The Financial Questions You Should Be Asking Before Retirement

What does your financial future actually look like? And I'm not just talking about retirement. In this episode, we look at some of the financial decisions that can help you create more options for your next chapter whether that's retirement, a career change, greater financial independence, or simply knowing that you could handle an unexpected change. We talk about the role that homeownership, investing, compound growth, pensions and tax-advantaged accounts can play in a longer-term financial plan. I also break down some of the questions I think are worth asking yourself: What assets do you have? Are you taking advantage of the tools available to you? Are you regularly checking whether your financial plan still matches the life you want to live? We also look at Canadian tools such as TFSAs, RRSPs, RESPs and ETFs, along with some of the common investing mistakes that can quietly cost you over time. This isn't about trying to predict the future. It's about understanding your current situation and creating options. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and episode overview 02:15 Thinking in scenarios, not just numbers 03:07 The leverage of homeownership 05:14 The impact of property value appreciation 06:23 Options when your home is paid off 07:26 Leaving a legacy and transferring assets 10:11 Understanding pension benefits 11:14 The importance of starting to invest early 12:15 The power of compound interest 14:53 Diversifying with ETFs 15:42 Using free tools and accounts 16:26 Tax-advantaged accounts: TFSA and RRSP 17:57 The benefits of employer matching programs 19:09 Investing for children's education with an RESP 20:52 The exponential growth of compound interest 21:19 Market timing versus time in the market 22:19 Managing emotions and avoiding common investing mistakes 23:10 The cost of high fees and how to avoid them 24:28 The importance of regular investment reviews 25:28 Getting started with small investments and research The goal isn't to have every answer today. It's to understand where you are, understand your options, and start making decisions that support the life you want to build. *Your money is a tool for your life. Make sure your financial plan reflects the life you're actually trying to create.* This video is for general educational purposes and isn't individualized financial, investment, legal or tax advice. Consider speaking with a qualified professional about your own circumstances. For the tools and materials please go to the following link and click on courses. skool.com/the-bridge-5207 Here's my Wealthsimple link if you are interested in starting your investing journey. wealthsimple.com/invite/GVTI6Q #FinancialPlanning #RetirementPlanning #PersonalFinance #Investing #Canada