Laura Southall Finance

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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

07/14/2026

Paying off debt as fast as possible may feel like the right move but it isn’t always the case.

Not all debt is created equal.

✔️ Not all debt is bad debt
✔️ Low-interest debt can actually work for you
✔️ The money you're throwing at your mortgage could be building serious wealth elsewhere

Before you make extra payments, ask yourself: "What's the actual cost of this debt vs. what I could earn investing that money elsewhere?

The smartest strategy isn't always the fastest one. It's the one that maximizes your net worth over time.

07/06/2026

On June 22nd, I was proud to sponsor the event Lead With Purpose: Leadership. Legacy. Local Love.

This event brought together a mix of community leaders, changemakers, and entrepreneurs to share their stories and give back to the community.

What an incredible evening!

07/01/2026

🍁 Happy Canada Day! 🍁

Today we celebrate the country we're proud to call home. Whether you're enjoying time with family, watching the fireworks, or simply taking a moment to reflect, we hope you have a safe and relaxing holiday!

06/29/2026

On June 10th, our team attended a PD day which involved listening to speakers deliver content designed to help advisors improve their practice followed by a fun barbecue.

I love to see the camaraderie and strength that comes from knowledge sharing!

06/25/2026

Write-offs are one of the most misunderstood concepts in taxes and the confusion may be costing you money.

When you "write something off," you're deducting it from your taxable income. You're not getting a dollar-for-dollar refund.

Here's what write-off actually means:
✅ You reduce your taxable income by that amount
✅ You save a percentage based on your tax bracket
✅ You still spent the money

When used intentionally, write-offs are powerful tools but buying things just to write them off is not a wise move.

Write-offs work best when you're spending on things you actually need, not buying random stuff in December hoping the government pays the tab.

06/24/2026

The TFSA is one of the best savings tools available to Canadians. But it's not always the right primary investment vehicle.

The Tax-Free Savings Account gets a lot of praise and rightfully so. But depending on your financial situation, leaning on it too heavily could actually cost you in the long run.

Here's when a TFSA should NOT be your primary investment vehicle:

▶️ You're in a high income tax bracket: If you're earning significant income, an RRSP may serve you better. RRSP contributions reduce your taxable income now, meaning a larger tax refund you can reinvest. The TFSA doesn't offer that upfront deduction.

▶️ You're saving for your first home: The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) gives you both a tax deduction on contributions and tax-free withdrawals for a qualifying home purchase. That's a double tax advantage the TFSA simply can't match for this specific goal.

▶️ You have significant unused RRSP room: Leaving RRSP contribution room unused while maxing a TFSA may not be the most tax-efficient strategy especially if you expect to be in a lower tax bracket in retirement.

▶️ You're a business owner: Depending on your corporate structure, investing through your corporation may offer more flexibility and tax efficiency than a personal TFSA.

▶️ You're carrying high-interest debt: No investment return, TFSA or otherwise, reliably beats 20%+ credit card interest. Prioritizing debt repayment first is almost always the smarter financial move.

The TFSA is a powerful tool. But the best investment strategy is one that fits YOUR specific situation.

Consider speaking to a wealth advisor to ensure you’re using the right accounts for your goals.

06/22/2026

Life changes. Your will should too.

Here are some of the biggest reasons you need to update your will and what happens if you don't:

✅ Marriage: Depending on your province, your existing will may not fully protect your new spouse. Don't assume marriage automatically updates your wishes.

✅ Divorce: While your ex may lose the right to inherit from your will, they may still have claims against your estate. Your will does not automatically redirect what would have been theirs to your new, intended beneficiaries.

✅ New children or grandchildren: Without naming them, they may receive nothing from your estate even if you intend otherwise.

✅ Death of a beneficiary or executor: If the person you named passes away before you and there's no backup plan in your will, your estate could face delays and court involvement.

✅ Moving to a different province: Estate laws vary across Canada. A will written in Alberta may have different implications if you now live in Ontario.

✅ Major purchases or inheritance: New assets need to be accounted for or they'll be divided according to outdated instructions or provincial intestacy laws.

If it's been more than 3 years, or if any of the above apply to you, it may be time to take a look at your will to ensure it reflects your current wishes.

06/21/2026

To all the Fathers, Grandfathers, and Father figures in our lives, we see you! Thank you for your guidance, support, and care.

Happy Father’s Day from The Southall Group of CI Assante Wealth Management LTD!

06/19/2026

How you earn your money can have a significant impact on how much of it you actually get to keep.

Not all income is taxed equally:

🔹 Employment Income is fully taxable at your marginal rate, which is the highest rate.
🔹 Capital Gains has a 50% inclusion rate, which is more favourable to you.
🔹 Eligible Dividends can benefit from the dividend tax credit, lowering your effective rate.

The takeaway? Where your money comes from matters just as much as how much you make.

Don’t just chase returns, plan for the best outcomes you can for your after-tax returns! Talk to a financial advisor to get started.

06/17/2026

Finding success in business ventures often requires leading with empathy and integrity. When you adopt these core values, good things usually follow.

Watch this clip from my interview with Joanne McCormick of , to see exactly how these values have bolstered customer experience and business reputation: https://youtu.be/wxkiJ8Ud23E?si=kQBuAhFLkGdA_0AK&t=1388&utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

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90 Johnson Street
Kingston, ON
K7L1X7

Website

https://www.assante.com/advisors/lsouthall

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