I love new cars but what I’ve learned is these glittering pieces of steel – if you cannot afford to pay with cash – can be detrimental to your future financial well-being. I’m not saying you can’t own a new car. I’ve owned a number of new cars myself and love the thrill of being one of the first to own the latest engineering marvel on four wheels.

Death is not something most people enjoy talking about. But the reality is, that someday we all have to go. And we can’t take our hard earned money and possessions with us. It’s going to go to someone. Most of us hope that our wealth will be passed on to our families – or perhaps go to a cause that we believe in. Taxes and estate laws in Canada being what they are, however, a good portion of your estate could go to the government instead.

Putting a good financial security plan together is like building a puzzle. A proper plan includes insurance and investments. My wife and I have built businesses in London, Ontario that generate income and in case something happens to either one of us we would like to make sure that we can maintain our savings and our way of life.

I feel very blessed having grown up in London, Canada. I believe we live in one of the freest, most prosperous countries in the world. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it and take the steps to achieve it – after all, these are the values Canada was built on.

As long as I can remember Canadians have had income tax deducted from their paycheques. Taxes are a way of life and it’s hard to avoid them, whether you’re buying food, filling your car with gas or buying a stove. However, now Canadians have a new way to lower their tax burden and keep more cash in their pocket. Unlike a bank savings account where you pay tax on the growth in a tax-free savings account (TFSA) your growth is not taxed – more money for you.

You’ve already set up your passive income stream (not government or company-funded) to pay all your bills and vacations and you’re enjoying a cool beverage while sitting on the beach in some exotic location. You don't have to go back to work, however, you do because you love the work you do now more than ever and you aren’t pressured to earn a paycheque.

Remember what it was like to be a child in London, Ontario when you could dream of being anything you wanted? You didn't set limits on your dreams. You believed anything was possible. Then you got in the rat race and lived for weekends and perhaps two weeks of holidays a year. Do you love the work you do or would you rather do something else? There is a better way. You could achieve financial independence and do the work you always dreamed about.

When I was young, I didn’t have a worry in the world. My parents were good providers and all my needs were taken care of. We always had good vacations in the summers and we owned a snowmobile when we lived in northern Ontario, and my parents got me a ski membership when we moved to London. In the ‘80s my father bought a sailboat, so summers were now filled with sailing adventures.

Welcome to fall and cooler weather. At least the trees bring colour. It’s time to think about midterm exams for students and preparations for the holiday season. It’s time to prepare the cars and home for the cold weather and bring out the warmer clothing. It’s time for winter kale from our backyard garden. Mmmm . . . kale shakes!

You know a mortgage can help you purchase a home. But did you know it can also help you use your home’s value to finance other priorities?