How to Manage the Deaccumulation and Withdrawal Phase of Retirement in an Economic Downturn
Release Date: 05/26/2025
Your Biggest Canadian Retirement Tax Questions Answered
Heart of Your Retirement
🔗 Get the full blog post and extra resources here: A tax expert answers the most Googled retirement tax questions Canadians are asking right now. In this episode of Heart of Your Money, Zena Amundsen CFP and Nicole Putz CFP sit down with tax expert Rick Soparlo to break down real retirement tax strategies for Canadians, including how to structure your income for tax efficiency, how pension income splitting works between spouses, why Canada's graduated tax brackets mean a raise never hurts you, what happens to your RIF when you pass away (and why it could cost your family nearly half your...
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What Finfluencers Get Wrong About Financial Advice on Social Media
Heart of Your Retirement
🔗 Get the full blog post and extra resources here: Your social media feed is full of financial "experts" telling you to take CPP at 60, refinance your real estate for free money and get out of your RSPs. And it's getting into people's heads. In this episode of Heart of Your Retirement, Zena Amundsen CFP and Nicole Putz CFP react to the exact posts making the rounds right now and break down what's actually going on behind the viral financial advice on social media. From the CPP at 60 debate to the Smith Maneuver "loophole" to the RSPs are bad trend, they cover the three biggest myths...
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Should I Transfer My Pension to a Financial Advisor?
Heart of Your Retirement
🔗 Get the full blog post and extra resources here: https://astrafinancial.ca/2026/02/16/should-i-transfer-my-pension/ 🔗 Learn more about the Heart of Your Retirement course: https://astrauniversity.ca/heart-of-your-retirement/ Should you transfer your pension at retirement? It depends on 5 key factors. In this episode, Canadian CFPs Zena Amundsen and Nicole Putz break down the exact framework they use with clients to make this pension transfer decision, including real scenarios where they told clients to LEAVE their pension alone and others where they recommended transferring it....
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Why you need to pay for a financial plan
Heart of Your Retirement
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Understanding Federal Government's Early Retirement Offer: Is It Right for You?
Heart of Your Retirement
Federal Government Early Retirement Offer: Should You Take It? In this video, we delve into the timely topic of early retirement for federal government employees. With recent news about an offer allowing eligible workers to retire early without pension penalties, many are questioning if they should take this opportunity. We discuss the key factors to consider, including financial, emotional, and practical questions that need answering. Whether it's ensuring you're financially ready or deciding if it's the right emotional move, we offer actionable steps and essential advice to help you...
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Meet the Duo Behind Astra Financial: The Unofficial Charter Behind The New Partnership
Heart of Your Retirement
Welcome to Heart of Your Retirement! In this episode, hosts Zena and Nicole provide an inside look at Astra Financial, where they're shaking up their usual retirement-themed content. Meet Nicole Putz, a certified financial planner (CFP) with a decade of expertise, and now a partner at Astra. They reveal their quirky partnership charter, highlighting their unique business habits and candid office dynamics. From brainstorming sessions over cold pork chops to handling technical woes and balancing work-life with workouts, get an authentic glimpse of how two dynamic women navigate the financial...
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Beyond Finances: 5 Things People Miss When It Comes to Retirement Planner
Heart of Your Retirement
Most retirement planning focuses on one thing: the numbers. And yes, financial security matters. You need that foundation in place. But here's what most people don't expect: You could have every financial box checked off and still feel lost, bored, or lonely in retirement. After years of dreaming about no alarm clocks and endless freedom, many retirees find themselves asking, "Now what?" In fact, nearly half of retirees say they feel bored within their first two years. Retirement planning beyond finances is about designing a life that feels meaningful and connected. It's about the things that...
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Your Guide to Hiring a Financial Planner
Heart of Your Retirement
Hiring a financial planner shouldn't feel like a leap of faith, but for many people, it does. Maybe you've never worked with one because trust feels impossible. Or maybe you're stuck with an advisor who doesn't seem to have your back - someone who pushes products instead of creating plans, or leaves your questions unanswered. You're not alone. This is exactly what I hear from people all the time. Here's the truth: choosing the right financial advisor is like handing someone a gift box containing your entire life savings and future dreams. That's a big deal, and you deserve to feel confident...
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How to Minimize Taxes with Estate Planning
Heart of Your Retirement
What should have taken a few weeks to sort out took nearly a year. A family friend passed away with a beautiful legacy—savings, a cabin, investments. But probate delays, unclear paperwork, and taxes turned grief into a nightmare for her kids. That's exactly what we're avoiding today. You don't need complicated legal maneuvers or fancy trusts to minimize taxes with estate planner guidance. Most people just want things simple for their loved ones. My husband said it perfectly: "I don't want to pay more tax than I have to, and honestly, I just want it to be simple." Simple wins. I'm sharing...
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Your Guide to Creating a Tax-Efficient Legacy
Heart of Your Retirement
Think legacy planning is only for the wealthy? Think again. Legacy planning isn't about building hospital wings or naming stadiums after yourself. It's about having your ducks lined up, organizing things, and making life easier for the people you care about when you're gone. Canadian legacy planning can be as simple as having a current will, naming beneficiaries properly, and leaving clear instructions for your loved ones. Just these basic steps can save your family stress and confusion during an already difficult time. Whether it's funding park benches where your kids grew up or setting up a...
info_outlineYou've saved diligently, planned carefully, and can finally see retirement on the horizon. Then the market crashes.
Does this mean putting your dreams on hold? Not necessarily.
In this episode of Heart of Your Money, we dive into the often-overlooked "deaccumulation phase" – how to spend your retirement savings wisely even when markets work against you.
We'll explore why the timing of market downturns can devastate unprepared retirees, share a real-world success story of a couple who retired during an 8% market decline, and reveal strategies that go beyond the oversimplified "4% rule."
Ready to create a retirement plan that can weather any economic storm? Listen now!
If you want to sign up for Get Your Money in Gear, go here: https://zenaamundsen.ca/get-your-money-in-gear-course/
If you want more resources and show notes, check out https://astrafinancial.ca/podcasts/