Want to save more to reach your savings goals? Whether you’re looking to retire, build an emergency fund, buying a home or completing a project, here are a few tips to help you get there faster.
As the saying goes, “time is money!”
The sooner you start saving, the better off you’ll be. So stop putting it off till tomorrow and start saving today!
The three keys to saving are commitment, regularity and discipline.
Step 1: Commitment
Meet with an advisor to complete your financial health assessment. This is a useful tool that will give you an overview of your financial health. This way, you can find out where to start and take advantage of personalized advice to help you save better.
Step 2: Regularity
With an advisor, identify your savings goals and horizons (short, medium or long term). Then determine the amount and maturity date for each of your goals.
Step 3: Discipline
Revise your savings strategy annually or when a life event is likely to impact your finances (retirement, separation, a new baby, health issues, etc.).
Ideally, you should put away 10 percent of your salary (15 percent if you can).
Make sure your savings goal is realistic and attainable.
You’ll quickly see that it’s possible to save without having to deprive yourself day to day.
Tips to reach your savings goal faster
Meet with an advisor and take advantage of personalized advice.
Save periodically, making automatic payments to a dedicated savings account.
Invest a portion of your additional earnings (work bonus, inheritance, tax refund, etc.).
Don’t leave money sitting in an account when it could be invested.
Let your savings grow so you can make a profit.
Invest your savings to take advantage of certain tax benefits1 (RRSP, TFSA, etc.)
Reduce your taxable income with an RRSP and take full advantage of social programs (family allowance, tax credits, etc.).
A simple question that can raise a lot of other questions!
To make your decision easier, use one of your savings goals as a starting point.
If you’re looking to save for retirement, buying a home, renovations or to build an emergency fund, it might be better to opt for an RRSP. But if you want to save for a trip or home renovations, a TFSA may be your best bet.
Since every situation is unique, meet with a Laurentian Bank advisor to discuss RRSPs and TFSAs and figure out the best solution for you.
At Laurentian Bank, we have several solutions to help you save better. Depending on your savings goals, life priorities and investor profile, our advisors will help you establish a personalized investment strategy adapted to your situation and aspirations. They will then recommend the registered plans, investment products and financing options that are best for you.
Discover our solutions.
INVESTMENT
GIC, ActionGIC, mutual funds
GIC
Guaranteed Investment Certificates3 (GICs) are investments that offer a guaranteed rate of return over a fixed and pre-determined period of time.
Did you know that the term Blue Chip comes from poker, where the highest valued chip is blue? In the world of finance, Blue Chip refers to a publicly traded, nationally recognized company that is well established and known for its financial stability.
A mutual fund2 is an investment group (made up of stocks, bonds or other securities) that is managed by a professional portfolio manager. When you invest in a mutual fund, you pool your money with other investors. Your capital is not guaranteed, but there may be a higher return potential depending on market fluctuations.
Did you know that you could invest responsibly with the Mackenzie Global Women’s Leadership Fund, the Mackenzie Global Environmental Equity Fund and the Mackenzie Global Sustainability and Impact Balanced Fund in the Laurentian Bank mutual funds range?
An ESG fund is an ethical fund based on an in-depth analysis of the companies it’s composed of, including their risk management and their societal and environmental impacts. ESG refers to environmental, social and corporate governance factors. Although they have existed for more than a decade, the public’s interest in this type of fund is growing as it encourages responsible investment, unlike other, more traditional mutual funds whose main selection criteria is profitability.
The ESG fund brings together companies that work in, among other things, green and renewable energies, or that encourage healthy working conditions and/or the presence of women on boards of directors. These criteria help minimize risk and can, therefore, generate stronger returns compared to portfolios that fail to take these criteria into account.
THE PERIODIC SAVINGS AND INVESTMENT PLAN (PSIP) Budget Plan, Security Plan, Investment Plan
The PSIP is a saving solution that helps you adopt good saving habits, allowing you to put money aside on a regular basis without having to think about it. Together with an advisor, you can determine the amount you want to save and then establish the frequency of your payments (weekly, monthly, etc.).
Laurentian Bank PSIP direct debits allow you to save year-round and at your own pace, helping you reach your savings goals and achieve what’s important to you.
RRSP FINANCING RRSP loan, Maxi-RRSP loan, RRSP line of credit
Borrowing funds to invest can be a great option to help you save better.
You can use these funds to contribute to your RRSP or to make up your unused contribution room.
Discover the benefits of using RRSP financing to reach your retirement savings goal faster.
Benefits:
Boost your RRSP contributions
Enjoy tax-free investment income, generally up until the time of withdrawal
This is the starting point for good financial health.
Here are some tips to help you get there. We suggest you complete this exercise before meeting with an advisor.
Create or update your budget to figure out where your money is going. That way, you will be able to control your expenses to start saving better. Use a budget table to simplify your life.
Make a list of your assets (property, belongings, bank accounts, investments, etc.) and liabilities (loan, mortgage, line of credit, etc.). An advisor will calculate your net worth (your assets minus your debts) and make recommendations accordingly.
Gather your documents (income tax return, federal notice of assessment, statements of your assets and debts, powers of attorney, insurance contracts, statement of participation in the QQP, etc.). Your advisor will let you know which documents to bring.
Think about your objectives (the reasons you want to meet with an advisor) and the timeframe for achieving them.
Complete or review your financial health assessment with an advisor. This exclusive Laurentian Bank tool will give you a detailed report of your financial needs.
Taking stock of your finances is easier than you think.
If you need help updating your budget or calculating your assets and debts, our advisory team is here to help you.
Know your investor profile
Understanding your financial situation and habits will help you invest better.
Knowing your investor profile will allow you to determine your risk tolerance and find the asset and investment mix that works best for you.
Your investor profile may change over time depending on the factors above. We recommend that you review your investor profile annually or when one or more of these factors are subject to change.
Diversify your investments
Three reasons why you should diversify your portfolio:
It’s not optimal to get a return on your different investments at the same time.
Economic conditions may vary (interest rates, exchange rates, inflation rates).
The goal of diversifying is to spread out the risk, choosing different investments to protect your savings against market fluctuations without sacrificing potential returns. If certain investments don’t generate the expected return, other investments can compensate, allowing you to balance out your losses and gains.
The keys to a diversified portfolio:
Invest in several asset categories: cash, fixed income securities, equities. Choose the allocation that best fits your investor profile.
Put your money in investments with different risk levels: low, medium, high, etc.
Diversify your investments geographically: Canadian, American and international, to benefit from the strengths of different markets.
Laurentian Bank of Canada
Home Buyer’s Plan
Registered Retirement Savings Plan
Financial Services Inc.
Lifelong Learning Plan
Tax-Free Savings Account
Existing investment accounts are offered by Laurentian Bank of Canada (“Laurentian Bank”) or LBC Financial Services Inc. (“LBCFS”). Mutual funds are distributed by LBCFS. LBCFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laurentian Bank and a separate legal entity from Laurentian Bank, B2B Trustco and all other issuers or mutual fund companies whose products it distributes. Newly opened investment accounts must be LBCFS accounts. A Laurentian Bank advisor is also a licensed LBCFS mutual fund representative. LBCFS’s liability is limited to the conduct of its representatives in the performance of their duties for LBCFS.
RRSP: You can withdraw from your RRSP at any time. However, the amount withdrawn will be added to taxable income, and withholding tax will be made upon withdrawal. Amounts invested in an RRSP can be deducted, up to the annual allowable limit. Investment earnings in an RRSP are sheltered from tax. If your annual contribution is less than your allowable limit, the difference will automatically be carried forward to a subsequent year, and can be done so indefinitely. The law allows you to contribute to an RRSP until the end of the year in which you reach the age of 71; it must then be converted. For more information on your RRSP contribution rights, please consult the Canada Revenue Agency.
TFSA: You can make a withdrawal from your TFSA at any time, with no withdrawal tax. Amounts invested in a TFSA are not deductible. Investment earnings in a TFSA are sheltered from tax. If your annual contribution is less than your allowable limit, the difference will automatically be carried forward to a subsequent year, and can be done so indefinitely. The law allows you to contribute to a TFSA throughout your lifetime without the need to convert it to another type of account. For more information on your TFSA contribution rights, please consult the Canada Revenue Agency.
Mutual funds are distributed by LBC Financial Services Inc. (“LBCFS”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Laurentian Bank of Canada (“Laurentian Bank”). LBCFS is a legal entity distinct from Laurentian Bank, B2B Trustco, Mackenzie Financial Corporation (Mackenzie Investments), and from all other issuer or mutual fund companies whose products it distributes. Each licensed LBCFS representative is also a Laurentian Bank of Canada employee. The liability of LBCFS is limited to the conduct of its representatives in the performance of their duties for LBCFS. Important information is contained in the relevant fund facts. We ask that you read this (these) document(s) carefully prior to investing. For more information with regards to the funds traded, please refer to the funds simplified prospectus. To obtain your copy of the fund facts and/or simplified prospectus concerning the fund(s) you have chosen, please contact a LBCFS representative at the Bank branch. Investing in a mutual fund (“fund”) may result in sales and trailing commissions, management fees, administration fees and other fees. The funds available through LBCFS are not insured by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation, Canadian securities regulators, or any other public deposit insurer. In addition, mutual funds are not guaranteed in whole or in part by Laurentian Bank, B2B Trustco, or any other entity. There is no guarantee that a fund will maintain a constant value per unit, or that you will recover the full amount invested in a fund. Funds often fluctuate in value, and past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
Some conditions apply. GICs are not cashable. Simple interest is paid on terms of less than two years. Clients have a choice of simple or compound interest on terms of two years or more. Simple interest is calculated and paid annually. Compound interest is calculated and capitalized annually, and paid at maturity. Individuals residing outside of Quebec who do not currently hold a Laurentian Bank investment product are not eligible for this offer. This product is eligible for registered and non-registered plans. This product is eligible for deposit insurance from the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) up to the maximum limit for coverage from the CDIC and subject to applicable conditions. This offer cannot be combined with any other offer. Additional information can be obtained by calling 1-844-494-0076, or by contacting your advisor.
Some conditions apply. This offer may be modified, suspended or withdrawn at any time without notice. The posted rate corresponds to the maximum rate of return. The Blue Chip ActionGIC 5-year term maximum rate of 22% is equivalent to an annual compounded maximum rate of return of 4.057%. Simple interest paid at maturity. Return is not guaranteed and may be nil at maturity. The final rate of return of a Laurentian Bank Blue Chip ActionGIC is calculated based on the performance of the reference index between the issue date and the maturity date of the investment. The value at maturity is obtained by calculating the average value of the index at closing, on the three dates for the calculation of the reference index as specified in the purchase agreement. The final return of the reference index is determined by calculating the sum of the return for each share in the reference index during the period divided by the number of shares making up the reference index. Since the rate of return of this investment depends on the performance of a reference index comprised of securities, any fluctuations in the reference index will affect the investment’s final rate of return. Past performance is not an indicator of future performance. If the total return obtained is negative or nil, the invested capital is fully guaranteed and will be remitted upon the investment’s maturity, but no interest will be paid out. If the total return obtained is positive, the invested capital and interest (up to the maximum rate of return set on the issue date) will be paid out upon the investment’s maturity, since the return will be known only at that time. This investment is eligible for a non-registered or a registered plan such as an RRSP, RRIF or TFSA. A minimum investment of $500 is required. Individuals residing outside of Quebec who do not currently hold a Laurentian Bank of Canada investment product are not eligible for this offer. For more information, including offer terms and conditions, are available in a Quebec branch or on the Blue Chip ActionGIC page of our website.
Some conditions apply. The bonus rate corresponds to the special rate of 1.40%, to which is added a bonus of 0.35%, therefore the total annual rate would be 1.75%. This offer may be modified, suspended or withdrawn at any time without notice. GICs are not cashable. Clients have a choice of simple or compound interest on terms of two years or more. Simple interest is calculated and paid annually. Compound interest is calculated and capitalized annually, and paid at maturity. This product is eligible for registered and non-registered plans. Individuals residing outside of Quebec who do not currently hold a Laurentian Bank of Canada investment product are not eligible for this offer. For more information, including offer terms and conditions, are available in a Quebec branch or on the Guaranteed Investment Certificates page of our website.
Some conditions apply. This offer may be modified, suspended or withdrawn at any time without notice. This offer is only eligible for new TFSA and RRSP contributions, as well as for transfers of funds from other financial institutions to TFSA or RRSP plans at Laurentian Bank of Canada. Individuals residing outside of Quebec who do not currently hold a Laurentian Bank of Canada investment product are not eligible for this offer. Cashable without penalty after 30 days. Simple interest is calculated and paid at maturity. For more information, including offer terms and conditions, are available in a Quebec branch or on the Term Deposit page of our website.
We're using first- and third-party cookies to customize content and advertising, to collect anonymous web traffic data to ensure functionality of the website and remember user choices where applicable.