Rona Birenbaum

Founder and President, Caring for Clients

Personal Finance Expert, Entrepreneur, Working Mom

Media

Meet Rona Birenbaum and Caring for Clients

An introduction to Rona and the firm she founded in 2000.

What's the Difference Between a RRIF and an Annuity?

Published by Globe and Mail

December 30, 2015

Educating Canadians on retirement income investment structures. Globe and Mail Expert Q&A response.

URL: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-investor/retirement/retire-q-and-a/whats-the-difference-between-an-annuity-and-a-rrif/article27891798/

The Pros and Cons of Incorporation

Published by Toronto Star

May 8, 2012

Tax Changes Demand a Compensation Strategy Review

Published by Medical Post

March 21, 2017

Doctors may want to adjust how they pay themselves in light of CRA changes.

URL: http://caringforclients.com/site/caring_for_clients/assets/pdf/17,3_medical_post_dividends_vs_rrsp__002_.pdf

Setting a New Retirement Income Target

Published by Financial Post

July 23, 2013

Helping Canadians think more rationally about retirement savings targets.

URL: http://caringforclients.com/site/caring_for_clients/assets/pdf/2013,_7_fp_retirement_income_target.pdf

Preparing for Death

Published by The Canadian Press

June 1, 2014

The importance of speaking to your spouse about this challenging topic before a crisis.

URL: http://caringforclients.com/site/caring_for_clients/assets/pdf/preparing_for_death_-_business_-_the_telegram.pdf

Mixing Business with Pleasure - The Pitfalls

Published by Toronto Star

January 28, 2013

Comingling personal and business finances are a recipe for frustration. The problem and recommended solutions.

URL: http://caringforclients.com/site/caring_for_clients/assets/pdf/toronto_star_-_mixing_business_with_pleasure.pdf

If I have a Pension - Why not own 100% Equities?

Published by Globe and Mail

May 11, 2016

How do my husband and I plan? - Age difference

Published by Globe and Mail

October 22, 2015

Crafting a Parallel Plan

Published by Toronto Star

May 10, 2012

Important information to protect the long term interests of entrepreneurs.

URL: http://caringforclients.com/site/caring_for_clients/assets/pdf/toronto_star_-_crafting_a_parallel_plan.pdf

Can I Afford to Travel in Retirement?

Published by Globe and Mail

March 1, 2016

Change is coming

Published by Toronto Star

April 9, 2013

An outline of budget changes to the treatment of capital assets, SR&ED, and tax credits for small business owners.

URL: http://caringforclients.com/site/caring_for_clients/assets/pdf/toronto_star_-_change_is_coming.pdf

AODA and Small Business

Published by Toronto Star

May 15, 2013

Helping business owners understand their obligations under the new legislation and providing tools to support them.

URL: http://caringforclients.com/site/caring_for_clients/assets/pdf/toronto_star_-_aoda_and_small_business.pdf

Are you Playing Rational Roulette with your Retirement Plans

Published by Financial Post

November 9, 2015

Beware the Prospectors

Published by Medical Post

December 20, 2016

Biography

Rona Birenbaum has worked in financial services for over 25 years within the Credit Union, full-service brokerage and independent Financial Planning industries. She founded Caring for Clients, a fee only financial planning firm in 2000. She is an Honours graduate of York University's Business School, a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and an Insurance Advisor. Wealth Professional Magazine named Caring for Clients the top Independent Firms in Canada in 2017 and one of the top 50 Advisors in Canada three years running. She has developed an outstanding team of four financial professionals and as a team they deliver outstanding value to their diverse clientele. Birenbaum is frequently contacted by the media as a resource on a wide range of financial planning subjects and is a MoneySense Approved advisor.

Recognition/Reconnaissance

Wealth Professional Woman of Influence 2017 | Professional

Women are still under-represented at senior levels in financial services. Wealth Professional identified 26 women in financial services in Canada who are in leadership positions. Many would be considered trailblazers. Rona was one of them.

Wealth Professional Top Canadian Independant Firm (less than 10 employees) | Professional

2017 Winner of this prestigious award.

Wealth Professional Top Canadian Independant Firm (less than 10 employees) | Professional

Caring for Clients was Nominated

Wealth Professional Top Canadian Independant Firm (less than 10 employees) | Professional

Caring for Clients was Nominated

Wealth Professional Top Canadian Independant Firm (less than 10 employees) | Professional

Caring for Clients was Nominated

Wealth Professional Top 50 in Canada | Professional

Identified as one of the top financial advisors in Canada.

Wealth Professional Top 50 in Canada | Professional

Identified as one of the top financial advisors in Canada.

Wealth Professional Top 50 in Canada | Professional

Identified as one of the top financial advisors in Canada.

Past Talks

Three Investing Secrets You Need to Know

Lunch and Learn

Ontario Nurse's Association, February 9, 2016

Money Concerns and Career Planning

Cannexus

Ottawa, January 26, 2016

Numerous print and video interviews by Canadian Media

various

Toronto

Financial Planning is not investment advice

Lunch and Learn

Ontario Nurse's Association, April 19, 2016

Financial Planning When Everything Has Changed

Camp Widow

Toronto, March 24, 2017

Links

Expertise

  • Personal Finance
  • Personal Insurance
  • Investment Advisory
  • Investment Advisor Best Practices
  • Financial Planning

Education/Éducation

  • Shulich School of Business - York University
    Commerce
    Marketing Honours, 1991
  • Financial Planners Standards Counsel
    Financial Planning
    CFP, 1997
  • Canadian Securities Institute
    Investing
    csc, 1995