Featured This Season - Winter EDITION
Message From Peter
Fellow Savers,
Here we are at the start of another year. The beginning of every year brings in new hope and enthusiasm. We look forward to new opportunities that lie ahead, and the chance to do things a little better. With every New Year also comes promise. We all make promises to improve ourselves. My hope for Canadians is that this will include a renewed commitment to improving our financial wellbeing.
When ING DIRECT first opened its doors 15 years ago, we introduced ourselves to Canadians with a very simple, yet very relevant message: save your money®. Many Canadians responded, and have been building their savings with us ever since. It makes us very proud to have helped these Clients experience the benefits of maintaining financial health. Choice, freedom, and sleeping better at night – these are the benefits we all deserve to gain through solid saving habits.
Our savings message is even more relevant for Canadians today. Over the last several years, Canadians have allowed their personal debt to grow at a rate that's higher than their income and their savings. Debt levels are now about one and a half times disposable income. This is not sustainable, and it's why now more than ever, we are committed to helping lead Canadians back to being a nation of Savers.
We stay true to our mission through the products we offer. Last year we gave you the gift of no-fee daily Chequing with the launch of our THRiVE Chequing™ Account. This has helped us become the everyday bank for more Canadians. Nearly 100,000 Clients have chosen not to pay high fees for day to day chequing accounts, and are now using THRiVE Chequing instead. It's very exciting for us to see so many of you taking charge of your finances through the products we've designed to help you reach your goals.
2012 holds much promise, but we all know that it takes a lot of hard work and commitment to make those promises real. And, it never hurts to have someone supporting and empowering you.
From all of us to all of you, I wish you and your family a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. Thank you for supporting our mission, and for the trust you place in ING DIRECT by banking with us. We look forward to continuing to help you save your money.
All the best,
Peter Aceto
President & CEO
ING DIRECT
Treat yourself to something nice this RSP season.
Know one of the nicest things about saving money for tomorrow in an RSP with ING DIRECT? Besides the obvious ones, of course – the tax refund you may get, having money to enjoy the perks of retirement – it's how you feel today. You know: having one less thing on your mind takes a load off. It helps you sleep better at night. And we can help you make the most of your savings with RSP investment options that are designed for maximum growth.
Like our RSP Guaranteed Investments (GICs) – you simply can't lose.
Or The Streetwise Funds® – an easy way to invest in the stock market because there's no minimum purchase required. No commissions. And talk about diversification! When the market goes up, your investment does too.
Or an RSP Investment Savings Account (ISA). It's like a mattress that pays interest. What could be simpler?
Log in at ingdirect.ca today or call 1-888-464-3232 to make your RSP contribution today.
The RSP contribution deadline is February 29, 2012.
Going tax-less can be very liberating.
If you're looking for a chance to go tax-less this year, (and honestly, who isn't?), we say go for it! It's easy with a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) from ING DIRECT. You can invest and grow your savings without paying any tax on the interest you earn. It's like having your own little tax haven - without the palm trees.
And here's the nice thing about saving your money inside your TFSA: It's the peace of mind you have from knowing that if you get hit with unexpected expenses, like your car dies, or you have to buy a new set of tires, you don't need to sweat it. Because you can withdraw the money whenever you need it without paying tax. Just remember that money withdrawn can only be redeposited the following year to avoid over-contribution penalties.
Open a TFSA today, or if you already have one, check your contribution limit on all your TFSAs and transfer more of your money into the Account(s). Just log in at ingdirect.ca or call 1-888-464-3232 and one of our Direct Associates will be happy to help you.
It's Like an Easy Commute
By Paul Behan, ING DIRECT Mutual Funds Team
The other day I was commuting to work on the highway, in rainy weather. Driving to work on a sunny day can be a breeze, but on that day, the traffic was just plain slow. I noticed that the lane beside me was a little faster than the one I was in. So, I changed lanes, and guess what? The lane that I was in before was then going faster. It was all very frustrating. But just because the traffic was bad, I didn't turn around and go home. I stuck with it, knowing that I had to get to work.
What are you working for? I'm doing it to cover the family expenses and to eventually retire. That's my goal. I believe that everyone wants to retire one day.
Commuting to work is very much like investing. Some days the markets are good, and some days the markets are bad. On the bad days, it doesn't mean that I run for cover though. I stick with my investment plan, knowing that I want to reach my goal.
Which fund should I go with though? There's so much out there to choose from, and the top performers of the past are not necessarily the best performers looking forward. This is all reminiscent of choosing a lane on my drive to work. With The Streetwise Funds, we take the picking and choosing away. It's like relaxing in the carpool lane!
If you want to learn more about The Streetwise Funds, give us a call at 1-877-464-5678 Monday to Friday 8 am - 8 pm ET.
Tips to Shape up Your Finances
By Salma Khan, ING DIRECT Lending Team
It's never too late to begin evaluating your debt load and taking control of your finances.
We all know that being healthy requires routine exercise and eating a balanced diet. By following these 5 simple tips, you can also shape up your finances:
- Set long-term and short-term financial goals.
- Organize your financial records. Gather your financial statements, and list all your expenses, using budgeting tools.
- Create a budget. Develop a monthly spending plan to help you stay on track. Organize your fixed expenses and variable expenses.
- Take action. Talk about your finances. Broaden your knowledge by attending seminars, reading books, etc.
- Monitor your progress. Review your finances on a monthly basis, and shed away the unnecessary expenses.
These simple tips will help you work towards achieving your financial goals. The key is to be able to balance out your spending and savings, and budget accordingly.
Mark your Calendars for these important dates!
Deadline to make RSP contributions for 2011 is February 29, 2012.
Deadline for filing 2011 tax returns is April 30, 2012.
Receipts will be ready as follows:
- 2011 RSP Balance of Year RSP Contributions by week of January 9, 2012.
- T4RSP Statement of RSP Account Income (including HBP and LLP) by week of January 16, 2012.
- RL-2 Statement of RSP Account Income (including HBP and LLP) for Quebec Residents by week of January 16, 2012.
- Receipts for RSP contributions made in the first 60 days of 2012, starting week of January 30, 2012 and every two weeks after until March 31, 2012.
- T5 Statement of Investment Income receipts by week of January 23, 2012.
- RL-3 Statement of Investment Income by week of January 23, 2012.
- NR4 Statement of Amounts Paid or Credited to Non-Residents by week of January 23, 2012.
- T4 RIF Statement of income from Register Retired Income Fund (RIF) by week of January 16, 2012.
Don't want to wait for your paper tax receipt to arrive by mail? Log in at ingdirect.ca today and switch to e-receipts. Once you've signed up, you'll get your receipts online from the date you switch to electronic delivery.
Regional News
Montréal
Hockey weekend in Montreal!
Last fall, the Montréal Café des finances team, along with other ING DIRECT employees, participated in the HITS FM 8th Annual Media Celebrity Hockey Marathon in support of the Otis Grant Foundation.
Over $25,000 was raised for the foundation, which is dedicated to helping impoverished families by providing them with food, clothing and educational support. Close to 500 players came together to participate in this worthy cause. They played in 49 one-hour, 3 vs. 3 hockey games on 3 rinks, marathon style!
The ING DIRECT team had the privilege of playing against the Gold medalists of the Canadian Women's Olympic team, and the legendary Guy Carbonneau, along with other former NHL Alumni players. A big thank you to all of our brave participants who joined us in our philanthropic venture and made this event a huge success!
Toronto
The Tweed Ride Toronto
On Saturday, October 16th, the first annual Tweed Ride Toronto took place downtown. ING DIRECT sponsored this fundraiser for Bikes Without Borders (BWB), a Canadian non-profit that buys bikes and bike ambulances for community health workers in Malawi.
Despite the less than ideal weather conditions, BWB decided to push forward with the event, which turned into a great success! Everyone showed up in high spirits, fully decked out in tweed and the event raised over $10,000!
Of course, the Toronto Café team was also out in full force, handing out branded reusable cups and coupons for a free beverage at 221 Yonge Street. There was also a raffle and a buffet dinner, where bags of our Savers Blend coffee were given out. We're proud to have supported this great cause and look forward to the next BWB event!
Don't forget to follow us on Twitter® @OrangeYYZ to find out more about our upcoming events and keep up-to-date on what's new with the Toronto ING DIRECT Cafés.
Calgary
The Calgary Café wraps up 2011 in Orange style.
The Calgary Café wrapped up 2011 with our usual fun and style! In October, we presented "Being Elmo" as a headliner film at the Calgary International Film Festival. We also got festive in the fall, and had a class from WH Cushing Elementary School visit the Café for some pumpkin decorating.
Closer to the Holiday Season, we got into the spirit of giving by "adopting" a family in need, through the Calgary YMCA. We held a month long drive to collect toys, clothing and items to help make one Calgary family's holidays a little brighter.
The festive spirit grew in December, as we served up some Holiday cheer with our friends from WH Cushing who stopped by again to treat our Savers to Christmas Carols.
To keep up-to-date on all Calgary Café events and happenings, make sure to follow us on Twitter® @OrangeYYC!
Vancouver
The Vancouver Café participates in Fall Social Media Week.
For the first time ever, Vancouver was one of 12 cities that participated globally in Fall Social Media Week. During the week, over 30 free seminars and workshops were held on various social media topics, aimed at individuals and businesses wanting to learn more about the benefits.
As many of you know, ING DIRECT is actively engaged in social media, and many of our Clients follow us on Twitter.com/OrangeYVR, Facebook.com/Superstarsaver, and Youtube.com/Superstarsaver. The Vancouver Café had the privilege of hosting ten of the events at the Café, which had over 700 attendees.
We were happy to be able to share our social media story and also presented at Impact99, the BC Business Educators Association (BCBEA), and the BC Human Resources Management Association (BCHRMA). If you would like to hear our presentation, please email vancafe@ingdirect.ca for more details.
The Orange Calendar. Winter 2012
Calgary Café Events
February 13 & 14 – Come "Putt For Love" at the Calgary Café! A hole-in-one gets you great prizes and everyone can enter for our great "Date Night" prize pack!
February 20-24 - RSP Week at the Calgary Café with Lunch & Learns, helpful advice and extra information all week long. For more info, please contact us at calcafe@ingdirect.ca or 403-539-5520.
Montreal Café Events
January 5 - The Montreal Café will be accepting submissions for the 6th National Golden Key/ING DIRECT Creative Writing Contest, aimed at Grade 7 to 9 high school students across Canada. Submissions must be short stories of 300 to 700 words that use one of the following values as a theme: integrity, collaboration, innovation, respect, diversity, excellence, or engagement. ING DIRECT bursaries in the amounts of $1,000, $500 and $300 respectively will be awarded to the top 3 national winners. The contest ends March 1, 2012. For more info and submission details, please email mtlcafe@ingdirect.ca
Toronto Café Events
January 28 – The Toronto North Café will offer a free Tax-Free Savings Account Breakfast Seminar from 9 am to 10 am. To RSVP, please email torcafe@ingdirect.ca by January 23rd.
March 31 – The Toronto North Café will hold an Earth Hour Celebration from 8 pm to 9:30 pm. To RSVP, please email torcafe@ingdirect.ca by March 26th.
Vancouver Café Events
February 8 & 15 - The Vancouver Café will offer free RSP seminars to Clients and visitors. At the same time, we will be offering our full Money Movement™ series. To RSVP or for more info, please email vancafe@ingdirect.ca.
February 22 & 26 - The Vancouver Café will be at the BC Home Show with chocolates, savings, and prizes to be won. For complimentary tickets to the Home Show, please email your details to vancafe@ingdirect.ca.
January 28th – The Toronto North Café will offer a free Tax-Free Savings Account Breakfast Seminar from 9 am to 10 am. To RSVP, please email torcafe@ingdirect.ca by January 23rd.
February 11th – The Toronto North Café will offer a free RSP Breakfast Seminar from 9 am to 10 am. To RSVP, please email torcafe@ingdirect.ca by February 6th.
March 31st – The Toronto North Café will hold an Earth Hour Celebration from 8 pm to 9:30 pm. To RSVP, please email torcafe@ingdirect.ca by March 26th.
January 5th - Submissions will be accepted for the 6th National Golden Key/ING DIRECT Creative Writing Contest, aimed at Grade 7 to 9 high school students across Canada. Submissions must be short stories of 300 to 700 words that use one of the following values as a theme: integrity, collaboration, innovation, respect, diversity, excellence, or engagement. ING DIRECT bursaries in the amounts of $1,000, $500 and $300 respectively will be awarded to the top 3 national winners. The contest ends March 1, 2012. For more info and submission details, please email mtlcafe@ingdirect.ca
February 7th, 9th, 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd and 28th - The Montreal Café will offer free Tax-Free Savings Account and RSP seminars. To RSVP or for more info, please call 514-396-CAFÉ (2233) or email mtlcafe@ingdirect.ca.
March 23rd to 25th - The Montreal Café team will be at the National Women's Show, taking place at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal. Visit the Montreal Café to receive a 2 for 1 coupon to the event, while quantities last. For more info, email us at mtlcafe@indirect.ca.
Month of January - Drop Off for the Drop In. The holidays may be over, but there are still Calgarians in need out there. Please help us collect much needed clothing and personal items for the patrons of the Calgary Drop In Centre. Get a FREE mug with your donation.
February 13th & 14th - Come "Putt For Love" at the Calgary Café! A hole-in-one gets you great prizes and everyone can enter for our great "Date Night" prize pack!
February 20th to 24th - RSP Week at the Calgary Café with Lunch & Learns, helpful advice and extra information all week long. For more info, please contact us at calcafe@ingdirect.ca or 403-539-5520.
March 1st to 16th - Help us fill our pot o' gold at the Calgary Café with all proceeds going to the Calgary Safe Haven Foundation. Also enter to win our fun St. Patrick's Day themed prize pack!
January 24th - Every month, the Vancouver Café hosts the Board of Change, with a different speaker each time, presenting on sustainable business topics. To kick off 2012, the ING DIRECT Vancouver Café will share their green, zero waste strategy.
February 8th and 15th - The Vancouver Café will offer free RSP seminars to Clients and visitors. At the same time, we will be offering our full Money Movement™ series. To RSVP or for more info, please email vancafe@ingdirect.ca.
February 22th and 26th - The Vancouver Café will be at the BC Home Show with chocolates, savings, and prizes to be won. For complimentary tickets to the Home Show, please email your details to vancafe@ingdirect.ca.
Savings Tip
If saving more of your money is one of your New Year's resolutions, make it one you can keep! Set realistic goals for yourself, and keep it simple. An easy way to cut down on spending is eating out less. Buy groceries for a week of lunches, which are much cheaper than eating out, or try making extra dinner food the night before, so you can take leftovers the next day. You'll see your savings add up!
Did You Know?
Did You Know #1:
Unused contribution room in your Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA) can be carried forward to future years.
Did You Know #2:
An RSP Loan can be a fast and easy way to reach your maximum RSP contribution for the year if you need a bit of help coming up with a contribution top-up.
Text to Download
Text "mobile" to 728464 from your smartphone and download our free** Mobile Banking app.
The legal stuff our lawyers make us say:
® save your money is a registered trademark of ING Bank of Canada.
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* Standard message rates and data charges from your carrier apply to sending and/or receiving text messages. Check with your carrier if you have questions about your plan and costs.
™ THRiVE Chequing and the Money Movement are trademarks of ING Bank of Canada.
® The Streetwise Funds is a registered trademark of ING Bank of Canada, used under license.
™ "For the long term. Not the long shot" is a trademark of ING Direct Funds Limited.
ING Direct Funds Limited is the principal distributor of The Streetwise Funds. The Streetwise Funds are exclusively offered by ING DIRECT Asset Management Limited. ING Direct Funds Limited and ING DIRECT Asset Management Limited are wholly owned subsidiaries of ING Bank of Canada. Commissions, trailing commissions, and management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments. Please read the prospectus before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Mutual funds are not insured by CDIC or any other government deposit insurer, and are not guaranteed by ING Bank of Canada, or any other Canadian financial institution.
