David Martin Halifax Financial Planner - Eltero FP

"We've been saving for years. But honestly? We have no idea if we're on track."

That's one of the most common things I hear from people who reach out.

And it makes complete sense. The saving part is straightforward. The retirement income part:
figuring out when to take CPP,
how to draw down your RRSP without a big tax hit,
what role your TFSA can play later on
and what about my spouse's pension?

This is where it can get complicated.

You don't need a financial degree to get a clear picture. You need the right questions in the right order.

I write about things DIY investors should consider when they want to know where they actually stand for retirement readiness. It walks through four steps you can start on this week, including a simple gap analysis you can do yourself.

Read my latest blog post here:

DIY Retirement Planning Canada: Are You on Track? DIY retirement planning Canada doesn't have to be complicated. This guide helps you understand your income sources, run a gap analysis, and know where you stand. No jargon.

Forget Warren Buffett. Tune into some Billy Joel for some perspective on the markets.

We Didn’t Start the Fire, But We Can Stop Feeding It “We didn’t start the fire / It was always burning since the world’s been turning.” - Billy Joel

Cash flow truth:

It's not about making more money.

It's about directing the money you make toward what actually matters to you.

Most people skip that second part.

Real question:

If you had to explain your investment strategy to a smart 12-year-old, could you do it clearly?

If not, it might be too complicated.

I'll say it:

Checking your portfolio during market volatility is like checking your weight every hour while on a diet.

It doesn't help, and it usually makes things worse.

Do you agree?

"I don't want to die with money in the bank."

Fair. But you also don't want to run out at 83.

The exercise is finding the balance between living well and lasting long enough.

That's the entire retirement planning challenge in one sentence.

Unpopular opinion:

For most people, rebalancing your portfolio annually is probably enough.

Quarterly? Maybe overkill.
Monthly? Definitely overkill.
Daily? You're just creating stress.

How often do you rebalance?

Retirement isn't a single day when everything changes.

It's a gradual transition where you go from trading earned income for portfolio income, pension income, and government benefits.

Understanding that shift changes how you plan.

Question for you:

What's one financial topic you wish someone had explained to you 10 years ago?

Three money mindsets I see often:

1. "I need to earn more to get ahead"
2. "I need to cut spending to get ahead"
3. "I need to understand where my money goes to get ahead"

Number 3 usually provides the most relief.

Which mindset do you lean toward?