Laura Southall Finance

Laura Southall Finance Personal Wealth Management I was fifteen when I started investing $50 a month to save for a down payment on a house. For me, nothing could be more rewarding.

Laura Southall, CFP®, CLU®, Senior Wealth Advisor, Assante Wealth Management Ltd

Personal Wealth Management

I was fourteen years old when I bought my first GIC and my passion for investing was ignited. At 23 years old, I bought my first house, where I immediately rented out the basement to cover the mortgage. My passion for investing, finance and business is unlimited and ongoing. I feel so luck

y to be a financial advisor at Assante. I get to work with my clients to help them achieve their goals. Outside of the office, I am married with three young children. I complete several triathlons every year and I love travelling. This material is provided for general information and is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to compile this material from reliable sources however no warranty can be made as to its accuracy or completeness. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees, and expenses may all be associated with mutual fund investments. The indicated rates of return are the historical annual compounded total returns including changes in unit/share value and reinvestment of all distributions/dividends. They do not take into account sales, redemption, distribution or optional charges or income taxes payable by any security holder that would have reduced returns. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Please read the Fund Facts and consult a professional advisor for individual financial advice based on your personal circumstances before acting. The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of Assante Financial Management Ltd. Insurance Products and Services are provided through Assante Estate and Insurance Services Inc. Please visit www.assante.com/legal for important legal and regulatory disclosures

It’s easy to say, “I want to be financially free.”But what does that actually mean?For most Canadians, financial freedom...
06/16/2026

It’s easy to say, “I want to be financially free.”
But what does that actually mean?

For most Canadians, financial freedom means having enough income from savings, investments, pensions, or other sources to cover their lifestyle without relying on a paycheck.But what does that look like in a practical sense?

A comfortable monthly lifestyle might look like:
🏠 Housing: $2,500
🍎 Groceries: $800
🚘 Transportation: $800
💡 Utilities, phone, internet: $400
🩺 Insurance/health/personal care: $500
🏖️ Travel, dining, entertainment: $800
💲 Miscellaneous buffer: $700

That’s about $6,500/month or $78,000/year after tax.

Using the 4% rule as a rough guide: $78,000 × 25 = $1,950,000

That doesn’t mean everyone needs exactly $2 million.Your number depends on your housing costs, debt, retirement age, pensions, CPP/OAS, taxes, and lifestyle.

The goal isn’t to chase someone else’s number. The goal is to know yours and have a plan for how to get there.

Financial freedom becomes much more achievable when it stops being vague and starts being measurable. Start with your monthly lifestyle costs and speak with a financial advisor to create a plan that gets you where you want to go.

Employer RRSP matching boosts your retirement savings, but does it cut into take-home pay? Not exactly. It reduces taxab...
06/11/2026

Employer RRSP matching boosts your retirement savings, but does it cut into take-home pay?

Not exactly.

It reduces taxable income, which can lower net pay now while growing tax-advantaged savings. Your take-home may drop slightly, but taxes saved and future growth make this a valuable opportunity for many people.
Talk to a financial advisor to determine if enrolling in your employer’s RRSP matching program is right for you.

Last week I took my daughter, Alice, with me to Barbados for the CI Assante Advantage Assembly. I was absolutely thrille...
06/10/2026

Last week I took my daughter, Alice, with me to Barbados for the CI Assante Advantage Assembly.

I was absolutely thrilled to be chosen for the conference! The conversations and learning opportunities were incredible.

On Wednesday, June 10th, Laura is co-presenting a webinar explaining the role of Powers of Attorney.Hosted by CI Assante...
06/09/2026

On Wednesday, June 10th, Laura is co-presenting a webinar explaining the role of Powers of Attorney.

Hosted by CI Assante Senior Wealth Advisor, Tina Tehranchian, with guest speaker Dilmini Bonas, this webinar can not only help you select the right representative(s) to prioritize your interests, but also assist in identifying common oversights that can expose you and your property to unnecessary risk.

It’s not too late to register for this webinar and build a deeper understanding of how Powers of Attorney can protect your independence and your financial interests.

▶️ When: Wednesday, June 10 from 5:30-6:30pm
▶️ Where: Online
▶️ Register: To register, email [email protected]

Did you know a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can save your family thousands in taxes? Here's how it works:✅ Y...
06/08/2026

Did you know a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) can save your family thousands in taxes?

Here's how it works:
✅ Your contributions grow tax-deferred inside the plan
✅ When withdrawn, investment income is taxed in your child's hands — not yours
✅ Since most students have little to no income, they pay little to no tax
✅ The government adds free money through the CESG — up to a lifetime maximum $7,200 per child!

To estimate the tax benefits that can come with investing in a RESP, run your numbers through our free calculator here: https://www.financialcalculators.net/assante/resp-tax-benefits/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

Life happens. A job loss, a divorce, a medical emergency — and suddenly your credit score takes a hit you didn't see com...
06/04/2026

Life happens. A job loss, a divorce, a medical emergency — and suddenly your credit score takes a hit you didn't see coming.

Here’s how to rebuild, without gimmicks, providing a viable path forward:

🔵 Know your starting point: Request your credit reports from Equifax and TransUnion Canada (seek both, since they may differ). Look for errors and dispute inaccuracies in writing.
🔵 Use credit strategically: A secured credit card, used for small recurring purchases and paid off monthly, is one of the most effective tools available in rebuilding a credit profile.
🔵 Consistency beats intensity: A year of boring, on-time payments will do more for your score than any product, service, or shortcut being marketed to you.
🔵 Access real support: Nonprofit credit counselling organizations across Canada offer free, confidential guidance. This is not the same as for-profit "credit repair" companies, which often charge fees for things you can do yourself.

Remember: Your credit score is not permanent. It's a reflection of recent behaviour which means YOU can change it.

Happy Victoria Day! Here’s to a long weekend filled with fresh air, good company, and maybe the unofficial start of sum...
05/18/2026

Happy Victoria Day!

Here’s to a long weekend filled with fresh air, good company, and maybe the unofficial start of summer. Whether you’re heading to the cottage, firing up the grill, or just taking it slow—enjoy the extra day.

Have a safe and relaxing long weekend!

While maximizing your RRSP sounds like solid advice, it’s not one-size-fits-all solution.RRSPs are powerful, especially ...
05/15/2026

While maximizing your RRSP sounds like solid advice, it’s not one-size-fits-all solution.

RRSPs are powerful, especially if you’re in a higher tax bracket today and expect to be in a lower one in retirement. But that doesn’t mean they should always come before everything else.

Before prioritizing your RRSP, ask:
❔ Am I carrying high-interest debt?
❔ Do I have enough emergency savings?
❔ Would a TFSA give me more flexibility right now?

For many people, especially earlier in their careers, a TFSA can actually come first.

TFSA may make more sense:
▶️ If your income is lower today
▶️ If you want tax-free withdrawals later
▶️ If you need flexibility without affecting benefits or tax credits

RRSP and TFSA contributions shouldn’t come before paying off high-interest debt.

Good planning isn’t about following rules—it’s about making the right call for your situation.

Not all debt is created equal—but “good vs bad” isn’t as simple as it sounds.Good debt typically helps you build long-te...
05/13/2026

Not all debt is created equal—but “good vs bad” isn’t as simple as it sounds.

Good debt typically helps you build long-term value while bad debt does the opposite.

Good debt is:
✅ Planned
✅ Affordable within your budget
✅ Taken on with a clear long-term goal

Bad debt tends to be:
❎ Reactive
❎ Easy to accumulate (like credit cards)
❎ Harder to pay off due to high interest

Good debt can open doors. Bad debt can quietly close them.

The line between good debt and bad debt often comes down to control. Before taking on any debt, pause and ask: What am I getting in return—and is it worth the cost?

If your debt feels stressful, unpredictable, or constantly growing, that’s a sign it may be working against you.

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Kingston, ON
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