Start with your life.
Then look at the options.

A situation you might recognise

Fictional example

When Mark hurt his back, he thought he’d be off work for a couple of weeks. It turned into four months. His wife picked up extra shifts, and they started using the savings they’d put aside for their daughter.

Mark had benefits through work, but he couldn’t say how much disability insurance he had or how long payments would last. He’d never needed to ask before.

If you couldn’t work for six months, do you know what your coverage would pay?

A situation you might recognise

Fictional example

Every time rent, groceries or another bill went up, Sam told himself he’d start investing when things settled down.

Years passed. He was earning more, but there was always somewhere for the money to go. When he finally looked through his accounts, he realised he’d never decided how much to save, what he was saving for, or where to put it.

Have you been waiting for a quieter month to get started?

A situation you might recognise

Fictional example

Registered Disability Savings Plan

When their son was young, Nadia and Ben were busy with appointments, school meetings and everyday expenses. Saving for his adult life kept slipping down the list.

As he got older, they started asking questions they’d been putting off. What support might he need? What could they afford to put aside? They wanted to find out whether he qualified for a Registered Disability Savings Plan and how it might fit into their plans.

If someone in your family has a disability, have you looked into the savings options they may qualify for?

A situation you might recognise

Fictional example

Their daughter had been talking about university for years. When she got accepted, her parents were thrilled.

Then they looked at tuition, housing and everything else. They had put some money aside, but they’d never worked out what they might need. That evening, they started discussing loans and whether she could live at home.

If your child starts studying in a few years, have you looked at how you’ll help pay for it?

A situation you might recognise

Fictional example

Paul wanted to retire the same summer as his wife. They’d already started talking about travelling and spending more time with their grandchildren.

When they put their pension statements, savings and monthly expenses together, they realised they still had some decisions to make. They wished they’d had that conversation five years earlier.

Have you worked out what an ordinary month in retirement might cost you?

A situation you might recognise

Fictional example

Rana’s company had money in the bank. At home, she and her husband were putting off plans because taking more money out of the business meant another tax bill.

She’d always paid herself the same way. She’d never sat down with her accountant and financial advisor together to review her options, when she would need the money, or how her business could support her retirement.

She wanted to understand whether a different approach could leave her with more after tax.

You’ve worked hard to build money inside your company. Have you reviewed how to use it for your own future—and what each option could cost in tax?