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oday's column comes with a strong recommendation to reconsider the value of your house and how that lower value may negatively impact your retirement. For those over age 50, there should be ongoing planning of your anticipated cash flow during retirement. How much cash will you need each year to maintain your desired standard of living? The retirement planning process considers all sources of funds. Retirement income typically comes from government plans like Old Age Security and the Canada Pension Plan, as well as employer pensions, investments accounts and registered plans such as RRSPs and RIFs. In many cases, the eventual sale or downsizing of the family home is considered. Perhaps at age 70 you will move to a less expensive house and additional money can be invested to produce retirement income. Then during your 80s the house might be sold. From a planning perspective, the assumption of cash coming from your principal residence improves the cash flow projections. However, one needs to be cautious with this. Most people are aware their investment portfolio can decline in value and those same people often assume the Treating your house as an investment 11 · Thursday, March 22, 2012 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.insideHALTON.com T Dollars & Sense By Peter Watson "If the housing bubble is a danger to the economy, it could be devastating to your retirement cashflow." value of real estate will not decline. A few are so confident that they want to sell their stocks and buy a rental property so they can avoid the type of volatility we have experienced in the last several years. Last Friday, the TD Bank published a report that warned the Canadian housing bubble was a danger to the economy. If the housing bubble is a danger to the economy, it could be devastating to your retirement cash flow. All of a sudden the value of the sacred principal residence is in question. The bank may be wrong; however, the possibility of a less valuable house should be considered. For those who will be hurt if their house value declines, we have a recommendation: Meet with your financial advisor. Adjust any previous retirement cash flow projections to include a significantly lower value when your house is sold. You might have assumed the value of your house would be 30 per cent higher when it was sold. Redo the calculation on your house being sold for 30 per cent less than the current value. That will change the amount of capital you have to invest and therefore, change the cash flow that your capital can generate. Depending on your financial position or your specific housing situation, other assumptions of the value of your house when it is sold might be appropriate. If you have not done retirement cash flow projections, what are you waiting for? Your financial security is your responsibility. You should initiate that conversation with your advisor if they have not already done so. From an investment perspective, real estate is just one of many asset classes. Historically, real estate has increased and decreased in value and in that regard it is no different than other asset classes. For many investors, the value of their house is their most significant asset. As a result, the value of your house will be a significant influence of your retirement security. We recommend taking the TD Bank warning about potential declines in future house values seriously and include the possibility the value of your house could be lower when it is sold during your retirement. -- Submitted by Peter Watson, MBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSI. mypet myvet Dr. Gesa Kohn-Gould Veterinarian & Owner myanimalhospital.ca D Correction In a Friday, March 16, 2012 story, Oakville businesses shine at awards gala presentation, one of the co-organizers was misnamed. The Oakville Awards for Business Excellence (OABE) gala was organized by the Rotary Club of Oakville West and the Oakville Chamber of Commerce. The Oakville Beaver regrets the error and any inconvenience it may have caused. og parks can be an excellent way for your dog to get some exercise and playtime. Here are some tips to make sure your dog park visits are a safe and fun experience for all. 1. If your dog does not like other dogs, then it does not belong at the dog park. It is not an appropriate place to socialize an un-socialized or fearful dog. The overwhelming experience will reinforce your dog that other dogs are not fun to be around. 2. Stay up to date on your dog's vaccines. Flea prevention and regular deworming are a must. Pick up after your dog immediately to prevent the transmission of intestinal parasites from fecal material. 3. Take a moment to observe what is going on before entering the dog park. Return at a different time if the dynamic of other dogs is uncomfortable, this will prevent your dog from being overwhelmed. 4. Puppies should not go to dog parks. They're at risk of picking up parasites and diseases like parvovirus, since they are not fully vaccinated and have immature immune systems. Socialize your puppy with other dogs at a positive reinforcement based puppy class or with well-behaved dogs 5. Never take your eyes off your dog. Not all dogs get along. If a particular mix of dogs is not working out, leave before a problem begins. Minor bite wounds are treatable, but if there is a large size difference, more serious injuries can be incurred. Have fun, but remember to keep safety in mind. Dog Parks myanimalhospital.ca Askey Animal Hospital 24 Hour Emergency Care 3525 Fairview Street, Burlington 905-634-9088 Orchard Animal Hospital 2020 Appleby Line, Burlington 905-634-4526 Speers Road Animal Hospital 1026 Speers Road, Oakville 905-844-6786 Join our Group and upload your pet photo today me & my pet Advertorial