David Martin
@moneyclarity.substack.com
Halifax NS Advice-only Financial Planner. DIY investor advocate. NL born and bred.
3 Easy Money Fixes Before Your Ice Cream Melts 🍦
#1 Check your investment mix (risk still good?)
#2 Review your beneficiaries (still the right people?)
#3 Confirm TFSA room (overcontributions = penalties)
Takes <20 mins. No spreadsheets. Done.
For Atlantic Canadian DIY investors. Eltero FP.
#1 Check your investment mix (risk still good?)
#2 Review your beneficiaries (still the right people?)
#3 Confirm TFSA room (overcontributions = penalties)
Takes <20 mins. No spreadsheets. Done.
For Atlantic Canadian DIY investors. Eltero FP.
August 5, 2025 at 5:18 PM
3 Easy Money Fixes Before Your Ice Cream Melts 🍦
#1 Check your investment mix (risk still good?)
#2 Review your beneficiaries (still the right people?)
#3 Confirm TFSA room (overcontributions = penalties)
Takes <20 mins. No spreadsheets. Done.
For Atlantic Canadian DIY investors. Eltero FP.
#1 Check your investment mix (risk still good?)
#2 Review your beneficiaries (still the right people?)
#3 Confirm TFSA room (overcontributions = penalties)
Takes <20 mins. No spreadsheets. Done.
For Atlantic Canadian DIY investors. Eltero FP.
Our industry’s biggest problem? We confuse the people we’re supposed to help.
Fee-based ≠ advice-only.
But some financial advisors blur the lines anyway.
You never see advice-only planners pretending to be fee-based. But the reverse? Happens all the time.
What does that say about transparency?
Fee-based ≠ advice-only.
But some financial advisors blur the lines anyway.
You never see advice-only planners pretending to be fee-based. But the reverse? Happens all the time.
What does that say about transparency?
July 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Our industry’s biggest problem? We confuse the people we’re supposed to help.
Fee-based ≠ advice-only.
But some financial advisors blur the lines anyway.
You never see advice-only planners pretending to be fee-based. But the reverse? Happens all the time.
What does that say about transparency?
Fee-based ≠ advice-only.
But some financial advisors blur the lines anyway.
You never see advice-only planners pretending to be fee-based. But the reverse? Happens all the time.
What does that say about transparency?
Most people can do DIY investing.
The secret?
• Clear goals
• Simple strategy
• Checking in (not guessing)
You don’t need to be a stock-picker. You need a framework.
Do you think more people should DIY?
The secret?
• Clear goals
• Simple strategy
• Checking in (not guessing)
You don’t need to be a stock-picker. You need a framework.
Do you think more people should DIY?
July 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Most people can do DIY investing.
The secret?
• Clear goals
• Simple strategy
• Checking in (not guessing)
You don’t need to be a stock-picker. You need a framework.
Do you think more people should DIY?
The secret?
• Clear goals
• Simple strategy
• Checking in (not guessing)
You don’t need to be a stock-picker. You need a framework.
Do you think more people should DIY?
Summer’s slower pace is a great reminder of why we plan: more time, more freedom, less stress.
Is your financial life on autopilot, or is it moving you toward what matters? A few hours of focus now, especially as a DIY investor, can pay off big by year-end.
Is your financial life on autopilot, or is it moving you toward what matters? A few hours of focus now, especially as a DIY investor, can pay off big by year-end.
July 21, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Summer’s slower pace is a great reminder of why we plan: more time, more freedom, less stress.
Is your financial life on autopilot, or is it moving you toward what matters? A few hours of focus now, especially as a DIY investor, can pay off big by year-end.
Is your financial life on autopilot, or is it moving you toward what matters? A few hours of focus now, especially as a DIY investor, can pay off big by year-end.
DIY Investors Save… and Then Leak. 💸🧠🔍
July 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
DIY Investors Save… and Then Leak. 💸🧠🔍
Financial Planning ≠ Spreadsheet Wizardry Alone. 🧙♂️📉🔍
July 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Financial Planning ≠ Spreadsheet Wizardry Alone. 🧙♂️📉🔍
Thinking of commuting your DB pension after leaving work? The math is only part of the story.
I break down two real-world scenarios. Including one where the less optimal financial choice was still the right one.
Full read here:
open.substack.com/pub/moneycla...
I break down two real-world scenarios. Including one where the less optimal financial choice was still the right one.
Full read here:
open.substack.com/pub/moneycla...
“Should I commute my pension or take the monthly income?”
A great question from a recent client who just left her job. The lump sum looked appealing, but the right choice wasn’t just about the math. I’ll walk through two real-life examples to explain why.
open.substack.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Thinking of commuting your DB pension after leaving work? The math is only part of the story.
I break down two real-world scenarios. Including one where the less optimal financial choice was still the right one.
Full read here:
open.substack.com/pub/moneycla...
I break down two real-world scenarios. Including one where the less optimal financial choice was still the right one.
Full read here:
open.substack.com/pub/moneycla...
“Everyone should melt down their RRSP early.”
I'm hearing this a lot.
But it’s a tax prepayment and that only pays off if something offsets the loss of future compounding.
Sometimes CPP/OAS and TFSA room do the job.
Other times, the strategy backfires.
RRSP Melt Down is a tool. Not a rule.
I'm hearing this a lot.
But it’s a tax prepayment and that only pays off if something offsets the loss of future compounding.
Sometimes CPP/OAS and TFSA room do the job.
Other times, the strategy backfires.
RRSP Melt Down is a tool. Not a rule.
July 7, 2025 at 3:35 PM
“Everyone should melt down their RRSP early.”
I'm hearing this a lot.
But it’s a tax prepayment and that only pays off if something offsets the loss of future compounding.
Sometimes CPP/OAS and TFSA room do the job.
Other times, the strategy backfires.
RRSP Melt Down is a tool. Not a rule.
I'm hearing this a lot.
But it’s a tax prepayment and that only pays off if something offsets the loss of future compounding.
Sometimes CPP/OAS and TFSA room do the job.
Other times, the strategy backfires.
RRSP Melt Down is a tool. Not a rule.
Many retirees die with 75–80% of their nest egg untouched.
Fear of running out keeps them from spending and enjoying their money.
Retirement should be lived, not feared.
#retirement #financialplanning #moneyanxiety #canadianfinance
Fear of running out keeps them from spending and enjoying their money.
Retirement should be lived, not feared.
#retirement #financialplanning #moneyanxiety #canadianfinance
July 2, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Many retirees die with 75–80% of their nest egg untouched.
Fear of running out keeps them from spending and enjoying their money.
Retirement should be lived, not feared.
#retirement #financialplanning #moneyanxiety #canadianfinance
Fear of running out keeps them from spending and enjoying their money.
Retirement should be lived, not feared.
#retirement #financialplanning #moneyanxiety #canadianfinance
This Canada Day, a reminder:
Financial independence isn’t about massive wealth.
It’s about Clarity and Choice.
Chasing the wrong definition can leave you burned out or stuck.
The real definition is quieter and more attainable than most people think.
Financial independence isn’t about massive wealth.
It’s about Clarity and Choice.
Chasing the wrong definition can leave you burned out or stuck.
The real definition is quieter and more attainable than most people think.
June 30, 2025 at 6:15 PM
This Canada Day, a reminder:
Financial independence isn’t about massive wealth.
It’s about Clarity and Choice.
Chasing the wrong definition can leave you burned out or stuck.
The real definition is quieter and more attainable than most people think.
Financial independence isn’t about massive wealth.
It’s about Clarity and Choice.
Chasing the wrong definition can leave you burned out or stuck.
The real definition is quieter and more attainable than most people think.
March 29, 2025 at 10:45 AM
You'd think they could afford to keep a few rural branches open for small Atlantic Canadian communities...
Scotiabank, BMO
(Reuters) - The Bank of Nova Scotia of Canada and the Bank of Mont -Real on Tuesday exceeded the expectations of analysts for quarterly benefits driven by heavy income from capital markets and wealth management companies. The lowest interest rates have increased their appetite and…
(Reuters) - The Bank of Nova Scotia of Canada and the Bank of Mont -Real on Tuesday exceeded the expectations of analysts for quarterly benefits driven by heavy income from capital markets and wealth management companies. The lowest interest rates have increased their appetite and…
Scotiabank, BMO
(Reuters) - The Bank of Nova Scotia of Canada and the Bank of Mont -Real on Tuesday exceeded the expectations of analysts for quarterly benefits driven by heavy income from capital markets and wealth management companies. The lowest interest rates have increased their appetite and acquisitions, while less regulation, the taxes of the lower companies and a widely pro-GOOD position in the southern neighbor of Canada increase the activity this year.
trends-new.com
February 25, 2025 at 2:06 PM
You'd think they could afford to keep a few rural branches open for small Atlantic Canadian communities...
Sidewalks are slippery out there this morning. Be careful.
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday!
February 14, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Sidewalks are slippery out there this morning. Be careful.
Happy Friday!
Happy Friday!