parents

I had lunch with a friend a couple of weeks ago — a young professional with a growing family and a wife who looks after their kids full time. He was telling me about his father-in-law, who recently retired after taking some heavy losses on his RRSP during the financial crisis. He’s got no company pension plan, no life insurance and reduced CPP and OAS because he’s always been self-employed.

Having your first child is exciting — and scary! — but keeping these tips in mind can help you keep your financial head. (No promises for getting more sleep, though!)

I’ve written in this space about the “Throne Up” royal wedding barf bags and the commemorative royal mug with the picture of Kate and her betrothed – errrr – Prince Harry on the side. In a desperate attempt to cash in on the wedding of this century, royal opportunists from London to Hong Kong are flogging fine collectibles. It seems, however, these trinkets are being hustled from within the proverbial palace walls as well.