Q & A
All You Need to Know
I understand the name of your firm is "Personal Financial Solutions?" Is there a story behind that?
There sure is! We know that stress is an inevitable part of life. We also know that financial stress specifically accounts for a major part of the negative stress most people feel. Our objective is to help people find solutions to their financial concerns so they can achieve their goals and enjoy the peace of mind knowing all is in order. That's why Michael named the company, Personal Financial Solutions.
What are some of the services and benefits you provide your clients?
First and most importantly, we take a sincere personal interest in the overall financial success of our clients. We are committed to helping them achieve their objectives. This genuine interest in client's financial well-being dictates that we always put a client's interests first. Secondly, because of our professional backgrounds and experience, we can provide a comprehensive service that is well structured and compatible with all aspects of the client's overall financial situation.
In other words, we listen to find out what is truly important to our clients. We understand that we each have our own unique feelings about security and growth and we respect those views. Working from a financial plan, we help clients take action towards their financial goals. Thirdly, we have a conveniently located office with free parking. Clients can discuss their financial affairs in comfort and with assurance of confidentiality. They can see our office setup and meet our excellent team of Advisors & Assistants.
I noticed on Michael's business card two designations CFP and RFP. Could you take a moment and explain the significance of these designations?
Well, the CFP or Certified Financial Planner is an education designation which is awarded to those who successfully complete a broad program of study specifically in financial planning such as money management, financial economics, taxation and estate preservation. The RFP or Registered Financial Planner is a professional designation awarded to practicing professionals who have passed a comprehensive written exam and who maintain suitable Professional Liability Insurance. Registered Financial Planners must reapply to have the right to hold the RFP designation each year and must adhere to exacting requirements for continuing education.
The reason Michael became a Certified Financial Planner and Registered Financial Planner was to bring real value to our client relationships. Anyone can call themselves a financial planner but not everyone can be consistently up to date on tax changes, investment changes and overall financial changes.
I noticed that Jordan is the most recent addition to the team, what does he bring to the table?
Jordan joined the investment side of the practice in recent years, becoming a partner after building a solid foundation in tax planning since 2014. With over a decade of experience guiding clients through personal tax strategies, Jordan brings a deep understanding of how taxes and investments can work together for you.
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He holds a Bachelor of International Business (BIB) from Carleton University and studied abroad in Eastern Europe and Peru — an experience that shaped his broad, global perspective on financial advice.
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Jordan’s approach today blends that global lens with hands-on experience, offering clients thoughtful, integrated advice that connects the dots between taxes, investments, and long-term goals.
What is the advantage in working with a boutique firm like Personal Financial Solutions?
At Personal Financial Solutions, our priority is providing objective, personalized advice that puts your best interests first. Unlike larger financial institutions that may be limited to promoting in-house products, we offer guidance rooted in financial planning—not sales. With access to over 50 financial institutions, we’re able to recommend solutions that truly support your goals, backed by advice you can trust.
I need to focus on retirement planning--how can you help me?
Retirement planning is an important topic because, it affects everyone. Building adequate retirement income can be an uphill battle. It’s a battle many Canadians are losing. Consider this fact: according to the independant research institute: Angus Reid, about 67% of Canadian retirees over 65 struggle to make ends meet and cite government pensions as a primary income source to see them through retirement years. It’s a real shame. You see, these days, when change is the only constant, we need a system to properly plan for retirement.
We have clients provide me with their financial summary, we then calculate how much income their current investments, future savings, and pensions will provide by a projected retirement date. We consider taxes, inflation and the client’s expected rate of return which we have compared with their personal investment comfort level. We can then have a clear idea of a realistic lifestyle and retirement timeframe. In this way, we provide our clients with information and help them make informed decisions to implement their financial plan.
Say I have a savings account or an inheritance of fifty thousand or even a hundred thousand dollars, how should I start?
The key is to just start! There is so much money just sitting in bank accounts and earning low interest. Without current knowledge & guidance sometimes people are frozen by fear of making the wrong decisions. That’s why we encourage you to phone our office for an initial meeting. This allows you to learn more about us, our firm, and the excellent service we provide our clients.
To sum it up, this no obligation approach gives each of us the opportunity to decide if we want to work with each other. We believe in laying a good foundation of common understanding. With this common understanding we are able to help people find solutions to their financial concerns so they can achieve their goals over time.
I haven’t looked at my investments since before the pandemic. It’s too scary. What should I do now?
After several years of economic doubts, we think you deserve to hear an objective second opinion from a someone you can trust. We would be pleased to offer you a second opinion on your financial planning and investment portfolio.