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Professional Matters


CPA KNOW-HOW


We asked three CPAs to share their holiday budgeting tips


BY JACLYN LAW


CPAs can be proactive in promoting sensible spending. Here are some tips to share with clients, friends and family


Larry Short, CPA, CGA PORTFOLIO MANAGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PRIVATE CLIENT GROUP, HOLLISWEALTH ST. JOHN’S, NL “Financial literacy is a massive problem in Canada. People go into stores and ask, ‘How much is the monthly payment?’ They don’t ask what interest rate they’ll be charged. They don’t realize how much more it costs to pay in instalments than to buy the item outright. CPAs can help people understand the real cost of things and how much more they’ll cost if purchased on credit.


Budgeting for the holidays is a great idea, but it’s hard to do. Instead, open a separate bank account, decide how much you’ll spend as an individual or a couple, and move that amount into the account. This is your expenditure pool. It’s easier to stick with this than a budget, and you and your loved ones will talk about holiday spending instead of acting ad hoc.”


Renée le Nobel, CPA, CA INDEPENDENT PRACTITIONER VANCOUVER


“The keys to controlling spending are knowing what’s impor- tant to you and having a clear idea of your finances. Tracking your expenses helps you see what’s important and guides you. I work mostly with individuals and small businesses. One of the first things we do is create a spending plan, and I point them toward free resources such as CPA Canada’s financial literacy


guides and budgeting tools such as YouNeedaBudget.com. When you’re shopping for the holidays, don’t second-guess your gift list when you’re surrounded by the glitz in the stores. Communicate with friends and family in advance: split the cost of gifts, draw names or agree not to exchange presents. In January, go over your spending. See what went well and what didn’t, and try to improve next year.”


Wendy Ha, CPA, CMA CONTROLLER, DISCLOSURENET TORONTO


“A lot of people don’t budget or track spending, though they know they should. I’m a big believer in technology. If there’s something easy to use, such as expense-tracking apps that aren’t tedious or scary, people will use them. For example, the Mint app tracks expenses and links to your bank accounts and credit card statements. To help people improve their financial


literacy, the government has a self-assessment test at fcac-acfc.gc.ca. I also recommend the site GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca. For the holidays, people should set a budget but leave a little cushion for the unexpected. Shop early: if there’s no rush, you can find great deals.”


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More money-saving tips from our experts


Separate needs from wants “People know they should save, but when


they spend, they’re not thinking about the budget,” says Wendy Ha.


Get gift receipts Start shopping early to take advantage of sales, but remember that


kids often change their minds about what they want, says Renée le Nobel.


Manage expectations A lot of kids and teens want big-ticket gadgets such


as iPads and smartphones, says le Nobel. If these items are beyond your budget, pool resources with others or discuss other gifts with your kids.


Practise money smarts year-round Learn easy tips for saving and budgeting


online or by reading personal-finance books. Larry Short recommends David Chilton’s The Wealthy Barber and its sequel, The Wealthy Barber Returns.


DECEMBER 2015 | CPA MAGAZINE | 11


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