2021 July Update

Those summer months seem to go by so quickly! Maybe that’s because we tend to think of them as starting at the end of June, with the end of the school year, and ending in early September, with the start of the school year. That might be the case for anyone in school, but if you’re not in school anymore, perhaps it’s time to reset your thoughts about this short season.

Realistically, the length of the season is dependent on where you live – or where you happen to travel to, now that traveling might be a thing again. If you spend your Canadian summers in Canada but your Canadian winters in another climate, you get two summers a year, and they may be longer than you think! June and September can be gorgeous, warm, and just as much fun as July and August. Maybe you don’t have to be like everyone else. Maybe you can have summer… whenever you want.

The reality is that you don’t have to live by the rules that were handed out to you in grade school. We’re not discounting them, they probably had their place. Today though, you are the Captain of your own destiny – and, within the constraints of law, you get to design it… however you like.

Last year, we spent a lot of time talking through exactly how to do that – we know it’s actually pretty hard. We have found over the years that removing the limitations on your choices can actually be more difficult, daunting, and even anxiety-inducing, than keeping them. It’s important for you, while you’re in design mode, to understand that limitations do still exist – they’re just self-imposed.

What are your self-imposed limitations? They’re less about money, law, and tax than most people think. The real limitations – the ones you live and die by, the ones that mean the most to you… those are your values.

If you’ve been reading with us this year, you know that we’ve been writing about how to think through your values each month, and how to put those values to work in your finances. We’ve talked about safety and security, family, freedom, and much more.

This month, we’re talking about something that people bring up a lot… something that has much more to do with your values than it has to do with money, despite what all those advertisers would have you believe.

Retirement. Financial Freedom.

Whatever you want to call it, it’s that point where you feel really great about working or not working as much as you want. It’s the point where you get to call the shots more than you ever have before.

Did you know that this point is actually one of the most stressful points in your life? Yup, the research proves it. It hits number 10 on the list of life’s most stressful activities.

Sandi’s helping us all remove some of the stress around that by thinking through this point in time, and reflecting on the strategies that will help you sail into the next chapter of your life. Whatever that looks like, we know you’ll want to understand the tools and information that you need to create success – on your terms, in your own way.

That’s always been our goal at Spring Plans: A plan based on your values. Your particular, unique version of success. Your life, well spent.

Thanks for sharing it with us, and letting us help you achieve it.

Spring in the News:

Sandi Martin is featured on The Just Word podcast, talking about your life, well spent (pun intended). You can listen to it here.

Julia Chung covers how to use design thinking for your finances in Best Health Magazine Canada. Read more

Julia Chung is featured in UpNext, CPA Ontario’s Digital PD Magazine. You receive free access with registration. Read more

Practice Notes:

Our “offices” will be closed on Monday, August 2 for the annual stat holiday commemorating whatever your province or territory would like to commemorate.

Julia will be taking her annual holiday to celebrate her birthday throughout the last week of July and first week of August. Kathryn will also be away during that same period. Darryl will be away throughout the week of August 9 through 13, as well as August 30 through September 3. Sandi will continue her Adventure Wednesdays in July and August.

“Free” Fridays remain booked permanently in our calendars. These days are free to us at Spring in the sense that they are our opportunity to work on becoming better planners, whether through collaboration and discussion, education, research, or even a little down time. It’s been a regular practice since the summer of 2017, and we will continue to set aside the time to become better versions of ourselves every week. Even 1% better is solidly worth it, because we know that will be reflected in the work we do for you.

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