Jordan Stroud Financial Services

50% of Canadians are living paycheque to paycheque.

That number still surprises people but it really shouldn’t.

The pandemic showed us something important. Financial stress doesn’t mean you’re irresponsible or bad with money. It means life can change quickly and most people don’t have a big margin for error.

Illness. Disability. Job disruption. Unexpected expenses. These things don’t come with warning signs or perfect timing.

Yet we don’t talk about it. There’s still a stigma around money struggles, even though so many people quietly carry the same worries.

Planning isn’t about fear or assuming the worst. It’s about giving yourself options. Time. Breathing room. A backup plan when life throws a curveball.

If the last few years taught us anything, it’s that no one is immune to change and no one should feel ashamed for wanting to be prepared.

Let’s normalize the conversation. 💬

January tends to be about becoming better versions of ourselves.

We think about eating better, moving more, slowing down, and taking care of things we’ve put off. Not because anything is wrong, but because we know future us will be better for it.

Financial protection often falls into that same category. It’s something many people avoid thinking about, even though we know it matters. Not out of fear, but out of care for ourselves and the people who rely on us.

Planning for illness or disability isn’t about expecting the worst. It’s about giving yourself options, flexibility, and breathing room if life takes an unexpected turn.

A new year is a good reminder that taking care of ourselves includes the parts we don’t always want to look at, but know we should.

The cost of waiting is real.

Saving later does not just mean saving less it often means having to save much more every month to reach the same goal.

This visual shows what it takes to reach a one million dollar retirement goal at a hypothetical five percent return.

Start at 40 years out and the monthly commitment is manageable…

- Wait until 20 years and it jumps
- Wait until 10 years and it becomes heavy
- Wait until 5 years and it can feel almost impossible

Time is the most powerful tool in any financial plan and the earlier you start the more flexible your options stay.

If you are not sure when or how much you should be saving that is exactly what I help people figure out.

Ever wonder how long it takes for your money to double
That’s where the Rule of 72 comes in

Take 72 and divide it by your rate of return
The result is approximately how many years it takes your money to double

2 percent about 36 years
4 percent about 18 years
6 percent about 12 years

This works for you when you are investing
And just as powerfully against you when it comes to high interest debt.

Small differences in rate and strategy can mean decades of impact over time
Understanding concepts like this is why having a plan matters

If you are not sure whether your money is working for you or against you
That is a great place to start the conversation

Most people want financial peace of mind but have no idea where to start.
The truth is that every solid financial plan comes down to the same Six Steps:

1. Cash Flow – earning more and keeping more
2. Debt Management – clearing space to grow
3. Emergency Fund – because life happens
4. Proper Protection – protecting what matters most
5. Build Wealth – letting money work for you
6. Preserve Wealth – keeping more of what you’ve built

If you’re not sure where you fit on this list or which step you should be focusing on next, that’s exactly what I help people figure out.

If you want to go into 2026 feeling more confident and clear about your finances, send me a message.
Sometimes the hardest part is just the first step. 🤗

📊 A snapshot of smart investing.

Here’s a look at a few investments we have access to in our lineup as a broker. Not every fund will make sense for every investor, but the key is knowing how to tailor the mix to meet your goals and timelines.

Diversification and compound growth are what make long-term success possible. Even if some years look softer than others, the consistency over time is what builds real wealth.

If it has been a while since you reviewed your portfolio, let’s take a look and make sure your investments are still working toward your goals.

Here's a powerful example of how informed investment strategies can drive remarkable growth in a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP), setting your child up for a brighter financial future.

By understanding your unique risk tolerance and investment horizon, you can unlock substantial double-digit growth and achieve your goals.

If your current strategy isn't yielding the desired results, it's time to reassess and optimize your approach to secure a more prosperous future for yourself and your loved ones. 📚🎓🚌

*returns based on personal RESP performance & medium risk investments*

✨ Refreshed. Refocused. Ready.

After taking some time to focus on family and reset, I’m back full time and so excited to reconnect with familiar faces and meet new ones.

If you’ve been thinking about setting new goals, getting organized, or just having someone in your corner as you plan for what’s ahead, I’d love to catch up.

I’m now based right here in St. Marys and still available virtually across Ontario. Looking forward to connecting and starting fresh together. 🌿

Bringing this back as it’s been a couple years already! Big question is — what steps have you taken in those two years to protect you, your family, your financial goals, your income etc?

If the answer is nothing or not enough, let’s start a conversation!

Debunking Life Insurance Assumptions:

1. You are never too young to purchase insurance. The younger and healthier you are the cheaper the monthly investment will be, and the younger you can stop paying. Insurance is a privilege not a right so be sure to qualify when healthy as its more cost effective and easier to obtain! You will have future debts so cover them now, don't wait.

2, 1 year's salary isn't enough to replace your income if you pass away. If you were left with a generous 100K, could you live more than 5 years on it? Feed and send kids to school? Pay off the mortgage on one salary? Think about replacing income not just paying off debt. Living on one salary is tough when the bills stay close to the day.

3. Employer owned insurance is a good start but it isn't the end all be all. When you move on from the job (chosen or decided for you) this insurance does not follow you. This means you are older and more risk to an insurance company when you apply again. I don't know many people still wanting to work during their retirement years which means you won't have the coverage when it's most likely for us to pass away. Employers control company benefits, they don't need to cover their employees but choose to so if it's between you and their bottom line you have to wonder what they'll choose when needing to make cut backs.

4.Mortgage insurance protects the lender not you. Your family isn't the beneficiary the banks are. You pay the same amount each month but your coverage decreases! Mortgage insurance is usually underwritten post death so if the company decides you shouldn't have had the coverage it wont pay.Not to mention the coverage is usually more expensive than just getting your own more flexible plan that you and your family own. Once your mortgage is gone the insurance is gone, when you make changes to your mortgage, when you move this coverage could be void. Insurance needs continue on past paying off a mortgage so investigate the value in a personal plan rather than a group one.

5. Investigate the different types of insurance and buy the one that suits their needs. Mortgages for example have a period of amortization and are temporary hence don't need to be fully covered by a permanent policy whereas final expenses are a permanent need and could be covered by a longer form of insurance. Think about layering your coverage so you can keep a portion of your insurance for life and a larger coverage during the years you have more debt and expenses! This keeps the investment down and gives you insurance coverage that follows your insurance needs as they change!

Here's a couple tips and tricks to think about! If you or anyone you know is skeptical, confused or just doesn't know where to start when it comes to insurance I'd be happy to help out. As brokers we can shop around and help EVERYBODY get insurance no matter your health, age, smoking status etc...

Let's start the conversation and let's get educated!

Debunking Life Insurance Assumptions:

1. You are never too young to purchase insurance. The younger and healthier you are the cheaper the monthly investment will be, and the younger you can stop paying. Insurance is a privilege not a right so be sure to qualify when healthy as its more cost effective and easier to obtain! You will have future debts so cover them now, don't wait.

2, 1 year's salary isn't enough to replace your income if you pass away. If you were left with a generous 100K, could you live more than 5 years on it? Feed and send kids to school? Pay off the mortgage on one salary? Think about replacing income not just paying off debt. Living on one salary is tough when the bills stay close to the day.

3. Employer owned insurance is a good start but it isn't the end all be all. When you move on from the job (chosen or decided for you) this insurance does not follow you. This means you are older and more risk to an insurance company when you apply again. I don't know many people still wanting to work during their retirement years which means you won't have the coverage when it's most likely for us to pass away. Employers control company benefits, they don't need to cover their employees but choose to so if it's between you and their bottom line you have to wonder what they'll choose when needing to make cut backs.

4.Mortgage insurance protects the lender not you. Your family isn't the beneficiary the banks are. You pay the same amount each month but your coverage decreases! Mortgage insurance is usually underwritten post death so if the company decides you shouldn't have had the coverage it wont pay.Not to mention the coverage is usually more expensive than just getting your own more flexible plan that you and your family own. Once your mortgage is gone the insurance is gone, when you make changes to your mortgage, when you move this coverage could be void. Insurance needs continue on past paying off a mortgage so investigate the value in a personal plan rather than a group one.

5. Investigate the different types of insurance and buy the one that suits their needs. Mortgages for example have a period of amortization and are temporary hence don't need to be fully covered by a permanent policy whereas final expenses are a permanent need and could be covered by a longer form of insurance. Think about layering your coverage so you can keep a portion of your insurance for life and a larger coverage during the years you have more debt and expenses! This keeps the investment down and gives you insurance coverage that follows your insurance needs as they change!

Here's a couple tips and tricks to think about! If you or anyone you know is skeptical, confused or just doesn't know where to start when it comes to insurance I'd be happy to help out. As brokers we can shop around and help EVERYBODY get insurance no matter your health, age, smoking status etc...

Let's start the conversation and let's get educated!

As I sit down with more and more people who've directly been impacted by sickness or whom have family or friends that have battled or are battling sickness, I put out the call that no one is uninsurable and no one should feel the stress of putting a financial burden on their family when they should be focused on recovery/living! If you know anyone told they are uninsurable send them my way and let me prove the industry wrong!

Have you or anyone you know been told that you cannot qualify for life insurance? Do you know anyone living with:

-Cancer
-MS
-Crohns
-Diabetes

AND many more...

If you or someone you know has been told they are non insurable, give me a call and let's prove that wrong.