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Considering the current COVID-19 environment, working, shopping, socializing, and finding entertainment are only a couple of things we can do from the comfort of our homes.   But, to what extent is our online identity and information really protected?  In this episode, Kris Dureau sits down with Cystech Solutions’ Chuck Yeung. Today, Chuck discusses must-know cybersecurity tips so that you can protect yourself, your family, and your business when it comes to online privacy, information, and identity. In this episode, you will learn: Why you should change your passwords every six months  The role of password manager platforms when it comes to the dark web  Easy ways to detect a phishing scam  The importance of setting up a two-step authentication  Chuck’s take on how cybercriminals operate when it comes to a ransom  And more! Listen today and find out the do’s and don’ts when it comes to protecting your identity online!  Resources: Three Hats Financial  | Kris Dureau | Chuck Yeung  | Cystech Solutions

It’s never too early to start thinking about your tax planning, especially if you’re a business owner!  In this episode, Kris Dureau welcomes back Simpson and Associates’ Peter Simpson. Kris and Peter discuss important tax tips for business owners and self-employed individuals and share strategies for making positive, practical changes to your tax picture. In this episode, you will learn: How to claim work-from-home tax deductions  When business owners should start thinking about putting money into their RRSP The right time to incorporate a business  Benefits of an HST number  And more! Listen today to discover tax tips and strategies that can help small business owners maximize their tax planning! Resources:   Episode 19: 2020 Year-End Tax Planning Tips | Three Hats Financial  | Kris Dureau | Simpson and Associates | Peter Simpson 

Critical illness coverage is a long-term insurance policy that covers serious illnesses such as cancer, heart attacks, coronary artery bypass surgery, and more.  In this episode, Kris Dureau discusses everything you need to know about this type of coverage and explains how its financial component can help you alleviate the toll of a health condition. In this episode, you will learn: How critical illness coverage works  About the claiming process  How previous family health conditions can impact your coverage premium  The conditions you need to meet to get your coverage premium back  And more! Tune in now and discover how critical illness coverage can help you protect your finances and health!  Resources:   Three Hats Financial  | Resources | Kris Dureau | (888) 442-4218

While tax planning is often a year-round affair, the year-end season is a particularly optimal time to review your taxes with your trusted financial professional. In this episode, Kris Dureau sits down with Simpson & Associates’ Peter Simpson to discuss the value of year-end tax planning. Together, they discuss popular year-end tax planning strategies that could help you make the most of your taxes before the new year hits. In this episode, you will learn: Tax credits and deductions that you might be able to claim How to claim the Home Office Employment tax credit  Why Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) are helpful investment vehicles  The tax-related benefits of a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) And more! Tune in today and find out which tax strategies could work for you and your year-end planning! Resources:  Three Hats Financial  | Kris Dureau | Simpson & Associates | Peter Simpson   

As a business owner, you have put creativity, sweat, worries, and energy into creating and growing your business.  When the time comes to reap the rewards of your hard work and to sell your business, what should you think about before putting up that “for sale” sign? To find out, Kris Dureau welcomes Ryan Parkinson for today’s episode. Together, they discuss different areas of exit planning you need to be aware of when selling your business and the steps you should take to prepare for the big sale. In this episode, you will learn: How far in advance you should start preparing to sell your business Why financial statements are helpful when buying and selling a business  How to get a proper business valuation  Dealing with customers and staff during the selling process  And more! Listen now to discover the financial and psychological factors you need to consider when selling your business! Resources:  Three Hats Financial  | Kris Dureau | Grant Thornton | Ryan Parkinson 

COVID-19 is just one of the many reasons why interest rates are at historically low rates.   With rates so low, should you be considering refinancing your home or purchasing a second property? In this episode, Kris Dureau welcomes Mortgage Scout’s Derek Gold to discuss this and more. Together, they explore the current interest rate environment and answer questions you might have about refinancing and buying a second property.  In this episode, you will learn: The difference between a variable and a fixed mortgage rate  Pros and cons of shorter and longer amortization periods Getting a mortgage when you’re self-employed or retired  How a good credit score affects your mortgage  And more! Tune in today to learn everything you need to know before refinancing your home or purchasing that second home!    Resources: Three Hats Financial  | Kris Dureau | Mortgage Scout | Derek Gold 

It’s no secret that when it comes to preparing for retirement, one major question pre-retirees are asking is, “Will I have enough to retire?” In part two of his miniseries on retiring well, Kris Dureau reveals how you can find out the answer to this question. He highlights three financial areas to consider when assessing your retirement-related finances, assets, and benefits so that you can achieve the retirement lifestyle you’ve always desired. In this episode, you will learn: The difference between discretionary and non-discretionary expenses How to plan for your retirement cash flow Why you should create a debt inventory — and how to do it How creating three financial buckets can help your portfolio in retirement  And more! Tune in now to discover actionable tips for preparing your finances to retire well! Resources:  How to Retire Well – Part 1 | Three Hats Financial  | Cash flow Spreadsheet | Retirement Shift Worksheet

When you retire, what will you retire to? How do you envision your retirement?  To help you create a smooth transition into life’s next chapter, join Kris Dureau for this new two-part mini-series on what it takes to retire well. In part one, Kris examines the mental side of retirement and breaks down five unique qualitative exercises that are designed to help retirees understand what retirement means to them. In this episode, you will learn: How the retirement landscape is changing Three Hats Financial’s five stages of retirement coaching  How clients have benefited from Three Hats’ retirement planning techniques  How the My Retirement Worksheet can help you adjust to retirement  And more! Tune in now to discover key ways you can transition into your retirement so that you can live, and retire, well! Resources:   Three Hats Financial | Epic Retirement Clip 

Do you want to pursue a new career but are unsure whether you should truly go for it?  In this episode, Kris Dureau sits down with the Challenge Factory’s Lisa Taylor. Lisa is an in-demand speaker with expert insight into today’s changing workforce. Now, Lisa details how transitioning to a new career path can be life-changing and what you can do to achieve it!  In this episode, you will learn: How to conquer the fear of making a career change The 4 domains of changing career paths: needs, talents, passions, and impact Where to receive career counselling and guidance  Ageism in the workforce And more! Tune in and discover how Kris and Lisa can help you on your new career journey!  Resources: Three Hats Financial | Kris Dureau on LinkedIn ❘ Challenge Factory

Buying a new car is never a simple process, especially when there is so much to consider. To help you better navigate the process, Kris Dureau enlists the help of Greg Carrasco for today’s episode. As the host of The Greg Carrasco Show, one of the most influential and largest automotive radio shows in Canada, Greg has over 27 years of experience in the automotive industry and is well-versed in all things cars. Today, Greg shares tips and tricks to help you make the best decisions when buying a vehicle. In this episode, you will learn: How COVID-19 has impacted the automotive industry The best time of year to buy a vehicle Strategies for trading in your vehicle The importance of buying an extended warranty And more! Join Kris and Greg now for your run-down on what you should consider when shopping for your next car! Resources: Three Hats Financial | Kris Dureau on LinkedIn ❘ The Greg Carrasco Show

Having a chronic illness can be anything but simple. That’s where Chronically Simple can help. Today, Kris Dureau joins Kristy Dickinson, the creator of Chronically Simple, an app designed to help individuals and their families better manage their health.  Kristy shares how her personal experience with a chronic illness led her to create the app, highlighting just how important the app is and how it can help simplify the lives of those with chronic illnesses.  In this episode, you will learn: Which gaps in the healthcare system Chronically Simple aims to fill How a lack of information can impact testing and treatment The benefits of keeping your medical information organized How Chronically Simple can help during this COVID-19 pandemic And more! Tune in now and discover how Chronically Simple can change the way you manage your health! Resources: Three Hats Financial | Kris Dureau on LinkedIn ❘ Kristy’s Email ❘ Chronically Simple

Today’s investors don’t just want a portfolio that’s well-diversified. They also want a portfolio that’s going to make an impact. Today, Kris Dureau joins David Rutherford to bring you some clarity on how you can become a more informed, responsible investor and invest in a way that aligns with your values.  As vice president of NEI Investments’ ESG services, David reveals ways you can invest in companies that are working towards a better tomorrow and how responsible investing can enhance both your portfolio and life. In this episode, you will learn: The different components of ESG investing How NEI Investments screens companies for their ESG score Why responsible investing is on the rise How returns on ethical funds compare to regular funds And more! Tune in now and discover how your investing today can help bring a better tomorrow! Resources: Three Hats Financial | Kris Dureau on LinkedIn ❘ David Rutherford ❘ NEI Investments

As COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease up, what will your new normal look like? More importantly, how are you planning for your new normal?  Today, join Kris Dureau as he discusses five key steps you should take when planning for your transition into your post-COVID-19 life. In this episode, Kris emphasizes the importance of reviewing your financial plan — and why you should ensure that your retirement plan still works for you. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between negotiable and non-negotiable expenses The importance of having a plan Why you should be reviewing your investments How those retiring might be impacted during the transition out of this pandemic And more! Listen now to learn about the considerations you should keep in mind as you begin your transition out of the COVID-19 crisis! Resources: Three Hats Financial | Kris Dureau on LinkedIn ❘ Ep 6 – Why Everybody Needs a Will ❘ Ep 2 – Creating Your Financial Lifeline

As we enter the third quarter of the year, now is an optimal time to reflect on the last three months of COVID-19 and its impact on our lives — both financially and socially. To do so, Kris Dureau welcomes back Rana Chauhan of the Investment Planning Counsel. Together, they review what we’ve witnessed in the markets over the last three months and the impact COVID-19 could have on politics and banking going forward.  In this episode, you’ll learn: What the market’s recovery has looked like so far How government stimulus is impacting financial institutions What a vaccine could mean for the future of COVID-19 How this pandemic could impact the U.S. election And more! Join Kris and Rana now to discover the impact of COVID-19 on our finances and society during the second quarter of 2020! Resources:  Kris Dureau | Three Hats Financial | Rana Chauhan  | Investment Planning Counsel 

With many workplaces moving towards a work-from-home setup, more employees are faced with the task of learning how to remain productive while maintaining a work-life balance. Today, Kris Dureau is joined by Dr. Elias Markou, a naturopathic doctor with a background in finance. Dr. Markou reveals the impact working from home can have on your … Continue reading Episode 8 – The Natural Way to Improve Your Work-Life During Quarantine — with Dr. Elias Markou →

Are you looking for a way to share your life experiences with future generations? In this episode, Kris Dureau explains why he started writing life letters to his family. He reveals the benefits of creating a life letter and why he strongly encourages you to involve your parents in the process. In this episode, you … Continue reading Episode 7 — How to Write Your Life Letter →

Have you planned for a future beyond your own?  In this episode, Kris Dureau explores a key part of your estate planning process: your will. He explains the impact of not having one and the significance of ensuring these types of documents are accessible to your family after your death. In this episode, you will … Continue reading Episode 6 – Why Everybody Needs a Will →

During this coronavirus pandemic, it’s natural to feel stress and uncertainty as you buckle down in self-isolation. That’s why taking care of yourself mentally and financially is just as important as making sure you’re stocked up on toilet paper. Today, Kris Dureau addresses some common worries people have during this challenging time and how they … Continue reading Episode 5 – The Mental Side of Surviving Isolation →

You only have one life. How do you want to spend your time during yours? Today, Kris Dureau tackles the difficult idea of death and what you should focus on before that time comes. Delving into his own experiences with his family and clients, Kris shares how thinking about death could be a more positive … Continue reading Episode 4 — How Do You Want To Live Your Life? →

As the COVID-19 crisis continues, so does the fear, doubt, and uncertainty many have experienced over the past few months.  In this special COVID-19 update, Kris Dureau is joined once more by Rana Chauhan as they discuss the current pandemic and its impact on the world. Rana brings his knowledge of the medical field and explains the strides that are being taken to end this crisis. In this episode, you will learn: How fear, uncertainty, and doubt impact our behaviour  How the markets have been impacted throughout this pandemic Recent updates towards a solution The importance of dollar-cost averaging And more! Tune in now to hear about Kris Dureau and Rana Chauhan’s April COVID-19 update — and to hear their thoughts on where the pandemic could be heading in the near future. Kris Dureau | Rana Chauhan  | Investment Planning Counsel