5 Estate Planning Mistakes Even Smart Investors Make
Estate planning isn’t just for the ultra-rich. And it’s not something you want to get wrong. For DIY investors, be mindful of these common will-related mistakes. I’ve had a few client conversations lately that reminded me of something I see often: many DIY investors who are confident managing their portfolios still leave major gaps […]
Should You Commute Your Pension or Take Monthly Income?
Wondering if you should commute your defined benefit pension or take the monthly payout? Learn how two retirees made very different choices and what factors might matter most in your decision. If you’ve recently left a job with a defined benefit (DB) pension plan, you may be facing one of the biggest financial decisions of […]
How Much Will CPP and OAS Really Cover in Retirement?
What Canadians Need to Know About Government Benefits, Breakeven Ages, and Balancing Security with Flexibility Government Benefits: A Reliable Foundation, Not the Full Plan A common question clients ask me is, “How much will CPP and OAS cover in my retirement?” It’s a fair question. After contributing for decades, many expect these programs to fund […]
5 Key Tips for DIY Investors Starting Their Financial Plan
Financial Planning for DIY Investors Practical Steps to Take Control of Your Financial Future and Build a Solid Plan Without Relying on High-Cost Advisors Starting a financial plan on your own can feel overwhelming. But with the right approach, anyone can take control of their financial future. DIY investors, especially those who want to maximize […]
Which “Flavour” of Financial Advice Is Right for You?
Which “Flavour” of Financial Advice Is Right for You? Understanding the Differences Between Commission-Based, Fee-Based, Fee-Only, and Advice-Only Financial Advice in Canada Choosing a financial advisor can feel like choosing an ice cream flavour. There are plenty of options, but which one is the best fit for you? Let’s break down the different compensation models […]
Financial Advisor Designations in 2025: Which Ones Actually Matter for Clients?
Who Do Financial Advisor Designations Benefit? Here’s my Honest Take. Over the years, I’ve achieved a few professional designations: CFP®, CIM®, and FCSI®, to name a few. I even gave the CFA® program a go and passed Level 1 before realizing that my time was better spent elsewhere. Early in my career, these credentials were […]
Breaking Status Quo Thinking: How To Beat A Tariff Threat
Breaking Status Quo Thinking can be Beneficial The Illusion of Progress: Why Status Quo Thinking Holds Us Back Just because something is not NOT working doesn’t mean it’s working. The recent tariff threat shone a light on this serious issue of status quo thinking. We often fall into the trap of believing that […]
Retirement Savings. How Much Do You Really Need in Canada? The Case for Personalized Financial Advice
Retirement Planning in Canada “The financial services industry in…Atlantic Canada, is broken and in desperate need of fixing. ” — David Martin, Eltero Financial Partners Retirement planning is one of the most important financial decisions Canadians face. Yet, all too often, advice on the subject is boiled down to generalizations: “You need $1 million […]
3 Biases That Affect Financial Planning and How to Outsmart Them
“Effective financial planning is 90% mental. The other half is about money.” — David Martin, Eltero Financial Partners Ok. So, I might have stolen and paraphrased Yogi Berra’s famous quote about baseball being 90% mental with the other half being physical. The math might not add up but there’s a lot more correct about this […]
Why an Investment Policy Statement is your Best Financial Ally
Investment Policy Statements A Must-Have for DIY Investors ONE of the 7 key components of your financial plan is your investment portfolio. (If you’re wondering, the other components are goal setting, cash flow, tax, risk management, estate and business integration.) Today, we’ll dive into two crucial concepts that can significantly impact your financial future […]