Cash flow
What it costs to run your household, and what is left for debt, saving and protection. Every other part of the plan depends on this number.
Financial Planning · Burlington, Ontario
Financial Planning in Burlington for Individuals and Families
A clear plan for your cash flow, protection, savings, retirement income and estate, built around your family and coordinated with your accountant.
What It Covers
What does financial planning cover?
Financial planning looks at your whole financial life so that each decision supports the others. For most individuals and families in Burlington and the surrounding area, that means cash flow, protection, retirement income, tax-aware saving and estate basics.
The value is in the connections. A new mortgage can change how much life insurance your family needs. RRSP withdrawals in retirement can affect Old Age Security. A beneficiary designation can move money outside your estate.
If you own a corporation, see financial planning for business owners.
At a glance
- Cash flowWhat comes in and what is left
- ProtectionLife, disability and critical illness coverage
- Retirement incomePensions, CPP, OAS, RRSPs and RRIFs
- Tax-aware savingWhich account suits which goal
- Estate basicsBeneficiaries and tax at death
Inside a Plan
What goes into each part of a plan?
Each part answers a practical question. Here is what we look at, and where a specialist takes over.
Protection
What would happen to your family's income if you died, became disabled or had a serious illness. We review what you have, then work out any gap. Our guides on how much life insurance you need, disability insurance and critical illness insurance explain the basics.
Retirement income
Where your income will come from: workplace pensions, the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, RRSPs, RRIFs and, for some people, an annuity. Under current rules, an RRSP generally has to be converted to a RRIF, used to buy an annuity or cashed out by the end of the year you turn 71. See converting your RRSP to a RRIF.
Estate basics
At death, you are generally treated as having sold your capital property at fair market value, and an RRSP's value is generally included in your income unless a rollover applies, such as to a spouse. Ontario's estate administration tax is $15 per $1,000 of estate value above $50,000, and assets that pass directly to a named beneficiary are generally not counted. Your lawyer prepares your will and powers of attorney.
Tax-Aware Saving
How do the RRSP, TFSA and FHSA compare?
Each account shelters savings in a different way. Which comes first depends on your income, your goals and whether you are buying a first home.
| RRSP | TFSA | FHSA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built for | Retirement | Any savings goal | Buying a first home |
| Contributions | Generally deductible | Not deductible | Generally deductible |
| Withdrawals | Generally taxable | Generally not taxable | Not taxable if a qualifying withdrawal for a first home |
| New room for 2026 | 18% of 2025 earned income, up to $33,810, less any pension adjustment | $7,000 | $8,000, up to a $40,000 lifetime limit |
| Watch for | Withdrawals count as income and can affect OAS | Over-contributions are taxed | You must qualify as a first-time buyer to open one |
These are accounts, not investments
We offer segregated fund contracts and annuities from Canadian insurance companies, not mutual funds or individual stocks. Depending on the contract, 75% to 100% of deposits are protected at death or at maturity, typically at least 10 years out, and fees are higher than for mutual funds. See segregated funds and annuities.
The Process
What does the process look like?
Four steps, at your pace. You decide when, or if, to move forward.
Understand
We start with your family, goals, budget and any coverage you already have.
Compare
We walk through the options in plain language so the trade-offs are clear.
Choose
You get clear recommendations and decide on your own timeline.
Review
As life changes, we revisit the plan so it stays aligned.
What It Does Not Do
What won't a financial plan do?
A plan shows your options. It does not predict markets or promise a result, and it does not replace your other advisors.
Predict or promise
A plan rests on assumptions about income, inflation, health and tax rules, and needs updating as they change.
Manage a portfolio
We don't recommend or manage stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, bonds, GICs or portfolios.
Replace your professionals
We don't prepare tax returns, tax opinions or wills.
Working With Your Accountant
How does it work with my accountant?
Your accountant leads the tax side, and we complement them. We model the options; they confirm the tax treatment.
With your permission, we share the numbers with your accountant. If you don't have one, we can refer you to the accountants we work with. Accountants can read more on how we work together.
Who It Fits
Who is financial planning for?
- Families with a mortgage and childrenProtection and saving compete for the same dollars
- People within about ten years of retiringTurning savings and pensions into income
- First-time home buyersWeighing an FHSA against other saving
- Professionals and contractorsOften with no workplace pension or benefits
- Anyone after a big changeA new child, a new home, a death or a separation
What to Weigh First
Who may it not fit?
You want investments picked for you
A portfolio manager or investment advisor does that work.
You want advice with no products involved
We offer insurance, segregated fund contracts and annuities, so we are not a product-free service.
You only need one task done
A tax return or a will belongs with your accountant or lawyer.
Common Questions
Questions about financial planning
Usually cash flow, protection, retirement income, tax-aware saving and estate basics. The weight on each depends on your stage of life.
No. Financial planning looks at your whole financial life. Investment management means choosing and running a portfolio, which we don't do. We offer segregated fund contracts and annuities, and any portfolio manager or investment advisor you already use stays in place.
It depends on your income now, your likely income later and your goals. An RRSP deduction generally helps more in higher-income years, TFSA withdrawals are generally not taxed, and an FHSA suits qualifying first-time buyers. Your accountant confirms the tax side.
Yes. Your accountant leads the tax side and confirms the treatment of anything we model. We don't prepare tax returns or give tax opinions.
No, your lawyer does that. Ontario has two types of power of attorney, one for property and one for personal care. We check that your insurance and beneficiaries fit the plans you make with your lawyer.
We work with clients across Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Mississauga and Hamilton. Many first conversations start with a call to 289.339.8100.
Related Guides
Strategies that often work together
Segregated Funds & Annuities
Retirement savings and income inside RRSPs, RRIFs and TFSAs.
Read the guideHow Much Life Insurance You Need
A plain way to work out the right amount of coverage.
Read the guideFinancial Planning for Business Owners
One plan across your corporation and personal finances.
Read the guideThis information is general in nature and is not tax, legal, accounting, insurance or investment advice. It is based on current Canadian tax legislation, which can change. Any strategy should be designed and reviewed with your accountant and legal advisors based on your circumstances. Limits shown are for 2026 and change each year. Segregated fund values can rise or fall, and guarantees, fees and terms depend on the contract.
Financial planning in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Mississauga and Hamilton
Start a Conversation
See how your finances fit together
A short conversation is the easiest way to see whether we are a fit.
Prefer to talk? Call 289.339.8100
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