Currie, Slaunwhite, Hughes & Associates Private Wealth Management

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Charlottetown, PE
Currie, Slaunwhite, Hughes & Associates Private Wealth Management

Our team helps Business Owners and Professionals turn corporate profit into personal wealth through our detailed approach.

Jamie Currie, CFP, RRC, BBTH, Executive Financial Consultant
Allan Slaunwhite, CFP, RRC, BBA, Executive Financial Consultant
Andrew Hughes, BA, B.Ed, M.Ed, RRC, Associate Consultant
Alana Slaunwhite, BSc, MBA, Associate Consultant
Patrick Steele, CFP, RRC, BBA, Certified Financial Planner
Ron MacDougall, Business Development Coordinator
Spencer Myers, Business Development Coordinator
Megan Schrade

r, B.Comm, Executive Assistant
Shelley MacKinnon, Executive Assistant
Maria Brown, Executive Assistant
Abby Baillie, Executive Assistant
Hailee Currie, B.Sc, Marketing Coordinator

Investors Group Financial Services Inc.

09/29/2025

Investment 201: Building Smarter Portfolios

Once you understand the basic building blocks of investing, the next step is to focus on how those pieces come together: asset allocation and portfolio structure.

📐 Asset Allocation – This is the process of dividing your investments among different asset classes (like stocks, bonds, alternatives, and cash). The right mix depends on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. Diversification across assets can help manage risk while aiming for steady growth.
🧱 Core vs. Satellite Strategy – A popular way to build a portfolio. The 'core' consists of stable, diversified holdings designed to serve as the foundation of your investment approach. 'Satellites' are smaller, more targeted positions in areas like specific sectors, geographies, or private investments that may offer higher return potential or unique opportunities.
🌍 Geographic Diversification – Investing across domestic and international markets can reduce risk and uncover opportunities not available in one region alone.
🔄 Rebalancing – Over time, your portfolio can drift from its original allocation. Rebalancing brings it back in line, helping you stay aligned with your goals and avoid unintended risks.
🎯 Goals-Based Structure – A well-structured portfolio considers when you’ll need the money. Short-term needs might be held in cash or low-volatility assets, while long-term goals may lean more heavily on equities or alternatives.

Understanding these strategies can take your investment planning from basic to intentional:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/23/2025

Investment 101: What Every Investor Should Know

📊 ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) – ETFs are collections of investments, such as stocks or bonds, that trade on public exchanges. They can offer a cost-effective way to diversify across sectors or asset classes.
💼 Mutual Funds – These are professionally managed investment vehicles that pool money from many investors. They may follow active or passive strategies and are commonly used in long-term investment planning.
🔒 Private Equity – This involves investing in private companies or taking public companies private. These investments are less liquid and typically suited for long-term horizons, with the potential for higher returns.
🏦 Private Credit – Also known as direct lending, private credit refers to non-bank loans made to companies. It’s often used as a way to diversify income sources in a portfolio, especially in varying interest rate environments.
📈 Stocks – Representing ownership in a company, stocks can provide growth through capital appreciation and, in some cases, dividends. They tend to be more volatile and are usually considered for long-term investment.
💵 Bonds – Bonds are fixed-income instruments that involve lending money to a government or corporation. They typically offer regular interest payments and are used to add stability to a portfolio.

Understanding these core investment types can help lay the foundation for building a well-balanced financial plan:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/19/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲

You’ve worked hard to build your income — but earning more doesn’t automatically mean you’re building wealth efficiently.
Here are some of the most common mistakes we see among high-income professionals:

𝗟𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗿𝗼𝗱𝗲 𝗪𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵
Many professionals focus on gross income, but overlook the importance of net after-tax planning. Without proactive tax strategies, a significant portion of income can become lost unnecessarily.
𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗥𝗦𝗣𝘀
While RRSPs can be valuable, they’re not the only tool. Often, we see accounts like TFSAs neglected — despite their ability to provide powerful tax-free compounding, especially for individuals who may remain in a high tax bracket throughout retirement.
𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴
Professionals with consistent high income often wait too long to structure their practice efficiently — missing out on income splitting, tax deferral, and investment growth opportunities.
𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗪𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴-𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
As income grows, so do expenses — but rarely with a clear plan. Without intentional wealth-building goals, high income doesn’t always translate to long-term financial freedom.
𝗡𝗼 𝗖𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻
Investments, tax strategy, insurance, and estate planning are often handled in silos — leading to missed opportunities and gaps. A cohesive strategy creates clarity and confidence.

Our team specializes in working with high-income professionals to proactively structure and optimize their financial lives — with integrated planning tools like Conquest to map the path forward.

📩 Ready to make your income work harder for you? Let’s connect:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/18/2025

Is Your Corporate Investment Portfolio Tax Efficient?

As business owners and incorporated professionals build out their business, they often reach the point of generating excess profits that they would like to diversify away from the business and begin building up for retirement.

But here’s the catch: Passive income (like interest, dividends, and capital gains) earned inside a corporation can reduce access to the small business tax rate.

In Canada, once your corporation earns more than $50,000 in passive income, it begins to lose the small business deduction. This means your active business income can be taxed at a much higher rate—potentially tens of thousands more in tax every year.

🧐 Think of it this way:
You're doing all the right things by growing your business and investing the surplus...
But without proper tax planning, those investments could be silently costing your business its preferred tax status.

We help business owners review and structure their corporate portfolios for tax efficiency, growth, and long-term success.

📊 Curious if your portfolio is costing your business more than it should?
Let’s take a closer look—your future self might thank you:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/16/2025

Is Your Advisor Earning Their Keep?

Take a hard look at the image below — it's the Advisor Scorecard.

How many times can you honestly say "yes" to these 16 key questions?
✅ Do they return your calls quickly?
✅ Have they helped you plan beyond just investments?
✅ Do you actually understand your financial plan?

Be honest with yourself. Here's how the scoring breaks down:
🔸 14–16: You likely have a great advisor
🟡 10–13: There's room to improve
🟠 7–9: Time for a second opinion
🔴 6 or fewer: It might be time to run 🏃‍♂️💨

Too often, we see people assuming their advisor is “doing a good job” just because they meet once a year. But a strong advisor relationship is proactive, personal, and holistic.

We use this framework to help clients evaluate their current advice relationships — and to raise the bar for what they should expect.

📩 Want to walk through your score and what it means for your future? Let’s connect:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/14/2025

💡 Gifting During Your Lifetime vs. At Death – Strategic Legacy Building

As a financial planner, one of the most meaningful discussions I have with clients is about how—and when—to pass on wealth.

👵 Gifting During Your Lifetime
✔️ You get to witness the positive impact your support has on your loved ones
✔️ You can offer help at moments when it’s needed most—like buying a first home or starting a business
✔️ It can help reduce your taxable estate and potentially lower future tax obligations
✔️ You have the opportunity to pass on more than money—your values, guidance, and financial wisdom

🪦 Gifting at Death
✔️ Keeps your own financial flexibility and independence intact while you’re living
✔️ Allows for clear, organized distribution through your will or trust
✔️ Supports causes and people through larger gifts, often with tax-efficient strategies
✔️ Works well for charitable giving or setting up long-term family trusts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. It depends on your goals, your family, and your broader plan. Often, a blended approach makes the most sense—giving some now, and leaving a structured legacy later. If you're thinking about how to best structure your legacy, we’re here to help you build a strategy that aligns with your vision and values:

https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/12/2025

Strategic Giving for High-Net-Worth Families and Business Owners

Looking to make a meaningful impact while optimizing your tax strategy?

Charitable giving accounts—also known as donor-advised funds—are a powerful planning tool that can help high-net-worth families and incorporated business owners give intentionally while reducing their overall tax burden.

Whether you're managing a high-income year, planning the sale of a business, or building a long-term legacy, donor-advised funds offer:

✅ An immediate tax deduction for personal or corporate contributions
✅ Tax-free growth of the funds within the account
✅ Full control over when and where your charitable grants are distributed

Here’s a simple example for a high-income family based in PEI:
Suppose the family owns publicly traded securities that were purchased for $20,000 and are now worth $100,000. By donating these appreciated investments in-kind to a charitable giving account, the family would:
- Avoid paying capital gains tax on the $80,000 of unrealized gains
- Receive a full charitable donation receipt for the fair market value of $100,000
- Generate a federal and provincial tax credit worth approximately 45.7%, resulting in $45,700 of personal tax savings

This strategy is especially effective during high-income years, when exercising stock options, or after receiving a large bonus or inheritance. It allows you to unlock the value of your investments, give more to charity, and reduce your tax bill—without affecting your cash flow.

Charitable giving is more than a tax strategy—it’s a way to build a legacy aligned with your values.

Let’s explore how this approach can enhance your broader financial and philanthropic plans:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/11/2025

Investing With Purpose: Understanding ESG and Responsible Investing

Investing is no longer just about returns—it's about impact. Many investors today are looking for ways to grow their wealth while contributing to a better world.

That’s where purpose-driven investing comes in. Two of the most common approaches are:
🔹 ESG Investing (Environmental, Social, and Governance): This strategy considers how companies perform on environmental issues (like climate change), social factors (such as employee treatment and community impact), and governance (like board diversity and executive accountability).
🔹 Socially Responsible Investing (SRI): SRI takes things a step further by actively excluding industries or companies that don’t align with the investor’s values—such as fossil fuels, to***co, or weapons.

Both strategies aim to create a positive impact while still supporting long-term financial growth.
Investing with purpose isn’t a trend—it’s a growing movement. And with the right approach, it can be a powerful part of your overall financial plan.

Curious about how this might fit into your portfolio? We’re here to help you explore the possibilities:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/05/2025

Life is full of surprises - some planned, many not. That’s why having a financial plan that prepares you for both your retirement goals and the unexpected is so important.

We work closely with you and your trusted advisors to build a plan tailored to your risk tolerance and unique circumstances. This coordinated approach helps you face whatever comes your way with confidence and peace of mind.

If you want a financial strategy that prepares you not just for the future you imagine, but also the one that might catch you off guard, we’re here to help. Let’s make sure you’re ready for all of it:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/03/2025

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗣𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮

Passive income inside a corporation may seem like a smart way to invest surplus cash—but it comes with tax consequences.

𝗜𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗮 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗮:

𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝘆𝗽𝗲 : 𝗧𝗮𝘅 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗲
Passive Income: 52.67%
Active Business Income: ~11.5%

🫢 Example: If your corporation earns $100,000 in passive income, it could pay $52,670 in tax.
Compare that to $11,500 on the same amount of active business income. That’s nearly a 5× tax difference.

Once your passive income exceeds $50,000, your small business deduction begins to shrink—and it disappears entirely by $150,000.

There are ways to improve this situation. Investing in growth-oriented equities, for example, may allow for tax deferral through capital gains rather than being taxed annually like interest income.

Our team collaborates with your accountants and legal advisors to structure your corporate investments in a way that maximizes tax efficiency and builds long-term wealth for your retirement and your family. If you’re in Nova Scotia and growing a corporate portfolio, make sure it’s structured with tax efficiency in mind. We’re here to help:

https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

09/01/2025

Is a Family Trust the Right Way to Support Your Children? 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🔐

As your wealth grows, so does the complexity of passing it down. If you're looking to provide support to adult children in a controlled, tax-efficient way—a family trust may be the answer.

Why Consider a Family Trust?
✅ Control: You decide how, when, and under what conditions assets are distributed.
✅ Protection: Trusts can safeguard wealth from creditors, divorce settlements, or poor financial decisions.
✅ Tax Planning: Properly structured trusts can create income-splitting opportunities and reduce the overall family tax burden.
✅ Legacy Planning: They help preserve wealth across generations with clear rules and governance.

Family trusts are not one-size-fits-all. They require planning, legal coordination, and thoughtful design to work effectively.
Our team works with families to educate and guide them in building and preserving wealth for future generations.

📩 If you’re considering a trust as part of your wealth strategy, let’s explore how it could fit your family’s needs and goals:
https://www.chmprivatewealth.ca

Address

80 Grafton Street
Charlottetown, PE
C1A1K7

Website

https://www.cshprivatewealth.ca/

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