Select’s editorial team works independently to review financial products and write articles we think our readers will find useful. We may receive a commission when you click on links for products from our affiliate partners.
Returning to higher education or starting a new business are two lifestyle changes that provide an opportunity to raise your future income potential, but they also require a large upfront investment of money.
In fact, investors under 55 are likely to pay for their schooling or fund a new business venture by using their investments, a survey by Select and Dynata found. Over half of respondents aged 18 to 54 reported that they invest to fund a business, while over half of 18- to 34-year-olds and nearly half of 35- to 54-year-olds said that they invest to pay for school.
It seems that selling investments to fund these two expenses is quite typical, but is it a smart move? Answering the question really boils down to whether it makes more sense to cash in on your investment gains or borrow the money instead.
“You need to understand what your percentage of interest [would be] on your debt and ask yourself if you can do better in the market,” CFP Bryan Cannon, chief portfolio strategist and CEO at Cannon Advisors, tells Select.
Subscribe to the Select Newsletter!
Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly. Sign-up here.
Should you use your investments to pay for school?
Joe Buhrmann, a CFP and senior financial planning consultant at Fidelity’s eMoney Advisor, suggests that if the student loan interest rate — especially if it’s a federal student loan — is low and attractive, it may make more sense to retain your investments and instead borrow the funds to pay for school. In this case, your rate of return in the market is likely going to be higher than the interest rate you’d pay on your student loans.
Cannon wants investors to keep in mind that the markets over the last 20 years, which experienced two significant -50% bear markets, have averaged gains of 8%+ per year (note that past performance does not guarantee future success). “As a general rule, especially in this low-interest-rate environment, it is not a good idea to cash in investments to pay for school or pay off school debt, especially for younger investors who have a 10-plus year time horizon until they need access to their [investment] funds,” he says.
Let’s use a hypothetical example to see how this could play out. Say you need $10,000 to pay for credits in your last year of grad school, and you are deciding whether to take out a student loan or to tap into your investments to finance this expense.
If you left that $10,000 in the stock market, with the average 8% annual return Cannon identifies, after 10 years that investment would grow to be worth $21,589 (assuming no additional contributions).
Meanwhile, the $10,000 federal student loan you would take out, on a 10-year standard repayment plan with an annual interest rate of 5.28% (the interest rate for federal graduate unsubsidized student loans, at the time this article was written), would end up costing a total of $12,893 after 10 years (assuming you paid the minimum each month).
In this case, taking out a student loan to pay for grad school makes more financial sense than withdrawing the money from the market — you’d rather lose $12,893 than $21,589.
Stuck with a high-interest private student loan and want to pay it off using your investments?
First consider refinancing your student loans through lenders like SoFi or Earnest to score a lower interest rate before turning to your investment earnings. Both offer low rates, no origination fees, flexible repayment terms and economic hardship protection. Once you refinance, the lower rate may mean it’s worth keeping your money in the stock market.
Should you use your investments to fund a business?
The situation, however, may look different when deciding whether or not to use your investments to launch a business.
Taking out an unsecured small business loan without a financial track record could leave you paying a much higher interest rate and it could exceed the return that you might anticipate on your investments, Buhrmann argues. In this case, you could be better off selling some of your investments to jumpstart your new venture. When we say this, we mean investments other than your retirement fund. While you can withdraw money from your 401(k) to start a business, you should first consider the implications that would have on your retirement if your business fails. Plus, you’ll have to pay income taxes and a 10% penalty if you withdraw money from a 401(k) or IRA before age 59½.
And if you’ve already taken out a small business loan and want to pay it off using your investments? “If you took out a loan while inflation was high and the loan had a locked rate, it would make a lot of sense at that point to pay the loan off using your invested capital,” Cannon adds.
The key, he says, is to determine if the annual interest rate you are paying on a loan exceeds the average return on your investments in a year.
Budding business owners take note
Remember that although a new business venture can potentially offer big rewards in the long run, it also comes with a great deal of inherent risk.
“If you sink all of your investments into starting a new business, you will have nothing to fall back on aside from acquiring debt,” Cannon says. “It is important to realize that, in most cases, income is not readily flowing back to a business owner during the first several years.”
If you’re wanting to start your own business, make sure you account for this by having reserves on hand to survive those first few years. “Low capital reserves are often the main reason why new businesses fail,” Cannon adds.
So, if you want to have a cushion in case things don’t go to plan, it can make sense to maintain a healthy emergency fund and not sell all of your investments.
At the end of the day it’s more than just the math
Weighing the potential return on your investments versus the interest rate you’d pay if you took out a loan is an effective way to know if you should use your investments to pay for school or fund a business. However, Buhrmann points out that at the end of the day there are no “right answers” and what works for someone else might not work for you.
“There are mathematical aspects and also behavioral aspects,” he says. “Math and finance might dictate that you should borrow the money to finance the endeavor, but if you’re going to lose sleep or it impacts your health by taking on debt, then by all means, ‘pay cash‘ for the expense and sell some of your investments.”
If you’re someone who is thinking about cashing in some of your investment earnings to fund a lifestyle change, consider speaking with a reputable fiduciary investment advisor who can act as a sounding board and provide guidance.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was up more than 250 points in late-morning trading, led by strength in the base metal and technology sectors, while U.S. stock markets also charged higher.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 254.62 points at 23,847.22.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 432.77 points at 41,935.87. The S&P 500 index was up 96.38 points at 5,714.64, while the Nasdaq composite was up 486.12 points at 18,059.42.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.68 cents US compared with 73.58 cents US on Thursday.
The November crude oil contract was up 89 cents at US$70.77 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was down a penny at US2.27 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was up US$9.40 at US$2,608.00 an ounce and the December copper contract was up four cents at US$4.33 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
Losing a loved one is never easy, and the legal steps that follow can add even more stress to an already difficult time.
For years, families in Vancouver (and Canada in general) have struggled with a complex probate process—filled with paperwork and legal challenges.
Thankfully, recent changes to Canada’s probate laws aim to make this process simpler and easier to navigate.
Let’s unearth how these updates can simplify the process for you and your family.
What is probate?
Probate might sound complicated, but it’s simply the legal process of settling someone’s estate after death.
Here’s how it works.
Validating the will. The court checks if the will is legal and valid.
Appointing an executor. If named in the will, the executor manages the estate. If not, the court appoints someone.
Settling debts and taxes. The executor (and you) pays debts and taxes before anything can be given.
Distributing the estate. Once everything is settled, the executor distributes the remaining assets according to the will or legal rules.
Probate ensures everything is done by the book, giving you peace of mind during a difficult time.
Recent Changes in Canadian Probate Laws
Several updates to probate law in the country are making the process smoother for you and your family.
Here’s a closer look at the fundamental changes that are making a real difference.
1) Virtual witnessing of wills
Now permanent in many provinces, including British Columbia, wills can be signed and witnessed remotely through video calls.
Such a change makes estate planning more accessible, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility.
2) Simplified process for small estates
Smaller estates, like those under 25,000 CAD in BC, now have a faster, simplified probate process.
Fewer forms and legal steps mean less hassle for families handling modest estates.
3) Substantial compliance for wills
Courts can now approve wills with minor errors if they reflect the person’s true intentions.
This update prevents unnecessary legal challenges and ensures the deceased’s wishes are respected.
These changes help make probate less stressful and more efficient for you and other families across Canada.
The Probate Process and You: The Role of a Probate Lawyer
(Image: Freepik.com)
Working with a probate lawyer in Vancouver can significantly simplify the probate process, especially given the city’s complex legal landscape.
Here’s how they can help.
Navigating the legal process
Probate lawyers ensure all legal steps are followed, preventing costly mistakes and ensuring the estate is managed properly.
Handling paperwork and deadlines
They manage all the paperwork and court deadlines, taking the burden off of you during this difficult time.
Resolving disputes
If conflicts arise, probate lawyers resolve them, avoiding legal battles.
Providing you peace of mind
With a probate lawyer’s expertise, you can trust that the estate is being handled efficiently and according to the law.
With a skilled probate lawyer, you can ensure the entire process is smooth and stress-free.
Why These Changes Matter
The updates to probate law make a big difference for Canadian families. Here’s why.
Less stress for you. Simplified processes mean you can focus on grieving, not paperwork.
Faster estate settlements. Estates are settled more quickly, so beneficiaries don’t face long delays.
Fewer disputes. Courts can now honor will with minor errors, reducing family conflicts.
Accessible for everyone. Virtual witnessing and easier rules for small estates make probate more accessible for everyone, no matter where you live.
With these changes, probate becomes smoother and more manageable for you and your family.
How to Prepare for the Probate Process
Even with the recent changes, being prepared makes probate smoother. Here are a few steps to help you prepare.
Create a will. Ensure a valid will is in place to avoid complications.
Choose an executor. Pick someone responsible for managing the estate and discuss their role with them.
Organize documents. Keep key financial and legal documents in one place for easy access.
Talk to your family. Have open conversations with your family to prevent future misunderstandings.
Get legal advice. Consult with a probate lawyer to ensure everything is legally sound and up-to-date.
These simple steps make the probate process easier for everyone involved.
Wrapping Up: Making Probate Easier in Vancouver
Recent updates in probate law are simplifying the process for families, from virtual witnessing to easier estate rules. These reforms are designed to ease the burden, helping you focus on what matters—grieving and respecting your dead loved ones’ final wishes.
Despite these changes, it’s best to consult a probate lawyer to ensure you can manage everything properly. Remember, they’re here to help you during this difficult time.
TORONTO – Canada’s main stock index was higher in late-morning trading, helped by strength in energy stocks, while U.S. stock markets also moved up.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 34.91 points at 23,736.98.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 178.05 points at 41,800.13. The S&P 500 index was up 28.38 points at 5,661.47, while the Nasdaq composite was up 133.17 points at 17,725.30.
The Canadian dollar traded for 73.56 cents US compared with 73.57 cents US on Monday.
The November crude oil contract was up 68 cents at US$69.70 per barrel and the October natural gas contract was up three cents at US$2.40 per mmBTU.
The December gold contract was down US$7.80 at US$2,601.10 an ounce and the December copper contract was up a penny at US$4.28 a pound.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 17, 2024.
