RRSP TFSA Strategy Canada: How to Use Each Account to Pay Less Tax
RRSP, TFSA, or Non-Registered? How to Use Each Account to Pay Less Tax Over a Lifetime Most Canadian DIY investors are familiar with their account options. They have an RRSP, a TFSA, maybe a non-registered account, and they contribute to all three when they can. What tends to be less clear is how these accounts […]
Why Most Financial Plans Fail to Spark Excitement: 3 Common Mistakes
Why Most Financial Plans Fail to Spark Excitement: 3 Common Mistakes The difference between having a plan and planning your life I have a confession: My financial planning software is boring. And if you and I only use it to see if you’ll run out of money, we’ve both failed. Over the years working with […]
Fee-Only vs Advice-Only vs Fee-Based vs Commission-Based Financial Advisors in Canada
Fee only? Advice only? Fee Based? How Do I Choose a Financial Advisor in Canada? There are plenty of options for financial advice, but which one is the best fit for you? Let’s break down the different types of financial advisors in Canada, how they’re compensated, and how to find the right match for your […]
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 […]