What behavioural science can teach us about estate planning
Involving family in estate planning builds understanding, trust, and alignment. Through the Ikea and Mere Exposure Effect, participation and familiarity reduce conflict, clarify roles, and ensure smoother transitions. Open communication transforms estate planning from secrecy into shared purpose and confidence.
Canadian Families and the One Big Beautiful Bill: What You Need to Prepare
The upcoming “One Big Beautiful Bill” introduces major U.S. tax changes in 2026, including a $15 million estate tax exemption and new “Trump Accounts” for children. Canadian families with U.S. ties should review estate plans and await CRA guidance before acting.
Is Your Income Plan Working for You? Now Is the Time to Review
Starting tax planning early gives you time, options, and peace of mind. Review contributions, plan donations, explore tax-loss harvesting, consider income splitting, and check cash flow now to reduce taxes, avoid year-end stress, and optimize savings before 2025 ends.
Rainy Days and Your Backup Plan
Life has a way of throwing curveballs; job changes, surprise bills, or bigger challenges you never saw coming. By building solid emergency savings and smart insurance coverage, you can create a safety net that keeps you steady and ready for anything.
Retirement Is Happening Everywhere
Retirement is reshaping every industry in Canada, from healthcare to media to small business. As baby boomers exit the workforce, thoughtful succession planning is essential to ensure continuity, transfer knowledge, and support smooth transitions for individuals, families, and organizations.
What Makes Life Good? It’s More Than Money
Plot twist: the good life isn’t for sale! Psychologist Daniel Kahneman cracked the code with five life essentials; joy, deep work, killer relationships, purpose, and personal growth. Money’s nice, but flourishing happens when you invest in experiences over expenses!
The 30-Year Weekend: Planning for the Retirement Adventure of a Lifetime
Retirement could last as long as your career, think of it as the longest weekend ever. With smart planning, flexible strategies, and a dash of optimism, you can turn your nest egg into decades of freedom, fun, and financial confidence.
Control is Overrated: Why Doing Less Can Mean More
Markets swing, headlines scream, and your brain begs you to do something. Smart investing means knowing when not to do anything. From the illusion of control to the soap-bar effect, sometimes the best move is knowing you’re not in charge.
Financial Stability When the World Feels Unstable
2025 has started with uncertainty, focus on strengthening your financial plan by reviewing your emergency fund, spending, and community connections instead of reacting. Adaptability and preparation help you weather any storm.
2025 February Update
The way financial literacy is often talked about makes it sound like a personal failing, but the real problem is how complicated personal finance has become. We focus on helping people build financial systems that fit their unique lives—not chasing some one-size-fits-all standard.
2025 January Update
As Robert Burns’ words remind us, even the best-laid plans can go awry. Change is inevitable, often unexpected, and managing uncertainty is challenging. This January, we’re focusing on what’s within our control amidst a whirlwind of legislative and financial updates.
2024 December Update
Financial planning is more than numbers; it’s about the deeply human stories behind each plan. This week’s conversations reminded me of the importance of empathy, active listening, and trust, underscoring how financial professionals help clients navigate life’s emotional moments.
2024 November Update
Effective financial planning requires more than technical strategies; it relies on open communication to set shared goals and realistic expectations. Regular, honest conversations strengthen financial systems, build trust, and create a foundation for long-term financial well-being.
2024 October Update
The myth of perfection, fueled by social media, promotes an unrealistic standard that creates an all-or-nothing mentality. It hides real-life struggles, leading people to feel inadequate. True success is not perfection but resilience in overcoming setbacks.
2024 September Update
Perfectionism can sabotage progress toward long-term goals. Instead of focusing on doing things perfectly, aim for continuity. Setbacks are inevitable, but with resilience, self-compassion, and small, consistent steps, long-term success becomes achievable. Embrace the journey, not perfection.
2024 August Update
Criticism while still shaping an idea, can destroy creativity. When human beings are creating ideas, we can limit their willingness to participate. The yes, and… approach helps stay curious, creative, accepting, and takes us to incredible places we may not have otherwise visited.
2024 July Update
Less fun, but really, really important, is talking about the stuff that makes us sad. Losing people we love, losing the ability to do the things we love, losing our health… these are things that are harder to talk about.
2024 June Update
Tax can be annoying. The way the changes to the capital gains inclusion rate has been rolled out is even more annoying. Factoring in the limited time to consider options could all trigger an emotional decision that isn’t necessarily in your best interests.
2024 May Update
Spring in Canadian finance is a thrilling time with RRSP and tax deadlines, plus the Federal Budget. Hopefully, you have been navigating this without stress, focusing on life amidst filing taxes and grasping the 2024 Budget’s implications on your life.
2024 April Update
Getting serious about exiting your business? It’s crucial to plan for it, as eventual exits are inevitable. Addressing technical aspects is vital, and each situation demands thoughtful consideration. Remember, no one works or lives forever.
2024 March Update
Making great financial decisions can be incredibly difficult given the noise in the world about what is “right” and “smart”. Great financial planning helps you determine which strategies and decisions make the most sense for YOU, so that you can experience your life, well spent.
2024 February Update
You may say to yourself, “I don’t have a trust, those are only for billionaires. This won’t apply to me.” But wait… it might. The new trust requirements significantly impact the kind of trust that you didn’t realize was considered “a trust”.
2024 January Update
It’s a new year, but remember: Time is a construct. The truth is, you can start your year whenever you want. If you thought the start of the year got away from you, let us reassure you that you can start right now.
2023 December Update
Get ready for 2024 – a year promising more changes! While specifics are still a mystery (who doesn’t love surprises?), we’ve got insights, especially in the financial realm. Curious about what’s coming? Here’s a sneak peek into the future.
2023 November Update
“Your life, well spent” is a constant work in progress. Your overall life design and all of your plans are of course subject to change as the world adjusts and changes around you. Here’s how we help you do just that.
2023 October Update
The term “deadline” carries a grim history, contributing to the anxiety it evokes. Understanding why deadlines trigger anxiety can help to mitigate stress proactively. This fall and winter, let’s act to relieve stress and take action to embrace deadlines.
2023 September Update
We want you to notice what is – and is not – resonating in your life. That means, that we need to pay attention. To think about what might make it even better… what “your life, well spent” could really look like.
2023 August Update
Act upon the answers to your “why” question. Every activity you undertake, ask yourself: “What is the WHY behind this fulfillment?” Explore the link between your daily actions and fundamental motivations. Introspection is invaluable, and your future self will thank you.
2023 July Update
Unleash your “why”! Understand your values, emotions, and aspirations. Reflect on what matters and reshape your path. Reconnect with purpose. Evaluate and align your “why” with choices. Embrace it to transform your life. Discover the power within.
2023 June Update
How are you intentionally creating the best summer of 2023 possible? Let’s talk about what makes it great, and then think about how to pay for it.