The TK Advisor -TK Financial Group Ottawa Blog about Life Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Wealth Management and Estate Planning

Political parties need to get on with running the country !

I am wondering what will our government do in next term to make our lives better . Like some professional athletes , elected officials need to stop reading the press and get on with the game . I am finding there is too much gloating of how great we are and not enough focus on needs of Canadians . Party is over boys and girls ! If we business owners ran our business the way government works the company would be in a ditch quite quickly . We need to start demanding more from the elected officials and get the attitude that they need to answer to the public . Every dog has his days boys and girls !

Save money and time do your own planning !

Why bother hiring professionals when you can do all your planning yourself ? Will kit is good enough and why spend money to consult a lawyer ? Incorporate your own company through a do it yourself program on web so why hire a lawyer ? Do your own taxes why pay a accountant to give you valuable advice ? Why waste time to go to sit in doctors office when you can do your own research on web ? Why go to garage to fix your steering and brakes when you can ask a buddy or look up procedure on web ? Is working with a professional wise ?

Sales as a profession !

I believe sales is a noble profession which sometimes does not get the recognition it deserves because barriers to entry are not like going to say law school . Also , some sales people are not treating the job as professionals and choose to flog a product . Many of the professional sales people are highly educated and continue to upgrade their knowledge in areas beyond simply selling a product . In sales there comes a time that you chose the do what it takes to be a professional or be a product peddler . You can make money in being a peddler but it is in my opinion it is never as rewarding as choosing to be a trusted professional advisor .

Life insurance planning is not a simple task !

Insurance is a complex product often sold and not planned out . How much monthly income and for how long do you want to leave your family ? Do you want to leave a education fund for spouse and or children ? Do you want to leave funds to take care of elderly parents or siblings ? Do you want to leave money to a charity ? Do you want to discharge loans on :death ?disability ? Critical illness ? Insurance policies are at times complex vehicles so take time to understand what is or is not covered . Life insurance ,do not buy it if you have nobody to love !

Motivation in the workplace !

  Whose job is it to motivate staff ? Whose job is it to motivate ourselves as business owners ? It is a inside job and I think motivation starts from within . Do not use excuses as they are just reasons why you are not performing to your abilities . It is impossible to be on a high all the time and be motivated however ,  it is possible to change by focusing on what is working for you . I would rather coach a football team that is motivated rather then a team of super stars that are there for show . Look at positive aspects of life and pump yoursel up !

Life Insurance Premiums can be expensive and do you really have coverage at the bank ?

While delivering a critical illness policy to a client yesterday he said that his bank had requested he purchase a 500 k life policy to cover his line of credit . The banker suggested he talk to someone about acquire the term insurance outside what was offered through the bank . When we calculated the bank premium it was 220 per month and one of our 12 insurers we represent can issue better guaranteed level coverage for 92 dollars per month . I am certain majority of people never check the rates and blindly sign up . Also , if you were one of those people who did buy insurance from the bank were you asked medical questions or did person filling your form just have you sign paper ? Your beneficiaries do not want to fight insurers for non disclosure after you died so be careful that you answered the questions and that was recorded . We are currently working with all our insurers to secure a life policy for a lady that has a health condition and we will be fortunate to secure a policy which will be heavily rated . The same lady was signed up for a life policy which she got through the bank and when I inquired with her husband about the process at bank no medical questions were asked . Just because a person looks healthy does not mean they do not heave a health condition !

Professional football in Ottawa !

We are perfectly positioned to have a successful team here in Ottawa because : amateur football is one of the strongest here in all of Canada , local respected business owners , fans , and affordable entertainment to name a few reasons . I think it is time to start the complete project with the stadium and have some of the self interest groups stop waisting taxpayers money with the various tactics . We need employment and tax dollars to pay for hospitals , roads , health care , elderly , child care and a guy owning a pub on Bank street putting up latest road block is not going to give Ottawa community anything in comparison . Bring our football back and for GOd's sake start the rebuilding process now !

What is the best way to develop client relationships ?

I am a big believer in client relationships and knowing my clients past the product or service they acquire from us . There are those providers of product where " selling ' something is the main objective and to me that is so distasteful . I worked with someone once who said " you care about their kids , their wife , their interests and their dog where I do not care about any of that " . I do care about all those things and he does not work here at TK Financial . I feel I can not help anyone if I do not know them . How is your health ? How is your family ? How are your friends ? How is your career ? What are your dreams ? How are your finances ? I never want to be average as you can get that on every corner !

Planning can save you a lot of money and simplify your life !

I had a pleasure to reconnect with a client that had moved away from Ottawa and now is back in the region . Client is a owner of four businesses and real estate property . He had talked to his accountant from the city where he was living about winding down and merging companies to save money on filing fees accountant had to complete each year for him . My initial meeting started off as a insurance review and evolved to estate planning (reorganization , trust , wills , power of attorney ....  ) .Our next meeting will be with a lawyer and a accountant to reorganize the affairs and create tax saving strategies , build a safety net for him as well as allow him to leave a legacy for his family . Planning is always the key but often overlooked by advisers who are task oriented and not solutions focused !

Mother's Day

Julka was her name and last time I saw my mom was at age of 14 before the accident where she and my father died . Mom is a special human being that gives to her child sometimes more then she should and puts her interests behind those of her children and family . There are so many things I wish I could say to my mom and thank you somehow just sounds not enough . If your mom is alive , take the time to think how her sacrifice made your life possible and how her influence had an effect on everything you do as well as everyone you touch . Mom is more then a figure head and she is the one that sacrificed for you so take the time today to thank mom as well as reflect on her contribution to you ! Mother's love is the best and I missed mine for many years so be thankful ....