This is a wide-ranging conversation with Paul McIntyre Royston, CEO of the Grand River Hospital Foundation.  We talk about that specific foundation does, what governments in Canada pay for and what they don't when it comes to health care, what the term 'health care' encompasses. The conversation also moves into what could it mean if we were contributing to a stronger health care system for everyone?  That securing our own potential, future, maybe- health needs might be done by giving to build a stronger system today.  For everyone.  What if we, as donors, saw giving that w ..read more

How do you untangle your money when you've tried and failed before?  When you can't figure out what's going where and so many things are out of your control? In this episode of Sara makes Sense, I talk about how to talk about your money, including specific steps to take to figure out what's going where, how to control what you can and how to work with the things you can't. I use the example of Season 2 of this podcast- it didn't go the way I wanted, it felt like a public failure, and I had to decide what to do.    Similar to how many of us feel about our money situations, igno ..read more

In this episode, listen to how to save for your child's education using a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).   I talk about how to set up an RESP,  what happens when you deposit money, what does the (federal) government grant look like, what are the tax implications of your deposits.  I also talk about investment considerations, when joint ownership of the account makes sense and when it doesn't and the planning considerations that I talk to clients about as they are making deposits to their RESP. Next episode- How to withdraw money from an RESP Useful links:  in ..read more

Sara Makes Sense Show notes Episode #21  Finances are personal. When it’s your money, financial plans are very personal. What if you took some of the emotion out of your financial equation by looking at your portfolio through the lens of a project manager. In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks to expert project manager Gabriele Maussner. She talks about tackling big plans one step at a time.    Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at ask@saramakessense.ca and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopm ..read more

You’re nodding yes, when you’re thinking no.  It can be a lousy feeling. Especially when you’re in a discussion about money with your financial planner. For some, it’s an intimidating world.   In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks about a healthy financial planning relationship, and how to make sure you’re in one.  Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at ask@saramakessense.ca and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/  ..read more

You’ve doled out for years. That’s part of the job description of being a parent. But at some point, you have to wean your kids off the bank of Mom and Dad.  Before you do that, in fairness to them, you have to have the money talk.  How it works. How to manage. How to respect it. Teach your kids how to FISH! In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks to teens about dollars and cents.   Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at ask@saramakessense.ca and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/&nb ..read more

You were single and now you’re not.  You’re also not in your 20’s.  Or your 30’s.   There’s history. Now you’re in a new relationship and all of a sudden you’re in love again. Things are going so well, you’re making big plans together. Before weekend sleepovers become permanent, have you had the money talk yet? In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough talks listeners through a potentially prickly issue that can sometimes end up being a relationship deal breaker. Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at ask@saramakessense.ca and she might respond to it in a ..read more

It’s not a bad problem to have.  A little extra in the bank... on hand for whatever life throws at you.  What about investing that money?  However, the markets are roaring, surely now would not be a smart time to buy.  Right? In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, host Sara McCullough breaks down the fear and impossibilities of timing the market.  And she outlines the most common mistake we make when it comes to our money. Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at ask@saramakessense.ca and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode   Sara's website is https ..read more

This podcast is designed to inform, educate and enlighten because Sara DOES make sense. In previous episodes, we’ve covered off everything from divorce to timing the market to what kind of insurance is needed and necessary. In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, Sara answers real questions about real issues from her real listeners.  Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at ask@saramakessense.ca and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/  ..read more

We plan for vacations. We plan a weekend. However, many of us don’t plan when it comes to big ticket items, like financial planning when you decide to live with someone. Why do you need one? After all, you’re both in love. In this episode of Sara Makes Sense, Sara uses real life examples to walk listeners through the expensive landmines that can await separating couples who have not planned ahead.    Got a question for Sara? Send her an email at ask@saramakessense.ca and she might respond to it in an upcoming episode Sara's website is https://www.wddevelopment.ca/  ..read more