Bev MacLean's blog

Gifting money to your children can be one of the most rewarding ways to support them, both financially and emotionally. Yet, making sure this gift has a lasting impact requires more than a quick decision. With insights on tax rules, strategies for maintaining family harmony, and tips for nurturing financial responsibility, this guide helps you navigate the rewarding yet complex journey of family — while keeping your own financial security in mind. Learn how to give thoughtfully, ensuring your gift truly benefits your children now and in the future.

In today’s financial landscape, many...

The majority of seniors wish to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible. However, many homes are not designed to meet their changing needs as they age.

This checklist identifies adaptations that could help prevent accidents and enhance independence. It also gives some guidelines on how to hire a reputable contractor.

Kitchen

• Install lever-type faucets, or a faucet with a single lever to control flow and temperature.
• Install pull-out shelves under counter to enable you to work from a seated position.
• Lower existing cupboards.
• Install “D” type handles on cupboards or...

The moving boxes were barely unpacked when Nancy Schlossberg and her husband, Steve, joined a small group of recent retirees for dinner in their new city of Sarasota, Fla. When a former medical school dean asked Nancy, who had just stepped away from a 40-year career in higher education, about her retirement plans, she told him she hoped to consult with local nonprofits. “I’m excited to get involved and see how I can contribute,” she said.

The former dean gave her a weary smile. He’d hoped to assist in teaching a biology course after retiring, he said, but every attempt had gone nowhere....

The new year is the perfect time to turn over new leaves. Promises are made. Goals are set. Most people make New Year’s Resolutions, but research shows that only 9 percent of people keep them. Adopting a healthy lifestyle means being intentional and consistent. If you’re an older adult who wants to be healthier in 2026, you’re in the right place. Here are 10 healthy New Year’s resolutions you should consider making this year.

1. Prioritize Daily Exercise

Resolution: “I will engage in regular physical activity to maintain and improve my strength, flexibility, and overall health.”

Exercise...

Adding your child to the title of your home in Ontario can seem like a straightforward way to simplify inheritance, save estate tax and transfer ownership. However, this decision comes with significant legal and financial implications that should be carefully considered before moving forward.

Drawbacks to Consider

• Loss of Control: Once your child is on the title, they have legal ownership rights. You relinquish some control over the property, as you cannot sell it or refinance your mortgage without their consent.
   

• Disagreements and Disputes: Joint ownership can lead to disagreements...

Transitioning to a new home can feel overwhelming, especially after many years in the same place. However, downsizing offers a host of benefits that can make this change a positive and empowering experience.

Here are some key advantages of downsizing:

A CLEAN SLATE:

Moving is the perfect opportunity to declutter and simplify your life. No more guilty feelings about tossing a gift you never really liked. You can stop serving as the family's storage unit! You can keep what you like and pitch with abandon because you "just won't have room at the new place."

LESS MAINTENANCE, MORE ENJOYMENT

A...

On the biggest food holiday of the year, the last thing you need to be juggling is oven times and temperatures, or which burners are free on the stovetop. Put the appliances to rest with this collection of easy, no-cook recipes. And we mean it—you won't even need a microwave.

From delicious dips and finger foods to easy, yet impressive desserts, these recipes will compliment your holiday table and save you from a headache in the kitchen. Plus, these dishes are perfect for bringing to a host's house where the ovens might already be occupied.

1. Chopped Brussels Sprout Salad

Don't be afraid...

The Zoomer Edit

Fall Detectors, Smart Mirrors and Yard Robots: The Future of Aging-Friendly Tech is Here

Despite a common stereotype, it’s not just Gen Z or Millennials comfortable with using tech: a recent AARP article found older adults are as likely as those under age 50 to own a smartphone, tablet, Smart TV, or other device.

The primary difference is older adults prefer a wait-and-see approach to buying new tech rather than spending money on the latest (and supposedly greatest) shiny new gadget.

And so perhaps it’s not much of a surprise to see how “age tech” played a big role in...

Celebrate the season in style with a welcoming fall front entry. Add seasonal touches to your front entry with an array of pumpkins, colorful mums, flowering kale, and a festive fall wreath. Go traditional with fiery oranges, yellows, and reds, or try something new with a muted color palette for a sophisticated fall front entry this year. You can’t go wrong with classic jack-o’-lanterns on your front steps, but if you want to try your hand at a fun new fall craft, try etching an autumnal design or greeting onto your pumpkins this year. Read on to see our favorite fall front entries all...

In an era where screens dominate our daily lives, a silent epidemic is sweeping the globe. Digital eye strain, a condition once relegated to the fringes of occupational health concerns, has emerged as a significant public health issue affecting millions worldwide. As our reliance on digital devices for work, education and social interaction intensifies, so too does the risk to our ocular health.

Recent studies paint a stark picture. Up to 50 per cent of computer users could develop digital eye strain. This condition, characterised by a range of ocular and visual symptoms, including...