In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, Mike Connon and John Iaconetti, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, discuss common estate planning mistakes and practical strategies for Canadians. They explore why having a properly structured will, appointing executors, and setting up powers of attorney are critical for a smooth estate transfer and for protecting your family.

They also highlight the risks of dying without a will, including the government dictating how assets are distributed, potential family disputes, and delays caused by non-liquid assets, like cottages or other properties. They emphasize the importance of beneficiary designations, insurance strategies, and ensuring liquidity in your estate to manage taxes and unexpected costs efficiently.

Ultimately, they stress the importance of documenting decisions and communicating with family members to prevent ambiguity, safeguard relationships, and alleviate stress for loved ones. They explain that a will and a power of attorney are separate tools, each with specific roles, and that acting while in full capacity is essential to avoid future complications. Careful estate planning is not just about money; it’s about protecting your family, preserving your legacy, and ensuring peace of mind.

If you would like guidance on creating an estate plan tailored to your specific situation, please request a meeting here: Schedule your meeting here.

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In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Senior Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, explore practical strategies for Canadians approaching retirement. They highlight the challenges many retirees face, including navigating pensions and government benefits, as well as planning for unexpected expenses.

Mike and Carlo discuss the decline of traditional defined benefit plans and emphasize the importance of supplementing public pensions, such as CPP and Old Age Security, with personal savings and tax-advantaged accounts, including RRSPs and TFSAs. They also explain how timing decisions, like deferring CPP or OAS, can significantly boost retirement income, and how sharing benefits with a spouse can help manage household taxes.

Unexpected costs are a common source of stress for retirees, including everything from home maintenance and condo assessments to healthcare expenses, such as dental work. Finally, they address the misconception that retirees should drastically reduce their equity exposure. Since inflation affects retirement expenses, maintaining growth-oriented investments is crucial to ensure your portfolio keeps pace over a long retirement horizon.

Ultimately, they emphasize that retirement planning is dynamic: your plan should evolve in response to life changes, while keeping you prepared for unforeseen expenses, thereby helping you retire with confidence and peace of mind.

If you want guidance on creating a retirement plan tailored to your goals, request a meeting here: Schedule your meeting here!

Read the article: "In Your 50s and Thinking About Retirement, What to Know” by Financial Advisor Ingrid Kucera at TMFG, and learn how to turn your retirement savings into a dependable income strategy that supports your long-term goals with confidence.

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In this episode of Think Smart with TMFG, Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Senior Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, dive into practical strategies for Canadians who want to invest smarter without getting caught up in market hype. They emphasize that long-term success isn’t about chasing the latest hot stock or sector; it’s about having a clear, goal-based financial plan that guides every decision.

They break down why diversification across sectors, asset classes, and geographic regions is essential, and how regular portfolio rebalancing helps you stay on track and maintain your risk tolerance. Mike and Carlo also discuss common investor pitfalls, from fear of missing out to reacting emotionally to short-term market swings and explain how a disciplined plan helps you stay focused during volatile times.

Finally, they share insights from research showing that investors who adhere to written, goal-based plans are significantly more likely to achieve their long-term objectives.

For more in-depth guidance on how investor behaviour impacts wealth, check out Tyler Robertson’s Financial Advisor at TMFG, article on our website: Stay Out of Your Own Way To Be a Successful Investor

If you want help creating a plan that aligns with your goals and keeps you on track through market fluctuations, request a meeting here: https://tmfg.ca/schedule/

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Linkedin: The McClelland Financial Group

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tmfg.ca

Instagram: instagram.com/themcclellandfinancialgroup_/

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and John Iaconetti, Financial Advisors of The McClelland Financial Group at Assante Capital Management, explores why retirement feels more challenging today and how inflation is affecting Canadians’ long-term financial plans.

• Inflation is making retirement more expensive, and many retirees are having to adjust their plans because everyday costs continue to rise.

• People now believe they need to save much more, close to $1 million, to feel comfortable in retirement.

• Government benefits help, but don’t keep up, which means planning, the right investment mix, and smart withdrawal strategies are more important than ever.

In today’s economy, rising costs are a constant reality, not a temporary hurdle. The key to a successful retirement is preparing for the uncertainties of inflation and ensuring your plan can adapt as life changes.

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Wealth Management, explores how rising tariffs and trade tensions are reshaping Canada’s economy and global markets.

Key Takeaways:

• Canada sends 75% of its exports to the U.S., making it vulnerable to trade disruptions.

• Emerging markets, such as China and India, are becoming major economic players and presenting new opportunities for investors.

• A balanced portfolio with a home bias helps reduce currency risk and stay tax-efficient.

This episode highlights why TMFG encourages diversification in both trade and investing to remain resilient in a changing global economy.

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cancino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Wealth Management, dives into what they call “The Advisor for Life Conundrum.” Many clients hope to work with one trusted advisor for their entire financial journey, but how realistic is that when an advisor’s career may last 30 years and a client’s financial plan can span 50 or more?

Key Takeaways:

• Building lifelong trust means creating a consistent client experience, not just a single relationship.

• A strong advisory team ensures continuity even as individual advisors retire or transition.

• Professionalism, motivation, curiosity, and likability are core to maintaining lasting client confidence.

This episode highlights how TMFG focuses on delivering a seamless, high-quality advisory experience that stands the test of time, ensuring clients and their families are supported for generations.

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Capital Management, shares insights from a recent AI-focused conference. They explore how tools like ChatGPT can be incredibly powerful, but only when used by experts. Just as using a heavy concrete saw without experience can be risky, relying on AI without proper guidance can lead to mistakes.

Key Takeaways:

• AI boosts efficiency but doesn't replace human judgment.

• Quick answers from AI can mislead if used without expertise.

• Professional insight ensures AI is used safely and effectively.

AI is fascinating, powerful, and sometimes unpredictable. This episode reflects on how tools like ChatGPT can amaze us, while also reminding us that experience and context still matter.

This Think Smart with TMFG episode, hosted by Mike Connon and Carlo Cansino, Financial Advisors at The McClelland Financial Group of Assante Wealth Management, explores the chaos of losing a cell phone on vacation and its surprising impact on modern life. From travel apps to reliance on technology, they explore the challenges and offer essential tips for parents and travellers alike.

Key Takeaways:

• Social Lifeline: For teenagers, a phone is their entire social network; losing it can cause panic.

• The Paid Data Trend: The incident revealed that apps like Snapchat are shifting to a paid model to let users keep their historical data.

• Navigation Struggles: The hosts noted the common reliance on GPS apps like Waze, with young adults struggling to navigate without digital guidance.

In the connected world, a phone is now essential for daily life, not just communication. The key to successful travel and parenting is planning for the uncertainties of technology failure and loss.