Beyond Finances: 5 Things People Miss When It Comes to Retirement Planner
The Heart of Your Money
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
The Heart of Your Money
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
The Heart of Your Money
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
The Heart of Your Money
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...
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Factoring Inflation Into Your Retirement Strategy
The Heart of Your Money
Have you ever looked back and thought, "I can't believe how much everything costs now compared to when I started out"? In 1996, I bought my first house for $40,000 with a $350 monthly mortgage payment. Today, that same house would sell for eight times as much. This is inflation in action – and it's quietly changing everything about your money. We often think of investment risk as market ups and downs. But sometimes the biggest danger is not investing at all. While your money sits "safely" in the bank, inflation is steadily eroding your purchasing power. Even mild inflation at 3% cuts your...
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Longevity Risk and Your TFSA Strategy
The Heart of Your Money
We spend our working lives saving for retirement, but what if the biggest risk isn't the markets? It's living too long. The average Canadian retiree now lives well into their eighties—great news, unless your money doesn't last as long as you do. Most retirement income plans quietly taper off around 85, leaving a dangerous gap. Longevity risk is the chance that you live longer than your savings were planned to last. And it's quietly threatening even the best retirement plans. But there's a simple strategy most people overlook: flipping how you think about your TFSA. Instead of treating it as...
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The Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go Years of Retirement
The Heart of Your Money
Picture this: you're planning "retirement" like it's one big phase. Golf every day, travel the world, maybe some time with the grandkids. But here's what I learned when I took my mom to Europe and watched a retired NBA player struggle through the tour. Retirement isn't one phase—it's three completely different stages. And if you don't plan for all of them, you're setting yourself up for some expensive surprises. I call them the Go-Go, Slow-Go and No-Go years. Each phase has different energy levels, different priorities, and most importantly, different financial needs. Your 65-year-old self...
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How to Manage the Deaccumulation and Withdrawal Phase of Retirement in an Economic Downturn
The Heart of Your Money
You'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...
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Effort Over Results: Quinn Magnuson's Journey from CFL to Leadership Coach
The Heart of Your Money
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Quinn Magnuson, a former CFL player who has successfully transitioned from professional sports into business advising and leadership coaching. Quinn shares his remarkable journey from growing up on social assistance to earning a football scholarship that changed his life path. His unique philosophy of "Effort Over Results" emerged from his experiences in sports, teaching, and business ownership. In this episode, Quinn helps business leaders understand that true growth comes from valuing process over outcomes, creating psychological safety, and...
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How Tax-Smart Retirement Planning Can Keep Thousands More in Your Pocket
The Heart of Your Money
Whether you're just receiving your first paycheck or mapping out your retirement, understanding Canada's tax system is crucial for your financial well-being. In this episode of Heart of Your Money, I break down marginal tax rates and progressive taxation in simple, practical terms. You'll discover why that "next dollar earned" doesn't push all your income into a higher tax bracket. Tax-Smart Retirement Planning isn't just about saving—it's about strategic withdrawals that keep you in lower tax brackets. I share real examples, including how my husband's retirement income only decreased by...
info_outlineWhat 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 five straightforward strategies that help your family minimize taxes with estate planning and avoid delays when you're gone.
Ready to keep things simple? Listen to the full episode for all five strategies here!
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If you want more resources and show notes, check out https://astrafinancial.ca/podcasts/