The Big Picture for LIFE BALANCE.

Patrick von Pander - Master-Certified Business, Corporate, & Life Coach

THE BIG PICTURE COACH

Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com
778.899.3835
http://www.BigPictureCoach.com
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Upcoming Event Links

 

BC Chamber of Commerce Member Chamber links  

Chambers & Major Venue Events:
Burnaby Board of Trade
Surrey Board of Trade
New Westminster Chamber of Commerce
Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce
Vancouver Board of Trade
Delta Chamber of Trade
North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce
Richmond Chamber of Commerce
Ridge Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Langley Chamber of Commerce
Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce
Mission Chamber of Commerce
Chilliwack Chamber of Commerce
BC Place Stadium
Rogers Arena
Tradex Centre



Date Night almost Pitch Perfect

 

Settled into BC Place early for the Whitecaps vs. the LA Galaxy earlier last month with my queen Christine.  Really great energy there & the fans were fantastic!  

Left most of my voice behind at BC Place.  The game was exciting too, even though neither team scored.  Not bad since the Whitecaps were down a player for most of the game.  

Only our 2nd time to a live Whitecaps game & enjoyed them both.  We'll be back for sure!



Tax time, 2016: A look at 7 changes this year

 

Tax season is upon us, and there are a number of changes to keep in mind for your return this year.  CTVNews.ca has highlighted some of the major changes that can impact how much you owe, or what kind of return may be in store.

The controversial income-splitting benefit ushered in by the former Conservative government in 2014 is on its way out, but some families can still benefit from the tax cut in their returns this year.  The Family Tax Cut allows parents or common-law partners with children under 18 years old to split their income to shrink their tax burden. The higher-earning partner can transfer up to $50,000 of income to the lower-earning partner, for a tax credit of up to $2,000.  

Caroline Battista, senior tax analyst with H&R Block, says income splitting is most beneficial for spouses or common-law partners who have a big difference between their incomes. But she recommends that all families take a look at the credit.  “I’ve seen people who might not get the full $2,000. But I had many clients last year that got $300 or $400, and who wouldn’t want that?” Battista told CTVNews.ca

The Enhanced Universal Child Care Benefit:  Was introduced in 2015, is also on its way out, with the Liberal government promising to introduce a new, tax-free Canada child tax benefit later this year.

However, families will have to account for the UCCB when they file their tax returns this year.  The UCCB saw families receive $160 per month for each child under six years old, and $60 per month for each child aged six through 17. Battista points out that families will have to pay tax on the UCCB, which replaced the Child Tax Credit that was worth an average of $337 per child.  “So people are seeing smaller refunds,” she said.

New tax brackets:  The Liberal government campaigned on a tax cut for the middle class and a tax hike for the top one per cent of income earners.  Beginning this year, the federal marginal tax rate on those earning between $45,283 to $90,563 will drop from 22 per cent to 20.5 per cent. Those earning more than $200,000 will see their tax rate increase from 29 per cent to 33 per cent.  

Paul Woolford, tax partner at KPMG, says it’s important for higher-income earners to keep these changes in mind when filing their 2015 taxes.  “For those higher income earners, there’s some thought of not deducting your RRSPs in 2015 and applying it in 2016,” he said.  

Woolford said the same goes for other discretionary deductions, such as certain medical expenses.  “You’re forgoing a benefit in 2015, but in theory you should get a bigger bang for your buck in 2016, when you’re taxed at potentially a higher level,” he said.

Child-care expenses:  The amount parents can claim for child-care expenses has increased by $1,000 annually, per child, to $8,000 for a child under six and $5,000 for a child aged between seven and 16 years old.

Child fitness tax credit:  Has changed from a non-refundable to a refundable credit, meaning that families who claim the program cost or registration fee for a physical activity can now receive up to $150 per child.  

Battista said, since non-refundable credits go towards taxes you owe, lower income families often don’t submit the expenses.  “The good things about changes to the fitness tax credit to a refundable tax credit, it means that lower income families will still get the same benefit,” she said.

Canada Apprentice Loan:  Students in a designated Red Seal trade program can now claim interest on their government student loans.

TFSA's:  The Liberal government is reducing the contribution limit for Tax-Free Saving Accounts to $5,500 after the former Conservative government raised the limit to $10,000 in 2015.  

But Woolford said it’s important to keep in mind that there’s no loss of the $10,000, as the room in your TFSA accumulates, and you can use it in later years.
“There’s no benefit of a tax deduction, but you can invest without paying tax,” he said. “The takeaway is: don’t lose sight of that, that’s an important vehicle to shelter investment income from tax.”

My 6-Year Journey

 

6 years ago, I was 40 pounds heavier, was still experiencing skin problems, allergies, & chronic sinus congestion.  I was sleeping OK, but not that great.  

My energy was dipping mid-afternoons and running out of steam by 6-7pm to start anything new.  I wasn't that physically active, but when I was, it took me 2-3 days to recover, with plenty of that stiffness & achiness that seemed to come with pushing whatever physical activity I might have been doing.

In a heart-to-heart with my parents, they recommended I prioritize my health above all else, since "if you don't have that, you won't have much", they said.  I made the choice to do better & be better from that time forward.  

First, I detoxed.  Just from that, my sleep got better, my energy got stronger longer, my skin/allergies/sinuses all cleared up, & my mental focus/clarity improved ..... all within the first 90 days!  Plus I released 25 pounds within 2 years, without any real change in diet & exercise. 

After hitting a plateau for over a year, I decided to release the Love Handles that were stubbornly hanging on, & released another 10 pounds within another 90 days.  Loving the new wardrobe that came with this as I approached my 50th Birthday.

After hitting 50, I decided that I missed being as strong as I was in my 20's, so I joined a local gym (Club16 Fitness is a ridiculously great deal!) & committed to working out 5 times weekly.  

I'm loving my gym time (it's Zen for me) and loving the healthy chemistry rush that I walk out of the club with every time (it induces a condition I fondly call PermaSmirk!)  

This pic is me at an early morning workout earlier this month.  So now I'm Patrick who's convinced we were designed to move & to heal ourselves.  I wish the same for you too!



Creating your Home's Flow & Energy

 

Feng Shui video

Imagine improving your health, grades, & relationships just by rearranging your furniture or coordinating the colours of your room.  Well, all of this is possible according to the ancient study of Feng Shui.  

The idea of Feng Shui revolves around the belief that the earth's energy, called Chi, should flow freely throughout space, creating peace.  

Feng Shui originated in ancient China & continues to guide how buildings are designed & furnished.  Experts on the topic note that, in order to see positive affects, you should always keep a positive attitude to encourage positive Chi to flow naturally through your room or house.  

So, what can you do to improve the energy in your dorm room or apartment or home?  

One good place to start is by looking at the Bagua Map illustrated. To utilize the map in your room, stand in the doorway facing in, & imagine the bottom of the map (black) is the wall next to the entrance; if your door does not face North, just rotate the map so the appropriate direction is closest to you.  The map will point to which corners & areas of the room correspond in the picture.



2 Live Workshops start in May! Balance You & Your Business.

 

Join us Friday, May 27th for The Big Picture for YOU for the first of 3 monthly Friday afternoon sessions.  

We'll cover how to make the most of your Health, Relationships, Money, & Environments.  Imagine setting up the GamePlan for you to design & build your ideal life.  So Join Us!

Most people realize Life Balance is important, & most people say they want more Life Balance for themselves.  Yet when asked, many are unable to clearly articulate what Life Balance specifically is or means for them.  

If you or someone you care for does not yet have a framework for Life Balance, then I will share with you the 4 pillars that will help you set a solid foundation to experience an extraordinary life.  

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Join us Monday, May 30th for The Big Picture for BUSINESS for the first of 3 monthly Monday afternoon sessions.  

We'll cover how to increase your Sales, Customer Satisfaction, Productivity & Efficiency while decreasing your Costs.  Imagine setting up the GamePlan for your to design & build your ideal business.  So Join Us!

Statistically, most businesses fail within the first 5 years.  Business is complicated enough, which is why any businessperson looking to operate a successful business can benefit from simplifying their focus toward a few key priorities.  

If you own a business & want to maximize your success, you deserve to benefit from a winning GamePlan.  I'm ready to share with you the 4 pillars that help you design this GamePlan for business success.  

Email Patrick@BigPictureCoach.com or call/text 778.899.3835 to learn more or to Register yourself for either or both Live Group Coaching Series.
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My address is:
Patrick von Pander
THE BIG PICTURE COACH
#201 - 4501 Kingsway
Burnaby, V5H 0E5
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