Woodlands School Council

This engaging and entertaining seminar will feature two presentations geared to the needs of our students and their parents. An informal question and answer session will follow.

Discussion Topics

Students will be introduced to money management concepts and strategies. A variety of topics will be covered, including:

• distinguishing between wants and needs;
• budgeting for weekly and special expenses or to track progress toward a goal;
• saving for college/university expenses;
• the transition from grade 12 to university residency
• co-op vs non co-op university programmes
• what to look for in a post-secondary institution
• making your money work for you - an introduction to Savings Bonds, GICS, Mutual Funds and Stocks and the benefits/risks of each
• understanding financial mumbo-jumbo - diversification, risk, liquidity, rates of return, etc.

In the parent presentation, we will address:

• taking advantage of Registered Educational Savings Plans (RESPs) and the new Tax Free Savings account
• the real cost of going to university
• filing tax returns for minors / transfer of educational deductions
• analysis of the current economic climate and prospects for recovery

About our speakers:

Thomas Gaylor

• graduated from St. Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School on the honour roll; received several individual academic awards
• high school football player and captain from 2002-2006
• contributor to Peel Regional Film Festival
• top 5 in test score and top 10 overall in DECA Provincial Marketing Case Competition
• Founding member of Gonzaga's Junior Achievement Program
• Founding Head Prefect of Gonzaga's house system
• Currently in 3rd Year at Wilfrid Laurier University, Honours Business Administration
• Involved with AIESEC, Laurier Market Research, Orientation Week, Winter Carnival, and numerous extracurricular activities
• 2007 Laurier  XLerate  Case Competition Winner
• 2007 BDO Dunwoody New Venture Case Competition Semi-Finalist
• 2008 Lived and volunteered in El Palmer, Guatemala with Youth Challenge International
• Interning at both the Canadian and American head offices of Gallagher Lambert Group (one of the largest consumer insurance brokers in the world) this summer

Neil Gaylor

• Former entrepeneur
• 18 years in Financial Services 
• Certified Financial Planner (CFP) since 1997
• affiliated with the Executive and Corporate Division, Investors Group
• 10 years as a Director with Investors Group
• 3x National Director of the Year with Investors Group
• 2008 Top Consultant, West Toronto
• frequent speaker with emphasis on Retirement Planning / Tax Planning
• involved in minor sport in Mississauga