Building Wealth with Brett

I’ve noticed something about big financial moments.

People don’t panic because they can’t handle money.

They get overwhelmed because there are too many decisions stacked at once:

taxes
accounts
timing
family expectations
and the big question of “what should I do next?”

So if you’re in a money in motion season and you feel like your brain is running in the background all day… that makes sense.

There's a lot to think about. Just like players lean on their coach, you can lean on a financial advisor to coach you through it.

Job change ≠ just a new salary.

Sometimes the biggest decision is what you do with the “old stuff” you’re leaving behind:

Pension options
Commuted value choices
Locked-in accounts
Group plans
Benefits ending

Those decisions can come with real deadlines and long-term tradeoffs.

(In Ontario, for example, commuted value is a defined concept and members are encouraged to review options with their plan administrator and seek professional advice.)

Don't make a decision without seeing the full ice.

The median inheritance Canadians report receiving is around $85,000 (According to data from Statistics Canada’s Survey of Financial Security)

Most people don't feel that an inheritance is “fun money.”

They want to be proactive and respectful of the gift given to them. They want whatever decisions they make with that money to be meaningful.

Because...

That’s “big decision” money.
That's "what options do we have" money.
That's "Potential for future growth" money.

So the first question usually shouldn’t be “What should I invest in?” Or "What should we pay off?" etc.

It should be:
What can this money do for my life... now AND in the future?

This is knowledge I want to be sure I share with my kids. Because understanding the game, the plays, and your options makes all the difference in how you honor that gift.

A common “money in motion” trap:

You get a payout (inheritance, severance, sale proceeds).

You make one quick move to feel productive.

And then you realize later that one move triggered a tax issue, changed your timeline, or created a ripple you didn’t see.

This is a common mistake... Not taking the time to get the full view.

This is why I’m big on slowing the play down before anything gets locked in.

Which option do you want for your money?

Option A:
Fast, speedy, prone to mistakes or missed opportunities.

Option B:
Sees the full ice, strategic plays, eyes on the goal.

When money moves, the mistake isn’t usually the investment choice.

It’s the speed you play.

Inheritance.
Severance.
Pension decision.
Business sale.
Divorce.
Retirement.

The pressure to “just do something” is where costly mistakes happen.

Slow the play down.
See the full ice.