2024 December Update

In the world of financial planning, there’s a persistent perception that it’s all about numbers, charts, and projections. But those of us who live and breathe this work know the truth: it’s deeply human. Behind every plan is a story—rich, raw, and real.

This week, I had a conversation that reminded me why I do this work. She spoke about her husband, gone six years now, and the love and loss that have shaped her life. There were tears as we explored her journey, the ways she’s been living her best life since his passing, and the legacy she hopes to leave behind. As we talked about her end-of-life wishes, the conversation naturally turned to her family—her daughter and grandson—and there were more tears, this time filled with both hope and heartache.

And then, she said something that stopped me in my tracks: “This is the kindest conversation I’ve ever had with a financial person. It’s clear you care about what works best for me.”

This is why we do what we do. It’s not just about the financial strategy (although yes, I’ll be drafting a proposal). It’s about showing up, listening, and being genuinely invested in people’s lives.

I refused payment for our time together because that wasn’t the point. She cried again, this time out of gratitude, and I left the conversation reminded of why I love this work. Financial planning isn’t just a profession—it’s a privilege.

The Emotional Roller Coaster

This week has also been full of hard conversations:

• A spouse being placed in care after decades of marriage.
• Adult children navigating the complexities of supporting their aging parents.
• A realization that a cherished lifestyle is no longer affordable.

These moments are heavy, but they’re also transformative. Each conversation requires more than financial expertise; it demands empathy, active listening, and the ability to hold space for others.

It’s also why I firmly believe financial professionals should actively pursue training in counseling, psychology, and coaching. We don’t just crunch numbers; we help people navigate some of the most emotional and vulnerable moments of their lives. We’re part planner, part confidant, part therapist.

The Silver Lining

Through all this, there’s one constant: trust. The people we are privileged to support trust us to help them navigate their struggles and find a path forward. They trust that we will help them build plans that honor their values and realities. And in return, I trust them to share their truths with me, even when they’re hard to face.

Reflection is at the heart of this work. It reminds us that behind every budget, portfolio, or estate plan is a life—a messy, beautiful, heartbreaking life. It’s a reminder that while the numbers matter, the stories matter more.

So, as I move forward, I hold onto these moments. They fuel me to do better, to be better, and to meet every client with the kindness and care they deserve.

Because at the end of the day, this work isn’t just about planning for the future. It’s about honoring the past, embracing the present, and making sure people feel seen, heard, and supported every step of the way.

We hope that during the upcoming holiday season, you will take a moment to truly reflect on what your best life looks like. In the quiet moments between gatherings, or while savouring a warm drink by the fire, consider what brings you joy, fulfillment, and peace. Let the spirit of reflection guide you to rediscover what makes your life meaningful and how you can carry that into the year ahead.

Wishing you all the best for the end of 2024 and 2025!

Your Spring Planning Team

Practice Notes:

Every holiday season your team at Spring Planning makes donations to causes in our communities in honour of the wonderful people we get to work with every day. Children are always top of mind for us at this time of year and we hope that our gifts to Covenant House Vancouver and Backpack Buddies help brighten the season for those children who benefit from these wonderful organizations.

Covenant House holds particular meaning for Julia. One of her favourite jobs in high school was selling jewelry at the corner of Granville and Robson in Vancouver. All the kiosks were owned by two or three people who hired sales people – Julia wasn’t making that jewelry. During her time there, she met and befriended a lot of kids her own age who were living on the streets, falling through the cracks in the system, without a home address so they could attend school, and without adults to care for them. Julia spent a lot of her earnings feeding and clothing some of those kids. Covenant House Vancouver opened shortly after she left that job, providing a wonderful place for children to call home, to receive basics of food and shelter, to get the education they want and need, to rest, to wash, and to experience some joy.

Backpack Buddies holds a lot of meaning for Ashlee. For many children, the only time they’re able to eat well is through school meal programs. As they head home for the weekend, they are often facing a few days without nutrition, which has them starting the week off without the basics that other children might experience. Ashlee discovered Backpack Buddies after her own daughter attended school and expressed concern about her classmates. Thanks to Backpack Buddies, more children are able to experience their weekends with full bellies, and to start their weeks ready to learn.

We look forward to a long rest this holiday season. Our laptops are closed as of December 20th, and we’ll crack them open again on January 6th. We hope you experience rest, love, and peace throughout the holiday season. We’ll tiptoe lightly, quietly into 2025 as we always do. From our perspective – as you may already know – the time between January 1st and the Lunar New year (landing January 29 in 2025) is the space we have to ease into the year. We hope you’ll be kind to yourself and we look forward to connecting with you when we return!

Spring in the News:

Julia spoke at the Minerva Summit, hosted by Burgundy Asset Management, on October 29 in Toronto. The event was webcast for those outside of Toronto, and recordings of the event can be watched here using the password MINERVA. The summit’s theme, Generational Wealth: Minding the Healthspan-Lifespan Gap, featured an impressive lineup of speakers, including Dr. Laura Carstensen, Professor of Psychology at Stanford University & founding director of the Stanford Center on Longevity, Dr. Sharon Straus, Professor of Medicine at the University of Toronto & Chief Medical Officer at Unity Health Toronto, Dr. Ashley Verduyn, VP of Medical Affairs & Chief of Providence Healthcare, Lucy Main, Partner at WeirFould LLP, and many others.

Julia shared her insights on unnecessary spending and practical money-saving tips in an amusing feature with Bored Panda, highlighting some unforgettable Money Spending Fails. Don’t miss the full article, check it out here!

Julia will be joining Dawn Schooler of Trella Advisory Service and Steve Carreiro of KPMG to discuss Family Businesses and Transitions with the Fraser Valley Estate Planning Council on January 21st, 2025. If you’re not yawning already, you can register for the event (in person in Langley so it will be chock-full of accountants and finance people), right here.

Please check out our media page here for videos, podcasts, interviews and more.

Planning News Digest:

• CRA Bare Trust Exemption – Remember all that bare trust reporting stuff? No? That’s okay, it’s been annoying. The CRA has provided an update on this reporting requirement. Check out the full update here.
• 2025 CRA Tax Numbers – RRSP & TFSA limits, tax deductions, CPP & EI contributions, OAS recovery threshold, prescribed interest rate – oh my? All the new numbers for 2025 are right here.
• Benefits of donating securities – Got some last minute charitable gifting to do? Consider donating securities that have pesky capital gains built up – avoid the tax, and get a donation receipt too! Read all the details here.

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