Frequently Asked Questions 

We would like to offer you a FREE 30-minute private consultation, either in person or virtually via Zoom or phone call, at absolutely no obligation to you. If an in-person meeting is not possible, a quick online or phone discussion can be arranged for your convenience.

For your consultation, please bring your latest financial statements, including banking, investments, and retirement plans, along with your current tax return. We will review this information and discuss income sources, retirement contributions, assets, debts, and estate planning documents.

I work with over 20 insurance and investment companies across Canada and am paid directly by them. 

When managing your investments, you pay a Management Expense Ratio (MER), which covers costs such as the Portfolio Manager's fee, statement printing, and administration. I also receive compensation from this MER, similar to how funds are managed by the five major banks.

We can meet with you in person or over the phone whenever you need us. We have formal meetings at least once a year, during which we provide a comprehensive report detailing your portfolio’s performance and analysis.

The custodian of your assets, which is the external firm responsible for independently managing the accounting of your investments, will send you reports on transactions and other information either quarterly or semi-annually, depending on the firm. Additionally, we can provide you with detailed custom reports at any time upon request.

The asset custodians provide the necessary tax documents directly to you. If you or your tax advisor would like to discuss these documents, we are always available to assist.

I am a Retirement Specialist, which means I primarily work with clients who are either retired or are within 5 to 10 years of retirement. However, I am also open to working with anyone who is dedicated to achieving their financial goals, even if they have more than 10 years before retirement. My clients usually share the following characteristics:

THEY ARE FINANCIAL DELEGATORS: Our clients are open to having a Financial Advisor assist them in making smart decisions about their finances, allowing them to focus on what matters most: enjoying time with family and friends, exercising, traveling, and more.

THEY ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT THEIR GOALS: All of our clients are committed to taking action in order to achieve their goals. They understand that accomplishing these goals requires both financial resources and careful planning.

THEY WANT TO STOP WORRYING ABOUT THEIR MONEY: Our select clients appreciate the freedom and peace of mind knowing that all their financial assets are being monitored by a single Financial Advisor.

THEY WANT TO FOCUS ON WHAT’S IMPORTANT: Our clients appreciate our relationship and are eager to simplify their lives so they can focus their time and energy on what matters most to them.

With the client's permission, we always collaborate with other professionals. In fact, we strongly recommend teamwork on their behalf. By enabling us to communicate and exchange information directly, we can focus our efforts more effectively on achieving the client’s financial goals.

The investments that you have would not be locked-in by any investment companies that we deal with unless the funds you have are in federally or provincially legislated investment vehicles.  For example, you may have had a group plan and moved the money into a Locked-In Retirement Account.  The government sets restrictions as to how much you can withdraw.  If you have money in a TFSA, Non-Registered Account, RRSP, etc. and request a withdrawal, you will receive those funds within a day or two directly in your bank account. 

You will still need to have a traditional bank account.   

In most situations, it's advantageous to have your own life insurance policy instead of relying on mortgage insurance offered through your lender or bank. During our initial meeting, please feel free to ask how we can assist you with this.

If your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is fully maxed out, we will explore other investment options tailored to your needs. You may want to consider contributing to your Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) or a Spousal RRSP. Alternatively, investing in a Non-Registered Account or using a life insurance policy for tax sheltering could be beneficial. Our approach is customized to your unique situation, as we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all method like many financial institutions. We will provide recommendations that are suitable for you.

There are several methods to help you avoid probate fees. These include investing in segregated funds, adding a successor annuitant to your account(s), or seeking our recommendations on how to keep funds outside of the probate process. Estate planning is an integral part of our services, and we will discuss your specific situation to determine the best strategies for you and your family to avoid probate fees.