Amanda Moga, Financial Advisor

05/29/2026

Financial Tip: When Should You Take CPP and OAS?

This is a loaded question… and there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Before deciding, we need to dig deeper:

What is your family longevity like?
How is your health?
Are you still working?
What is your current income?
Do you need the cash flow now?
What other income sources do you have?
Could OAS clawback become an issue?
Are you planning to invest the payments?

I’ve had clients take CPP early and invest it into their RRSP until they’re ready to retire.

I’ve had clients take it and contribute to their TFSA.

I’ve had clients wait until 65.

I’ve had clients delay CPP to age 70 and OAS to age 70.

The right answer depends on your income, tax situation, health, goals, and overall retirement plan.

So no, there is no “perfect” age for everyone.

But when you sit down with your advisor — me 😉 — deciding when to take CPP and OAS becomes a lot clearer.

05/27/2026

Financial Tip 💡

Do you have a high RRSP/RRIF balance and are over age 60?

Are you waiting until age 71 to convert your RRSP to a RRIF and only planning to take the minimum payments?

That strategy could backfire from a tax perspective.

It’s important to sit down with your financial advisor and discuss the long-term tax implications of your retirement income plan.

Why?

If you currently have a spouse, this may be the ideal time to consider larger RRIF withdrawals because you may have the ability to income split.

If you later become widowed or single, you lose many of those income-splitting advantages and could end up carrying the full tax burden yourself.

What does this mean?

For many Canadians with large registered accounts, it can make sense to start drawing income earlier — potentially at a lower tax bracket — instead of waiting.

This becomes especially important when RRSPs/RRIFs grow to significant levels such as $500,000+.

At death, registered accounts are generally treated as fully taxable income unless rolled to a spouse. That can push an estate into one of the highest tax brackets, potentially resulting in 40–55% tax depending on the province and total estate value.

Planning strategies may include:

✔️ Gradually drawing down RRIF assets earlier
✔️ Using available TFSA contribution room
✔️ Reinvesting into non-registered investments or segregated funds with beneficiaries named
✔️ Using permanent life insurance to help offset future estate taxes
✔️ Estate and tax planning with your advisor and accountant

I would often rather see clients pay tax gradually at 30–35% during retirement than leave beneficiaries facing a much larger tax burden later.

The goal isn’t avoiding tax entirely — it’s creating a more tax-efficient transfer of wealth to the next generation.

Tax and estate planning strategies are not one-size-fits-all. Speak with a qualified financial professional and tax advisor before making decisions.

05/25/2026

💰 Financial Tip💰

One thing I hear often is:

“I can’t afford to save.”

But sometimes it’s not about making more money… it’s about finding the money that’s quietly slipping away every month.

Small habits can turn into BIG savings over time.

Ask yourself:

• Do I really need a $75 cable bill?
• Am I paying for multiple streaming services I barely use? (Disney+, Prime, Crave, Netflix, etc.)
• Could I call my cell phone provider and negotiate a better rate?
• Am I eating out more than I realize?
• Could I meal prep instead of ordering takeout?
• Do I online shop out of boredom?
• Could I combine errands to save gas?
• Could I cut back on daily laundry loads to lower hydro bills?

Saving money doesn’t always mean huge sacrifices.

Sometimes it’s just being intentional with the little things. 👌

Those small changes could turn into:
➡️ an emergency fund
➡️ a vacation
➡️ paying off debt
➡️ long-term investments
➡️ financial peace of mind

If you found just $200/biweekly in savings and invested it instead?

At an 8% annual return, after 10 years you could have approximately:

💵 $75,000

That’s from small habit changes most people barely notice day to day.

Small habits.
Big results.
Future you will thank you. 👌

05/20/2026

💡 Financial Tip: Small Savings Add Up BIG Over Time 💡

What could consistent investing look like with an average annual return of 8%?

Investing $100 biweekly

* 10 years: approx. $39,741
* 15 years: approx. $75,205
* 20 years: approx. $128,079

Investing $200 biweekly

* 10 years: approx. $79,483
* 15 years: approx. $150,410
* 20 years: approx. $256,157

✨ The biggest secret to long-term wealth?
Consistency + Time in the market.

Even small amounts invested regularly can create significant growth over the years 📈

05/06/2026

Financial Tip 💡

What is Critical Illness Insurance?

Critical Illness Insurance provides a lump-sum tax-free payment if you are diagnosed with a covered serious illness such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke.

The money can be used however you need:
✔️ Mortgage or bills
✔️ Travel for treatment
✔️ Time off work
✔️ Childcare or extra support
✔️ Protecting your savings and investments

Unlike disability insurance, it’s not based on your income — it’s a one-time payment designed to give you financial flexibility during a difficult time.

Many people are surprised that coverage can actually be quite affordable, especially when purchased younger and healthier.

A serious illness can affect more than your health — it can impact your finances too. Planning ahead matters ♥️

Amanda Moga
Miller Wealth

04/24/2026

I’ve been getting more requests lately to present on financial literacy—and I couldn’t be more grateful.

This is where real impact happens.
Not just managing money—but understanding it.

The more people are educated, the better decisions they make—for themselves, their families, and their future.

If you’re interested in bringing financial literacy into your workplace or team, let’s connect. I’d be happy to make it happen.

Amanda Moga
[email protected]

04/12/2026

You’re going to die.
It’s inevitable. It will happen. We just don’t know when.

Harsh? Yes.
Real? Also yes.

And honestly… I’m scared of it too. I’m not ready.

But I am confident in one thing:
My family will be taken care of if something happens to me.

Will yours?

Saying “I don’t have a spouse” or “I don’t have kids” isn’t a good enough excuse.
Your family—parents, siblings, loved ones—will still be the ones left dealing with everything.

Two things you need in place. Now:

1. Life Insurance
It’s more affordable than you think.
And no—don’t compare to your friend or family member.
Your cost is based on your situation.

2. A Will
Without one, your family faces extra stress, delays, and legal hurdles…
while they’re grieving.
And your assets may not go where you actually want them to.

This isn’t about you.
It’s about the people you leave behind.

Life insurance? I’ve got you.
Will? I have trusted referrals.

Let’s make sure your family is taken care of.

03/27/2026

Financial Tip: How investment fees may help at tax time

Did you know that some investment fees may be tax-deductible?

If your money is in a registered account such as an RRSP, TFSA, RESP, or RDSP, you cannot deduct those fees.

But if you have a non-registered account or, depending on the structure, certain corporate investment accounts, a portion of the fees paid for investment management or advice may be deductible. (Canada)

Here’s an example:

Let’s say you have $500,000 invested.

At a traditional institution, you might be in a fund with a 2.19% MER.
That works out to about $10,950 per year in fees.

You can not write off any of those fees.

With an independent advisor, your total cost might look more like:
• 1.05% MER
• 1.00% advisory fee

That equals about $10,250 per year in total fees.

So right away, your annual cost is about $700 lower in this example.

Now here’s where it can get even more interesting:

The $5,000 advisory fee portion may be deductible if it applies to a qualifying non-registered account. If you’re in a 40% tax bracket, that could mean roughly $2,000 in tax savings.

In this example:
• Fee savings: about $700
• Potential tax savings: about $2,000
• Total potential benefit: about $2,700 in one year

That’s why it’s important to understand how your fees are structured.
It’s not just about what you pay — it’s also about whether part of that cost may work in your favour at tax time.

Always confirm deductibility with your accountant or tax professional, because it depends on the account type and how the fees are charged.

Want to know more? Let’s talk

Amanda Moga
Miller Wealth.

03/25/2026

03/16/2026

💡 Financial Tip

There has been a lot of talk lately about uncertainty in the markets due to geopolitical tensions, including what’s happening with Iran.

While uncertainty can feel uncomfortable, it’s important to remember that markets have faced many global events over the years — wars, political tensions, recessions, and financial crises.

And through most of them, markets have eventually recovered and continued to move higher over time.

History shows us that downturns are a normal part of investing. In fact, most market downturns are relatively short-lived compared to the long periods of growth that follow.

📉 Volatility can actually create opportunity.

When markets pull back, investors who stay disciplined and continue investing may benefit from purchasing quality investments at lower prices.

The key is to stay focused on the long-term plan rather than short-term headlines.

✔ Stay disciplined
✔ Stay diversified
✔ Stay invested

Because often, the greatest opportunities appear during times of uncertainty.

Amanda Moga
Miller Wealth