RESP Contributions as a Gift?

Christmas is around the corner, maybe a birthday too, and your loved ones are excited to purchase gifts for your children. Toys are usually the go to items for little ones.

One year, when the kids were little, we asked the Grandparents to make a contribution to the RESP instead of spending too much on gifts. This was just before our experience with Heritage went south. My mother-in-law had heard some questionable stories about Heritage, and opted to buy the toys instead. Others just wanted to see the look of joy on their cute little faces.

Have you ever asked your family/friends to contribute to an RESP instead of buying gifts? How did they respond?

Proposed Plan Change for Heritage Plans

Heritage Education Funds has recently proposed changes to their plans. Invitations and proxies have been mailed out to Plan Subscribers to participate in a vote to help decide IF they will proceed with the changes, or not. Heritage has extended this opportunity with the message, "You Asked. We Listened." Were they actually listening?

Here are links to an overview of the changes and to the official documents that were mailed out. Subscriber Vote on Proposed Plan Changes:

• Plan Changes: FAQ
• Letter to Subscribers
• Management Information Circular

Note: IF changes are made they will only affect "plans that are expected to mature after July 31, 2014 and who typically have a 2016 Year of Eligibility." 

What do you think of the proposed changes? Will you vote?