Goal Setting: Don’t Think Perfection, Think Intention

Determine your why

Goal Setting: The “Why” Will Direct the “What” and “How” One of the biggest ironies when it comes to goal setting for financial planning is that most people do not set goals because they have a fear of failure, yet studies show that people who simply write down their goals are more likely to achieve […]

Why Budgets and Budgeting Don’t Work

Chicago marathon

Budgets Don’t Work! Rethinking Budgeting: The Cash Flow Approach When I first started in the financial business, we were taught that helping clients determine their budget was beneficial to them reaching their financial goals.  I’ve seen firsthand the cringe that the word “budget” can elicit. It’s like the word “diet”—immediately, one imagines restrictions, limitations, and […]

Should You DIY Your Financial Planning?

My TED Talk on DIY Financial Planning Can a DIY Investor Really do Proper Financial Planning? I was recently asked to speak on whether I thought a person could create an effective Do-It-Yourself (DIY) financial plan or is it necessary to hire a professional to help in this important area of their lives. I welcomed […]

When to take CPP and OAS

CPP and OAS Starting Age Mistiming the Start Dates of these Government Benefits can Help or Harm your Retirement Plans Who doesn’t want “free” money from the government? If you’ve ever looked at your pay stub or tax return, you know that the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS) pension benefits you […]

2023 Recap and 2024 Outlook

2023 Year in Review   “Looking forward all that I can see Is good things happening to you and me…” From Looking Forward Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young   As we get ready to turn the page on 2023 and welcome the new year with all its possibilities, we’d like to take some time to […]