might make sense. Your total income matters too, because OAS is subject to a clawback if your income exceeds certain thresholds.

If you're approaching 65 and wondering when to start your OAS, reach out. I can help you evaluate your options based on your personal circumstances.

You asked – we answered! Here are the top 10 questions about Old Age Security (OAS)